It’s time to celebrate!
Don’t laugh – this is a big deal for me!ย Quitting and getting laid off is basically a hobby of mine. I’ve had 6 jobs in 7 years. I quit twice and have been laid off 3 times. My shortest stint was 3 weeks. Oh ad agency life! This milestone snuck up on me and I’m a bit shocked it happened. My current job is now officially my longest ever: 1 year, 11 months at the same company!
So What’s Kept Me Here?
It’s a combination of things I’ve mentioned in passing on this blog before:
- Working From Home: My partner and I both work from home. We have co-working spaces we can go to, but rarely do. Personally I find working in an open office environment very distracting and am much more productive at home. Being able to take calls from my couch in pajamas doesn’t hurt either! From a relationship perspective, since I started working from home, I see my partner WAY more than before. We can make breakfast and lunch together, take walks during a break when things get stressful, and dole out hugs during the day as needed. I didn’t really consider this aspect of working from home when I accepted this position, but it’s made us an even closer and stronger couple.
- A Great Boss: My boss is a combination of everything I’ve always wanted (in a boss! Calm down!) He is hands off, but lets me know that he’s here if I need him. He’s extremely knowledgeable and is able to provide feedback in a way that doesn’t come off as belittling (a difficult task if my other bosses are anything to go by). He’s also a wonderful person who tries his best to make sure we have work/life balance and even scheduled a call with me the other week just to “make sure I was happy.”
- Great Coworkers: I originally thought this was a Manhattan vs Seattle difference, but since I’m on my second company in Seattle, I can confirm that our wonderful coworkers are a result of my company and not the location. Everyone on my team is upbeat and willing to help. No one is trying to push someone else down that I’ve seen, and no question is a silly one. It’s a great group of people and I am waiting to see if we can keep this great culture while hitting company growth goals.
- Tolerable Clients: As of now I have tolerable clients, which makes work life a lot easier. I prefer clients that respect boundaries (please don’t text me over the weekend or late at night and expect a response), ones that can articulate what they want and are willing to work together to get the best possible result.
It’s Not Always Rosy
These are all the reasons I’m willing to stay in this company right NOW, but it hasn’t always been and still is not always unicorns and rainbows. About 6 months after I first started this job, I realized that I couldn’t continue here if I kept working with my assigned client. Working with them was negatively affecting my mental and physical well-being. Luckily this was around the time we were renewing contracts and I told my boss that I didn’t want to work with that client anymore. It’s a long story, but after a few months of having a less than healthy life, I no longer worked with that client. Possible quitting trigger avoided!
More recently another issue flared up. A coworker I had only known in a friendly, social capacity, became basically my boss on a new project, on a team I’ve never worked on before. The first few weeks working on this new project were hell, not because of the client but because of my coworker. It felt like what I imagine psychological hazing would feel like. I’d never experienced anything like it and was honestly blindsided because yes, I’ve had a client issue in this company, but I’ve never had a real problem with a colleague…until now.
This was the first time that someone WITHIN the company treated me poorly. Honestly, figuring out how to deal with it ruined my weekend, which pissed me off because it was a special one. I went to visit my ‘sister-in-law’ and ‘brother-in-law’ (in quotes since my partner and I are not married, but that’s what they want me to call them. I guess a 10 year relationship makes us legit) and instead of living in the moment, I was trying to figure out why this coworker decided to treat me like shit out of nowhere. Luckily with the help of my partner and Mom, we came up with a solution and it worked: they’ve been as sweet as pie ever since and my actual boss is aware of some of the threats they made without me looking like a tattle tale. Another possible quitting trigger avoided!
Good And Bad
There’s good and bad in this job, as with all the others I’ve had, but at this moment – having ditched a toxic client, confirmed that my boss actually listens to me and tamed a wild coworker, I’m planning to stick it out until retirement in 2 years. If anything changes I’ll let you know ๐ .
How about you? What’s the longest you’ve stayed at a company? How did you deal with the pros and cons every position brings?
Congrats on the milestone!
My wife and I are examples of people that are just wired in different ways. Over the years I’ve just dealt with the negativity and issues and kept my jobs – in fact I only had 2 jobs during my 23 year corporate career! Thankfully I never had to deal with being laid off.
My wife, on the other hand, puts a much bigger emphasis on happiness and opportunity and has changed jobs many many times over the years. Changing jobs is not necessarily a bad thing and it has served her well over her career.
It worked for us because I always had steady income and benefits (the drag of changing jobs is the uneven income and changing benefits), and she got to go after the work that was meaningful to her.
Thank you ๐ . The differences between you and your wife are super funny to hear because my partner and I are the same way! He’s been at the same job since college and here I am on my 6th.
I’m torn between wishing I had your fortitude to stick it out and siding with your wife because the only reason I’m making the money I am is because I moved so much. Hmm – maybe I’ll side with the money ๐ . Thank you for stopping by!
