How long did you stay at your first full-time job out of college?

bekah791

I've been at my current position for almost a year and a half and could be ready to move on and try something different in 2012.  Is 2 years too soon to change it up? Should I stick it out for longer?

chi-wine-lady

Not necessarily, but some folks do look negatively at folks that jump around every 2 years.  I stayed at my first job for 4 years (but this was also in the early 2000s).  It may depend on the industry you are in.

Photo5kCupcakes

3.5 years. I also think that it depends. If you are going for a similar job with the same or a slight increase in pay minus any other major changes in factors (location from home,etc) it may look bad. I wanted to stay at my last job longer since my last two had about the same time in, but I was offered a position that would increase my skills and knowledge that I could not pass it up. It will open so many doors in the future.

NSL

Three years, but I also changed careers at that point.

WendyGR

A few months. I was made an offer by another organization that I couldn't refuse :-) Was with them for 5 years. Then another offer came along by a related organization, again a huge jump in pay and responsibility. I've been at my current job 8 years. When I look at resumes for potential hires I don't take points away for not being at their first job long. A lot of jumping around makes me wonder, but eh, especially in the beginning I know it takes awhile to find the right fit.

katarczyna

I was at mine for five years.

I think a year and a half isn't too soon to move around, IMO, as long as you don't make a habit of staying places less than two years.

dramaz

2 years, almost exactly, but I left because the job I was in was just not a good fit for me at all and I was trading a 2+ hour commute for a 35 minute commute. The pay and benefits are almost the same, but I wouldn't have changed jobs if I wasn't going to something substantially better. I've been where I'm at now for 2 years and have no plans of moving anytime soon. It really depends on your industry, goals and circumstances. Sometimes you just know when it's time for you to move on, but make sure that the grass really will be greener!

BabyTime01032012

I was at my first job out of college for just over 1.5 years.  I then started my own business and took a year to really get that going.  Then, being the lady that I am, I found another job that I love and took it on in addition to my other business.  I just had my three year anniversary with my current and second job.  I don't plan on leaving my position anytime soon.  I LOVE IT!

GreenEire

I've been at mine for two years now.  I'm bored stiff and don't get paid much.  I've been looking for other opportunities, both within my company and outside.

ChileRellanos

Two yrs, but a position opened up in the department I wanted to work in, at a hospital much closer to where I live....and it paid more. 

Susie Derkins

I've only ever had one full time job.  It'll be 6 years soon.

Ready4theParty

I was there fourteen months.  The work conditions were terrible and I was on the verge of a breakdown.  I did what was best for me.

SecretHoodie

A year. I was bored out of my mind.

FrannyS

A little over a year and a half.  Until I was 28 I never stayed at a job for more than that long. The job I took at 28 I stayed for 6 years.  So it took quite some time for me to find my niche.

erbear

2 years, but I moved to a different state. I was at 3 schools in my first 4 years of teaching, then I've been at my current school for 9 years. It's never been an issue for me.

llizzyb

First job, university pr and marketing--13 months

second job, university publishing company--7 months

I took time off to work on my teaching certification. I've now taught high school for three years. I don't recommend job hopping as I did, but it didn't negatively impact my career change or finding a position.

Golfer'sLady

I was there for a year and a half, but only quit because I had to relocate for DH's job. I don't think 2 years is an unreasonable time to change positions, I just wouldn't want to get in the habit of doing it over and over again.

madelyn07

I started in August 2008 and switched to my new job in October 2011.

fuzzylogic

1 year. It was hell.

I've been at my current school since the summer of 2005. 

Joy2611

2 years. 

I went to grad school when I left. My leaving was both appropriate (the job was an entry level lab job that shouldn't be held much longer than two years if you have real aspirations) and encouraged (my bosses felt I could be successful at higher levels).

But, I work in science/labs. 

You have to do what it is right for your long term career.

bunnyfriend5

I was making minimum wage my first year out of college trying to find a "real" job. Then I was at my first office job for a year and I only left because I moved out of the area, which I don't think counts against me when you look at my resume. I'm so glad I did because I love my coworkers and thought it was a good job so I would still be working there if I hadn't moved. That was 6 years ago and if I had stayed I would still be making less than half what I do now and career would have gone nowhere. I think staying at a job you don't like is a waste of time, as long as you aren't jumping around all the time. 

Flamingo Stalker

I stayed 4 years.  I was ready to move on sooner than that, but I was working on my MBA while there and the company was paying for it 100%.  I stuck around to finish that out.  At that point, the company was bought out and I chose to leave on my own.  I was getting married and moving to another state anyway. There was no future there for me.

Mitzzi23

I've been there 9 years.  However, I teach and was lucky to get a job in a great district so there is no need to leave.

MrsHark122

um 4.5 months. I don't recommend it though. lol!

I think 2 years is definitely enough. 

BoxOfRocks

OP, two years is definitely enough.

Sxia

Still here *BANGING HEAD ON DESK*

 

It's been 10 years and it sucks. People now look down on me for stayiing in one position too long.

Interrobang

I'm still there, 5 and a half years later and wish I had made a change sooner. Now I am just comfortable enough to get complacent, have topped out salary-wise (but not responsibility-wise) and have no growth potential but a very limited job market where I live and no opportunities are paying more than I make here. So I'm trapped, and if you couldn't guess ... I'm really angry and sad about it.

If I were you, I'd at least start looking into making a change now. Don't be a job-hopper but by all means don't linger somewhere if you already know you want to seek a better opportunity. 

BeachBride1216

Depends on what you're moving on to do.  I was with my first job for 1 year and 2 months.  At my 1 year mark I received a phone call offering me the opportunity to interview for a better position with another company.  I had planned to remain at the first position for 2-3 years before even considering something else.  But when opportunity knocks you have to answer.

For me, I would consider why I want to move on.  Is it money, benefits, stress, hours, etc...  The new position offerred better pay, more job security and the chance to expand my knowledge base (i.e. keep me entertained with learning new things.)

But to answer your main question, no 2 years is not considered too short a period of time to move on to another position and/or company if it's for the right reasons specific to you.  However, be mindful of lots of job changes (3+) where it may not be clear to the employer why you moved around because it may tell them you follow the money or you are a difficult employee.  This you can easily clarify in a  cover letter and during the interview.

ochemjenn

Two and a half years after my masters.  It would have been longer, but DH and I moved for his career.  If I get the job I just applied for, I'll be there about 2.5 years before moving for DH's career again.

Mrs.McGuire

For me it was 13 months. The biggest factor in finding something after 13 mos was the student loan payments. I simply needed more $ to bridge the gap the loan created.