Do you know that being at an organization for practically a decade places you in a remarkably unique membership as of late?
On February 22, 2025, I celebrated my nine-year anniversary at G2becoming 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 into more and more unusual.
G2 shouldn’t be 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 common tenure is even decrease. Throughout the ten greatest tech corporations, the common tenure was within the 1-2 yr varygreater than 50% decrease than in different industries. When you 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 nasty factor. Gone are the times of firm loyalty being seen as a profit. Lengthy tenure will be seen as the lack to vary or develop.
I maintain a unique perception. I imagine the tech sector fuels this standpoint, however there’s a counterculture method that may make it easier to and your profession. On this article, I’ll unpack the advantages of long-term stays in tech corporations and the way they will really be a aggressive benefit.
My journey at G2
I began at G2 on February 22, 2016. After 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, primarily based on the place G2 was in its journey, I made the transfer by way of a 16-foot truck that my good friend Billy and I drove from Seattle to Chicago.
I started my G2 profession available in the market analysis crew because the director of analysis. Tim Handorf, CEO on the time, offered me on the position, considering of it as product administration for taxonomies. I spent two years available on the market analysis crew, serving to to reinforce the methods of working to scale G2’s taxonomy footprint, report creation, and assessment assortment and moderation. We grew the crew into a number of disciplines. At that time, Tim Handorf then requested me to assist out on the product crew. 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 assessment 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 loads of historical past, loads of studying, loads of progress, and loads of change.
I might 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 considering, “How will they generate profits?” 4 years later, I’d not have anticipated to hitch them, and 9 years later, I’d not have predicted all of the ups and downs we’d have been by.
Why long-term employment is usually criticized in tech
As people, it’s pure for us to see what others are doing and contemplate this the norm. After we see issues which can be in opposition to this norm, we query them.
Based on the Bureau of Labor Statisticsthe general common tenure of US staff is roughly 4.1 years. Nonetheless, within the tech sector, the common tenure is shorter at round 2-3 years. Massive tech corporations typically 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 mirror on my lengthy tenure and listen to from others who’re within the 0.7%, I’ve cataloged a couple of reactions we now have 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 frightened about your expertise 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?
When you boil down all these questions, you’ll see a perception that longer-tenured workers are in danger for slower talent improvement, profession development, and wage progress stagnation. I imagine this can be a false impression.
The advantages of an extended tenure
G2 shouldn’t be my solely lengthy tenure with a know-how firm. I spent seven years with a configure, value, quote (CPQ) firm known 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 below are a couple of counterculture views on why staying for an extended time frame is helpful.
Profession development
With an open mindset and humility, it’s possible you’ll be stunned by what roles open up for you. In my very own expertise, I’ve seen and been given the chance to assist rise 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 corporations scale and develop. By doing an important job in your personal position and staying related to friends and the enterprise, yow will discover your self ready for profession development.
When you do that effectively, over time, you’ll construct a fame 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 venture transfer from a whiteboard thought to a totally mature program is a singular 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 means. This type of end-to-end visibility is tough to copy if you’re leaping from firm to firm each few years.
Scale data
Longevity additionally offers you front-row seats to how an organization evolves by totally different phases of progress — whether or not that’s product-market match, go-to-market scaling, or international enlargement. You be taught what it means to function in a scrappy startup mode and the way issues shift as course of, construction, and complexity improve.
That type of scale data turns into a superpower. You perceive the patterns and pitfalls of every stage and might supply priceless steering throughout transitions. It’s one factor to examine progress curves; it’s one other to dwell by them and assist navigate the roadblocks in actual time.
Relationship constructing
One of the crucial neglected advantages of staying is the depth of relationships you’re capable of construct over time. You develop a belief that may’t be manufactured if you’ve labored alongside somebody for years by launches, pivots, challenges, and wins.
These aren’t simply transactional work relationships; they’re constructed on shared experiences, mutual progress, and loads of candid conversations alongside the best way. That basis makes collaboration simpler, suggestions extra significant, and outcomes stronger. It additionally creates a way of group that makes work extra fulfilling — one thing that’s onerous to search out if you’re always beginning over. The identical is true for consumer relationships. Longevity builds credibility.
Methods for rising inside one firm
A priceless piece of profession recommendation I’ve held onto is that this: When evaluating your profession path, give attention to three key components — firm dimension, business, and place.
For sustainable profession progress, restrict your self to altering simply one in all these variables at a time. This method lets you leverage present data whereas strategically increasing your experience.
Contemplating that staying with one firm implies that until the corporate shifts considerably, the business won’t change, on your personal progress, you should take a look at both firm dimension or place.
Keep open-minded
Even if you happen to’re not actively job looking out, all the time be looking out for brand spanking new challenges inside your organization. Progress doesn’t all the time imply climbing up — it may possibly imply rising outward into new capabilities, talent units, or initiatives that stretch you.
Typically, others see potential in you earlier than you do. Saying “sure” to the fitting alternative, even when it is outdoors your consolation zone, can result in a few of your most beneficial 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 offers you the prospect to develop a wide-angle lens, perceive the enterprise at a number of phases of progress, and construct a fame of belief and consistency over time.
Keep humble
Typically, the most effective transfer on 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 choice to be taught, recharge, and refocus. I’ve carried out this myself and located it extremely rewarding.
It’s simple to tie your worth to your org chart. However the actual affect 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 — irrespective of the dimensions of your crew.
Keep curious
Don’t relaxation on “we’ve all the time carried out it that means” or “we’ve tried that already.” These are the best methods to close down innovation. Lengthy tenure offers you context, however don’t let it flip into complacency. Maintain asking “what if?” even if you’ve seen a couple 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 in all your best property. Don’t silo your self. Repeatedly test in with individuals past your speedy crew 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 if you happen to’re not actively maintaining. Keep interested by how your product is evolving, what your clients 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, notably within the know-how house. My honest hope is that this may increasingly encourage some to not transfer on from their very own firm, however as a substitute contemplate what the subsequent step they will take is, the place they’re. If you’re at an organization, go searching for these long-tenured of us and attain out to them — they’re possible a treasure trove of insights and data.
Staying in a single firm past common norms offers 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 along with your values, and searching for alternatives for progress will information you to new heights if you happen to keep humble, curious, and open-minded. I can’t predict what number of extra years I shall be at G2 or what alternatives might come up. What I can predict is how I select to point out up every single day.
When you loved this text and have your personal story or questions, I’d love to attach on LinkedIn!
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