It wasn’t that long ago, when you accepted a job offer, the employer anticipated that you’d stick around for a “while.” Businesses valued loyalty and those workers who stayed around long enough reaped the added benefits of their commitment to their employer. Yet, over the last couple of decades, that “while” has dwindled from a ten-years plus stint to less than two years. And, with increasing frequency, even less. It is no longer uncommon for workers to switch jobs after 18 months, and in some cases, even more frequently, including those willing to completely relocate for a new gig.

 

The attraction of higher salaries, more and better benefits, easier commute, appropriate challenges and satisfaction with one’s own productivity are all valid reasons to consider switching jobs. But what else is gained or lost by the lack of single-job longevity?

 

Among the advantages of staying in one place for a while:

The chance to build long-term relationships, both professional and personal

Chances for growth within the company and professional associations

Learning and nurturing your market, finding solutions and improving contacts

Becoming a known entity, as someone reliable, dependable, thorough

Becoming established & recognized within your residential community

Increased opportunities for relationship-building for your spouse and children

 

Disadvantages of staying in one place potentially include:

Evolution of management and staff changing the way things get done

Stagnation and boredom

Outgrowing the market leaving fewer opportunities for growth

Your industry is too “incestuous;” everybody knows everyone else’s business

Pay may not be keeping up with local costs of living

Employer could take advantage of your loyalty

 

For some, staying in one place and getting settled, precludes them from seeing “what’s out there,” and missing opportunities that could be potentially professionally rewarding. Establishing a life in one locale may provide the most security among a myriad of other reasons as simple as the enjoyment of the climate, or as complex as satisfying the needs of a significant other or children.

 

For others, seeing what’s out there and testing the waters in less familiar territory may provide a bigger sense of accomplishment because of the inherent challenges one faces when switching jobs. Overcoming the trepidation of testing of one’s worth in the marketplace and pushing the boundaries of different working scenarios may provide a fulfillment that some can’t find by staying with one company.

 

That brings us to the serial-relocators – those who accept positions in new cities necessitating uprooting ones-self, finding a new place to live and getting established in a new and different community every year or 18 months. Not a recommended pursuit for the timid or those with large families, as the interruptions to daily life will affect all involved.

 

Among the disadvantages of ongoing relocation:

Inability to fully demonstrate your qualifications and strengths

Can’t take advantage of growth opportunities in the same company

Relationship building suffers

Hard to become a known entity when you’re only there a short time

You’re always the “new kid in town”

Employers potentially perceiving you as unfulfilled and constantly searching

 

The practice of serial-relocation is happening more frequently than it did even 15 years ago, but employers don’t always like the practice. Companies invest money in new hires that might include relocation expenses among salary and other incentives to encourage applicants to pick themselves up and relocate. The employer hopes to recoup that investment through the employee’s productivity before that hire makes another move.

 

Everyone should be able to pursue the work they want, where they want to work, even if that means repeated job-hopping or moving. Regardless of the industry, those with the best skills and keenest awareness of employers’ needs and the knowledge of how to fill those needs, will have the most options and best advantages in their job search. Employers are looking for skills that will help them achieve their goals, even if it means bringing in out-of-towners to fill those needs. They aren’t looking for candidates who will be merely loyal seat-occupants who they can overwork and underpay,

 

As a job seeker, among myriad other considerations, whether to stay put, at one company, exploring different options at multiple companies within the same community, or relocating to unfamiliar territory is a personal choice. Hopefully, one made with great forethought and planning.  Regardless, whether you’re putting down roots or going where the inspiration and offers take you, here’s hoping you find the professional and personal growth and satisfaction we all seek. Best wishes in the pursuit!

 

 

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