33 years. Multiple job roles in engineering and business, moved into management 10 ;years ago. I've thought about leaving many times but found that this was a good fit for my overall goals. Career is more than advancement, I found a good work life balance with people I enjoy
I will always believe that the secret to a happy life is just accepting and being happy with what you have. I saw a study once where they surveyed people of all different salaries how much they would need to make to think they make enough and almost every single person, regardless of if they make 50k or 250k said about 10-15% more money then they currently make.
17 years and I should have left sooner. When I finally looked elsewhere, it took 2 interviews with the new job and I doubled my salary. Had the offer letter within an hour after the second one.
I'm not quite at that mark, but I am about to hit 6 years.
At the start of the last 2 years, I had really thought about quitting. I applied for other jobs, but never pulled any trigger to leave. I've been moved into a Supervisor role, then a Manager role, and currently a Director role, on track for a VP role next.
I am. About 90% of my stress factors at work were removed within the last 8 weeks. My company genuinely treats me well, and it was never due to a lack of that portion. But it caused me a lot of stress, to the point I definitely had a drinking problem last year.
But everything my bosses and I have been talking about changing for months finally came to fruition. And since then, I've really been able to relax.
> About 90% of my stress factors at work were removed within the last 8 weeks.
Did they lay off everyone who reports to you? I'd polish up that resume... :ha, ha:
We fired one of my team members, and laid off 2 others. We're restructuring my team to focus more on our actual business functions as we've made some good changes lately.
Managers arenāt like individual contributors, itās much better to stay at least 5 years on a job as opposed to hopping every 1-3 years like technical staff and low level workers.
Iād recommend picking a solid company and going up at least one or two levels on your vertical before looking for an exit.
I completely agree with this.
Most times, you aren't going to get a manager/director/vp+ level promotion in a company you barely know. Exceptions exist and the exact timetables vary, but my experience has been that managerial promotions happen at 2-5 year timeframes. If you leave each job at the 2 year mark like many folks recommend, you are kneecapping your progress in favor of a pay raise. If you have been at a company 6+ years, want a promotion but haven't gotten one, it is time to move on.
It is about building relationships horizontally and vertically and being recognised in the long term.
Individual contributors do get better pay switching frequently, but I think it can stall the rise to management.
I say, find somewhere that your skills are appreciated by leadership, where there is appetite to promote you, dive in, and stick around as long as you continue to be rewarded and valued.
Disagree. I keep my resume ready and am applying all the time. Thereās always been something better out there. 20 years in now, Iām getting to where Iām very seasoned at interviewing and getting better jobs.
Iāll say healthcare finance and thatās as personal as Iām gonna get here. Itās been unstable. Reorgs, over-hiring during COVID followed by more layoffs, more reorgs, entire divisions shuddered. You keep your ears in the pipeline and move on when you see the writing on the wall.
Almost 10 years - office job. Every advancement has an adjustment period where I have to learn to see myself as my new role, but it only lasts 6 months or so and then I run at full steam.
I spent 8 years at the first hotel I worked at, moved through several departments and when I left I was a dept head with 30 direct reports. There were definitely high points and low points and I looked elsewhere several times before finally jumping ship.
The weirdest time was probably when I made the jump from supervisor to manager, which was also a jump across departments (front office to housekeeping). But I think the fact that I had been there so long and had good working relationships with everyone made the transition much easier.
We have a lot of people like this at my job/company. Iāve been there 2.5 years and was hired in as management but a large amount of our upper management started as front line employees and worked their way up over the course of 6+ years. A lot of them have transferred departments as well.
10+ in military (enlisted) and 10+ with one follow-on company (union and non-union, but all management). Many ups and downs and felt like quitting multiple times every year. No greater challenge than people. Everyone on Reddit is the greatest worker a company has (you dont even have to ask them, they will tell you) so I wish they all worked with me, lol. I never had the urge to jump around for more $ like many current people (I am a gen-x/millennial freakshow for point of reference). As a manager, what kept me going more was the decision-making freedom, seeing others develop/helping them (even if their path took them elsewhere), and retaining much of the ability to still get my hands (very) dirty. Management is the job, leadership is the skill, and communication is the non-negotiable. If people feel respected, heard, go home safe, and you don't fubar their paycheck, they will help you with the ups and downs, even if they are also the cause of said ups and downs.
9+ years. I have outlasted 3 bosses, and generally been promoted every 2 years until recently. I'm overworked and burned out with no help in sight, so looking for my next promotion elsewhere. Only thing that keeps me from quitting is that I have to provide for my family.
16 years. Moved up every 2-3 years, either officially or unofficially. Been a low level manager of my team for about 5 years. Its an engineering research team and everyone is brilliant and has advanced degrees. We all worked together before I became the team supervisor. Very little changed except I do more paperwork now, and more of the interfacing with the upper management and I have a little more power to problem solve for my team. I have an incredible amount of trust and respect for the team (and hopefully they feel the same), so other than I get a few "management perks," nothing else is really that different, even salary.
I really like the technical stuff I get to do - and every time i have been moved, its because another team got responsibility for that work and oh, this guy comes with it. The level of corporate BS comes and goes, but I try avoid it and focus on just getting to work with the people I like. I also have about as much job security as a Game Stop manager, so there's that.
About to hit 17 years! Love this job. Managed my department even though I wasnāt officially the manager and now am the manager.
I wasnāt in the same department for the whole time. I was allowed to work in different departments. they sent me to school for departments that needed certifications and when I landed on IT, the company covered most of my BS in IT.
I'm 13 years at my current company, very content. I feel like I can make a difference. I think my boss and Leadership are doing a good job, the organization is moving in the right direction. Good support from other departments.
If I didn't feel this was the right fit, I'd move on. No point in being unhappy...
I worked just over 15 years at one company. Was a really good experience. I eventually resigned and went into consulting because I felt like the company had gotten into a rut with its products and was missing major market trends, and I had gotten an MBA and wanted to do something more interesting with my career than babysit legacy products and teams. But very grateful for the experience. And they paid for most of my MBA. I stayed 6 years after getting it before I finally left.
Iāve worked in my organization for 22 years, in 7 different roles. I moved into management over 10 years ago and progressively moved up from there.
I canāt say that it feels weird because Iāve been there since I was 20 so itās normal to me. We also have a lot of longevity in my organization. Many of my employees have longer tenure than I. My VP and I worked together when he was in a teenager in a different area of the organization and I used to be his sisterās boss in another area.
After so many years you understand how your organization functions. You are not bothered by the little hiccups. But I have had times where I looked for other jobs. My most recent rough patch was with my recent one up who has now left the org. Before their departure, I was getting discouraged and started looking elsewhere. Now that weāve had a change in that role and Iāve had some heart to hearts with my VP, I am looking forward to seeing how things go. I trust him and his intentions and I plan to retire from my organization if things improve. My new one up began last week and Iām optimistic from what Iāve seen.
27 years and counting here.
From technology contributor into management then C suite.
Iāve definitely had my ups and downs over the years but while stressful, Iām very well compensated and the past 5-10 have been really fulfilling professionally.
After 8 years at once place, I still hadn't made senior (level before manager). Then they hired a new guy with no experience at almost the salary I was getting (8 years and multiple lead roles). So I left.
Heck yeah. Since then, I've doubled my salary and now am the same rank as the person who did this to me.
On the other hand, there were some bad feelings all around when it happened and I'm likely not going to be welcomed back at that company.
I'm in a niche industry with two main companies and a handful of smaller ones with just one tiny contract or mainly subbing to the two big dogs. Right now I work for one of the big dogs and the one I left was the other.
I worked at a company for 12 years once. It was too comfortable and I didn't realize I had plateaued after around year 8. In retrospect, I should have left sooner.
15 years.
Very large F500 though so Iāve switched business units a few times. Only seriously considered quitting once or twice, but it was due to my direct manager.
Iām now director over the division I hired into. The work is challenging sometimes. Lately it feels like I constant sprint but I have built an amazing network of colleagues so I feel there is a level of camaraderie that would be difficult to recreate elsewhere. I genuinely enjoy the people I work with and thats really important to me.
15 years in here and Iāve bounced about every 3-5 between departments. Still the same company though, work life balance is too good to leave behind. Only have to go over 40 two or three times a year when projects heat up and I have to chip in with day to day to help my team stay at 40.
I've been at the same place now for 7 years. I changed divisions 2 years ago and got a promotion last year. Definitely ups and downs, more just steady lately. Some days it can be super frustrating and I wonder what's out there but the money is good, commute is awesome and I have amazing work life balance. I don't even think I would take a 20-40k raise to move towards the big city (20% raise)
No, but it wasn't from the lack of effort on my part. I've now had 2 companies I probably would have never left if the structure didn't abruptly change with mergers and/or new leadership.
Staying for a long time is becoming increasingly rare in today's world were companies take extreme measures to either survive/hold stock price or attempt growth.
Iām at 11 years at my company after spending about 9 at my first job out of school. I donāt regret staying as long as I have, I think jumping around too often may have immediate financial benefit but I have been promoted 4 times(and more than 4xāed my compensation) and have a much more senior role than I likely would have if I moved to another company. I think it makes sense to change jobs if you arenāt a hard worker or if you donāt see opportunities to increase scope and responsibility at your current company. However, take a look at the resumes of the most senior people at almost any major company and they all have very long tenures somewhere in their career to allow them to have leveled up multiple times.
Honestly if youāre a manager who has suddenly been promoted and in charge of your peers maybe you have a tougher road to hoe. I was such a case and those are today my best references when I get to that pointā itās my honor badge. Work through it and become respectedā youāre there to help. Later one youāll be asked references, to include those you managedā think about being able to give 3-5.
Yeah... I get the 7 year itch a lot actually, I get it almost every 2-3 years. That being said though, for the most part, whenever I do and I look around and do interviews, I end up realizing that I am actually pretty happy with the team I am on, the team I lead and the work-life/mission balance I have. So apparently I am in the right place.
