Job Satisfaction

With the onslaught of technology, instant gratification, a younger workforce generation (Gen Y), and a bunch of other factors hitting the traditional workplace - there's something nontraditional that I think people need to embrace.

It seems to me that people are switching jobs on average every 2 to 4 years. Is it true - you have to leave to get something better? These days I think - yes, it is. Statistically, you can look at the data points of where you are at now. It's very easy to change yourself, but it's harder to change your company. More pay, a better title and other tangible assets that have been denied year after year - what makes one think that there will suddenly be a change of heart?

I think the days of "growing" at a company have since past. Starting at the bottom in a company and working your way up in the same company does not seem feasible at all anymore. For everyone who is still there, you will have the association of where you came from and where you started. For me, it was being a Desktop Support technician. Because that's where I started, it's how people knew me - and first impressions really do matter to most people. With new people coming in at higher pay, higher title, and more responsibility on a very regular basis - why waste the time to develop and guide talent when you can get it at a good price knowing that they're just going to leave in a few years anyway?

All recruiting and hiring is, is serving the organization. It's feeding the company talent and using the talent for as long as it can. It's not a charity. And neither is your work.

I think people need to shed thinking about where they're going to go and that they'll be happy there. People need to be happy where they are at right now, and if they aren't, then move or change it. Stop trusting your career and ultimately your personal happiness to empty promises based on budget and ego.