Tenure: Is there such a thing as having tenure that is “too good”?

January 30, 2012

While this may seem like a funny concept, it’s absolutely true. I would say that 90% of the time if we are dealing with a tenure issue in how “place-able” a candidate is, we are talking about someone who has had too many short stints in their recent jobs (for example, someone with more than three jobs in five years, or more than four jobs in 10 years). But occasionally, we are faced with the opposite problem: someone who has spent too much time at one company.

Crazy as it may seem, there can be a negative stigma around a person who has spent 15-20 years with the same company, especially if they are just leaving that company now. The perception is that this person has been so entrenched in a certain environment that they will not be able to adjust to anything new, or at least not until they go through one or two bumps in the road elsewhere (failing to integrate into those new environments, but getting better at it each time). Once they have bounced around a couple other places they might be more familiar with what works for them and what does not, and only then able to make an appropriate decision about the appropriate work setting for them.

Clearly there are no exact formulas here, but based on the feedback we get from clients it seems that “too long” at one company starts at around 8-10 years. To illustrate the point, a person with 4 jobs in the last 20 years (4-6 years in each job) will have a MUCH easier time landing a new position compared to someone who spent 18 years with one company and 1-3 much shorter stints at other companies. Furthermore, the person whose 18 year stint is just now ending is also going to find it very difficult to be considered (for a position) compared to the person with an average tenure of 4-6 years. Again, the perception is that the person who has experienced four different environments during that time is much better suited to adjust to a new environment quickly, compared to the 18 year IBM’er (for example) who has gotten very accustomed to a very specific way of doing business.

Let me be clear here: I neither agree that this should be a reason to not hire someone, nor do I think anyone should feel discouraged by this. I’m simply trying to point out what’s going on behind the scenes so you can address this concern before someone takes a pass on you for the wrong reasons.

So if you indeed fit the mold of someone whose tenure is “too good”, I’ll try to help you create a plan of attack.
• Have you switched divisions within your company?
• Had a new manager (or CEO) that made massive, major changes to the direction of your team or company?
• Does your company have a stated policy of being a “learning organization”?
• Did your industry go through any major (and painful) changes midway through your career with your company?

What you want to show is that you have been able to adapt to change and that your new employer will be no exception. As always, happy hunting!!

Written By: Brock Boyd