Longest job position you held?
p.s - mine is 5.5 years. Not a long time!
Best Answers
-
Jells2dot0 mod
I've worked for the same company for almost 16 years! Started there as an intern senior year in college (so, yeah, that dates me.) Due to the nature of what I do, I have to move on to different programs every 2-3 years, but the type of work I do doesn't change very much. I am thinking of making a change and leaving the company in the next few years when my H retires. I do have the option of sticking with the company, which is what I prefer, but I am trying to keep an open mind.
-
cowgirl8238
member
I am in the same boat as you @CharmedPam. I am currently working ay my first "real job" and I have been with this company 4 years. While I really enjoyed what I was doing, the work lately has been sporadic and just not fulfilling.
Background: I started at the front desk and did a lot of odd jobs. This was great as I was learning about the industry and practicing some skills I hadn't used in a while. Plus it was my first Mon-Fri with holidays and good vacation/sick policies. About two years in, a long term field assignment came up and I was super excited to go out. I did that job for a year and half and I. loved. it. I came back into the office about 8 months ago. Since I was gone so long they filled my old position with someone else and "promoted" me to new title. But my work load is not there and besides doing some training and helping with the odd assignment I have too much free time that they just can't fill. Add in that in order for me to work they need to gain contracts that we don't always get and I feel like I've been floating/adrift for a while now.
My manager knows all of this and has been trying hard to keep me busy and updated on any opportunities but I'm getting tired of the whole "we're working on it". He does give me new things to work on and I am building a good diverse background which makes it a bit harder to leave also. Plus the benefit package we have is pretty good (really good medical, decent 401K match, etc), I finally accumulated a ton of vacation time and I don't really want to leave when we are planning to start a family very shortly. Oh well, I do feel better just writing this out and my DH is super supportive of my decision regardless of what I do. I just hope one of the these "we're working on it" sticks soon!
-
CharmedPam member
yes! my problem exactly with vacation time. I have 168 PTO hours a year + 12 paid holidays I think it is? I have a feeling when you move, you get the standard 2 weeks and 10 paid holidays, and what? 5 days sick time. I know you can negotiate, but I feel like you have to be worth the job to negotiate 3 weeks when you sign on. I don't feel like I am worth the automatic 3 weeks.
I feel like this job/opportunity was handed to me. I knew someone who got me in, and they probably wouldn't have looked at me if I hadn't. I live a comfortable life, love the work - but I HATE the people. Not all. But enough to make me have anxiety when I come into work. I'm stuck because I don't want a downward move and I don't think I could get lateral or higher one. -
thefanciestbeckler member
The longest I've stayed at a company is 2.5 years, so not very long at all. With being said, company hopping is super common in the industry I work in (mortgage). I hate it because I'd rather find somewhere I really like and stay there for a long time. I've never left a job/company that I liked, let's put it that way. I worked at a bank that I loved for a little while, but then it got bought out and turned into an awful environment. If that hadn't happened I would have stayed there for years.
-
greeninspring member
I'm on my third job since graduating college, stayed at the first two about 2 years each. I'm approaching the one year mark at my current position. Just a word of advice that I believe in based on my personal experiences, if you find a job you love then don't leave! The job market is extremely competitive nowadays and finding a job you love at a good company seems to be very very hard. I believe that the majority of people out there never find a job they absolutely love. Still hopeful I find mine one day! -
short+sassy member
I'm currently at my longest job, 4.5 years. But am getting laid off any day, soooo yeah. Overall, I really like this job. The medical insurance is terrible. But it's a pretty chill and flexible environment. It's been tough lately because I haven't had enough work to do and that drives me nuts and makes me unmotivated.
Although I'm not an engineer, I've been working in the engineering industry for over a decade. But it's mostly contract work and I've been laid off a lot. It's a real downside.
I'm at a place in my life and finances where I would MUCH rather work a job I enjoyed, even if it didn't pay as much, than stay working in a job I don't like.
@CharmedPam, don't sell yourself short! I know how coworkers can sometimes make or break a person's work happiness. It doesn't hurt to check out job listings. Send your resume if you see something that looks especially good. No harm in that. The worst that happens is they don't respond back to you. Which happens a lot, even to super qualified for the positions they apply for.
Since you have a lot of vacation time, another point to consider is will your company pay you out for it, if you leave? Perhaps the job will be more bearable if you start using that vacation time to take a day off more often or go on a longer trip.
-
Keisha84 member
I've been with the same company for 10 years but have only stayed at a position for roughly 2 years. My company encourages moving around so I have held about 7 different positions in my time here. I always think about leaving but my industry is pretty stable. We have only downsized once in the 10 years I have been here. and I don't foresee that happening again any time soon. Plus I can retire with a full pension after 25 years of service. If I leave then I have to start from scratch at another cmpany -
thisismynickname2
member
Going on 12 years. Been with the same organization since I graduated undergrad. The longest position I've held is 7 years. Just got a new role here so making another internal move!
I love our culture here and love the people. I know the grass is not greener, so when I've felt the itch to do something else, it's hard to apply elsewhere. I only ever got one outside interview though, and didn't get that job anyway. But then this new thing came up and I'm so excited. Everything happens for a reason!
Plus, really hard to give up my 5 weeks' vacation time. Don't feel I could ever start over at 2 weeks.________________________________
-
ei34
member
5.5 years is a long time depending on your age. Or at least it's a good chunk of time. I held my longest position for six years. I was a Social Work Assistant at a home health company, so I'd ride the subway all over the city and help patients with entitlements (SNAP, SCRIE, etc.), Medicaid recertification, bill pay for some who were either blind or couldn't write...things like that.
