I was speaking with a vice president I’ve known for several years, and he made a suggestion I hadn’t considered before. I thought I’d share it with you. He mentioned that when you’re in the early or mid stages of your career, you often face situations where the company asks you to do something out of the ordinary. This could mean working longer hours, tackling a new project outside your usual expertise, or even taking on tasks that require additional education or training. Sometimes, it might involve working on a project outside your region, which could mean traveling and staying overnight for days, weeks, or even longer.
What he pointed out is that, increasingly, when people in these stages of their careers are faced with these kinds of opportunities, many are saying “no” or looking for employment elsewhere. The issue, he explained, is that by frequently moving to new places, your experience and expertise don’t grow as quickly as they could if you were to stay put and take on those challenges.
He made an interesting point: The people who have been at a company for years are often given the first choice to pass on these extra tasks—whether it’s something new, challenging, or out of town. When they do, those opportunities often fall to newer employees. For those who take on these challenges, it can be a real chance to build their resumes, gain valuable experience, and become more valuable in the job market. This, in turn, can lead to better opportunities and compensation down the line.
Of course, there’s an element of this that benefits the company, too. By staying and taking on tasks that others might avoid, you’re helping the company get the work done. But there’s also a personal advantage in sticking it out through challenging times and seizing these opportunities.
It’s a perspective worth reflecting on as we make career decisions—when to leave and when to persevere through the tough times.