Jewcan_Sam81 profile picture
Jewcan_Sam81 profile picture

Jewcan_Sam81

Account Executive

Politicker
Catalyst
Valued Contributor
+9

Tenure as a factor of your value

So it might be a more old fashioned notion these days, but I have this real bee in my bonnet about the idea of jumping from job to job. not sure if it's been beaten into my head by mentors that you need to stay in one place for 5 years to look like and attractive  candidate, and I get like 5+ LI recruiters all up in my business a day. 

Should I have this much agita about the thought of my LI and resume saying that I've been somewhere less than 3 years and just chase the money? 
🎯 Career Development
10

11 comments

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InQ5WeTrust
Arsonist
6
No marketing, mayo isn't an MQL
It really depends on the company and your situation. 

For example, if you're at a smaller startup jumping in 12-18 months can be that you outgrew the company or the company moved away from your core focus. 

The average tenure of reps in SaaS is like 15months for SDR's and 18 Months for AE's, take that data with a pinch of salt, can't recall the exact source so your mileage may vary. 
Diablo
Politicker
2
Sr. AE
100%
CuriousFox
WR Officer
5
🦊
Let it go. Times have changed. Loyalty means nothing to companies. They sure as shit ain't loyal to you. Take care of yourself and your family first.
CaneWolf
Politicker
2
Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract
I've seen people hit 300%+, get awards and recognition at company events and then get put on plan.
UrAssIsSaaS
Arsonist
4
SaaS Eater
Im similar to your line of thinking and am just now leaving my current role after 6+ years. That being said I dont think you look like you just jump around if you are staying 3+in a given role. The red flags for me as a hiring manager are when someone hops every 12-18 months.          
FamilyTruckster
Politicker
3
Exec Director, Major Accounts
2-3 years you’re golden. 
Sunbunny31
Politicker
2
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
It's uncommon to see AEs at the same company for 5+ years.  And I'm saying that as someone who was at my last company for well over 10.   

If you've outgrown it, there's something better out there, you're ready for a change - I'd go for it.   You're not talking about being somewhere for <1 year or even <2.  I think you're fine, and it doesn't say anything about your CV you don't want it to.   It doesn't scream "job hopper" to me.  
buckets1
Politicker
2
AE
IMO it's about evaluating if enough of the following benefits of staying at the same company for a few years apply to you to give up increases in OTE/equity or taking on a more exciting challenge elsewhere:

- Clear promotion path to the next level
- Clear path to making more money at your current gig via landing a better territory
- Clear path to more money via building up better knowledge of the product, industry, ICP, partner ecocystem, company specific sales motion nuances, etc.
- Clear path to more money via building a better internal network and making it easier to get shit done

Obviously there's a theme here to the benefits - more money could also mean the same money but with less time/effort.

And then of course if there's life circumstances that would make it difficult to take on the extra stress of establishing yourself somewhere new, I'm an advocate of waiting even if your current gig is "just fine."  "Just fine" can be great if you're in the middle of getting married, having kids, going through a family emergecy, or some other life stuff good or bad.
dwightyouignorantsale
Politicker
2
Account Executive
If I was looking at someone with 3~ years experience at their past company, I would not look down on that whatsoever. I think of job hoppers as ones who have been at a company for less than a year, and then have done that multiple times. That looks more fishy to me than a multi-year stay at a company.
CaneWolf
Politicker
0
Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract
Welp, it sure hasn't stopped a bunch of companies from trying to hire me.
Justatitle
Big Shot
0
Account Executive
2 years in saas is an eternity. the funny part about the job hopper designation is companies want people with diversified experiences and then flag changing companies... 

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