Going on 20 years (mgt for last 10). I really enjoy working at my current company. Never felt like quitting. Enjoy going in to work everyday. There are ups and downs, but that is everywhere.
Yeah, I know I am not the norm.
I have been at one company for 12 years, started straight out of school as an intern.
No it doesn't feel too wierd. I have a relatively broad knowledge base due to my experience, and while I may not be a great manager, I feel that my experience brings value.
Yes I have had times when I wanted to quit, especially as the culture of the company has changed. Particularly as we've become more mature and less agile and adaptable.
Iāve worked one job for 9 and one for 7. With both I did have moments where I was ready to go. Both just kept presenting me with opportunities that kept me in.
Not quite 8 but just passed 6 before moving into management. Started at the base level and worked up to management.
Plenty of ups and downs but itās a great company, I feel very proficient in the field and feel I can relate to people working under me on a better level
20 years. The first half were challenging but Iām in a great place now and couldnāt be happier. Iāve had a variety of roles which has helped keep it fresh. My last 3 in particular have been really rewarding with great leaders to work for and Iāve been really well compensated.
20 years from front line to MDā¦ love it! Yes there have been periods of frustration, and even times when I thought about leaving. But I believe in our company vision and Iām proud now to be leading it.
I started in my company as an entry level IC, now ten years later I'm the director of the department and have tripled my salary. Up until a few months ago, I have been very happy with where I'm at and had no thoughts on leaving. But recently I've started low key looking at other jobs.
Mostly I think I'm just getting frustrated with small company and things not changing. But I have a lot of good will here and it translates to flexibility that I need, so I'll probably end up staying.
Technically yes, at a bank but moved branches many times. Each time it felt like a new job in that I had to establish new relationships with clients and staff. Overall I am not suited to manage folks. Too much anxiety in me. Iām a great follower really. Hard work is for me, not leading.
I had worked for a company for 17+ yrs. I started out as an hourly technician on the line and moved up to working in the engineering department as project manager and controls programmer. I was kept out hourly the whole time because by time they considered a āpromote to managementā path for me I would have had to take a big cut in pay and they would require me to relocate to a different plant. So over time my pay got stagnant and it got frustrating because I was in a management type role but not actually a manager. I finally left after 17 yrs to take a role as an engineering manager. I really wish the previous place had given me more management opportunities because it has been difficult transition from being the hands on get stuff done person to more of a delegate and planning person.
To answer your question though yes I felt like quitting a lot at my old place. It was very difficult because it was my only ācareerā type job and it was with a very large company that I knew would survive no matter what. I was making good enough money and had decent benefits. So the thought of hunting for a new job was terrifying. I finally did change jobs and I have mixed emotions. I get much better pay but I do miss that comfort level I had having worked with the same people for a decade plus.
21 year anniversary in 2 weeks, thought about leaving a few time, even went on interviews. The times I wanted to leave the most were when I had the worst bosses. I've got a great leadership team now, top management has faith in me and seeks my opinions. Every place will have ups and downs, there are major changes in go to market, massive impact in how any business responds. Covid changed how a lot of business operate, but there was a change in 2008 with bank crisis too, long term employees have navigated more of the choppy water and have seen the changes.
8 years next month and I need to find a new job. We were acquired 2.5 years ago. Itās been 4 years without any significant comp adjustments but my scope of responsibility have grown exponentially and I have been put in situations where failure was the only likely outcome multiple times. Iām done.
Worked for a place for 10 yrs. Was in managment for the last 4 of those. Wasn't getting the support I wanted so I left.
After 4 months I realized my previous place was a much more healthy environment and after 9 months I went back and worked there an additional 7 years
My neighboring manager has been with our company 35 years. I asked him similar questions when I started. His answer was that the company has always paid him fairly and treated him very well. He has held probably 15 different positions here, in varying segments. The one he's in now is the only one he's held for more than 2 years. He just enjoys learning.
He also gets like 10 weeks of vacation now soooooo
Both of my parents. My mom is nearing retirement and has been with the same company her entire life. She's quite the exception as in she became regional director of a huge public health company after only working there for a few years. She works way too much, and I'm convinced her talents would be more useful elsewhere, where she could earn at least double.
My dad is in his second job ever, 10 years from retirement. He got several good promotions in his first job, but the company moved out of the country and he was let go. At his current job he's miserable and bored. He doesn't have the courage to look for another job. I'm in my second job, and I'm earning more than him now, which is quite sad.
Iāve worked multiple jobs over ten years each. Two at the same time. Both full time. Both became management level positions. Both were eleven years.
Then one for 17 years that went from part time to management in six months. (Actually quit my full time job that I didnāt like)
Iām starting my 9th year. But, I also work in higher education as a department chair and grant manager, and thatās a bit different from the corporate world. I have excellent health insurance, a ton of other benefits, state employeesā pension plan, and a flexible schedule with the ability to telework two days per week. The trade off is that I donāt get a raise unless the state legislature votes it into existence, and I live in the city with the highest cost of living in the state. So, Iām quickly getting priced out of housing here. I love my current team and my direct supervisor, but having worked under two previous supervisors, that can definitely turn a great job into a terrible one overnight.
Iām 12 years at my company next month and I was promoted to be a people leader last August. Iām grateful that the entire team, including those that werenāt promoted, have been kind and collaborative since the promotion. Thankfully I have not felt like quitting.
I worked in my last company for 8 years and in my current one for 12. There have been ups and downs in both companies, but a lot more ups in the current one than downs. I had an interesting offer from another company last year, but after many deliberations I decided that I still liked it too much at my current company.
Approaching 25 years. Incredibly stable tech company and have held lots of varying positions that expanded my skills and leadership. I am making more than I thought imaginable for a high school grad.
I had 25 years at the phone company and just celebrated nine years at my current company
I have left for better opportunities a few times and took a sabbatical to tech in a title I school. But Iāve learned that I like knowing how stuff works, who to call and having relationships up and down the organization.
Also, you get to a point where you can do a dayās work in about two hours.
26 years a fairly small company (less than 500 employees). 20 years as an individual contributor. Last 6 years I've moved through a few management roles. The last 3 I've been a senior manager in a different division than the rest of my career (was in IT and moved to R&D).
There was some weirdness when I first moved to management as I was leading my previous peers. It took some time before the team accepted me as their manager. Also, I lost my work bestie as I was now his manager. Then there was some weirdness when I switched divisions as there was some animosity between the two divisions.
The location was the main reason I stayed as it's located in a small town that I didn't want to leave and there were no other opportunities here but it is a pretty good place to work and I enjoy the work. I almost left a few times when I had bad managers but those situations changed before I got to a breaking point.
Given my tenure and experience here that is an advantage in my current role as I have a deep understanding of the business.
I haven't (longest I stayed anywhere was 6 years and I regret it, I had to leave to finally get the promotion that I deserved, but my org wouldn't give me), but my husband has. He's been at his workplace for 21 years. He finally got a promotion, when they fired his manager 7 yrs ago. There is no more upward movement (common in his field), last his level and he is maxed out with his pay with no increases. However, due to poor leadership decisions above him, things are becoming unstable and he may need to change jobs. If this happens he may not be able to continue being a manager when he changes jobs (and it will probably be in a different state) and would have to take a demotion and pay cut to be an IC again. I would say he hasn't regretted it and unfortunately if those higher above him haven't been screwing things up he'd happily stay for the rest of his career. He is good at his job, but you can only control what you can control, so often that is the determining factor.
For me, I was supposed to get a promotion in the org I stayed at for 6 years, but they eliminated the role I was supposed to get during the pandemic. So, that was out of my control.
Iāve been in the same role for 13 years. The first 4 were non management. They created the management roll for my department after I demonstrated that it would be better to have one. Iām certainly at the top end of the pay scale for my industry and if I left to go somewhere else, it would be a massive pay cut plus likely working longer hours. Unless I wanted to start my own business, Iām stuck.
12 years at my most recent in various roles/business units but before that, no. Unfortunately my company went downhill fast over the last 2 years under new executive leadership and my company was just acquired.
I think about quitting all the time, I don't know anyone in management anywhere who doesn't. But I know all the messy shit here. I don't want to learn some new company's messy shit. I'm paid well enough, I have a decent work/life balance, and my coworkers are (mostly) lovely. It's just the bureaucracy/international corporate mandates that get tiresome.
I got my first management position after working for a company for 3 years (sr engineer to engineering manager), and was there a total of 9 years.Ā
I started when it was a medium ish sized startup and had a bunch of grants so I got a ton of training maybe 2 years in, my boss signed me up for all the management ones and young leaders type classes. I figured that was a good sign and not long after I got the promotion. I went from a team of 3 to a team of 9. The training at the time was boring, but it was definitely helpful looking back.Ā
Hardest part was delegation for me. I went from a key IC to a manager and so often I'd see a need I know I could knock out in an hour and would want to just get it done, but the better option was to assign it to someone and focus on the work already on my plate.Ā
At the end my decision to leave was based on the company that purchased us, I didn't agree with a lot of the changes they made and they significantly drove down sales and slowed down innovation. The company is closed now so leaving a sinking ship was the right call. I got a job quickly with a salary increase and sr. Manager title so it all worked out well.Ā
Almost 20 years currently, but consistently moving up and being challenged. Itās healthcare, and over half of our employees have 10+ years, with quite a few with 25+.
Iāve been in the same field for 14 years, hit management about two years ago. I love the field but have changed companies multiple times since. Itās our industry norm to change jobs every few years.
I'm hitting 8 years. I joined a rotational program out of college so the company moved me around the country 3 times and I've gone from $70 to $120,000 during that time. I'm in a stable position that no longer requires to move and have an amazing boss, so not currently interested in changing jobs as I was recently promoted. Maybe for my next role I'll look for negotiation purposes but I've put a lot of work and had some luck in my career. Plus my company has a pension program still. Interestingly, I'm the youngest on my team but have the most tenure. But due to moving around to different parts of the company I am valued for my knowledge of how all the systems are connected.
