Do you know that being at an organization for almost a decade places you in a remarkably unique membership nowadays?
On February 22, 2025, I celebrated my nine-year anniversary at G2, becoming a member of a tiny 0.7% membership of firm veterans. Simply 4 of us have reached this milestone in an business the place lasting relationships have turn out to be more and more unusual.
G2 just isn’t alone in statistics like these. As of 2024, the USA has seen a 15% lower in common job tenure over the past decade. If we dial in particularly on the know-how sector, the typical tenure is even decrease. Throughout the ten greatest tech firms, the typical tenure was within the 1-2 yr vary, greater than 50% decrease than in different industries. If you happen to work within the know-how sector, you’ve got possible seen this firsthand.
There’s an unstated perception in tech that lengthy tenures are a foul factor. Gone are the times of firm loyalty being seen as a profit. Lengthy tenure may be seen as the lack to vary or develop.
I maintain a unique perception. I imagine the tech sector fuels this perspective, however there’s a counterculture strategy that may enable you and your profession. On this article, I’ll unpack the advantages of long-term stays in tech firms and the way they’ll truly be a aggressive benefit.
My journey at G2
I began at G2 on February 22, 2016. Once I joined, the corporate was 4 years into its journey, and I used to be worker quantity 60 or so. On the time, I used to be relocating from Seattle to Chicago. To be frugal, based mostly on the place G2 was in its journey, I made the transfer through a 16-foot truck that my good friend Billy and I drove from Seattle to Chicago.
I started my G2 profession out there analysis group because the director of analysis. Tim Handorf, CEO on the time, offered me on the position, pondering of it as product administration for taxonomies. I spent two years in the marketplace analysis group, serving to to boost the methods of working to scale G2’s taxonomy footprint, report creation, and evaluate assortment and moderation. We grew the group into a number of disciplines. At that time, Tim Handorf then requested me to assist out on the product group. That is the place I’ve been for the final seven years.
Over these 9 years, I’ve seen many growths and shifts at G2. I bear in mind the a million, two million, and soon-to-be three million evaluate milestones. I bear in mind handwriting our first studies. I’ve seen three CROs, 4 CMOs, and a shift of CEOs. I’ve seen acquisitions begin and sundown. 9 years cowl a whole lot of historical past, a whole lot of studying, a whole lot of progress, and a whole lot of change.
I may by no means have predicted nearly all of these milestones. When Tim, Godard, Matt, Mark, and Mike based G2 in 2012, I bear in mind pondering, “How will they earn a living?” 4 years later, I’d not have anticipated to affix them, and 9 years later, I’d not have predicted all of the ups and downs we’d have been by way of.
Why long-term employment is commonly criticized in tech
As people, it’s pure for us to see what others are doing and think about this the norm. Once we see issues which can be in opposition to this norm, we query them.
In accordance with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the general common tenure of US staff is roughly 4.1 years. Nonetheless, within the tech sector, the typical tenure is shorter at round 2-3 years. Giant tech firms usually see even shorter tenures at 1-3 years.
Over time, the tech business has created a norm of shorter tenures. Longer tenures are seen because the exception. And when that tenure will increase to 2x, 3x, or 4x the norm, it’s even rarer.
As I replicate on my lengthy tenure and listen to from others who’re within the 0.7%, I’ve cataloged a number of reactions we’ve heard:
- Have you ever been given golden handcuffs so that you don’t wish to transfer on?
- Are you afraid of attempting one thing new?
- Aren’t you anxious about your abilities stagnating?
You additionally hear genuinely curious questions:
- What retains you right here this lengthy?
- Wow — what have you ever seen over that a few years?
If you happen to boil down all these questions, you’ll see a perception that longer-tenured workers are in danger for slower ability improvement, profession development, and wage progress stagnation. I imagine it is a false impression.
The advantages of a protracted tenure
G2 just isn’t my solely lengthy tenure with a know-how firm. I spent seven years with a configure, value, quote (CPQ) firm referred to as BigMachines, which was acquired by Oracle. I spent three years with a non-profit group named World Imaginative and prescient. As talked about, I’m persevering with to spend over 9 years at G2.
Listed here are a number of counterculture views on why staying for a protracted time period is helpful.
Profession development
With an open mindset and humility, you might be stunned by what roles open up for you. In my very own expertise, I’ve seen and been given the chance to assist get up new roles that beforehand didn’t exist, and fill roles outdoors my base skillset when there’s potential. These alternatives open up naturally as firms scale and develop. By doing an incredible job in your individual position and staying related to friends and the enterprise, you’ll find your self ready for profession development.
If you happen to do that effectively, over time, you’ll construct a status as somebody who retains the corporate in thoughts and is a trusted advisor and mentor to others. New hires will hunt down your recommendation.
