Career, staying put for too long?

BennyC · 16 Apr 2013 at 18:34

I'm curious to hear peoples opinions or at least the general consensus regarding if it's possible to hold a job/position within a company for too long?

I only ask as I'm soon to turn 24, my employer put me through the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting and are willing to put me through the rest of the professional qualification.

I've been there about 15 months looking after the payroll & HR side of things and have been getting more involved in the Finance & Operations aspect (It's a relatively small business, circa 50 people in the company). Best case scenario, if I'm lucky, the qualification would be completed in about another 4 years.

It could be that I feel there's limited, to an extent, progression once qualified within this particular company and also I'm not sure if I can continue to work for someone with my boss's character for another 4 years. I'm not sure if there's anything else better available elsewhere at the moment in which case staying put is obvious. I will have a training contract tie in spanning 18 months on a sliding scale. (50% after 9 months)

Am I being a bit silly thinking that staying put in one place for too long could be potentially damaging? or would this only really apply if there were no internal progression or professional development?

I know that jumping ship frequently can be frowned upon on a CV but can 'weighing anchor' for too long also have the same effect?

Thanks,

BennyC

bitslice · 16 Apr 2013 at 18:42

my employer put me through the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting and are willing to put me through the rest of the professional qualification

Stay
Next question

UK-AL05 · 16 Apr 2013 at 18:45

Its a balance. Sometimes you have to move, because to the senior members of staff you always be seen as their junior.

R.P.L · 16 Apr 2013 at 18:51

To me it's pretty simple, and from what you said you already know this - once there's no progression in your career, it's time to move. While you're getting your qualifications paid for, I would say stay put unless something forces you to move (and I wouldn't say not getting on with your boss is an example of this). Once you're qualified, see how things look for you in your current company, and if you don't really like it or you think you can do better in another company, that would be a better time to think about moving.

R.P.L · 16 Apr 2013 at 18:59

I would also say that regarding your CV, I don't think that it necessarily looks bad as long as you can demonstrate that you stayed for a reason, and that reason not being that you fancied the receptionist. So again, as long as you're progressing with your company then it's not a problem.

Participant · 16 Apr 2013 at 19:17

BennyC said:
Best case scenario, if I'm lucky, the qualification would be completed in about another 4 years.

Not trying to start a competition, but that seems an awful long time for ten exams (if it's still ten professional exams). Take three professionals in November 2013, take another three the following March 2014, the three strategics in Nov 2015, then TOPCIMA in March 2016. That's just under three years, since even if you don't pass first time they now have inter-sitting resits I believe? I'd be more worried about whether the experience you're getting or likely to get, fulfills the requirements for the extended CV / membership application.

bitslice said:
my employer put me through the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting and are willing to put me through the rest of the professional qualification

Stay
Next question

Hmmm not so much, it's not exactly an exclusive thing for organisations to pay for their employees' professional qualifications. Anyone that doesn't offer study support will generally only attract poor quality candidates.

BennyC · 16 Apr 2013 at 19:36

Thanks for the replies & advice so far.

UK-AL05 said:
Its a balance. Sometimes you have to move, because to the senior members of staff you always be seen as their junior.

I feel this is probably quite an accurate reflection. I was hoping to have been shown more as I was brought in to effectively become a no.2 should she suddenly drop dead.

R.P.L said:
To me it's pretty simple, and from what you said you already know this - once there's no progression in your career, it's time to move. While you're getting your qualifications paid for, I would say stay put unless something forces you to move (and I wouldn't say not getting on with your boss is an example of this). Once you're qualified, see how things look for you in your current company, and if you don't really like it or you think you can do better in another company, that would be a better time to think about moving.

Thanks, it makes sense to sit tight for the moment and just address whatever it is I'd like to improve within the role. Whilst they are paying for the qualification they are just covering the taught section and any travel expenses so I will probably front the revision & question based days (totals the same) myself should I feel I need them.

Robbie G said:
Not trying to start a competition, but that seems an awful long time for ten exams (if it's still ten professional exams). Take three professionals in November 2013, take another three the following March 2014, the three strategics in Nov 2015, then TOPCIMA in March 2016. That's just under three years, since even if you don't pass first time they now have inter-sitting resits I believe? I'd be more worried about whether the experience you're getting or likely to get, fulfills the requirements for the extended CV / membership application.

That's still the format, I based the time scale on the suggested method of study which is 2 exams at a time. I'm not massively academic but have a lot of common sense and hopefully wont struggle if I put the hours & effort in. I don't want to rush through it but likewise the sooner I can complete it the better really.

In the meantime I'm still trying to get my fingers in as many pies as possible (pardon the innuendo) and gain as much exposure & experience while I'm there but elbowing in on someone that's quite controlling is easier said than done.

Adam · 16 Apr 2013 at 19:38

If you are progressing internally and can show progression on your CV then that's not bad thing. Also job security is key. You may well get a decent bump in salary to start with, but will that happen in the future.

I have been in my role for 7 years and it hasn't done me any harm. It entirely depends on the circumstances.

dirtychinchilla · 16 Apr 2013 at 19:41

I feel much like you do. I currently work as a CAD operator, but will move on in a couple of years because I'm not confident that my career will really be able to grow enough in the right direction with the company that I'm in.

Maybe it's just worth putting some feelers out and seeing what comes up?

alexthecheese · 16 Apr 2013 at 19:42

5 and a half years here and it feels too long. Must depend on your job, career and circumstances however.

