"I've stuck around in jobs because of the people when better ones were available." But is that really in your best interest? The way this is stated this is ho

"I've stuck around in jobs because of the people when better ones were available." But is that really in your best interest? The way this is stated this is how it breaks down: - I have a better job opportunity (all things equal meaning presumably there are nice people at that job as well at least potentially) that I have passed on. - The people at my current job are nice to me and/or my boss is nice to me and/or is not an asshole In the above case it seems that you have been disadvantaged by a loyalty that isn't based on anything concrete simply because you like the people and/or the way you are treated. Under that premise you might be a programmer at the local small 10 person wholesaler and have a great boss and a great working environment and/or a sense of loyalty because of how well you are treated. And completely miss an opportunity (assuming of course such opportunity is important to you) to work for a much larger company with much more opportunity. Or take someone teaching at a small community college who passes up a potential job at a major university (once again assuming that is a better career path). My point being that loyalty and a nice environment and the people that you work with are certainly great benefits but can also be in a sense golden handcuffs from progressing further in your career.