How short is too short?

[Anonymous]

This question is inspired by the recent post on bring at a job too long - how long at a job is to short? What pattern on a resume would indicate a job jumper?

[Anonymous]

a job every six months would be a bad sign

[Anonymous]

Honestly? In looking over resumes, I look for a pattern. A new job every two years- won't touch it. If you are starting out and had 1 or 2 for two years- I would be OK with that, but I look for at least one position for around 5 years for people who have more experience and/or years in the work force.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly? In looking over resumes, I look for a pattern. A new job every two years- won't touch it. If you are starting out and had 1 or 2 for two years- I would be OK with that, but I look for at least one position for around 5 years for people who have more experience and/or years in the work force.

What industry are you in? How large is your company?

[Anonymous]

NP here - What about a short stint (1-2 years) after two positions of 6-8 years. I am questioning a job change I made 9 months ago, but hate the idea of throwing in the towel so soon. Work in nonprofit industry.

[Anonymous]

Every year... I don't see how you can possibly learn everything you need to in a year then move on.

Specialized experience my behind, I've met many who honestly weren't qualified and should had stayed in their previous positions at least an additional year or two.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Every year... I don't see how you can possibly learn everything you need to in a year then move on.

Specialized experience my behind, I've met many who honestly weren't qualified and should had stayed in their previous positions at least an additional year or two.

This is an interesting point - because it presumes that we are in jobs to learn, rather than to contribute. I know that the two are not mutually exclusive - but what if you're in a job in which you've contributed and done your job, but you have not "learned" anymore than you would at another job? That is staying at Job "A" for years 3 and 4 wouldn't make you any better suited to Job "B" than transitioning to Job "B" after 2 years at Job "A".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every year... I don't see how you can possibly learn everything you need to in a year then move on.

Specialized experience my behind, I've met many who honestly weren't qualified and should had stayed in their previous positions at least an additional year or two.

This is an interesting point - because it presumes that we are in jobs to learn, rather than to contribute. I know that the two are not mutually exclusive - but what if you're in a job in which you've contributed and done your job, but you have not "learned" anymore than you would at another job? That is staying at Job "A" for years 3 and 4 wouldn't make you any better suited to Job "B" than transitioning to Job "B" after 2 years at Job "A".

I'm the original poster you quoted. Yes, I agree that in some jobs, you've learned all you could but for my particular field, at least 2-3 would and should be ideal.

[Anonymous]

I worked at the same org for 12 years but I had a new position/role (steadily increasing responsibility, better titles) every 2-3 years there.

Then I switched to a different nonprofit org and have 2.5 years (one promotion) so far.

Am seriously thinking about a high-risk/high-reward job switch that may be amazing or may be a disaster. If it's a disaster, I'll be looking again in a year. That makes me VERY nervous because now I'll have two "short stint" jobs back to back.

I think everybody gets ONE pass. You can easily say "Oh that was a mistake from the git-go but I used every opportunity there to learn and contribute meaningfully while also realizing right away that I needed to move on when possible."

I don't think you can do that twice in a row. So I worry.

[Anonymous]

pp, a 1 year stint after 12, then 2.5 years wouldn't phase me. Now back to back 1 year stints would be a red flag.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here - What about a short stint (1-2 years) after two positions of 6-8 years. I am questioning a job change I made 9 months ago, but hate the idea of throwing in the towel so soon. Work in nonprofit industry.

Perfectly fine to me as someone who works in HR. Sometimes jobs aren't a good fit and you don't have a pattern of constantly changing jobs. Don't stay on a job where you end up being miserable.

[Anonymous]

I think it really depends...My last job was only a year (after 5 at one and 2 years at another) but it was because when I was hired they told me the focus would be X, when it fact, it was an entirely admin job and not what I signed up for.