How long do you say one should stay at a regular Help Desk Support role?

Nyblizzard

Was it 2 years max? What would be said about people who have spent 6-9 years?

olaHalo

Leave as soon as you can get a better job. Why stay?

Sponx

Long enough so you know your current company and what you do inside and out, and I would recommend staying for at least one full year so other companies don't think you're just trying to job hop.

Master Of Puppets

I think 6-9 years is waaay too much. It will probably raise questions with employers regarding why the individual in question stayed so long in this entry level job. From my experience someone like this is viewed as lacking motivation. Some people may even look at it as being unable to advance in the field. There was a story here on TE - someone was in such a role for a long time and had experience and great knowledge but was not picked for a job. The reason could very well have been something like this.

olaHalo

Sponx wrote: »

Long enough so you know your current company and what you do inside and out, and I would recommend staying for at least one full year so other companies don't think you're just trying to job hop.

I dont think anyone would look down upon you for moving past helpdesk quickly. Now if you were moving Helpdesk to Helpdesk then it may raise some eyebrows.

networker050184

olaHalo wrote: »

Leave as soon as you can get a better job. Why stay?

This is my advice. Move up as soon as you can.

010101

1. Build a lab, learn, get good certs
2. Come up with an excuse why you stayed so long(taking care of kids, etc).
3. Move up

Nutsacjac

Nyblizzard wrote: »

Was it 2 years max?

2 years sounds about right to be in the same position. It's time to look for the next step.

What would be said about people who have spent 6-9 years?

Looking at things objectively, I would say the person got very comfortable, has low ambition or really wasn't good enough to move upwards(not insulting you here friend, I have no idea about your situation).

Nyblizzard

I'm only now about to reach about 2 years spread across 3 different places, with an obvious sign of advancement

tpatt100

I wouldn't focus too much on how much time you are at any job and concentrate more on what you can and cannot do. I was only on helpdesk a year because I was spending all of my free time at work and off work studying for projects I volunteered myself for along with school.

If you are doing your job and that is it, a year doing your job doesn't just create some sort of advancement opportunity due to "a year" going by.

If you are doing it for 6-9 years and are happy then so be it, you are happy. Not everybody thinks about advancement.

If a person is asking "how long should I stay" then it is obvious the person is a clock/calendar watcher and is not happy. Then 6-9 years is more about a fear of change keeping that person from seeking more opportunities.

Sponx

olaHalo wrote: »

I dont think anyone would look down upon you for moving past helpdesk quickly. Now if you were moving Helpdesk to Helpdesk then it may raise some eyebrows.

I suppose you're right, if you're moving out of Help Desk to something more long term 'career focused' in mind... Then it shouldn't be a bad thing.