Tenure in Past Jobs: A Key to Your Career Future

If you feel like your work has lost its challenge, you may be contemplating a job change. After all, a new financial or accounting position might offer interesting new projects, increased responsibility and a fresh work environment. While the promise of a new post can be tempting, a move could also have its drawbacks. Before making a leap, it’s important to consider how a change might affect your future employment prospects.

In a recent survey by Robert Half International, 87 percent of chief financial officers said the length of time a candidate has spent with a previous employer is an important factor when evaluating that person for a position. While professionals today change jobs and even careers several times during their lifetimes, there are a number of factors to weigh before making a move.

• How will a move be perceived by others? Whether you seek a job change for increased responsibility, higher pay, or a more desirable location, you’ll want to consider how future employers will view your move. After all, hiring managers may see tenure in past positions as an indicator of your loyalty. Traditionally, two years with a firm demonstrates a solid commitment, while less than one year may raise a red flag. While there are certainly times when it makes sense to leave a job before the two year mark, too many of these moves in rapid succession could be detrimental to your professional growth.
• New job or new role? The desire to change jobs often stems from a need for a greater challenge at work. This doesn’t necessary mean you should seek a new job, however. A frank conversation with your supervisor regarding your wish for more responsibility or a new type of work is a great place to start. If the issue is financial, it may also be time to discuss increased compensation, particularly if you have performed well or are underpaid for your market.
• Don’t burn bridges. If you do decide it’s time to change firms, make sure you leave on good terms. If your work history involves short tenures, it’s likely that hiring managers will check with your past employer to see why you left. An open, yet positive conversation with your current supervisor – perhaps emphasizing the aspects you’ve most enjoyed about your job as well as your decision to move on – can go a long way in ensuring that past supervisors present your departure in a positive light.