I always thought job hopping was a red flag until I did it myself

I used to believe staying at one company for 5+ years showed loyalty and got you raises. Then I switched jobs twice in 18 months and got a 40% pay bump total. Is loyalty to a single employer actually holding people back, or am I just lucky?

3 comments

3 Comments

felix4141mo ago

Does your old company even care about loyalty though?

aaron_perry1mo ago

I mean, I get where you're coming from @felix414, but I think it's more complicated than that. A lot of those places actually do value folks who stick around, even if they don't always show it in a big way. Like the small stuff - knowing your name, giving you first pick on projects - that's loyalty too.

ryanm601mo agoMost Upvoted

My dad worked at the same place for 38 years, and I remember him telling me about the time they let him take a whole Thursday off just because his daughter was graduating high school. No paperwork, no fuss, just "go be there." It's easy to get caught up in wanting those big public perks like bonuses or fancy titles, but I think the quiet stuff matters more over the long haul. Same goes for the guy at the hardware store who knows you need 1/2 inch bolts before you even ask. That kind of recognition isn't flashy, but it shows someone is actually paying attention to who you are, not just what you produce. People forget that loyalty goes both ways, and sometimes the little things are the only proof you get.