If you take some time to talk to people who are moving toward the twilight of their career, you’ll probably experience some consistent messages. What you’re unlikely to hear is phrases like, “It all went according to plan” and “There were no surprises along the way.”

You’ll realize that people didn’t have a crystal ball about each step they took. They didn’t have know the end of the story. Sometimes you’ll hear stories about risks they took or abrupt changes in direction. Sometimes you’ll hear about job loss or uncertainty. Often you’ll hear about lessons they learned along the way and things they wish they’d learned sooner.

Whatever lessons were learned and whatever direction was taken, some common themes will probably rise to the surface.

The Benefit of Consistency

Deeper Knowledge

The more time you spend staying put, the more industry-specific understanding you’ll gain. The more opportunities you’ll have to expand your resume with new credentials and bigger areas of responsibility. While the job may not be something you thought you wanted, you may find that becoming an expert in something offers a tremendous payoff.

Bigger Opportunities

If you’re tempted to “jump ship” at your current job because you’re being overlooked, you may want to tap the brakes a bit. Showing commitment and consistency at your company can be rewarded with greater opportunities. Showing a tendency to pursue greener pastures can also make you look untrustworthy or even unsafe.

Show that you can weather storms and stay the course and you may find yourself leading others as well.

The Wisdom that Comes with Time

Every time you start over, you’re learning a new job, a new system, and a new culture. A fresh start is sometimes exactly what you need. But sometimes, it’s a step backwards. If you can stay put, you’ll gain the advantage. You’ll know the culture and be able to perform well. You’ll know the system and will be able to thrive within it. You’ll know the job and will be able to contribute to strategic conversations about efficiency and growth.

Some people have had a lot of jobs. That’s not always a bad thing. Life happens. Missteps are all but inevitable. Maybe it’s a series of bad choices or soul searching that led to a bit of jumping around or missed opportunities. Maybe it was a run of bad luck at the wrong companies or the wrong positions. But whatever the case, it’s worth establishing some consistency. You’ll learn more, be given bigger opportunities, and spend less time starting from scratch.

If you’re looking to establish yourself in a job that has opportunities, connect with us at Viking Client Services. We’re always building our team with the right people.