When people talk about their careers, it’s common to focus on how long someone has stayed in one role or with one company. Tenure has traditionally been seen as a sign of loyalty, reliability, and depth of experience. But is sticking with one employer always the best strategy? And how does that compare to the value of varied experience across different roles or industries?
In today’s job market, especially in specialist sectors, both tenure and broad experience bring value. Striking the right balance is key to building a career that stays both resilient and rewarding.
The Case for Tenure
Employers often appreciate candidates who have shown commitment and stability. Long tenure can demonstrate that you’re someone who sees projects through, builds strong internal relationships, and grows within a business. For roles involving complex work, regulatory knowledge, or client management, these qualities can be highly prized.
That said, if you’ve been with the same employer for several years, it’s important to make sure your experience reflects growth. Highlight promotions, new responsibilities, technical upskilling, or involvement in significant projects. Staying in the same role without progression can sometimes work against you, so it’s worth being proactive about continuing development.
The Case for Varied Experience
On the other hand, moving between roles or companies can broaden your skill set, expose you to different ways of working, and build resilience. This can be particularly valuable in industries where projects differ widely in scale, scope, or delivery.
Changing roles thoughtfully, rather than frequently hopping between jobs, can help you avoid being pigeonholed. It also gives you a stronger understanding of the wider market, something many employers look for in senior or leadership positions.
The Numbers Behind the Moves
In New Zealand, people who stay in the same role typically see annual pay rises of around 3 percent. This reflects average wage growth reported by Stats NZ. On the other hand, moving into a new role, particularly in specialist fields, can often bring a salary boost of 10 to 20 percent. That is according to recruitment industry insights and recent surveys reported by RNZ and others.
It is a key reason why some professionals see strategic job changes as a way to keep pace with rising costs and growing responsibilities.
The Numbers Behind the Moves
No matter your situation, the key is to make sure your career story does not back you into a corner. You do not want to be seen as someone who only does one type of work without other skills or strengths to offer. Some practical ways to keep growing include:
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Taking on cross-functional or multidisciplinary projects
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Upskilling in new technologies or methodologies
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Gaining client-facing or project management experience
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Working across different sectors when the opportunity arises
If your current role is not offering these opportunities, it might be time to have a conversation with your employer or consider exploring new options.
A Note for Employers
It is also worth remembering that career movement is normal and often beneficial for both individuals and businesses. Retaining great people is about offering them opportunities to grow, not just expecting loyalty for loyalty’s sake. Encouraging development, offering varied project work, and being clear about progression paths are some of the best ways to keep top talent engaged.
The Takeaway
Tenure and experience both matter, but neither tells the full story on its own. Whether you have been with one firm for years or you have gathered a range of experience across different roles, what is most important is how you have grown and what you bring to the table now.
If you are wondering how your CV stacks up or what your next step could look like, our team at Grada is always happy to chat. Reach out for honest advice and a clear idea of where your experience could take you.
