How long have you been in your job?

[bourbonman]

I've been following the post about Chris Mack and how long he might stay or if he might leave. I personally if treated right he's here for life, but only he has a sense of that.

So I ask, how long have each of us been in our jobs? Why have you stayed? Or why did you move?

I personally have been at my company 32+ years, which seems rare in today's world. I've watched many come and go for various reasons. They had a better offer (move to a new conference or team for more money), they didn't like what they were doing, they were let go through reorganizations or lack of performance (losing records), etc, etc, etc. I've stayed because I like it. I generally like the people I deal with both in our organization (both new recruits and veterans) as well as vendors and agencies (fans and alumni). And sometimes I get to deal with both good and bad noise from distributors and retailers (message boards and press). I've performed (like to think it's a winning record) and I still enjoy the game (who wouldn't, I'm in the bourbon business).

But what about you? I know most of us aren't out in front of society as much as a high profile coach, but think of it in those terms. Also, I'm curious if I'm the only dinosaur since I've been here for 1/3 of a century. Man do things change (conference alignments and opposing coaches).

[Titanxman04]

Seeing as I just moved to Cleveland, I have two jobs. My day job is at a law firm in their records department (the over/under of me making partner is about 6 months...take the under if you're smart). Been here for three weeks. I also was just hired to be a high school lacrosse coach, taking on a young program in the area, and with that, I've been involved for two weeks.

Tenure is in my future. :jig:

[boozehound]

Are you asking how long people have been with their company, or how long they have been in their job?

I have been with my company for a little over 4 years, but I have had 4 different jobs and will start my 5th in October. I get bored kind of easily so it has been an ideal situation for me. I'm on the younger side (31) but I don't know how long I see myself with this company. It depends on how they treat me with respect to salary growth and career growth. I don't have one foot out the door by any means, but I would be surprised if I retire here.

My generation seems to place little to no value on staying with a company long term. Pretty much nobody I know has a pension, so there is no compelling reason to stay with one company. Employees have little loyalty to their employer, and the employer doesn't have much loyalty to their employees. My former company just let go of a bunch of middle managers, many of whom had 20+ years with the company. Now they are 50 years old and looking for a new job. Not a great position to be in.

I'll caveat this by saying that I have spent my career thus far working for larger companies ($2B+). Some of this may be different at small to mid-size organizations.

[bourbonman]

Are you asking how long people have been with their company, or how long they have been in their job?


Great question. My answer was company. Yet I see it as a progression of jobs (a career), in which all positions I've held, I am the head coach. Get the activities I'm responsible for completed within winning specs, keep folks I'm dealing with motivated, share the glory and take the blame.

Answer however one feels.

[GoMuskies]

2.5 years. By the way, if I can stick it out here for the duration, I will. My company actually DOES have a pension, so the longer I can hang in the better from that standpoint. They also use long-term incentive comp to tie people up (bonus grants that do not vest for three years, for example). So they certainly give you reasons to stay. Now, that's not to say they're loyal to employees, either. They're not at all afraid to fire some fools.

[Titanxman04]

My generation seems to place little to no value on staying with a company long term. Pretty much nobody I know has a pension, so there is no compelling reason to stay with one company. Employees have little loyalty to their employer, and the employer doesn't have much loyalty to their employees. My former company just let go of a bunch of middle managers, many of whom had 20+ years with the company. Now they are 50 years old and looking for a new job. Not a great position to be in.



I had every opportunity to stick with Buffalo Wild Wings and continue my career there. I was at 4 years with the company, steadily moving up in it and had every chance to progress through the company at a quick rate. But the hours and days of which my time would be demanded would keep me from being with Mrs. Titan and if and when we decide to curse the world with our offspring, it would be impossible to spend time with them as they grew up.

[94GRAD]

I have been with my organization since Jan 25th 1996

[Titanxman04]

I have been with my organization since Jan 25th 1996

We're callin it an organization now? Haha

[GoMuskies]

I have been with my organization since Jan 25th 1996

And a fine organization it is. Excellent benefits I would think.

[Mrs. Garrett]

I have been with my organization since Jan 25th 1996


I was there. Twas a glorious day.

[Kahns Krazy]

I have been with my organization since Jan 25th 1996

I was behind some fool that had "Danas" on his license plate the other day. I was about to take a picture to see if you knew the guy, then the car in front of me moved and I pulled up next to you...

oh.