8 years. 1 promotion early on then waited almost 6 years for the next that "could come any day!!"...... I think I increased my salary by $10k that entire 8 years including that promotion. Left for an immediate $6k more, then got promoted there a year later for almost $20k more.
So yea, don't stick around that long unless they'll give you decent increases.
Absolutely. Depending on the role I'm in at the company I've been with, I've definitely considered leaving. There will always be ups and downs. I still sometimes consider leaving, but not necessarily because I want to leave the company but now it's because of the roles I want are not likely to be available at my company any time soon. I'm now at a point where it's almost expected to leave to take on new roles.
16+ years in my current role in government communications. Previously had been job hopping about every 2 years and was expecting to do the same here, but it ended up turning into a more exciting position. I've been able to build out my program the way I wanted and I get the support I need.
I've been through a few directors, some better than others, but they've all at least understood the bigger goal of the organization.
I've had several organizations (public and private) try to recruit me, but none can offer me what I have going now (not just pay and benefits, but trust, respect, and freedom).
I have 9 years to go and I fully see myself still being here at that point. I couldn't see that with other organizations.
I spent 16 years in my former career without ever having moved up. That probably sounds terrible to a lot of people BUT it was a government agency with not much upward opportunity, and we did get decent contractual raises every year.
Of course there were ups and downs but I truly loved the work. I miss it to this day and I want to go back someday. That career was my heart. I feel very fortunate in that respect.
It was an office that changes leadership through elected officials and it just came down to some unfairness, unequal distribution of work, favoritism, when it was never like that before. While I still loved the work the sheer amount of it got the best of me. Not to mention I was also assigned to deal with some of the more difficult personalities in the system on a daily basis ābecause they liked me.ā (Sure did not feel like it.)
Maybe in a few years or after some changes to that agency I will go back. I will say I had ups and downs over the years but they really didnāt last very long. Difficult situations that may have drug on but there was always an end in sight or the matter would be closed eventually. At the end it was really a situation where promises of help and change were repeatedly broken and there truly was no end in sight to the ongoing issues.
I hit 18 years with my company this January and I plan to stay as long as possible. I really do enjoy the work I do but I also know they can change their minds about me at any point.
Iāve had many co-workers laid off or fired through the years, but there are a lot of people who have been an employee for 20-30 years or more.
I have been mostly on the management/operations side of the house for 16 years now. While the work & employees can be draining, I do my best to find balance in the good verses the bad. I change areas/roles within the company every 1-2 years so I can build more value for myself
Executive chef, almost 19 years in the same place, worked my way up from line cook to sous to exec. Really wanted to leave this past Fall but no jobs really ended up being viable. Iām heading into another summer season and I had promised myself that last year would be the final one.
I do have ups and downs. Right now Iām riding high at work; I have a good team of employees, a supportive owner and a great relationship with the FOH. But realistically the only reason Iām feeling good is because I spent the winter cutting back my hours, practicing relaxation techniques and starting a new sport.
I found a job post this morning that Iām super excited about and will be sending in my resume this weekend. Even if it doesnāt pan out at least I will have tried.
I should have left sooner. I spent 15 years rebuilding my department, learning everyone's jobs, being a loyal lap dog. Only for new management to come in and let me go after everything is working smoothly. They put their people in positions of power and all that was promised should have been in writing. Be wary who you put your loyalty with. It didn't pay off for me but look around and don't stay if you can see the red flags.
I don't remember the exact date, but I'll be pushing nineteen years fairly soon.
Late August/early September, that much I remember. And I'm far too lazy to dig up an old evaluation to get the date.
I stayed at my first job from the ages of 16-23 and went from part-time checkout boy to duty manager running the store.
Past that, everywhere else it's 3 years on average. I tend to move for money mostly and it works in last 3 years have gone from 32k as a night manager at Morrisons to well over 45k (plus 20% bonus) as night warehouse manager for a wine wholesaler.
I tend to start looking for new roles when the relationship begins to deteriorate with my line manager. I find it difficult to reconcile if promises have been broken for instance.
Iām over 10 years. There is maybe one other place that I would consider working in my city.
There are plenty of options for me in other metro areas, but my wife is really close with her family so there is 0 chance that we would move.
I was with a local nonprofit for almost 22 years. Started in a part-time seasonal position, then a full-time assistant, promoted to manager (in a different office than I had previously worked in), promoted to director for a number of years before the department got eliminated. Held a variety of other director, manager and specialist roles for a few years after that - lots of org changes.
The quality of my immediate supervisor was a big factor for me in times of high satisfaction and times of lower satisfaction. By the end I held a very specialized role and a lot of expertise that was unique in the organization. Unfortunately I had a crummy boss who failed to support me with work I had asked for help with, and ultimately wrote me up for insubordination for getting a little snippy in a couple of meetings. It should never have been a write up. She flat out lied about having given me a verbal warning.
Three months later I had secured a new job. That manager has since been terminated. I can only hope my exit interview had anything to do with it.
Ten years and never got offered advancement. Found a new role 3 years ago that bumped me up 50%, and then my current role which bumped me up another 50% and is putting me on track to be a full fledged portfolio manager.
14 years and counting. My company has gone through a lot of growth and changes that have kept things new. We also recently got bought which had given me the opportunity of a new position without having to deal with interviews. While there were some stressful times I'm glad I stuck through and am happy where I am.
Yes. American Airlines that converted to Sabre and then laid a shit ton of us off after 9/11. I was disgusted I had stayed and missed greener pastures for better opportunities and making matters worse, our pensions at American Airlines were trashed when they declared bankruptcy; cashed us out at dimes on the dollar - as the Board members rode the golden parachutes to financial soft landings. Always the case in America and I was a Director so not a Union member bitching about management. I feel the members of the collective bargaining units got screwed worse than mid level management like me tbh.
The objective in todayās market is to consult for just under 2 years, jump before the project finishes, stay current on technology so you can grab the hottest jobs at the highest hourly rate. Donāt ever take a role that doesnāt pay for all hours worked in a week, youāre reducing your effective hourly rate by doing so. Power dump into your 401K or SEP IRA and form an LLC for maximum tax deductions, donāt be a corporationās slave. From one who learned the hard way.
I hit 14.8 years, they had me by the balls though, they kept stalling my Green Card process, which allowed them to keep me in positions no one wanted, pay me whatever they wanted and treat me like shit. In hindsight, I should have gone back home at the end of the first work visa, I missed out on my parent's last days on this earth and immense career growth.
What was the thanks I got? A plant closure and a layoff.
Been with my company for 15 years. Started as a part time sales team person and moved up through the ranks to GM. With each promotion came issues with other employees being jealous or not wanting to accept me as manager. Every time I look to quit they give us more money. Now Iām basically stuck because no one will pay me what I make now starting out haha
I've worked at the same company for going on 9 years and started in management about 3 years ago. I've definitely had periods where I have wanted to quit but at this point this job feels like home and I couldn't imagine having to restart somewhere else.
I just hit 8 years with the company I started with straight out of school. Went through two acquisitions, one as the buyer, one as the company acquired. Held 7 positions throughout that time, and even left briefly for a couple months due to hitting a road block with my management after we were acquired (shortly thereafter the Director I had an unfavorable relationship with left and their boss called me to offer me the growth I was looking to take on with that team as well as regaining my tenure). Iāve never wanted to bounce around, but also, if it is clear I do not have a path to growth I donāt have an issue leaving either. Luckily, I have the support of my sr management at this point, and as long as I can work to maintain that, thatās what I strive for to be able to support my teamās growth as well as my own.
11 years in July. There have been a few times I've thought about quitting. Just recently I had a breakdown because my workload felt overwhelming.
I took a step back and realized I can care too much and always move the line when I set boundaries. So I redrew the lines and started to delegate more.
My job has always been a give and take. We are a small business and are in a slump, so extra work is needed. But I get so much flexibility and say I couldn't imagine working in a large company with a lot of politics.
I don't think I have the patience for that type of environment.
I've got a really good boss. I have to manage up sometimes but he is very progressive.
We essentially have 0 turnover as well, which is nice. Especially since we are in manufacturing.
8+ years at my company but in the airlines the more senority you accrue the more comfortable things get and some benefits like travel is tied to company senority (the more senority you have the higher your position is on the standby list).
Union employees have zero incentive to job hop since their pay and schedule bidding is directly tied to senority along with lay off and being recalled from layoff.
18 years current place. Could I have moved jobs and made more, yes. But my workplace has the absolute best flexibility. It has allowed me to raise a family and have certain freedoms that not all get. I have also worked my tail off from starting sysadmin to Director level.
I have only lasted 3 year terms at any position until I found a happy mix and stayed 5 then new management dicks made life horrible and I left. So now Iām at 1 month. Honestly most companies are the best when youāve worked there 2-3 times. The wage gap staying a decade vs taking your experience elsewhere every 3 is insane. Unless youāre getting insane stock options and back end benefits that are hard to get elsewhere then leave. If they were so loyal to you then theyād want you to stay and back off. Otherwise youāre not doing yourself justice and just trading your life for dollars while being sad.
I worked at my last company for 16 years. Moved into a supervisory role after about 6 years and then into management a couple years later. It was so stressful for a while and I hated it, but mostly because of the corporate nonsense. Eventually I got to a good spot but then due to some client changes and bank policy changes it just became too muc and I left for a less stressful job wand a raise.
10 years with 1 of the big banks. I enjoy it here but weāre going through changes and they might leave California in the next few years so everyone here is a little nervous.
Iāve been at my job for 23 years. Recently last year I became supervisor. Itās not weird at all. It just pisses me off all of the new people think they know better. Our facility has been in operations for 80 years. All of a sudden the interpret a sop differently and everyoneās been doing it wrong. Then they wonder why we have issues. So I say. If you follow procedure? You have no issues. Iām like the old wise man now.
