As a team lead, one of the key things I evaluate when reviewing CVs is how long an engineer has stayed at previous companies, especially when they’ve held a role for three years or longer.
I believe engineers who switch jobs every six to twelve months miss out on valuable opportunities for growth. They rarely stick around long enough to see the long-term impact of their contributions—good or bad—and experiencing that impact is essential for professional development. By the time they’re through the initial ramp-up phase and start making real progress, they’re already moving on. That’s costly, both for the engineer and for the team left behind.
Recruiting and hiring software engineers who are a good fit for the team and company culture is both challenging and expensive—though still cheaper than hiring the wrong person. That’s a conversation for another time.
The first year is about acclimating to the company: learning the people, the processes, and how things operate over a full fiscal year. It’s about getting grounded in the role and building a solid foundation.
The second year is when an engineer starts to make their mark. The “new person” phase is over, and they take full ownership of their work. This is when they begin to shape their reputation, build trust, and contribute meaningfully to the team’s success.
By the third year, the engineer has a deep understanding of the company, its technologies, and its challenges. They’re often the go-to person for specific applications or technical problems, earning the trust of colleagues and gaining additional freedoms. This phase brings greater fulfillment, as the engineer sees the tangible results of their work and takes on more significant challenges.
This cycle of settling in, making an impact, and growing can continue without leaving the company. Engineers can switch teams, take on new projects, explore different roles, or expand their responsibilities. Staying with a company long enough to fully grow into these opportunities not only benefits the engineer but also the company, fostering deeper expertise, stronger relationships, and a more cohesive culture.