I've been in my job 12 years. For me, its mostly that I like my role in corporate treasury and there just aren't that many jobs out there I can move to. I like a lot of the people, and I really like my work. Some days, I hate it more than anything. I make more than I need to survive, but there are other people in similar jobs at other companies that make more. I like living in Cincinnati, so I limit my outside options even more.

[waggy]

I am unemployable, but very good at it.

[THRILLHOUSE]

Been at my currently company for 13 months. Was at my previous company in Cincy for 6 years. I moved to Austin because the gf got a better job here, but I was looking for a new job anyway because I didn't like the direction my previous company was going.

[xubrew]

Starting my sixth year at my current job. I've had a few chances to leave, but stayed because I was made to believe things would be different if I did. They weren't. Then, recently when I wanted to leave, I ended up not having the chance to.

I love the industry that I'm in, and when I got into it I was so excited to be in it that I never thought I'd do anything else. Having said that, at times I'm so frustrated with my current situation that I'm actually considering jobs in other areas.

Everyone here likes to make fun of UD, and one of the things people like to make fun of them for is that they always think they're on the brink of greatness when they clearly are not. The place where I work is like that, but times a million. We never change anything that needs to be changed, and then we wonder why things never get any better, and then we sit around pretending like everything is great. I'm getting mad just sitting here thinking about it as I type this.

[Jumpy]

I've been with my company for 8 long years. After X, I got laid off three times in three years and this was the first job that offered stability. I'm not enamored with this place, but they make it just comfortable enough to not have a burning desire to leave.

Honestly, I'm 35 and still trying to figure out what I want to do with my life, so this will do until then.

[Titanxman04]

Honestly, I'm 35 and still trying to figure out what I want to do with my life, so this will do until then.

Haha. At least you have options. I too, don't mind the place I'mw orking at, but I DO know what I want to do with my life and currently, the opportunities aren't too plentiful.

[LadyMuskie]

I've been in my current position for almost 5 years. The pay is. . . well there is no pay, but the benefits are fantastic. Prior to being a stay at home mom, I was with the same company for almost 11 years. I started as a part-time employee, and then was offered a full time position when I graduated from X, and I moved up from there. The only downside was that I worked with and for lawyers, but the upside was that it prepared me really well for dealing with a baby all day long. Prior to that job, I worked retail in high school and some of college, which is when I discovered enough about myself to know that I needed to find a career that did not involve dealing with the general public on a daily basis.

[Cheesehead]

yesterday, was my 2nd anniversary w/ current employer. Before that I was basically self-employed for 2-3 years doing some sales stuff. Prior to that I was with Clermont County court system for 10 years.

[powerofX]

Graduated in 2000 and have worked in marketing for 4 different companies. Each 3-4 year stretches. Been in my current company for 3.5 years and will most likely stay longer than my norm as there is room to grow here instead of needing to leave for the next step up.

[PM Thor]

11 years, 8 months, 21 days...not like anyone is counting though.

[smileyy]

Coming up on 7 years in December.

[danaandvictory]

Long enough to know that neither party to the bargain ought to have any expectation of loyalty from the other. I work hard and am productive but my employer would cast me loose if it meant a few more beans in his/the shareholder's pockets, and that's probably true for 90% of us.

[JTG]

Funny that this question shows up this week. Tonight I am going to a banquet honoring people who have been with the company 20 years or longer. This is my 35th year at this company, my 40th year in this industry. Thankfully I work for a company that highly values its workforce.

[coasterville95]

Just about to hit 15 years for me.

[X-man]

This is my thirtieth year teaching at Xavier. I have also been a season ticket holder, even though Xavier faculty are entitled to two free tickets to every home game, for twenty-five years.

[Masterofreality]

28 years with the same company after moving to Cleveland. 13 years with Ford before that in Atlanta.

Been lucky. Basically 41 years with only one job change....and that change was by my own designs to get back closer to Xavier basketball........



....in part.

[Smooth]

9 1/2 years. Kind of.

[paulxu]

Is being retired a job?

[XUBob]

If so, we share the same job.

[LA Muskie]

It will be 7 years on October 16th. I love everything about my job except (i) I hate my boss, (ii) it takes about 40-100 days to get paid for my work, and (iii) no paid vacations.

[GoMuskies]

I hate my boss

Your boss is you, right?

[LA Muskie]

Your boss is you, right?

Sadly yes.

[Muskie]

It will be 7 years on October 16th. I love everything about my job except (i) I hate my boss, (ii) it takes about 40-100 days to get paid for my work, and (iii) no paid vacations.

Isn't the man in the mirror your boss?

