As you journey through your career, you will likely face some tough, major decisions: For example, when should you take a leap of faith and move to a new position, and when is it best to play it safe and stay put at a current job?
These two questions tend to pop up a few years after landing your first “real” job, i.e. not a summer internship or school job. Most entry-level employees start at the bottom and work their way up the ranks. You have to learn new skills, gain valuable on-the-job training, and grow your work experience first. As time goes on, however, it can often become difficult to determine if you have learned what you need in order to advance, or if you should stay a little while longer. Heres some key advice to consider when youre determining whether its time to start looking for a new role or continue on at your current company.
Landing that first job after school is an exciting milestone. But now that you’re settled in, questions eventually arise of when to make the next career move. So how long should you actually stay at your first job? The common wisdom is 1-2 years, but the ideal tenure depends on several factors.
In this article, I’ll break down the pros and cons of staying at that starter job short-term versus long-term. You’ll learn how to optimize your time there to jumpstart your career.
The 1-2 Year Rule
Conventional career advice states that people should stick with their first job out of college for 1-2 years Jumping ship any earlier can be a red flag for some employers.
Spending just 12-24 months at your first gig allows you to:
- Gain core experience and skills to build on
- Get exposure to a professional environment
- Learn about your strengths, interests and preferences
- Establish yourself as a reliable employee
- Expand your network and make connections
Staying a year or two prevents you from being labeled a “job hopper” It shows you can stick with a role, while still being open to new opportunities early on.
The Long Haul Strategy
However, some people choose to remain at their first employer for 3-5 years or longer There are advantages to spending an extended period in your starter job
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Deeper growth and learning: You maximize gaining skills from the role when you immerse yourself in it over several years.
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Leadership development: Longer tenure provides time to take on more responsibilities and get promoted up the ladder.
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Stronger relationships: You’re able to build closer bonds with colleagues that pay dividends down the road.
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Career exploration: An extended stay enables you to pivot into different positions and departments with the company to find the best fit.
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Reputation building: You develop a track record of achievement and become known as an expert in your domain.
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Financial rewards: Salaries and bonuses tend to steadily increase over time at one employer.
The longer you stick around, the more institutional knowledge you gain and the more invested the company is in your growth. Just beware of stagnating in comfort instead of seeking new challenges.
Key Factors to Consider
When evaluating how long to stay at your first job, assess these key factors:
Your career goals
Do you aim to move up quickly into management/leadership? Or do you want to take time to master specialized skills first? Different goals warrant different timelines.
Growth opportunities
Does your current job offer chances to continuously expand your skills and responsibilities? If learning has plateaued, it may be time to seek new challenges.
Company culture
Do you feel aligned with the company values and management practices? A poor culture fit will make even another 6 months seem too long.
Compensation
Are you still being paid fairly and competitively? Lack of adequate raises despite good performance suggests it’s time to find better pay.
Job satisfaction
Do you find the work engaging and see a future there? Or has boredom set in? Feeling unfulfilled day-to-day is a red flag.
Work/life balance
Does your workload allow you time for health, relationships and other priorities? Imbalance can fuel burnout and the need for change.
There’s no “perfect” tenure. Let your unique goals and circumstance guide you. Just don’t rush to leave arbitrarily without good reason either.
How to Make the Most of Your First Job
Regardless of when you plan to move on, it’s wise to maximize your first job experience:
1. Absorb everything – Be a sponge. Observe and learn all you can about the industry, company and role. Gain both hard and soft skills.
2. Build connections – Form strong bonds with colleagues, clients and industry peers. These relationships will pay dividends throughout your career.
3. Seek feedback – Ask often for constructive feedback from managers and mentors. Use it to constantly improve. Welcome hard truths.
4. Say yes – Raise your hand for special projects and added responsibilities. Gain exposure to diverse areas.
5. Solve problems – Don’t just spot problems. Think critically to propose and implement solutions. Make yourself indispensable.
6. Manage up – Communicate openly with your manager to align on goals and professional growth. Be your own advocate.
7. Look outward – Keep tabs on the job market, company reviews and industry trends so you have an informed perspective.
8. Build your brand – Maintain an updated resume, online presence and results tracking to quantify your value.
9. Know when to make a move – Identify signs it’s time to progress, like pay ceilings, scant upward mobility or lack of fulfillment.
Pour your energy into leveling up both professionally and personally during your starter job. You’ll gain confidence plus a performance edge to ace the next opportunity.
