Can long tenure at the same firm affect your job prospects?

“Leaving after a long tenure signals you’ve mastered your role, but new employers will expect you to adapt fast – be humble about what you don’t know,” he said.

Ms Diyls Chua, a certified professional at the Institute for Human Resource Professionals, said that employees can switch jobs regardless of how long they have stayed with a company, and there is no clear threshold for what constitutes “too long”.

“In the past, it was common for employees to stay with an organisation for 20 years or more… Today, the landscape has shifted, and many companies are already focused on retaining employees beyond the three-year mark,” she said.

“Tenure alone is no longer a reliable indicator of adaptability or ambition.”

Employees who have spent a long time in one organisation may develop strong attachments to colleagues, culture and benefits, which can make the idea of leaving more complex, but not necessarily a disadvantage.

“In fact, long tenure can signal loyalty, deep institutional knowledge and sustained contribution,” Ms Chua added.

Rather than focusing on how long they have stayed, employees should consider whether they are still adding value in their roles.

Length of service also does not equate to quality of contribution – some individuals make a significant impact within a short period, while others continue to grow and contribute meaningfully over many years.

As for how prospective employers view long tenures, this depends largely on how candidates present their experience.

“If you can demonstrate continued growth, adaptability and impact, staying long in one company is rarely seen as a drawback,” Ms Chua said.