Im in the 40 to 100 day boat with most of my "projects" as well.

Same for me.

[LA Muskie]

Isn't the man in the mirror your boss? Yes, which is bad enough, but having to hear his voice is even worse.

[Porkopolis]

Two years. I'm a teacher so job security is shaky, especially because I teach music. Hopefully I can stay in my current position for a long time.

[DC Muskie]

1 week.

[X-Fan]

I've been at my company 7.5 years. I've stayed mainly because I like what I do, my schedule is very flexible, and I have a great boss. My boss has done a really good job of watching out for me, and increasing my pay as often as he can. He's a great mentor, and I've had enough crappy bosses previously to know when I've got a good thing. It would take quite an offer/package to get me to switch companies as I believe in the industry (Health Care/Specialized Nursing/Short Term Care/Hospice/Home Health), can workout at work, have a 5 minute commute, and have the flexibility to be involved in numerous non-profit boards (routinely attending events/meetings during work hours).

I could see myself retiring from this company, but that's such an abstract/distant thing that it's tough to visualize (I'm 35).

[DC Muskie]

I've been at my company 7.5 years. I've stayed mainly because I like what I do, my schedule is very flexible, and I have a great boss. My boss has done a really good job of watching out for me, and increasing my pay as often as he can. He's a great mentor, and I've had enough crappy bosses previously to know when I've got a good thing. It would take quite an offer/package to get me to switch companies as I believe in the industry (Health Care/Specialized Nursing/Short Term Care/Hospice/Home Health), can workout at work, have a 5 minute commute, and have the flexibility to be involved in numerous non-profit boards (routinely attending events/meetings during work hours).

I could see myself retiring from this company, but that's such an abstract/distant thing that it's tough to visualize (I'm 35).

Just curious....

What makes him a good boss and mentor? I'm always interested in learning good practices.

[blobfan]

I've been with my company for 8 long years. After X, I got laid off three times in three years and this was the first job that offered stability. I'm not enamored with this place, but they make it just comfortable enough to not have a burning desire to leave.

Honestly, I'm 35 and still trying to figure out what I want to do with my life, so this will do until then.
Count me in the 'still trying to figure out what I want to do with my life' category too. I've got a couple more years on you but floundered around, settling about 12 years ago into a job I never thought I'd take but did because I liked the guy that hired me. Pay and benefits are pretty good for a job that's 40 hours and done. My job went from being whatever I wanted to make it to highly controlled from a central/national level. It sucks but I'm not going to leave until the original guy retires, which isn't that far off. I'm at that point that if I'm going to make a change, I need to do it soon while I'm still somewhat marketable. I guess I never found my passion.

[X-Fan]

Just curious....

What makes him a good boss and mentor? I'm always interested in learning good practices.
It's a good balance of challenging me, teaching me, giving me projects that I'll learn a lot from, being mostly hands off, and almost always looking out for me. He gives me just enough instruction/guidance to point me in the right direction, and then let's me run with it. In turn, I'm extremely loyal, and continually make him look good by over performing.

[HuskyMuskie]

As a recent grad, this has been an eye-opening thread to read. I started my first full-time job six weeks ago, and am learning a LOT. I work for an asset management company, in their real estate group. A good chunk of my job includes travel, so it's nice to get out of the office and see the USA while I'm still young and single.

The company is a bunch of smart, young guys and offers many ways to move up. So I am excited by the opportunity. At least as excited as one can be about going to work.

[xu82]

How long have I been in my job? TOO LONG!
Moved to Atlanta for my wife's work (she had been at her place 18 years and transferred) and I left a job I loved. I had been there 13 years and I was the "new guy". I took a job in a related field and knew the first week I would hate it. For some reason, I am still there 1.5 years later despite all the other people leaving around me. I am in one of those "what do I want to do when I grow up situations?" My wife, after all those years, just changed jobs 2 weeks ago because the culture changed and something better fell in her lap. Whatever I do next, I know it's important to look at how long people have been there. It's like countries - are people trying to get in or get out?

[PM Thor]

Funny that this question shows up this week. Tonight I am going to a banquet honoring people who have been with the company 20 years or longer. This is my 35th year at this company, my 40th year in this industry. Thankfully I work for a company that highly values its workforce.

A fellow firefighter out of my house is retiring this next month, after starting his career with the CFD in 1975. I don't want to do anything for 38 years.

Oh and congrats on the longevity. I doubt that many of the younger generation will be with the same company so long any more. Just doesn't happen much.