Wow, leaving a job that quickly seems so stressful! I always thought I was a job hopper, but definitely not compared to you ๐ I’ve never stayed at a job for more than three years, so my current job will most likely be the longest running one. I haven’t been laid off in advertising so far, knock on wood!
Hi Luxe!
I love it personally ๐ so I’m glad I’ve taken the lay off bullet instead of you! I get bored after I know how to do a job well, which usually takes about 6 months. My current job keeps my attention because it completely changes every 3-6 months. I also don’t have a set role like I did in agencies, which I find adds some nice variety. Thanks for stopping by!
How about 30 years for the same employer?! That’ll be me ๐ As a UK civil servant I’ve had plenty of jobs, usually moving on after 18 months or so, different office, different specialism etc but all in the same department. I did finally jump ship (to another civil service department) 3 years ago which was an eye opener but I’ve never been unemployed or redundant. Never chased the money either hence being on a low-ish income.
Oh wow that’s impressive! Having that kind of stability while also being able to change situations every 18 months sounds wonderful.
Congrats on the milestone! You’re making me look like I’m super old as I just recently hit the 12 yrs at the same company milestone.
Thank you! And I don’t know if “super old” is the best descriptor ๐ maybe “properly chose a major, career and company” so that you’re happy enough to stay ๐ . Congratulations on 12 years!
HOW do you jump from job to job without anxiety attacks!? I started a new job six weeks ago and feel like I am going to throw up every day still.
I’m so amazed at people like you that can pivot and embrace change like it is nothing. I’ll probably die in my cube to avoid new job jitters again. That is, unless your place is hiring? ๐
We might be opposites in that regard ๐ . I get excited about it actually. Possibly because I get SUPER bored when I already know how to do something, which takes about 6 months in my previous field (ad agencies). And I’m not sure you’d want to work here because my job COMPLETELY changes every 3-6 months. Like not just the project, but what I’m doing on it (client service, project management, design, copywriting etc. most of which I don’t know how to do…) That’s one of the reasons I’ve stayed this long. I found a way to job hop without job hopping! And please don’t die in your cube ๐ . Switching careers it always difficult. Deep breaths. You can do this! You’ve already been acknowledged to give that big training presentation ๐ . Next stop: GLORY!
I’m old…. 23 years at my agency. Now I need to go out for a run while me knees still work.. ๐
Hahaha – that is impressive!!! I can only imagine the awesome way they treat you to get that kind of streak! I’m jealous. Good luck on your run – don’t hurt yourself ๐ .
When I got laid off after 21 years at the same company in 2016, I had to have training on job applications and interviews because things had changed so much since the last time I had to do either! I don’t like being the ‘new girl’ and after a year in my current job, I’ve only just stopped feeling new!
Oh wow – I’m sorry that happened to you! 21 years is a long time. Great job getting training to get back in the workforce. I’m glad you stopped feeling new finally! It’s fascinating how different people are ๐ .
i’ve been here 14 years. they pay well or i would have left a long time ago. just when i thought i couldn’t take it any more my role changed and now it’s a good job. i don’t think i could handle much of the modern interview process and the miss america answers they want from you. they never ask any questions to find out if you know your ass from a hole in the ground. it’s all “tell me about a time when you were conflicted.” the last time i interviewed a few years back i came close to just getting up and leaving.
That’s an awesome streak! So glad they pay well and that your role changed right when you were getting sick of it. Lucky! And yeah – the modern interview process is all I know and it’s so all over the place it makes my head hurt. One friend of mine was asked “what’s your spirit animal” and didn’t even know what that meant. I can see how that might make someone storm out! Thank you for stopping by!
This reminds me so much of my own experience. Aside from being in the military for 5 years (which doesn’t count to me since I had to stick it out, or suffer very harsh consequences), I’ve only stayed at a job for nine months.
I just started a new job a month ago, and my goal is to stay here for at least a year. It’s fairly enjoyable so far so hopefully that won’t be hard to do. Here’s to reaching milestones!
Hi There! We’re talking on all the channels ๐ . I’m glad to hear someone else is in this in a similar boat of job switching. Congratulations on your new gig! I hope it stays awesome!
My longest job was when I worked for myself. I started a Waldorf-inspired early childhood education program in our home when my daughter was young, closed it when she became a teenager.
Those interview questions!
That sounds like an awesome job!
My longest was 27 months, and Iโm now 40.
I now have a job in that I plan on staying a long time for though, working for a food bank. Itโs a mission and purpose, and I care little about the salary (itโs low in comparison.)
That’s a nice streak! Way better than me ๐ . Working for a food bank sounds lovely! I always enjoyed volunteering at ours in my home town. Thanks for stopping by.