BennyC · 16 Apr 2013 at 20:18

Adam said:
If you are progressing internally and can show progression on your CV then that's not bad thing. Also job security is key. You may well get a decent bump in salary to start with, but will that happen in the future.

I have been in my role for 7 years and it hasn't done me any harm. It entirely depends on the circumstances.

True, travel/commute and other factors would also be taken in to consideration. I feel like I need to be progressing somehow or taking on more responsibility as I don't want to stagnate for too long.

dirtychinchilla said:
I feel much like you do. I currently work as a CAD operator, but will move on in a couple of years because I'm not confident that my career will really be able to grow enough in the right direction with the company that I'm in.

Maybe it's just worth putting some feelers out and seeing what comes up?

A quick look around on jobsites puts things in to perspective in terms of renumeration & responsibilities so gives a good guide for worth or value.

ci_newman · 16 Apr 2013 at 21:29

15 months is certainly not considered a "long" time span to stay in a professional permanent role, for the most part you must have only just got 100% to grips with all of their processes and systems. If anything, I'd be concerned about someone who is job-hunting after only a year in a role, would you do the same thing to me?

Stick around until you've done your qualifications.

krooton · 16 Apr 2013 at 22:15

I worked for my last company for 8 years, and in 4 different roles over those 8 years.

Served me pretty well, as I wouldn't be where I am now without all that experience.

Geo-Gamer · 16 Apr 2013 at 22:23

Quick question, Do you have a degree in that field? You could do the whole exams in 1 year or 1.5 with exemptions from degrees these days. Cuts the whole proffesional exam process by more than half. I know a few that got their degree and instead spending 3 years doing the proffesional exams they did it within a year.

D.P. · 16 Apr 2013 at 22:27

ci_newman said:
15 months is certainly not considered a "long" time span to stay in a professional permanent role, for the most part you must have only just got 100% to grips with all of their processes and systems. If anything, I'd be concerned about someone who is job-hunting after only a year in a role, would you do the same thing to me?

Stick around until you've done your qualifications.

Indeed, don't assume that you must always chop and change jobs every 1-2 years- your ex-employers will get annoyed and future employers looking at your CV will be very concerned - were you fired, were you incompetent, were you fussy, if they hire you will you walk out after a year once you have fully become productive? In most technical jobs you wont rally be fully productive for 6 months or more, no company wants to invest in someone who will quit after a short period of time.

Sayso · 16 Apr 2013 at 22:39

ive moved about every 5 years for more money/better position, worked quite well until i started my own business, im now back to square one working my ass off, luckily i earn reasonable money anyway.

WillyNelson · 16 Apr 2013 at 22:53

What you want your CV to show is clear career progression, either moving up in one company or moving on to another. As far as the prof qual is concerned, if you'd have to pay your current employer back if you're part way through a qualification, most prospective employers will be happy to 'buy you out' as part of their offer.

If you want to move to another job because you feel your current one isn't challenging you enough, that is a perfectly valid reason. If you're just bored of it then that's not such a good reason and would make prospective employers question your sticking power.

semi-pro waster · 16 Apr 2013 at 23:12

BennyC said:
That's still the format, I based the time scale on the suggested method of study which is 2 exams at a time. I'm not massively academic but have a lot of common sense and hopefully wont struggle if I put the hours & effort in. I don't want to rush through it but likewise the sooner I can complete it the better really.

In the meantime I'm still trying to get my fingers in as many pies as possible (pardon the innuendo) and gain as much exposure & experience while I'm there but elbowing in on someone that's quite controlling is easier said than done.

I did it from scratch (no exemptions at Certificate level) and then followed a 2 exam per sitting path apart from Strategic Level where you have to take all three at the first attempt then TopCIMA. It worked out as just over three years from start to finish plus handing in the log book and waiting for the results or at least it would have done if I hadn't stuffed up one of the Certificate level exams.

Robbie G is right though, they've got resits in between exam diets so it's fairly quick now albeit there will be points where there's not much gap between finding out your results and booking onto the next course or resit as appropriate.

Staying in one company for a period of years isn't necessarily a bad thing although I'm not so sure I'd want to stay in one role for all that time unless it was particularly varied and challenging. However there's not always a right or wrong approach with this, you've got to look at it and decide what will work for you.

HangTime · 16 Apr 2013 at 23:17

Robbie G said:
Anyone that doesn't offer study support will generally only attract poor quality candidates.

Whilst study support for professional qualifications obviously appeals, and may attract the best candidates, I certainly wouldn't say that lack of it would dissuade mediocre or even average candidates, if the rest of the package is up to scratch (although there may be some exceptions like Accountancy). At the end of the day I'd rather have a higher salary than funded qualifications, unless the latter was of great interest/use to me and would take years of take-home salary differential to fund.
(From my personal experiences, the professional qualifications paid for by my employers were much cheaper than the academic ones I largely self-funded anyway).

The_Abyss · 16 Apr 2013 at 23:21

Robbie G speaks a lot of sense on the timeline for CIMA and TOPCIMA - it is tough and a sacrifice but it is very doable.

I'm fortunate enough to have had some good mentors over the years. Generalising wildly but sensible their advice would be:

- in your 20s, get the qualifications you need
- in your 30s, get the experience and professional network you need
- in your 40s, seek the cash and positions you want
- in your 50s, continue or consolidate
- in your 60s, diversify and take your industry professional experience to other industries

That doesn't help you specifically with regards to whether you should stay with your current company but if you're in your 20's and they're supporting you, take it.