Knowing how long to stay with a single employer can be a difficult decision to make. Am I moving too soon or have I been here for too long? The answer will vary greatly depending on the stage of your career, the opportunities for promotion available with your current employer, how ambitious you are, and what elements of a job motivate you.
We can tell you that the majority of employees are willing to commit for the longer-term. According to an online survey we recently conducted of nearly 500 employees in Hong Kong, almost 50 per cent said they want to stay with an employer for more than five years.
A further 26 per cent said they would be willing to stay up to five years but not more, which means they would probably have on average two jobs each decade of their career. The remaining 25 per cent said they would like to change employers every year or two.
This suggests that, overall, people do still believe in job loyalty. Having a lifelong job is very uncommon these days, but so is job-hopping – which, if done too frequently, can raise questions about your reliability. There are advantages to be gained from staying with an employer for the long haul, such as benefits, promotions and stature.
If you are getting what matters most to you – whether that is job security, stimulating work, or career advancement – then there’s no need to change jobs.
If you aren’t being offered what you need, however, then it might be time to take the next step. Job loyalty is an honourable attribute that will put you in good stead with future employers, but there’s no point in sticking around if you aren’t getting any job satisfaction.
Consider what your long-term career objectives are and then act accordingly.
This article appeared in the Classified Post print edition as To hop or not?