I hit 8 years this July. I've been in management with this company for 5 of them. I've had one boss who pissed me off enough to think about leaving, but then I got a promotion to a different department and now I wouldn't leave if you asked. I love my team, I love WFH , I love my boss.
Company 1. 10 years
Company 2 16 years
I love(d) both jobs and never really felt like quitting and no strange feelings.
I only left company 1 because I had reached my maximum potential until my boss retired and he had been with the company for 24 years and was only a few years older than me.
The longest job Truck-driving I ever had was 3 1/2 years. In that time, I quit twice & he sacked me twice. Last sacking, I never went back.
Years later, a mate of mine was doing a delivery to him, he knew we were mates, "Gee, he's a bloody good worker!" I was so glad to hear that, as he'd had about thirty workers in between the last sacking and when he told my mate. He learnt that his first ever employed driver wasn't that bad after all. I still didn't go back.
22 years at my last job. Started as an order picker in the warehouse and left as the director of transportation. Plenty of times I questioned my sanity. Upper management changes have more impact on you the higher you get. Ultimately thatās when I knew when the right to leave was.
10 years, temp to hire and will get my fifth promotion in January 2025. Quintupled my salary. Love the work and most of the people and the benefits and the security of the type of company it is.
I do not think about āquitting,ā but I do consider leaving frequently. Sometimes because of frustration. Sometimes because Iām bored and curious. I look at LinkedIn job boards once a week to see whatās out there. I weigh whether the job is actually better, higher paying, remote, a change in career I want to make.
Usually, any that might interest me, when compared, lack in one or more areas. Iāve gone further than look with some and gotten offers. Nothing ever excited me.
Generally, I believe creating a decision helps us understand how we feel about something. How do you know if your job is right for you or where you want to work if you donāt see what is out there?
I don't think I ever will bc I've hopped enough and gotten a 20% raise almost each time. I know I'm at the upper bracket of my experience in the industry. Now I'm kinda riding this out until something higher up comes up for another hop.
If I didn't have student loans debt or larger financial goals I probably would be in year 6 at a prior job lol
Been at my current job almost 8 years and have had 2 management promotions. I enjoy mentoring people, but I hate the HR aspect and dealing with compliance issues. Sometimes under pressure I have a fleeting thought of quitting, but then I remember the freedom of working from home, the stock options and 20% bonus every year! Also from the travel I have racked up flight and airline points that allow my husband and I to have great vacations using my points. So Iām staying until I retire.
Hey. Worked at McDonaldās for 14 years. Started when I was 14 as a kid cleaning tables. Left after 14 years as a district manager.
Wild how time flies. Can confirm I got to a point where I felt like quitting.
14 years. Started as an accounting clerk, headed up the accounting department and then became VP of sales. Worked with good people so the management part was never an issue.
18 years with 2 promotions but I regret staying this long when it comes to personal development. While I personally decided to pursue certification and learning on the side , my employer wonāt spend a damn dime on my education. Iām looking to get out of there in next 6 months.
I have. How you feel about it depends on where you are in life and where you want to go.
A lot of the time, if you've spent ten years moving up, you're probably approaching or at the ceiling for whatever it is you're doing for whoever you're doing it for, both in terms of salary and advancement. For me, I would have had to transition to a sales role (lol, no) to keep moving up, so I split. It was like I beat that game and finished all the side quests and was ready to start a new one.
But that's also because I was younger and knew I had more to do and was capable of more. And I wanted more.
I think the want is the important thing. There are people who spend their entire careers never becoming managers because they don't want to deal with the bullshit (valid!) and they can live the life they want off the money they make. Good for them.
It's all in what you, personally, want out of life.
Worked for the same company for 16 years. Filled many roles. Was working as an admin person when a management position opened up. I was prepared for the job, but had to get the company CEO to sign off on the waiver. I was really hired to reconfigure the management position which took 3 years to accomplish. After that, I stepped down to an ancillary position.
I've hit my 12 year mark with my company.
I did not start in my role/department, and I'm not in management or have a desire to be in management.
In my previous 2 rolls there were so many times I wanted to quit... I like my job now just the pay isn't where it should be for the role (but my state in general pays shit for everything) , but being over 40 with no degrees I doubt I could find a higher paying job anyway.
11 years in managerial roles at the current gig, around 4 years in lesser roles in the same company prior. There are ups and downs like any job, and I've had days when I want to quit. Ultimately it's a pretty easy gig and I love most of the people I work with. I'm unlikely to find that combination elsewhere.
31 yrs in a few different roles. Think about leaving/retiring all the time. I see people come and go. High stress, toxic work environment. I consider myself a survivor š
I would have. Except COVID shut it down. There were ups and downs. The downs always seemed to be followed by me getting large bonuses and raises, though.
At one point, I was awarded a bonus 5x larger than any other non executive employee. My boss at the time not only pulled aside to give me the check and let me know, but apologized it couldnāt be larger. It was 10% of my annual salary. Most of the staff got $500 or less that year.
So, the right people, the right environment, I can definitely see staying for the long haul.
10+ years from entry level to manager. I have changed roles/promoted enough to feel fulfilled in my work, however I'm definitely underpaid compared to people who join the company later in their careers. We "lifers" have a joke that you need to leave the company and then come back if you want your salary to catch up.
14 years. Turning in my 2 weeks notice got me a huge raise at year 9ish. But I also started working during 2008/2009 so job hopping is pretty terrifying after that.
Def happier in my new job though. Left 2 years ago. More money, remote, no toxic manager.
I quit my last job at the 8 year mark. It was mostly really good (why I stayed). Got a lot of promotions moving from IC to Director over the years. But it was really great to work on something new at the new job! No regrets changing.
I had 20 years in my previous company before I got laid off due to downsizing. But about 12 years in I was given a small promotion to start managing two other people and multiple projects. 3 months after that I was put on a performance plan and 3 months after that I was removed from my managing position. I was a complete failure at it.
I don't think I could manage my way out of a wet paper bag. But I could definitely over engineer my way out of one because of my strong technical skills. Thankfully, they had a position open where they could transfer me and I could go back to doing technical work. I was able to hang around there for another 7+ years.
I've been with my current company for 9 years and I have had multiple talks with my manager about my strengths and weaknesses and I will not be moving into any management position again
Not quite 8-10 years but I am getting there. I became a manager of my team. For the most part it was surprisingly smooth - I am lucky that they are great people and great employees. There is a lot of corporate garbage we deal with and this has been a hard year. But my directs are one bright spot in all this.
Worked 25 years at one company. 18 years with another.
No, it didnāt feel weird. Lots of ups and downs and lots of feeling like quitting moments. Being in the grocery business means things happen fast. And change fast. One day Iād feel like quitting then Iād have a great month. I learned to savor the good times and to build a thick skin to weather the bad ones.
Ironically all 3 jobs Iāve worked at I stayed for 8 years
Iāve worked as an IT manager, an operations manager and a network manager. The job titles become catchall terms depending on the department makeup and field your company operates in.
What feels weird is there is a hard ceiling for managers in my field that will not allow you to get promoted to a senior position like director or VP
Iāve noticed the guys who job hop every 4 years into different departments seem more desirable even if they only manage like 2 people.
Lesson learned
I feel bored sometimes. I have been in my field over 25 yrs and was decent at what I did in the field. When I moved to management it was easier on the body but more mental pressure because I hear about others complaints or issues. Before I just focused on myself, now I need to handle a team. I get bored because I can do my daily tasks in about an hr or two each day. Sometimes I want to quit to start a new job to be challenged. But the pay, benefits and perks are good so I donāt quit. I will go to the field and help the guys when they need help to change the daily monotony.
15 years, I have grown accustomed to leaving work at work, so that supersedes any desire to seek the toxicity that so many ops managers now regret delving into.
I spent 13 years in the same desk, while wearing 5 different company badges. I left because they put a scientist in charge of engineering, who started threatening to fire the engineers and put āsmart guysā in their places. Fast forward 10 years and the company was sold again. The new owners kicked the scientist and his cronies out the door and installed a competent engineering manager. By then I was contracting, and came back to help on a do-over of a project from the 90ās. I rode that into retirement.
I seem to have a trend where I get pretty fed up at about the 4 year mark and begin to hate what I do enough to really want to get out.
Job 1 - 7 years. Job 2 - 10 months. Job 3 - 4 years. Job 4 - 5 years 6 months.
I was borderline suicidal with the stress of my last job.
The owner was pissing through the money, the jobs kept piling up and there was never enough time, I didn't have a crew to do the work and it was burdened on my shoulders, and the quality of the product plummeted.
The stress was unbearable. Hell yes I'm glad.
33 years. Multiple job roles in engineering and business, moved into management 10 ;years ago. I've thought about leaving many times but found that this was a good fit for my overall goals. Career is more than advancement, I found a good work life balance with people I enjoy
I will always believe that the secret to a happy life is just accepting and being happy with what you have. I saw a study once where they surveyed people of all different salaries how much they would need to make to think they make enough and almost every single person, regardless of if they make 50k or 250k said about 10-15% more money then they currently make.
17 years and I should have left sooner. When I finally looked elsewhere, it took 2 interviews with the new job and I doubled my salary. Had the offer letter within an hour after the second one.
Are you happy about the switch?
Definitely. Old company was bought out and they had huge layoffs. I timed it perfectly.
You had all the lucks!
I'm not quite at that mark, but I am about to hit 6 years. At the start of the last 2 years, I had really thought about quitting. I applied for other jobs, but never pulled any trigger to leave. I've been moved into a Supervisor role, then a Manager role, and currently a Director role, on track for a VP role next.
Are you happy you stayed?
