I soon plan to make to make the transition to a new job ... I was recently told that one of new boss's concerns is longevity but new boss never asked me about it... I probably wouldn't have expressed interest in transitioning to a new job but I was a bit burned out with current one and I've heard wonderful things about new job & boss. The new boss seems like a really great guy and I don't want to disappoint him so I'm wondering if I should tell him before I officially join their team? If I don't tell him, does it look bad to leave new job after 2-3.5 years? What if it's earlier than that? Telling him at this point may also make it awkward for him for going to bat for me with his boss. DH says don't stress about it, people leave their jobs all the time, and this is something managers have to deal with. Any thoughts?
Your husband is absolutely spot on here. Take it from me as a former employee AND employer. You pays your money and you takes your chances, as they say.
Seriously, no employer gives any longevity guarantees to employees, so there's no logical reason for it to be any differently in the reverse direction.
If you find that you really like your new boss and job, you can always choose to stay longer. But you may not have that option if you're already expected to be leaving the job. That expectation will also lose you promotions, perks and interesting assignments which will go instead to someone else who is expected to be staying. Even if there is no guarantee whatsoever that they are actually going to.
And a concern about "looking bad" because you leave your job sooner than management expected is really, really misplaced.
Do what's right for you and in your best interest.
Good luck.