How long to stay in a job

No hiring manager is drawn to a negative person, especially when they're interviewing you. Instead, say something like you felt misled about what the position entailed, or you realized early on that it wasn't a good fit since their values didn't align with yours. Redirect the conversation to the future. Emphasize your desire to find a company where you can put down roots and truly grow.

Then, make the case as to why the company considering you is the right place. No matter how badly you want to leave your job or move onto something bigger and better, you don't want to be branded a serial job-hopper.

When in doubt about the right time to leave, try to stay long enough so that you can at least say you learned a new skill or gained valuable experience that will benefit your next employer.

How long should you stay at a job? It's a complex equation, but sitting in the same job past your expiration date isn't going to do you any good. Take the initiative to see what other opportunities are out there. Need some help getting started? Make a free profile on Monster today. We can send jobs tailored to your interests and connect you with recruiters who are looking to fill top jobs with qualified candidates, just like you.

You've got a whole lot more to offer. Thank you! You are now a Monster member—and you'll receive more content in your inbox soon. By continuing, you agree to Monster's privacy policy , terms of use and use of cookies. Search Career Advice. Ask yourself these questions to determine if you current job is past its expiration date.

Dawn Papandrea, Monster contributor. What's an acceptable amount of time to work a job? Related Articles. Browse articles by People leadership. Sabina Read. Taking time off. Job loss. Browse careers by industry.

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Careers Contributors. Dawn Papandrea , Monster. Employers tend to be reluctant to hire candidates who have changed professional roles too frequently. When applying for jobs cast a positive light on short-term roles and emphasize your desire to commit longterm to your next position.

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