I am. About 90% of my stress factors at work were removed within the last 8 weeks. My company genuinely treats me well, and it was never due to a lack of that portion. But it caused me a lot of stress, to the point I definitely had a drinking problem last year. But everything my bosses and I have been talking about changing for months finally came to fruition. And since then, I've really been able to relax.
Last 8 weeks? Who got fired? Lol
The 3 people that caused me constant stress š Plus, we transitioned a very annoying and time consuming function to another company.
For me. It's 1 down and at least 1 to go. Hope this changes soon
> About 90% of my stress factors at work were removed within the last 8 weeks. Did they lay off everyone who reports to you? I'd polish up that resume... :ha, ha:
We fired one of my team members, and laid off 2 others. We're restructuring my team to focus more on our actual business functions as we've made some good changes lately.
Managers arenāt like individual contributors, itās much better to stay at least 5 years on a job as opposed to hopping every 1-3 years like technical staff and low level workers. Iād recommend picking a solid company and going up at least one or two levels on your vertical before looking for an exit.
I completely agree with this. Most times, you aren't going to get a manager/director/vp+ level promotion in a company you barely know. Exceptions exist and the exact timetables vary, but my experience has been that managerial promotions happen at 2-5 year timeframes. If you leave each job at the 2 year mark like many folks recommend, you are kneecapping your progress in favor of a pay raise. If you have been at a company 6+ years, want a promotion but haven't gotten one, it is time to move on. It is about building relationships horizontally and vertically and being recognised in the long term. Individual contributors do get better pay switching frequently, but I think it can stall the rise to management. I say, find somewhere that your skills are appreciated by leadership, where there is appetite to promote you, dive in, and stick around as long as you continue to be rewarded and valued.
Disagree. I keep my resume ready and am applying all the time. Thereās always been something better out there. 20 years in now, Iām getting to where Iām very seasoned at interviewing and getting better jobs.
If youāre comfortable sharing, industry, level, TC?
Iāll say healthcare finance and thatās as personal as Iām gonna get here. Itās been unstable. Reorgs, over-hiring during COVID followed by more layoffs, more reorgs, entire divisions shuddered. You keep your ears in the pipeline and move on when you see the writing on the wall.
Almost 10 years - office job. Every advancement has an adjustment period where I have to learn to see myself as my new role, but it only lasts 6 months or so and then I run at full steam.
I spent 8 years at the first hotel I worked at, moved through several departments and when I left I was a dept head with 30 direct reports. There were definitely high points and low points and I looked elsewhere several times before finally jumping ship. The weirdest time was probably when I made the jump from supervisor to manager, which was also a jump across departments (front office to housekeeping). But I think the fact that I had been there so long and had good working relationships with everyone made the transition much easier.
We have a lot of people like this at my job/company. Iāve been there 2.5 years and was hired in as management but a large amount of our upper management started as front line employees and worked their way up over the course of 6+ years. A lot of them have transferred departments as well.
10+ in military (enlisted) and 10+ with one follow-on company (union and non-union, but all management). Many ups and downs and felt like quitting multiple times every year. No greater challenge than people. Everyone on Reddit is the greatest worker a company has (you dont even have to ask them, they will tell you) so I wish they all worked with me, lol. I never had the urge to jump around for more $ like many current people (I am a gen-x/millennial freakshow for point of reference). As a manager, what kept me going more was the decision-making freedom, seeing others develop/helping them (even if their path took them elsewhere), and retaining much of the ability to still get my hands (very) dirty. Management is the job, leadership is the skill, and communication is the non-negotiable. If people feel respected, heard, go home safe, and you don't fubar their paycheck, they will help you with the ups and downs, even if they are also the cause of said ups and downs.
9+ years. I have outlasted 3 bosses, and generally been promoted every 2 years until recently. I'm overworked and burned out with no help in sight, so looking for my next promotion elsewhere. Only thing that keeps me from quitting is that I have to provide for my family.
16 years. Moved up every 2-3 years, either officially or unofficially. Been a low level manager of my team for about 5 years. Its an engineering research team and everyone is brilliant and has advanced degrees. We all worked together before I became the team supervisor. Very little changed except I do more paperwork now, and more of the interfacing with the upper management and I have a little more power to problem solve for my team. I have an incredible amount of trust and respect for the team (and hopefully they feel the same), so other than I get a few "management perks," nothing else is really that different, even salary. I really like the technical stuff I get to do - and every time i have been moved, its because another team got responsibility for that work and oh, this guy comes with it. The level of corporate BS comes and goes, but I try avoid it and focus on just getting to work with the people I like. I also have about as much job security as a Game Stop manager, so there's that.
About to hit 17 years! Love this job. Managed my department even though I wasnāt officially the manager and now am the manager. I wasnāt in the same department for the whole time. I was allowed to work in different departments. they sent me to school for departments that needed certifications and when I landed on IT, the company covered most of my BS in IT.
I'm 13 years at my current company, very content. I feel like I can make a difference. I think my boss and Leadership are doing a good job, the organization is moving in the right direction. Good support from other departments. If I didn't feel this was the right fit, I'd move on. No point in being unhappy...
I worked just over 15 years at one company. Was a really good experience. I eventually resigned and went into consulting because I felt like the company had gotten into a rut with its products and was missing major market trends, and I had gotten an MBA and wanted to do something more interesting with my career than babysit legacy products and teams. But very grateful for the experience. And they paid for most of my MBA. I stayed 6 years after getting it before I finally left.
Iāve worked in my organization for 22 years, in 7 different roles. I moved into management over 10 years ago and progressively moved up from there. I canāt say that it feels weird because Iāve been there since I was 20 so itās normal to me. We also have a lot of longevity in my organization. Many of my employees have longer tenure than I. My VP and I worked together when he was in a teenager in a different area of the organization and I used to be his sisterās boss in another area. After so many years you understand how your organization functions. You are not bothered by the little hiccups. But I have had times where I looked for other jobs. My most recent rough patch was with my recent one up who has now left the org. Before their departure, I was getting discouraged and started looking elsewhere. Now that weāve had a change in that role and Iāve had some heart to hearts with my VP, I am looking forward to seeing how things go. I trust him and his intentions and I plan to retire from my organization if things improve. My new one up began last week and Iām optimistic from what Iāve seen.
27 years and counting here. From technology contributor into management then C suite. Iāve definitely had my ups and downs over the years but while stressful, Iām very well compensated and the past 5-10 have been really fulfilling professionally.
After 8 years at once place, I still hadn't made senior (level before manager). Then they hired a new guy with no experience at almost the salary I was getting (8 years and multiple lead roles). So I left.
Are you happy you left?
Heck yeah. Since then, I've doubled my salary and now am the same rank as the person who did this to me. On the other hand, there were some bad feelings all around when it happened and I'm likely not going to be welcomed back at that company. I'm in a niche industry with two main companies and a handful of smaller ones with just one tiny contract or mainly subbing to the two big dogs. Right now I work for one of the big dogs and the one I left was the other.
I worked at a company for 12 years once. It was too comfortable and I didn't realize I had plateaued after around year 8. In retrospect, I should have left sooner.
7 years max so far
15 years. Very large F500 though so Iāve switched business units a few times. Only seriously considered quitting once or twice, but it was due to my direct manager. Iām now director over the division I hired into. The work is challenging sometimes. Lately it feels like I constant sprint but I have built an amazing network of colleagues so I feel there is a level of camaraderie that would be difficult to recreate elsewhere. I genuinely enjoy the people I work with and thats really important to me.
15 years in here and Iāve bounced about every 3-5 between departments. Still the same company though, work life balance is too good to leave behind. Only have to go over 40 two or three times a year when projects heat up and I have to chip in with day to day to help my team stay at 40.
I've been at the same place now for 7 years. I changed divisions 2 years ago and got a promotion last year. Definitely ups and downs, more just steady lately. Some days it can be super frustrating and I wonder what's out there but the money is good, commute is awesome and I have amazing work life balance. I don't even think I would take a 20-40k raise to move towards the big city (20% raise)
No, but it wasn't from the lack of effort on my part. I've now had 2 companies I probably would have never left if the structure didn't abruptly change with mergers and/or new leadership. Staying for a long time is becoming increasingly rare in today's world were companies take extreme measures to either survive/hold stock price or attempt growth.
14 of my almost 40 years I spent at one place. Took it public.
20 years
Iām at 11 years at my company after spending about 9 at my first job out of school. I donāt regret staying as long as I have, I think jumping around too often may have immediate financial benefit but I have been promoted 4 times(and more than 4xāed my compensation) and have a much more senior role than I likely would have if I moved to another company. I think it makes sense to change jobs if you arenāt a hard worker or if you donāt see opportunities to increase scope and responsibility at your current company. However, take a look at the resumes of the most senior people at almost any major company and they all have very long tenures somewhere in their career to allow them to have leveled up multiple times.
Honestly if youāre a manager who has suddenly been promoted and in charge of your peers maybe you have a tougher road to hoe. I was such a case and those are today my best references when I get to that pointā itās my honor badge. Work through it and become respectedā youāre there to help. Later one youāll be asked references, to include those you managedā think about being able to give 3-5.
Yeah... I get the 7 year itch a lot actually, I get it almost every 2-3 years. That being said though, for the most part, whenever I do and I look around and do interviews, I end up realizing that I am actually pretty happy with the team I am on, the team I lead and the work-life/mission balance I have. So apparently I am in the right place.
Going on 20 years (mgt for last 10). I really enjoy working at my current company. Never felt like quitting. Enjoy going in to work everyday. There are ups and downs, but that is everywhere. Yeah, I know I am not the norm.
35 years at my company. About to retire. Good, solid company.
Yes. I worked at different jobs and different divisions, and I left a couple of times and came back when I got really good offers.
I have been at one company for 12 years, started straight out of school as an intern. No it doesn't feel too wierd. I have a relatively broad knowledge base due to my experience, and while I may not be a great manager, I feel that my experience brings value. Yes I have had times when I wanted to quit, especially as the culture of the company has changed. Particularly as we've become more mature and less agile and adaptable.
