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 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 change into 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 during the last decade. If we dial in particularly on the expertise sector, the common tenure is even decrease. Throughout the ten greatest tech firms, the common tenure was within the 1-2 yr vary, greater than 50% decrease than in different industries. When you work within the expertise sector, you have got doubtless 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 vary or develop.
I maintain a special perception. I imagine the tech sector fuels this perspective, however there’s a counterculture method that may aid you and your profession. On this article, I’ll unpack the advantages of long-term stays in tech firms and the way they will really 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 available in the market analysis crew because the director of analysis. Tim Handorf, CEO on the time, bought me on the function, considering of it as product administration for taxonomies. I spent two years in the marketplace analysis crew, serving to to boost 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 keep in mind the a million, two million, and soon-to-be three million assessment milestones. I keep 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 number of historical past, a number of studying, a number of progress, and a number 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 keep in mind considering, “How will they generate income?” 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 take into account this the norm. After we see issues which are towards this norm, we query them.
In line with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the general common tenure of US employees is roughly 4.1 years. Nonetheless, within the tech sector, the common tenure is shorter at round 2-3 years. Giant tech firms typically 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 mirror on my lengthy tenure and listen to from others who’re within the 0.7%, I’ve cataloged a couple of reactions we’ve got heard:
- Have you ever been given golden handcuffs so that you don’t need to transfer on?
- Are you afraid of attempting one thing new?
- Aren’t you nervous 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 ability growth, profession development, and wage progress stagnation. I imagine this can be a false impression.
The advantages of an extended tenure
G2 just isn’t my solely lengthy tenure with a expertise 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 couple of counterculture views on why staying for an extended time frame is useful.
Profession development
With an open mindset and humility, it’s possible you’ll be shocked by what roles open up for you. In my very own expertise, I’ve seen and been given the chance to assist arise 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 a fantastic job in your personal function and staying linked to friends and the enterprise, you will discover your self ready for profession development.
When 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 undertaking transfer from a whiteboard thought to a completely 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 manner. This sort of end-to-end visibility is difficult to duplicate once 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 totally different levels of progress — whether or not that’s product-market match, go-to-market scaling, or international growth. You study 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 might provide worthwhile steerage throughout transitions. It’s one factor to examine progress curves; it’s one other to stay by them and assist navigate the roadblocks in actual time.
Relationship constructing
Some of the ignored advantages of staying is the depth of relationships you’re in a position to construct over time. You develop a belief that may’t be manufactured once 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 a number 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 group that makes work extra fulfilling — one thing that’s arduous to seek out once you’re consistently beginning over. The identical is true for shopper relationships. Longevity builds credibility.
Methods for rising inside one firm
A worthwhile piece of profession recommendation I’ve held onto is that this: When evaluating your profession path, give attention to three key elements — firm measurement, trade, and place.
For sustainable profession progress, restrict your self to altering simply certainly one of 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 except the corporate shifts considerably, the trade is not going to change, to your personal progress, you want to have a look at both firm measurement or place.
Keep open-minded
Even for those who’re not actively job looking, at all times be looking out for brand spanking new challenges inside your organization. Progress doesn’t at all times imply climbing up — it may possibly imply rising outward into new features, ability units, or initiatives that stretch you.
Typically, others see potential in you earlier than you do. Saying “sure” to the appropriate alternative, even when it is outdoors your consolation zone, can result in a few of your most dear 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 levels of progress, and construct a fame of belief and consistency over time.
Keep humble
Typically, the perfect transfer to your profession is to get nearer to the work once more. Stepping out of a management function isn’t a step again; it’s a strategic resolution to study, recharge, and refocus. I’ve achieved this myself and located it extremely rewarding.
It’s straightforward to tie your worth to your org chart. However the actual affect isn’t at all times 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 at all times achieved it that manner” 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 once you’ve seen a couple of “what ifs” fail.
Irrespective of how lengthy you’ve been someplace, there’s at all times one thing new to study.
Keep linked
Expertise is efficacious — 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 property. Don’t silo your self. Usually verify 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 for those who’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 expertise area. My honest hope is that this may increasingly encourage some to not transfer on from their very own firm, however as an alternative take into account what the subsequent step they will 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 doubtless 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 along with your values, and searching for alternatives for progress will information you to new heights for those who 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 indicate up on daily basis.
When you loved this text and have your personal story or questions, I’d love to attach on LinkedIn!
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