There is no universal minimum tenure, but you want enough time in the role to show meaningful achievements rather than simply proving that you were employed.

Experienced-hire applications are stronger when the candidate can demonstrate progression, ownership, and results. One year can be enough for some profiles, while others benefit from staying longer to build a more substantial record.

If you have already led a meaningful project, influenced senior stakeholders, and can quantify the outcome, your first year may provide credible evidence. If most of the year was onboarding and supporting others, another cycle may materially strengthen the application.

Evaluate your resume today. If your current role already gives you two or three strong impact stories, you may be ready to test the market. If not, identify the experiences you want to build before applying. If useful, this guide on consulting experienced-hire criteria gives more detail.

One year can be enough if you actually have strong stories already.