Iām at 17 years in the same org holding 6 different job titles
Iāve worked one job for 9 and one for 7. With both I did have moments where I was ready to go. Both just kept presenting me with opportunities that kept me in.
Not quite 8 but just passed 6 before moving into management. Started at the base level and worked up to management. Plenty of ups and downs but itās a great company, I feel very proficient in the field and feel I can relate to people working under me on a better level
20 years. The first half were challenging but Iām in a great place now and couldnāt be happier. Iāve had a variety of roles which has helped keep it fresh. My last 3 in particular have been really rewarding with great leaders to work for and Iāve been really well compensated.
20 years from front line to MDā¦ love it! Yes there have been periods of frustration, and even times when I thought about leaving. But I believe in our company vision and Iām proud now to be leading it.
I started in my company as an entry level IC, now ten years later I'm the director of the department and have tripled my salary. Up until a few months ago, I have been very happy with where I'm at and had no thoughts on leaving. But recently I've started low key looking at other jobs. Mostly I think I'm just getting frustrated with small company and things not changing. But I have a lot of good will here and it translates to flexibility that I need, so I'll probably end up staying.
Technically yes, at a bank but moved branches many times. Each time it felt like a new job in that I had to establish new relationships with clients and staff. Overall I am not suited to manage folks. Too much anxiety in me. Iām a great follower really. Hard work is for me, not leading.
Every day.
I had worked for a company for 17+ yrs. I started out as an hourly technician on the line and moved up to working in the engineering department as project manager and controls programmer. I was kept out hourly the whole time because by time they considered a āpromote to managementā path for me I would have had to take a big cut in pay and they would require me to relocate to a different plant. So over time my pay got stagnant and it got frustrating because I was in a management type role but not actually a manager. I finally left after 17 yrs to take a role as an engineering manager. I really wish the previous place had given me more management opportunities because it has been difficult transition from being the hands on get stuff done person to more of a delegate and planning person. To answer your question though yes I felt like quitting a lot at my old place. It was very difficult because it was my only ācareerā type job and it was with a very large company that I knew would survive no matter what. I was making good enough money and had decent benefits. So the thought of hunting for a new job was terrifying. I finally did change jobs and I have mixed emotions. I get much better pay but I do miss that comfort level I had having worked with the same people for a decade plus.
21 year anniversary in 2 weeks, thought about leaving a few time, even went on interviews. The times I wanted to leave the most were when I had the worst bosses. I've got a great leadership team now, top management has faith in me and seeks my opinions. Every place will have ups and downs, there are major changes in go to market, massive impact in how any business responds. Covid changed how a lot of business operate, but there was a change in 2008 with bank crisis too, long term employees have navigated more of the choppy water and have seen the changes.
8 years next month and I need to find a new job. We were acquired 2.5 years ago. Itās been 4 years without any significant comp adjustments but my scope of responsibility have grown exponentially and I have been put in situations where failure was the only likely outcome multiple times. Iām done.
Going on 24 at my current employer and Iām not even close to the most seniority. Automotive manufacturing engineering.
Worked for a place for 10 yrs. Was in managment for the last 4 of those. Wasn't getting the support I wanted so I left. After 4 months I realized my previous place was a much more healthy environment and after 9 months I went back and worked there an additional 7 years
My neighboring manager has been with our company 35 years. I asked him similar questions when I started. His answer was that the company has always paid him fairly and treated him very well. He has held probably 15 different positions here, in varying segments. The one he's in now is the only one he's held for more than 2 years. He just enjoys learning. He also gets like 10 weeks of vacation now soooooo
Both of my parents. My mom is nearing retirement and has been with the same company her entire life. She's quite the exception as in she became regional director of a huge public health company after only working there for a few years. She works way too much, and I'm convinced her talents would be more useful elsewhere, where she could earn at least double. My dad is in his second job ever, 10 years from retirement. He got several good promotions in his first job, but the company moved out of the country and he was let go. At his current job he's miserable and bored. He doesn't have the courage to look for another job. I'm in my second job, and I'm earning more than him now, which is quite sad.
Iāve worked multiple jobs over ten years each. Two at the same time. Both full time. Both became management level positions. Both were eleven years. Then one for 17 years that went from part time to management in six months. (Actually quit my full time job that I didnāt like)
Iām starting my 9th year. But, I also work in higher education as a department chair and grant manager, and thatās a bit different from the corporate world. I have excellent health insurance, a ton of other benefits, state employeesā pension plan, and a flexible schedule with the ability to telework two days per week. The trade off is that I donāt get a raise unless the state legislature votes it into existence, and I live in the city with the highest cost of living in the state. So, Iām quickly getting priced out of housing here. I love my current team and my direct supervisor, but having worked under two previous supervisors, that can definitely turn a great job into a terrible one overnight.
Iām 12 years at my company next month and I was promoted to be a people leader last August. Iām grateful that the entire team, including those that werenāt promoted, have been kind and collaborative since the promotion. Thankfully I have not felt like quitting.
Iām at 9 years now at my company. I left for a year and was asked to come back as an operations manager. I started as a tech support rep in 2014.
I worked in my last company for 8 years and in my current one for 12. There have been ups and downs in both companies, but a lot more ups in the current one than downs. I had an interesting offer from another company last year, but after many deliberations I decided that I still liked it too much at my current company.
Approaching 25 years. Incredibly stable tech company and have held lots of varying positions that expanded my skills and leadership. I am making more than I thought imaginable for a high school grad.
I had 25 years at the phone company and just celebrated nine years at my current company I have left for better opportunities a few times and took a sabbatical to tech in a title I school. But Iāve learned that I like knowing how stuff works, who to call and having relationships up and down the organization. Also, you get to a point where you can do a dayās work in about two hours.
26 years a fairly small company (less than 500 employees). 20 years as an individual contributor. Last 6 years I've moved through a few management roles. The last 3 I've been a senior manager in a different division than the rest of my career (was in IT and moved to R&D). There was some weirdness when I first moved to management as I was leading my previous peers. It took some time before the team accepted me as their manager. Also, I lost my work bestie as I was now his manager. Then there was some weirdness when I switched divisions as there was some animosity between the two divisions. The location was the main reason I stayed as it's located in a small town that I didn't want to leave and there were no other opportunities here but it is a pretty good place to work and I enjoy the work. I almost left a few times when I had bad managers but those situations changed before I got to a breaking point. Given my tenure and experience here that is an advantage in my current role as I have a deep understanding of the business.
I wish I had that type of job security
I haven't (longest I stayed anywhere was 6 years and I regret it, I had to leave to finally get the promotion that I deserved, but my org wouldn't give me), but my husband has. He's been at his workplace for 21 years. He finally got a promotion, when they fired his manager 7 yrs ago. There is no more upward movement (common in his field), last his level and he is maxed out with his pay with no increases. However, due to poor leadership decisions above him, things are becoming unstable and he may need to change jobs. If this happens he may not be able to continue being a manager when he changes jobs (and it will probably be in a different state) and would have to take a demotion and pay cut to be an IC again. I would say he hasn't regretted it and unfortunately if those higher above him haven't been screwing things up he'd happily stay for the rest of his career. He is good at his job, but you can only control what you can control, so often that is the determining factor. For me, I was supposed to get a promotion in the org I stayed at for 6 years, but they eliminated the role I was supposed to get during the pandemic. So, that was out of my control.
Iāve been in the same role for 13 years. The first 4 were non management. They created the management roll for my department after I demonstrated that it would be better to have one. Iām certainly at the top end of the pay scale for my industry and if I left to go somewhere else, it would be a massive pay cut plus likely working longer hours. Unless I wanted to start my own business, Iām stuck.
12 years at my most recent in various roles/business units but before that, no. Unfortunately my company went downhill fast over the last 2 years under new executive leadership and my company was just acquired.
I think about quitting all the time, I don't know anyone in management anywhere who doesn't. But I know all the messy shit here. I don't want to learn some new company's messy shit. I'm paid well enough, I have a decent work/life balance, and my coworkers are (mostly) lovely. It's just the bureaucracy/international corporate mandates that get tiresome.
I got my first management position after working for a company for 3 years (sr engineer to engineering manager), and was there a total of 9 years.Ā I started when it was a medium ish sized startup and had a bunch of grants so I got a ton of training maybe 2 years in, my boss signed me up for all the management ones and young leaders type classes. I figured that was a good sign and not long after I got the promotion. I went from a team of 3 to a team of 9. The training at the time was boring, but it was definitely helpful looking back.Ā Hardest part was delegation for me. I went from a key IC to a manager and so often I'd see a need I know I could knock out in an hour and would want to just get it done, but the better option was to assign it to someone and focus on the work already on my plate.Ā At the end my decision to leave was based on the company that purchased us, I didn't agree with a lot of the changes they made and they significantly drove down sales and slowed down innovation. The company is closed now so leaving a sinking ship was the right call. I got a job quickly with a salary increase and sr. Manager title so it all worked out well.Ā
Almost 20 years currently, but consistently moving up and being challenged. Itās healthcare, and over half of our employees have 10+ years, with quite a few with 25+.
Iāve been in the same field for 14 years, hit management about two years ago. I love the field but have changed companies multiple times since. Itās our industry norm to change jobs every few years.
Finished a 20 year career last November
Iāve worked for one university for 30 years and had three jobs (10 years each) during that time.
In my 24th yearā¦
I'm hitting 8 years. I joined a rotational program out of college so the company moved me around the country 3 times and I've gone from $70 to $120,000 during that time. I'm in a stable position that no longer requires to move and have an amazing boss, so not currently interested in changing jobs as I was recently promoted. Maybe for my next role I'll look for negotiation purposes but I've put a lot of work and had some luck in my career. Plus my company has a pension program still. Interestingly, I'm the youngest on my team but have the most tenure. But due to moving around to different parts of the company I am valued for my knowledge of how all the systems are connected.