I completed my Master's while I was there, and I'm in my 5th year as a school counselor. It's definitely hard leaving a "best job ever". But if you hate the people it's certainly worth looking around. Good luck! -
MissKittyDanger member
-
littlemushroom member
-
NowIAmSyp member
I hit 10 years in July... upon that, I get another week of vacation (total- 4 weeks). Very stressful environment at times, but hard to think of leaving with all the benefits- casual dress, working from home once a week, lots of vacation/sick time, etc.
The grass isn't always greener, but man, sometimes it's hard to not get out there and look- especially after a 10, 11, 12 hour day with tons of stress! -
CMGragain member
DH worked for the US Department of Defense for 32 years, starting right out of college. He could have left for jobs in private industry that paid more, but he liked the job security and hated moving. It was the right choice for him. He was able to retire at age 55 with full government benefits, but if he wanted Social Security benefits, he would have to get a new job. We don't need it.
Our son currently works at the same building Dad worked in for many years, but he is employed by a private contractor that supports the same agency. He would like to work directly for the defense department if things ever open up.
-
Subwayloves member
My current longest job ever was my first job; I worked at Subway for almost 5 years during high school and college. I still miss it all the time, mainly because I met my H and one of my best friends working there, and I miss working with my best friends (and having such a stress free easy job). But it obviously wasn't a career-job for me.
I've been in my current position for about a year and a half, and plan on staying for the foreseeable future, but know it's not sustainable forever (schedule would be too much when we have kids). I do plan on staying in the same organization likely for the rest of my career, just switching to a department with a schedule that isn't so crazy.
-
WinstonsGirl
member
I've been with my school board for 14 years now, I think? But some temps, 5 years at one school, now 7 at the current school. I think 7 at the same school is a lot actually, but I'm not willing to move for a lateral position. We're opening some new schools in Sept, so maybe something interesting will come up
-
lyndausvi mod
I worked on the boat for over 11 years. I loved that job. Paid great. Benefits were awesome. Flexible schedule. Only worked about 32 hours a week. 10-14 weeks off a year (not all paid, but I budgeted accordingly). Also met my DH at the company
Then DH got transferred and no more boat. As it turns out 3 years after I left the boat was sold, so it wouldn't have lasted much longer anyway. Before that I worked as for a company as a computer programer for 8 years.
Since the boat (5.5 years ago) I've worked a few different places. Longest being 4 years. I was bored with that job and left it back in the fall. I love my seasonal job now. Plan on going back next year.
I'm lucky that my husband makes all the money and benefits, in return I can pick and choose any job that makes me happy without worrying about benefits or even pay really. Since I work 2 seasonal jobs I'm able to have time off with DH (who gets 4 weeks off in both the fall and spring - paid).What differentiates an average host and a great host is anticipating unexpressed needs and wants of their guests. Just because the want/need is not expressed, doesn't mean it wouldn't be appreciated. -
justsie member
Mine was 4 years, but that job was while I was in college and was always going to end at some point once I graduated. I kept my first "out of college" job for almost 2 years, but I got burnt out quickly in that job. I recently got a job back in higher ed and I'm happy here, so much less stress despite the fact that I do more work. I hope this position will last quite some time.
-
kimmiinthemitten member
I'm in my tenth year and have a similar conundrum, except I love my coworkers and just worry there's no upward mobility for me there.
In my opinion, if your coworkers give you anxiety before you even step foot in the door it may not be the best job ever. And I second the PP who said not to sell yourself short. You can't get what you don't ask for.
-
vikinganna87 member
My longest stint is about 5 years at the job I took after college. It was really tough to leave because it was awesome in a lot of ways, but I did it to go to grad school full-time. I think it's not unusual that the hardest job to leave is your first "real" full-time position since you don't have a broad frame of reference.
H is younger than I am and recently left the first job he had out of college for 6+ years and I could tell he was really nervous about it.
I read an article a couple of years ago about our generation switching jobs often and making a lot of lateral moves instead of sticking it out and working your way up. It definitely resonated with me. Everyone's situation is different and it's healthy to interview elsewhere every year or so to see what's out there and what your worth is at other companies. I'm going to try to stay put longer this time, but as I get older my tolerance for bullshit sinks. I told myself my next move would be starting my own business but I'm not so sure about that yet... -
charlotte989875
member
The longest "job" I've had was grad school and working as a graduate assistant. I left my first real job after 2 years and I'm hoping to leave this one after just a year. But I'm trying to make a career change.
It was actually pretty hard for me to leave my first job bc my co-workers were outstanding; I will likely never have as a great of a group and specifically a boss as I did there, but the longer I stayed the harder it would have been to leave. Anytime you think about leaving your comfort so e is scary, but it could turn out to be amazing. You don't know unless you look. -
OurWildKingdom
member
-
climbingsingle
member
I am scared of what else is out there. 
Re: Longest job position you held?
I wanted to use my creativity for good rather than evil (aka not hoping for tragedies just to have something new for the next show like many of the more seasoned anchors/reporters/producers I worked with), so I completely switched to working in the AEC industry for a global design firm where I stayed for 5 years before leaving for another design firm with the goal of professional growth. I was at that firm for 4 years, and then left again for professional growth. I just celebrated my 2nd anniversary with the company I am with now and can see myself here for at least another 3-5 years.
Edited because I can't math today.
I had a few "gap" years when my kids were babies. I was also able to work part time for some years when the kids were smaller/younger. Finally, I work in school settings and have built in time off throughout the year. It is a little easier to work longer because it is not a strict 9-5, 50 week work year.