Suzy Welch: Here's When To Change Your Job

Excessive job-hopping can be damaging to your resume. But staying at a job for too long can be equally harmful to your career.

"Eons ago, it was standard for graduates to sign up for a career at a company with the expectation it would end with a gold watch and a retirement party," bestselling management author and CNBC contributor Suzy Welch tells CNBC Make It. "Today, of course, the economy changes too quickly for most people to get on a 'lifer' career track."

That's why, Welch says, "almost no one expects their first job, or almost any job, to be their last." At some point, she says, you'll switch jobs for opportunity, pay or personal growth — the big question is simply when.

"In my opinion, a reasonable timeline for your departure from a job is three to five years," she says. "The longer you stay at one company," Welch says, "the more hiring managers start to ask, 'Can this candidate adjust to a different culture, a different pace, a different way of doing things?'"

Ultimately, she says, hiring managers want to know "if they can teach an old dog — you — new tricks." She advises employees to start thinking about their next career move on their third anniversary at a job, because she says "it will give you enough runway to take off before your resume starts to raise red flags."

There is, Welch warns, one exception to her three-to-five-year timeline. "If you've got a passion for what you do, and see an achievable path to the top, by all means — stay put. There's no reason to leave a job you love if it holds an exciting future for you."

"But if, like most people, you know your departure is only a matter of time," says Welch, "don't ask for whom the bell tolls. At five years, it tolls for thee."

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Suzy Welch: Here's how long you should stay in a job | CNBC Make It.

[IlIIIlllIlIlllI]

Just did 7 years at a company, 6 of which in the same position.
Recently changed employer and got a +40% salary increase at my new company, doing the exact same thing.

[ISILENTNINJAI]

I been switching jobs every 2 years always making sure to go above and beyond so that I leave a good impression.
I'd prefer to just stay in one company but after that first year to year and a half I noticed I have mastered my job to the point where it feel like a chore to get up in the morning to go to a job that is extremely boring. Believe it or not the jobs I lasted the longest where the more stressful ones that provided a new challenge very other day. I hate the boredom in routine and not learning anything new. I also switched jobs often because I often found it was the only way for me to move up in my skillet and in my wage. Trust me I have tried talking to my managers about how I want to learn new skills and have revised my hand up for promotions but I had always been passed on because I was too good at my current role within the company. I also never had any luck going up to my bosses when asking for a raise. I had to change my mentality and come to a realization that the only way for me to succeed is to have my best interests in mind and that the only choice was to switch jobs often for better opportunities that provided more growth. I've 4x my income in the last 9 years working in my industry because I have the skills to back up my wage.

[atomheart]

Been at a job for about 7 months now and i already hate it and want to move on lol

[kilovolt]

Oh wow. So staying too long… is also bad. If the recruiter asks if they can teach an old dog new tricks, that’s time to seek for a different recruiter, really.

[agx]

Leaving a job too early should never be a concern, you can just omit that time from your resume and add it to the job you had before that, leaving zero gaps in your resume and hiding short employment periods

[toolbaseball]

I’m at 4.5 years right now! Good advice

[thebatmanwholaughs]

I've been at a company for 5 years. Started at $9/Hr part time and have moved up 3 times, so now I'm at 28/Hr full time plus $5-15K yearly bonus. I plan on doing the same thing the next 5 years or switching jobs. I honestly would recommend switching jobs or getting promoted every 1-2 years unless you really love what you do and are able to get reasonable raises each year (5-15%)

[Rbbats]

I would argue 2-4 years these days should be the norm, 5 years is pushing it and you risk getting grossly underpaid past that. In fact, I live by the motto of if you're not moving up and getting a promotion every 2-3 years, it's time to leave for a new opportunity.

[muhammadnoor]

I personally believe one shall not stay at a place more than a year. As the economy is changing rapidly while staying at the same place does not justify the inflation rate vs increment rate
Switching is better to take the right compensation. At the end of the day all abt money!

[EpisodeAnon]

Three years seems reasonable. This video is short but concise.

[outdoorsnevada]

If ownership changes and company is sold.... start looking.... if you loved your career and then the company you work for sold.... you will not recognize it within 3-5 years.

[historyhongkong]

May I ask which fields can a professional property / leasing officer ormanager change please?

[Blindswordsman]

No more than 3 years. 1 year to learn the job, 1 year to do it well, 1 year to get bored of it

[Marva]

This is good advice if your employement isn't meeting expectations anymore. 3-5 years will put you in a safe range with recruiters and hiring managers

[Tbird]

If your employer offers a 401K contribution match program, keep its vestment schedule in mind.

[henrycook]

Without company paid pensions it doesn’t matter, 401ks are portable!

[tonyp]

It's going to be 1 year at Amazon. I like it, I won't be changing jobs.

[Kreative.]

Is there an age by when you should ideally settle in one company for good?

[khuramzahid]

If your current employer questions your qualification and skills, other potential recruiters would do the same as well.

[jacobl]

Doesnt apply if you are being poached by another company. Theyw ant you anyway.