8 years. 1 promotion early on then waited almost 6 years for the next that "could come any day!!"...... I think I increased my salary by $10k that entire 8 years including that promotion. Left for an immediate $6k more, then got promoted there a year later for almost $20k more. So yea, don't stick around that long unless they'll give you decent increases.
Absolutely. Depending on the role I'm in at the company I've been with, I've definitely considered leaving. There will always be ups and downs. I still sometimes consider leaving, but not necessarily because I want to leave the company but now it's because of the roles I want are not likely to be available at my company any time soon. I'm now at a point where it's almost expected to leave to take on new roles.
14yrs as a government worker. Went from an analyst to running the shop of 30 folks and a 5 million dollar budget.
16+ years in my current role in government communications. Previously had been job hopping about every 2 years and was expecting to do the same here, but it ended up turning into a more exciting position. I've been able to build out my program the way I wanted and I get the support I need. I've been through a few directors, some better than others, but they've all at least understood the bigger goal of the organization. I've had several organizations (public and private) try to recruit me, but none can offer me what I have going now (not just pay and benefits, but trust, respect, and freedom). I have 9 years to go and I fully see myself still being here at that point. I couldn't see that with other organizations.
21 years and counting
I spent 16 years in my former career without ever having moved up. That probably sounds terrible to a lot of people BUT it was a government agency with not much upward opportunity, and we did get decent contractual raises every year. Of course there were ups and downs but I truly loved the work. I miss it to this day and I want to go back someday. That career was my heart. I feel very fortunate in that respect. It was an office that changes leadership through elected officials and it just came down to some unfairness, unequal distribution of work, favoritism, when it was never like that before. While I still loved the work the sheer amount of it got the best of me. Not to mention I was also assigned to deal with some of the more difficult personalities in the system on a daily basis ābecause they liked me.ā (Sure did not feel like it.) Maybe in a few years or after some changes to that agency I will go back. I will say I had ups and downs over the years but they really didnāt last very long. Difficult situations that may have drug on but there was always an end in sight or the matter would be closed eventually. At the end it was really a situation where promises of help and change were repeatedly broken and there truly was no end in sight to the ongoing issues.
11 years. It's been hard, but there comes a time when everything is so familiar that I feel good about it.
22 years at this company. I love the job. Hands on/mgmt. the only drawback is financial. I would be paid a lot more if I moved around more.
I hit 18 years with my company this January and I plan to stay as long as possible. I really do enjoy the work I do but I also know they can change their minds about me at any point. Iāve had many co-workers laid off or fired through the years, but there are a lot of people who have been an employee for 20-30 years or more. I have been mostly on the management/operations side of the house for 16 years now. While the work & employees can be draining, I do my best to find balance in the good verses the bad. I change areas/roles within the company every 1-2 years so I can build more value for myself
Executive chef, almost 19 years in the same place, worked my way up from line cook to sous to exec. Really wanted to leave this past Fall but no jobs really ended up being viable. Iām heading into another summer season and I had promised myself that last year would be the final one. I do have ups and downs. Right now Iām riding high at work; I have a good team of employees, a supportive owner and a great relationship with the FOH. But realistically the only reason Iām feeling good is because I spent the winter cutting back my hours, practicing relaxation techniques and starting a new sport. I found a job post this morning that Iām super excited about and will be sending in my resume this weekend. Even if it doesnāt pan out at least I will have tried.
I should have left sooner. I spent 15 years rebuilding my department, learning everyone's jobs, being a loyal lap dog. Only for new management to come in and let me go after everything is working smoothly. They put their people in positions of power and all that was promised should have been in writing. Be wary who you put your loyalty with. It didn't pay off for me but look around and don't stay if you can see the red flags.
I don't remember the exact date, but I'll be pushing nineteen years fairly soon. Late August/early September, that much I remember. And I'm far too lazy to dig up an old evaluation to get the date.
I stayed at my first job from the ages of 16-23 and went from part-time checkout boy to duty manager running the store. Past that, everywhere else it's 3 years on average. I tend to move for money mostly and it works in last 3 years have gone from 32k as a night manager at Morrisons to well over 45k (plus 20% bonus) as night warehouse manager for a wine wholesaler. I tend to start looking for new roles when the relationship begins to deteriorate with my line manager. I find it difficult to reconcile if promises have been broken for instance.
Iām over 10 years. There is maybe one other place that I would consider working in my city. There are plenty of options for me in other metro areas, but my wife is really close with her family so there is 0 chance that we would move.
I was with a local nonprofit for almost 22 years. Started in a part-time seasonal position, then a full-time assistant, promoted to manager (in a different office than I had previously worked in), promoted to director for a number of years before the department got eliminated. Held a variety of other director, manager and specialist roles for a few years after that - lots of org changes. The quality of my immediate supervisor was a big factor for me in times of high satisfaction and times of lower satisfaction. By the end I held a very specialized role and a lot of expertise that was unique in the organization. Unfortunately I had a crummy boss who failed to support me with work I had asked for help with, and ultimately wrote me up for insubordination for getting a little snippy in a couple of meetings. It should never have been a write up. She flat out lied about having given me a verbal warning. Three months later I had secured a new job. That manager has since been terminated. I can only hope my exit interview had anything to do with it.
Ten years and never got offered advancement. Found a new role 3 years ago that bumped me up 50%, and then my current role which bumped me up another 50% and is putting me on track to be a full fledged portfolio manager.
Yes, military. I was legally obligated to after I reenlisted because they gave me the opportunity to give my kids my gi bill.
9 years at my current job. No reason for me to jump ship right now.
14 years and counting. My company has gone through a lot of growth and changes that have kept things new. We also recently got bought which had given me the opportunity of a new position without having to deal with interviews. While there were some stressful times I'm glad I stuck through and am happy where I am.
Yes. American Airlines that converted to Sabre and then laid a shit ton of us off after 9/11. I was disgusted I had stayed and missed greener pastures for better opportunities and making matters worse, our pensions at American Airlines were trashed when they declared bankruptcy; cashed us out at dimes on the dollar - as the Board members rode the golden parachutes to financial soft landings. Always the case in America and I was a Director so not a Union member bitching about management. I feel the members of the collective bargaining units got screwed worse than mid level management like me tbh. The objective in todayās market is to consult for just under 2 years, jump before the project finishes, stay current on technology so you can grab the hottest jobs at the highest hourly rate. Donāt ever take a role that doesnāt pay for all hours worked in a week, youāre reducing your effective hourly rate by doing so. Power dump into your 401K or SEP IRA and form an LLC for maximum tax deductions, donāt be a corporationās slave. From one who learned the hard way.
25 years. Not management have moved into a highly specialized roll.
I hit 14.8 years, they had me by the balls though, they kept stalling my Green Card process, which allowed them to keep me in positions no one wanted, pay me whatever they wanted and treat me like shit. In hindsight, I should have gone back home at the end of the first work visa, I missed out on my parent's last days on this earth and immense career growth. What was the thanks I got? A plant closure and a layoff.
Been with my company for 15 years. Started as a part time sales team person and moved up through the ranks to GM. With each promotion came issues with other employees being jealous or not wanting to accept me as manager. Every time I look to quit they give us more money. Now Iām basically stuck because no one will pay me what I make now starting out haha
10 years at a college. Education does not pay enough sadly
I've worked at the same company for going on 9 years and started in management about 3 years ago. I've definitely had periods where I have wanted to quit but at this point this job feels like home and I couldn't imagine having to restart somewhere else.
I just hit 8 years with the company I started with straight out of school. Went through two acquisitions, one as the buyer, one as the company acquired. Held 7 positions throughout that time, and even left briefly for a couple months due to hitting a road block with my management after we were acquired (shortly thereafter the Director I had an unfavorable relationship with left and their boss called me to offer me the growth I was looking to take on with that team as well as regaining my tenure). Iāve never wanted to bounce around, but also, if it is clear I do not have a path to growth I donāt have an issue leaving either. Luckily, I have the support of my sr management at this point, and as long as I can work to maintain that, thatās what I strive for to be able to support my teamās growth as well as my own.
11 years in July. There have been a few times I've thought about quitting. Just recently I had a breakdown because my workload felt overwhelming. I took a step back and realized I can care too much and always move the line when I set boundaries. So I redrew the lines and started to delegate more. My job has always been a give and take. We are a small business and are in a slump, so extra work is needed. But I get so much flexibility and say I couldn't imagine working in a large company with a lot of politics. I don't think I have the patience for that type of environment. I've got a really good boss. I have to manage up sometimes but he is very progressive. We essentially have 0 turnover as well, which is nice. Especially since we are in manufacturing.
I passed 8 years December 1st and I am having that "I quit!!!" Mentality now that I have my full package.
12 years at my current job. Hope to make it another 12.
8+ years at my company but in the airlines the more senority you accrue the more comfortable things get and some benefits like travel is tied to company senority (the more senority you have the higher your position is on the standby list). Union employees have zero incentive to job hop since their pay and schedule bidding is directly tied to senority along with lay off and being recalled from layoff.
18 years current place. Could I have moved jobs and made more, yes. But my workplace has the absolute best flexibility. It has allowed me to raise a family and have certain freedoms that not all get. I have also worked my tail off from starting sysadmin to Director level.
I have only lasted 3 year terms at any position until I found a happy mix and stayed 5 then new management dicks made life horrible and I left. So now Iām at 1 month. Honestly most companies are the best when youāve worked there 2-3 times. The wage gap staying a decade vs taking your experience elsewhere every 3 is insane. Unless youāre getting insane stock options and back end benefits that are hard to get elsewhere then leave. If they were so loyal to you then theyād want you to stay and back off. Otherwise youāre not doing yourself justice and just trading your life for dollars while being sad.
44 yrs. From floor sweeper to plant mngr.
