Do you know that being at an organization for practically 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 trade the place lasting relationships have turn into more and more unusual.
G2 will not be alone in statistics like these. As of 2024, the USA has seen a 15% lower in common job tenure during the last decade. If we dial in particularly on the expertise sector, the typical tenure is even decrease. Throughout the ten greatest tech firms, the typical tenure was within the 1-2 12 months vary, greater than 50% decrease than in different industries. In case you work within the expertise sector, you’ve probably seen this firsthand.
There may be 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 shortcoming to alter or develop.
I maintain a distinct perception. I imagine the tech sector fuels this standpoint, however there’s a counterculture method that may allow you to and your profession. On this article, I’ll unpack the advantages of long-term stays in tech firms and the way they will truly 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 out there analysis workforce 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 in the marketplace analysis workforce, serving to to reinforce the methods of working to scale G2’s taxonomy footprint, report creation, and assessment assortment and moderation. We grew the workforce into a number of disciplines. At that time, Tim Handorf then requested me to assist out on the product workforce. 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 keep in mind the a million, two million, and soon-to-be three million assessment milestones. I keep in mind handwriting our first stories. 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 development, and a whole lot of change.
I might by no means have predicted the vast majority of these milestones. When Tim, Godard, Matt, Mark, and Mike based G2 in 2012, I keep in mind considering, “How will they make cash?” 4 years later, I might not have anticipated to hitch them, and 9 years later, I might not have predicted all of the ups and downs we’d have been by.
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.
Based on 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 trade 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 just a few reactions we’ve got heard:
- Have you ever been given golden handcuffs so that you don’t wish to transfer on?
- Are you afraid of making an attempt 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?
In case you boil down all these questions, you’ll see a perception that longer-tenured staff are in danger for slower ability improvement, profession development, and wage development stagnation. I imagine this can be a false impression.
The advantages of a protracted tenure
G2 will not be my solely lengthy tenure with a expertise 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 just a few counterculture views on why staying for a protracted time period is useful.
Profession development
With an open mindset and humility, you could be shocked 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 exterior my base skillset when there may be potential. These alternatives open up naturally as firms scale and develop. By doing a fantastic job in your individual position and staying related to friends and the enterprise, you will discover your self ready for profession development.
In case you do that nicely, 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 search out your recommendation.
Studying alternatives
Staying with an organization lengthy sufficient to see a venture transfer from a whiteboard concept to a completely mature program is a singular studying expertise. You develop a deep understanding of the “why” behind selections, 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 difficult to duplicate if 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 completely different levels of development — 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 sort of scale data turns into a superpower. You perceive the patterns and pitfalls of every stage and may supply precious steering throughout transitions. It’s one factor to examine development curves; it’s one other to reside by them and assist navigate the roadblocks in actual time.
Relationship constructing
One of the ignored 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 development, and a whole lot of candid conversations alongside the way in which. 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 search out if you’re continuously beginning over. The identical is true for consumer relationships. Longevity builds credibility.
Methods for rising inside one firm
A precious piece of profession recommendation I’ve held onto is that this: When evaluating your profession path, deal with three key elements — firm measurement, trade, and place.
For sustainable profession development, restrict your self to altering simply certainly one of these variables at a time. This method lets you leverage current data whereas strategically increasing your experience.
Contemplating that staying with one firm signifies that until the corporate shifts considerably, the trade won’t change, on your personal development, that you must have a look at both firm measurement or place.
Keep open-minded
Even when you’re not actively job looking out, all the time be looking out for brand new challenges inside your organization. Development doesn’t all the time imply climbing up — it may possibly imply rising outward into new capabilities, ability units, or initiatives that stretch you.
Typically, others see potential in you earlier than you do. Saying “sure” to the suitable alternative, even when it is exterior your consolation zone, can result in a few of your most respected development.
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 possibility to develop a wide-angle lens, perceive the enterprise at a number of levels of development, and construct a fame of belief and consistency over time.
Keep humble
Typically, the very best 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 accomplished this myself and located it extremely rewarding.
It’s simple to tie your worth to your org chart. However the actual influence 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 workforce.
Keep curious
Don’t relaxation on “we’ve all the time accomplished it that means” 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. Hold asking “what if?” even if you’ve seen just a few “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 area to collaborate, mentor, and co-create.
Your community inside the corporate is certainly one of your biggest belongings. Don’t silo your self. Frequently verify in with folks past your speedy workforce 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 when 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 brief
I hope that at this level, I’ve satisfied you of the advantages of longer tenure, notably within the expertise area. My honest hope is that this will likely encourage some to not transfer on from their very own firm, however as an alternative think about what the following 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 probably 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 development will information you to new heights when you keep humble, curious, and open-minded. I can’t predict what number of extra years I might be at G2 or what alternatives could come up. What I can predict is how I select to indicate up each day.
In case you loved this text and have your individual story or questions, I’d love to attach on LinkedIn!
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