Avoiding the “Job Hopper” Label
Job hopping is when someone frequently switches jobs, usually staying less than a year or two in each role. Hopping too often can hurt your candidacy and raise concerns like:
- Difficulty adapting or lack of commitment
- Not wanting to put in hard work to advance
- Lacking career focus and “shopping around”
- Only being motivated by more money vs. growth
To avoid developing a damaging job hopper reputation:
Clearly convey your reasons for leaving – Share what you gained from the role and why the new opportunity better aligns with your goals. Prevent assumptions.
Highlight upward movement – Emphasize cases where you took on bigger challenges, new skills and increased responsibilities.
Show a pattern of growth – Demonstrate how each progressive role built strategically towards a long-term professional goal.
Explain any blips – For any especially short stints, explain the circumstance. Example: company layoffs, family relocation, school.
Focus on achievements – Spotlight skills gained and accomplishments from each job, not just tenures.
With some finesse, you can tactfully manage concerns over varied tenures. Just be prepared to explain your trajectory.
Key Takeaways
- Plan to stick with your first job out of school for at least 1 year, though the ideal tenure is often 1-2 years.
- Remaining longer allows you to maximize skill building, promotions, relationships and knowledge over an extended period.
- Assess factors like career goals, growth opportunities, job satisfaction and work-life balance to determine the right tenure for you.
- Make the most of your starter job by fully immersing yourself in learning and relationship building.
- Tactfully convey your reasons for leaving roles and create an intentional career narrative to avoid a “job hopper” label.
Weigh both the short and long-term advantages in deciding when to progress from that coveted first job. With strategic planning, you’ll make the most of this career stepping stone.
Your first job after college often isn’t your dream job
A first employer is a starting point on the board game of life. First jobs for college graduates are great for learning valuable skills — you learn from the industrys best minds (hopefully) and take those experiences with you on the road to your dream career. Think of your first job as an extension of college, where professors taught you the skills and techniques necessary to enter your desired field. First jobs teach you how to apply those techniques in the “real world.”
Theres no golden rule stating how long you should stay at your first job for a new company — just dont wait until youre grey and wrinkled to find something better.
As a young and hungry first-time employee, its not uncommon to want to rush and get ahead of the game. Thats not quite how it works, though; you have to pay your dues. Everyone starts out small and has to work menial positions. Dont aim for your bosss chair until youve earned the right to sit in it.
Likewise, hiring managers cringe when recent graduates and new hires leave a company quickly. To some, it shows that you never intended to learn the ropes and instead used them as a stepping-stone to a better job. Dont make this fatal mistake. Not only will it burn bridges you may need later in life during a job search, but its also rude and distasteful. Recruiters recommend staying at your first job after college for at least a year before making any big changes. Rather than rush to enter the race, take the time to learn from others in your field, talk to your supervisor and learn from their wisdom, and volunteer for tasks no one wants. You wont regret these actions down the road.
New graduates tend to make one common mistake: Theyre unrealistic about the first five years of their career. Students often leave college thinking theyll take on the world, move up the ranks within a few months or years, and open their own corporation. It is seldom that easy in a short period of time — becoming an industry leader takes time. Not only do you have to build a solid reputation, but competition is also fierce.
Look for big opportunities at your first job
If you find that your first job after college offers some great benefits, it may be worth staying long term. Does the company offer sabbatical or “meternity” after working several years? Are stock options available? Some benefits at a great company are worth the wait.
Some companies have a high turnover rate, so look for trends in supervisor roles. If you work hard and learn the ropes, you may be able to earn a promotion faster than you would at other companies. Just be warned: High turnover rates can also be a red flag. Ask questions and learn why so many team members leave.
How Long Should You Stay At Your Job?
How long should you stay at your first job after college?
Recruiters recommend staying at your first job after college for at least a year before making any big changes. Rather than rush to enter the race, take the time to learn from others in your field, talk to your supervisor and learn from their wisdom, and volunteer for tasks no one wants. You won’t regret these actions down the road.
How long should you stay at a first job?
Many experts say that a year is considered to be the minimum stay for a first job. An entry-level job is a paid opportunity to learn, says Alfred Poor, a career coach based in Perkasie, Pennsylvania. “Learn to do your job well, and look for ways that you can be even more valuable to the company in time,” he says.
How long do employees stay at a job?
The typical employee stays at a job for just over four years, according to a 2020 study from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. The study found that these numbers apply to both men and women and that older employees typically have longer tenure at a company than their younger counterparts.
Should you stay in your first job for a longer period?
The pros and cons of staying in your first job for a longer or shorter period depend largely on compatibility with your expectations, values, and career goals. The overriding deciding factor should be whether you’ve optimized the opportunity to learn and practice new skills while gaining work experience.
