CAREER TENURES 2026: How They’ve Changed and What to Expect

Five years ago our view of a ‘stable’ candidate was strictly defined. 

Three to four years at one company demonstrated strong tenure & importantly, band loyalty. 

A minimum of eighteen months in each role showed commitment to real skill growth… and moving too quickly definitely caused employers to hesitate in their hiring decisions. Candidates didn’t jump roles often and tenures were longer than they are right now.

These timelines were generally expected on resumes submitted for most fashion jobs in the head office and retail space. Without this showcase of loyalty, an interview was harder to secure.

Fast forward to 2026 and our recruitment world looks a little different. 

Candidates pursuing roles in fashion want faster growth, exposure and development. They want faster opportunities for promotions and above all else, they want purpose. Without true career purpose in their roles, they’re jumping ship quickly. 

In 2026, movement in the industry has absolutely accelerated. 

What does this mean for brands?

Shorter tenures shouldn’t automatically viewed as instability anymore. You’ll miss out on great talent if you don’t give candidates the chance to share their why. 

We can testify that there are so many gems to be found with shorter tenures – it’s about creating a workplace and career ladder that makes them want to stay. In many cases, we’re seeing shorter tenures reflect ambition, adaptability and a desire to expand capability.

We’re still looking for considered tenures in roles and workplaces, but we’re encouraging brands to be more open to interviewing candidates who have moved companies consistently in 12 – 18 month periods, because the average tenure truly has shortened.

What does this mean for candidates?

If you’re someone who has shuffled employers more regularly than every 2 years, be considered in your interview preparation. You’ll be asked why you moved on from each role, because employers care about loyalty, and it’s a fair question to be aske.

Ahead of your interview, prepare your answers as to why you chose to move from role to role and let it play out as a strength, not a weakness in the way that you operate.

In an ideal world, we still love to see longer tenures leading candidates to stay with a brand far beyond 2 years. Take your commitment to growth with one business beyond 4 or 5 years, and you’re the unicorn candidate we’re all searching for in 2026.

So should you be jumping employers every 12 months? 

We don’t think so. Loyalty is still important and in most cases, to give yourself the opportunity to grow, you want to work in a year-on-year capacity to improve the results you drive for a brand,

That being said, a decision to move companies should be based on the opportunities in front of you. Which elevates your career the most and gets you closer to that ultimate career goal? The decision is yours, angel.

With love,

Lauren x