Why Are You Leaving Your Job Less Than A Year In?

Why are you concerned about Gen Z's not staying in a job for more than a year?

I've seen people of other generations lament over the fact that we can't seem to stay one place - in their words 'we that have been in one company for over 5-10 years, how many heads do we have?'. First of, I don't know why asking us how many heads you have will help answer the question but let's get real.

There a lot of reasons people leave jobs - it could be because they are not comfortable with where they are(the pay probably isn't right or they aren't organized), they are looking for opportunities to grow and enhance their skills or they simply want a place where their skills are better appreciated.

That being said I will use my case as an example. After I finished service I took an on-site digital marketing course, prior to this I had taken online courses and was certified in the field. I'd even worked for organisations; howbeit freelance. Upon completion of this course I was asked to intern with the company and I stayed on for about 2 months after which they referred me to a company that needed my skills and off I went.

As much as I enjoyed working for this new company that I was employed in, I wasn't able to fully utilise my skills. It was basic, routine and boring. They were so stuck on a particular method of doing things that they didn't need my insights and even when they did consider my suggestions, there wasn't enough funds to actually make it work. It's one thing to have the vision, it's another thing to make it work.

I stayed there for about 5 months and then began looking for better opportunities. I felt like my skills would be better put to use in a company that is forward thinking and not afraid to use money to get money - which is what selling online these days entails. You've got to see it as an investment.

Small problem though...

My boss wouldn't write me a recommendation letter. According to him I should have stayed at least 6 months with them before he could recommend my services. I understood that of course, no problem. My new employers just needed to know why I was leaving my former job and how much notice I needed to give. Prior to this time, I didn't know you had to work for at least six months before you could put it down as work experience. (Someone confirm this for me please?)

I have nothing against people who want to grow with a company.

Infact I'll say, when you find somewhere you love, by all means, stick with them. I'm just of the opinion that if you're offering value where you are and you find that there's a place where you can offer more, learn more, experience more or get better opportunities - what's holding you back?

"Am I saying those who stay in jobs for over a year don't see better opportunities?" You'd have to tell me. I'm always on the lookout for the next best thing; but if I find somewhere I can grow, learn, blossom? That has great work structure and pays wellllll?! You know I'll stay. There are companies that win awards for "Great place to work", I can imagine the staff stay and refer friends when there's an opening. I know a company that has won that award three times in a row - no jokes 😅 - that's why I've applied for a role there. I want to experience that.

Life is too short to live a boring life - work is hard enough, I don't need it to be in a toxic, backward and scattered structured organization. So tell me, what's the longest you've stayed in an organization?

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