Studying alternatives
Staying with an organization lengthy sufficient to see a mission transfer from a whiteboard concept to a totally mature program is a novel studying expertise. You develop a deep understanding of the “why” behind choices, not simply the “what” that will get executed. You see what works, what doesn’t, and most significantly, why it performed out that method. This type of end-to-end visibility is tough to copy while you’re leaping from firm to firm each few years.
Scale data
Longevity additionally provides you front-row seats to how an organization evolves by way of completely different phases of progress — whether or not that’s product-market match, go-to-market scaling, or world growth. You be taught what it means to function in a scrappy startup mode and the way issues shift as course of, construction, and complexity enhance.
That form of scale data turns into a superpower. You perceive the patterns and pitfalls of every stage and may supply helpful steerage throughout transitions. It’s one factor to examine progress curves; it’s one other to stay by way of them and assist navigate the roadblocks in actual time.
Relationship constructing
Probably the most missed advantages of staying is the depth of relationships you’re capable of construct over time. You develop a belief that may’t be manufactured while you’ve labored alongside somebody for years by way of launches, pivots, challenges, and wins.
These aren’t simply transactional work relationships; they’re constructed on shared experiences, mutual progress, and a whole lot of candid conversations alongside the best way. That basis makes collaboration simpler, suggestions extra significant, and outcomes stronger. It additionally creates a way of neighborhood that makes work extra fulfilling — one thing that’s arduous to seek out while you’re consistently beginning over. The identical is true for consumer relationships. Longevity builds credibility.
Methods for rising inside one firm
A helpful piece of profession recommendation I’ve held onto is that this: When evaluating your profession path, concentrate on three key components — firm measurement, business, and place.
For sustainable profession progress, restrict your self to altering simply one among these variables at a time. This strategy lets you leverage current data whereas strategically increasing your experience.
Contemplating that staying with one firm implies that until the corporate shifts considerably, the business is not going to change, to your personal progress, it’s essential have a look at both firm measurement or place.
Keep open-minded
Even in the event you’re not actively job looking, all the time be looking out for brand new challenges inside your organization. Progress doesn’t all the time imply climbing up — it might probably imply rising outward into new capabilities, ability units, or tasks that stretch you.
Generally, others see potential in you earlier than you do. Saying “sure” to the suitable alternative, even when it is outdoors your consolation zone, can result in a few of your Most worthy progress.
Take a look at leaders like Invoice McDermott, who didn’t rush up the ladder however constructed actual depth at every stage. Staying at one firm provides you the prospect to develop a wide-angle lens, perceive the enterprise at a number of phases of progress, and construct a status of belief and consistency over time.
Keep humble
Generally, one of the best transfer to your profession is to get nearer to the work once more. Stepping out of a management position isn’t a step again; it’s a strategic determination to be taught, recharge, and refocus. I’ve achieved this myself and located it extremely rewarding.
It’s simple to tie your worth to your org chart. However the actual impression isn’t all the time mirrored in a title. What issues extra is the way you present up, the way you contribute, and the way you develop — regardless of the scale of your group.
Keep curious
Don’t relaxation on “we’ve all the time achieved it that method” or “we’ve tried that already.” These are the best methods to close down innovation. Lengthy tenure provides you context, however don’t let it flip into complacency. Preserve asking “what if?” even while you’ve seen a number of “what ifs” fail.
Regardless of how lengthy you’ve been someplace, there’s all the time one thing new to be taught.
Keep related
Expertise is effective — however provided that it’s shared. Your insights matter extra once they’re half of a bigger dialog. Make house to collaborate, mentor, and co-create.
Your community inside the corporate is one among your biggest property. Don’t silo your self. Usually examine in with folks past your rapid group to remain in sync with the place the corporate is headed.
Keep educated
One main benefit of lengthy tenure is your deep understanding of the enterprise. However even that may fade in the event you’re not actively maintaining. Keep inquisitive about how your product is evolving, what your prospects say, and the way the market is shifting.
Lengthy story quick
I hope that at this level, I’ve satisfied you of the advantages of longer tenure, significantly within the know-how house. My honest hope is that this will likely encourage some to not transfer on from their very own firm, however as a substitute think about what the following step they’ll take is, the place they’re. In case you are at an organization, go searching for these long-tenured people and attain out to them — they’re possible a treasure trove of insights and knowledge.
Staying in a single firm past common norms provides distinctive alternatives for profession development, studying, relationship constructing, and a differentiator of firm scaling insights.
Reflecting on my 9 years right here at G2, not yearly has been roses and rainbows, however that’s actuality. Staying on the journey, constant together with your values, and in search of alternatives for progress will information you to new heights in the event you keep humble, curious, and open-minded. I can’t predict what number of extra years I shall be at G2 or what alternatives could come up. What I can predict is how I select to point out up daily.
If you happen to loved this text and have your individual story or questions, I’d love to attach on LinkedIn!
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