Nov-A-Decem-Blog-A-Thon: Should you stay in the same job for a long, long time?

Probably not, especially in an day and age of constantly changing technology.  A recent article posted on Monster.com, in fact, suggests that even changing careers, let alone jobs, can be very beneficial for your career.  That's especially the case if you've held a particular job for one company for an extended period of time, and see little to no chance for advancement in it.

Like it or not, the days when most people stayed with the same company or organization for at least 10-20 years or longer are long gone.  In fact, the average length of a job in the United States, according to wiki.answers.com, is anywhere from three to five years, and that's just for people between 18 and 38 years old.

Also, according to a survey published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in July 2012, the number of jobs held, labor market activity, not to mention earnings growth was the highest among the youngest of baby boomers.

While staying in the same job for too long might hurt your career, it's also smart not to constantly jump from one job to another.  After all, you might be seen as someone who might only be at their company for a brief period: one to two years, only to leave when a better opportunity comes along. That's especially true for recent college graduates who are just starting out.

So, what does this mean for you? When considering companies to work for, you must learn to strike the right work/life balance.  In other words, you must find the right fit for you when it comes to growing your career.