On the job with Rania: Staying on with a job isn't all that bad

The days of having one job for life are long gone. Individual ambition and the desire to pursue new challenges understandably drive most people from one job to the other through different roles — and perhaps multiple careers — in their quest for a rewarding professional life.

The frequency of these job changes matters, however, and both extremes are unpopular with employers. But between a hopper who changes job every six months to a year, and someone who seems to be sticking with one employer for life, there is a wide spectrum of possible job periods as well as many factors that can determine the right length for holding each job.

The one point that must not be forgotten is: Those who remain with one employer for a long haul — 10 years or more — are not settling for less.

There are definite advantages for holding a job for an extended period of time that go beyond feelings of loyalty or of belonging to the employer. In fact, the stability of working and developing in the same workplace over years can be unmatchable as it combines professional, social and personal advantages. The potential for advancement also is higher within an organisation for those who seem to have invested into their jobs and apparently committed to their roles. Employers often view them as assets and will invest back in their retention and professional satisfaction — which may come with providing a decent financial status, as well.

Here are a few points that make staying with a job for the long run a good choice.

Reality

Many career moves are triggered by the desire to take on a new challenge or better recognition. If you don't feel valued in your current role, changing employers can seem to be the only way to get this type of recognition in terms of wider responsibilities, a different scope of work and perhaps higher remuneration. Watch out, however, for the temptation to jump into greener pastures without due diligence. Before you move, be realistic about the prospects of the new job and compare them objectively to what you may have taken for granted.

Continuity

Job continuity offers a chance for developing as part of an organisation. It means that you build on the collective knowledge of your team, develop at a natural pace and benefit from the accumulative knowledge of sticking and focusing on one line of business. As a result, you don't have to go through the learning curve over and over — as is the case with moving to a new job. Additionally, many people, particularly those whose business is dependent on referrals and leads, may find a job change a synonym of starting from scratch. So keep in mind your industry-specific requirements, and don't interrupt your development unless you see a benefit of integrating into a new system and taking in new knowledge.

Benefits

Even though job security has become an elusive concept in the past few years, long-term employees seem to be less likely to be laid off if the company is forced to scale back. They also are likely candidates to be promoted to senior positions, which come with better perks and benefits.

Even beyond the career arena, holding a job for a long period can provide many benefits in day-to-day life. For example, banks view a person who has a stable employment history as low risk when they extend financing. You also have a better chance to establish and widen your social network.

Predictability

After years of doing the job, you know the ins and outs of daily operations, you understand your team's strength and weakness, and you even know the office politics and how to deal with them. This routine can be seen as a drawback where you feel bored and anxious for change. However, once the job becomes predictable — not to be confused with easier — you get a chance to think forward and look for innovative ways to improve and develop. Once you've reached this stage, you will be in a position to take your performance into a higher level, which goes well beyond just getting the job done.

Time for change

When it is time to seek a new job, a prospective employer certainly will value a candidate who committed to previous employers for long stints, provided each of these periods show consistent professional development and advancement.

The long haul