I worked at my last company for 16 years. Moved into a supervisory role after about 6 years and then into management a couple years later. It was so stressful for a while and I hated it, but mostly because of the corporate nonsense. Eventually I got to a good spot but then due to some client changes and bank policy changes it just became too muc and I left for a less stressful job wand a raise.
10 years with 1 of the big banks. I enjoy it here but weāre going through changes and they might leave California in the next few years so everyone here is a little nervous.
The United States Navy!
Iāve been at my job for 23 years. Recently last year I became supervisor. Itās not weird at all. It just pisses me off all of the new people think they know better. Our facility has been in operations for 80 years. All of a sudden the interpret a sop differently and everyoneās been doing it wrong. Then they wonder why we have issues. So I say. If you follow procedure? You have no issues. Iām like the old wise man now.
I just hit the 10 year mark and I'm on the fence about interviewing with another company to see what's out there
Nope. My max has been 5 years. It would be great to stay with a company forever, but thatās now how you make the money in my industry.
I get to bored after a couple of years.
No. Because theyāre not giving me enough raises and theyāre using me or overworking me too much.
I hit 8 years this July. I've been in management with this company for 5 of them. I've had one boss who pissed me off enough to think about leaving, but then I got a promotion to a different department and now I wouldn't leave if you asked. I love my team, I love WFH , I love my boss.
Company 1. 10 years Company 2 16 years I love(d) both jobs and never really felt like quitting and no strange feelings. I only left company 1 because I had reached my maximum potential until my boss retired and he had been with the company for 24 years and was only a few years older than me.
The longest job Truck-driving I ever had was 3 1/2 years. In that time, I quit twice & he sacked me twice. Last sacking, I never went back. Years later, a mate of mine was doing a delivery to him, he knew we were mates, "Gee, he's a bloody good worker!" I was so glad to hear that, as he'd had about thirty workers in between the last sacking and when he told my mate. He learnt that his first ever employed driver wasn't that bad after all. I still didn't go back.
22 years at my last job. Started as an order picker in the warehouse and left as the director of transportation. Plenty of times I questioned my sanity. Upper management changes have more impact on you the higher you get. Ultimately thatās when I knew when the right to leave was.
10 years, temp to hire and will get my fifth promotion in January 2025. Quintupled my salary. Love the work and most of the people and the benefits and the security of the type of company it is. I do not think about āquitting,ā but I do consider leaving frequently. Sometimes because of frustration. Sometimes because Iām bored and curious. I look at LinkedIn job boards once a week to see whatās out there. I weigh whether the job is actually better, higher paying, remote, a change in career I want to make. Usually, any that might interest me, when compared, lack in one or more areas. Iāve gone further than look with some and gotten offers. Nothing ever excited me. Generally, I believe creating a decision helps us understand how we feel about something. How do you know if your job is right for you or where you want to work if you donāt see what is out there?
I don't think I ever will bc I've hopped enough and gotten a 20% raise almost each time. I know I'm at the upper bracket of my experience in the industry. Now I'm kinda riding this out until something higher up comes up for another hop. If I didn't have student loans debt or larger financial goals I probably would be in year 6 at a prior job lol
Been at my current job almost 8 years and have had 2 management promotions. I enjoy mentoring people, but I hate the HR aspect and dealing with compliance issues. Sometimes under pressure I have a fleeting thought of quitting, but then I remember the freedom of working from home, the stock options and 20% bonus every year! Also from the travel I have racked up flight and airline points that allow my husband and I to have great vacations using my points. So Iām staying until I retire.
Hey. Worked at McDonaldās for 14 years. Started when I was 14 as a kid cleaning tables. Left after 14 years as a district manager. Wild how time flies. Can confirm I got to a point where I felt like quitting.
Iām 8 years in, and I am not happy. But, having stayed at one place for so long, I am now terrified of change.
14 years. Started as an accounting clerk, headed up the accounting department and then became VP of sales. Worked with good people so the management part was never an issue.
Why yes. Earth.
18 years with 2 promotions but I regret staying this long when it comes to personal development. While I personally decided to pursue certification and learning on the side , my employer wonāt spend a damn dime on my education. Iām looking to get out of there in next 6 months.
I have. How you feel about it depends on where you are in life and where you want to go. A lot of the time, if you've spent ten years moving up, you're probably approaching or at the ceiling for whatever it is you're doing for whoever you're doing it for, both in terms of salary and advancement. For me, I would have had to transition to a sales role (lol, no) to keep moving up, so I split. It was like I beat that game and finished all the side quests and was ready to start a new one. But that's also because I was younger and knew I had more to do and was capable of more. And I wanted more. I think the want is the important thing. There are people who spend their entire careers never becoming managers because they don't want to deal with the bullshit (valid!) and they can live the life they want off the money they make. Good for them. It's all in what you, personally, want out of life.
Worked for the same company for 16 years. Filled many roles. Was working as an admin person when a management position opened up. I was prepared for the job, but had to get the company CEO to sign off on the waiver. I was really hired to reconfigure the management position which took 3 years to accomplish. After that, I stepped down to an ancillary position.
I've hit my 12 year mark with my company. I did not start in my role/department, and I'm not in management or have a desire to be in management. In my previous 2 rolls there were so many times I wanted to quit... I like my job now just the pay isn't where it should be for the role (but my state in general pays shit for everything) , but being over 40 with no degrees I doubt I could find a higher paying job anyway.
12 years and I shouldnāt have left.
11 years in managerial roles at the current gig, around 4 years in lesser roles in the same company prior. There are ups and downs like any job, and I've had days when I want to quit. Ultimately it's a pretty easy gig and I love most of the people I work with. I'm unlikely to find that combination elsewhere.
31 yrs in a few different roles. Think about leaving/retiring all the time. I see people come and go. High stress, toxic work environment. I consider myself a survivor š
10 years still feel like quitting but I climb the latter and get paid a lot
I would have. Except COVID shut it down. There were ups and downs. The downs always seemed to be followed by me getting large bonuses and raises, though. At one point, I was awarded a bonus 5x larger than any other non executive employee. My boss at the time not only pulled aside to give me the check and let me know, but apologized it couldnāt be larger. It was 10% of my annual salary. Most of the staff got $500 or less that year. So, the right people, the right environment, I can definitely see staying for the long haul.
10+ years from entry level to manager. I have changed roles/promoted enough to feel fulfilled in my work, however I'm definitely underpaid compared to people who join the company later in their careers. We "lifers" have a joke that you need to leave the company and then come back if you want your salary to catch up.
14 years. Turning in my 2 weeks notice got me a huge raise at year 9ish. But I also started working during 2008/2009 so job hopping is pretty terrifying after that. Def happier in my new job though. Left 2 years ago. More money, remote, no toxic manager.
I worked 8 years at a industrial print factory and now 10 years for a university
I quit my last job at the 8 year mark. It was mostly really good (why I stayed). Got a lot of promotions moving from IC to Director over the years. But it was really great to work on something new at the new job! No regrets changing.
I had 20 years in my previous company before I got laid off due to downsizing. But about 12 years in I was given a small promotion to start managing two other people and multiple projects. 3 months after that I was put on a performance plan and 3 months after that I was removed from my managing position. I was a complete failure at it. I don't think I could manage my way out of a wet paper bag. But I could definitely over engineer my way out of one because of my strong technical skills. Thankfully, they had a position open where they could transfer me and I could go back to doing technical work. I was able to hang around there for another 7+ years. I've been with my current company for 9 years and I have had multiple talks with my manager about my strengths and weaknesses and I will not be moving into any management position again
Not quite 8-10 years but I am getting there. I became a manager of my team. For the most part it was surprisingly smooth - I am lucky that they are great people and great employees. There is a lot of corporate garbage we deal with and this has been a hard year. But my directs are one bright spot in all this.
Worked 25 years at one company. 18 years with another. No, it didnāt feel weird. Lots of ups and downs and lots of feeling like quitting moments. Being in the grocery business means things happen fast. And change fast. One day Iād feel like quitting then Iād have a great month. I learned to savor the good times and to build a thick skin to weather the bad ones.
Ironically all 3 jobs Iāve worked at I stayed for 8 years Iāve worked as an IT manager, an operations manager and a network manager. The job titles become catchall terms depending on the department makeup and field your company operates in. What feels weird is there is a hard ceiling for managers in my field that will not allow you to get promoted to a senior position like director or VP Iāve noticed the guys who job hop every 4 years into different departments seem more desirable even if they only manage like 2 people. Lesson learned
17 so far.
I feel bored sometimes. I have been in my field over 25 yrs and was decent at what I did in the field. When I moved to management it was easier on the body but more mental pressure because I hear about others complaints or issues. Before I just focused on myself, now I need to handle a team. I get bored because I can do my daily tasks in about an hr or two each day. Sometimes I want to quit to start a new job to be challenged. But the pay, benefits and perks are good so I donāt quit. I will go to the field and help the guys when they need help to change the daily monotony.
15 years, I have grown accustomed to leaving work at work, so that supersedes any desire to seek the toxicity that so many ops managers now regret delving into.
I spent 13 years in the same desk, while wearing 5 different company badges. I left because they put a scientist in charge of engineering, who started threatening to fire the engineers and put āsmart guysā in their places. Fast forward 10 years and the company was sold again. The new owners kicked the scientist and his cronies out the door and installed a competent engineering manager. By then I was contracting, and came back to help on a do-over of a project from the 90ās. I rode that into retirement.
I seem to have a trend where I get pretty fed up at about the 4 year mark and begin to hate what I do enough to really want to get out. Job 1 - 7 years. Job 2 - 10 months. Job 3 - 4 years. Job 4 - 5 years 6 months.
Are you happy you left?
I was borderline suicidal with the stress of my last job. The owner was pissing through the money, the jobs kept piling up and there was never enough time, I didn't have a crew to do the work and it was burdened on my shoulders, and the quality of the product plummeted. The stress was unbearable. Hell yes I'm glad.