And let's not forget point four: If you want me to stick around, getting more responsibilities (usually via promotion) should be easier to achieve within than w

And let's not forget point four: If you want me to stick around, getting more responsibilities (usually via promotion) should be easier to achieve within than without. I know more than a few engineers who work at larger companies who have climbed up the ladder by switching outside and back. And no, they've not acquired magical properties in a short stint elsewhere, outside of the "working elsewhere" property. You can't complain about missing loyalty if you enforce it as a career path.