Job dilemma - stay or go

Kristoph

Kristoph

Kristoph

Soldato
Joined
11 May 2007
Posts
8,303
Evening,

Firstly, any replies from anyone in the aerospace or composite material industries would be greatly appreciated, but advice from anyone is welcome ;)

I have recently fallen into an industry that I have little experience in, and I'm now destructively testing materials for an aerospace company. But I have been approached about a job with another organisation, in a very similar role.

The job I am in has the following pro's / cons:

+ Good pay / overtime opportunities
+ Interesting role, see parts made from lay up through to completion, always something different to keep me on my toes.
+ Good prospect of NDT training in Ultrasonic and/or Radiographic testing.

- 45min-1hr commute
- Temporary contract that has been renewed. Not 100% secure (however I'm told I'm very likely to be made permanent.)
- Further training could be well over a year away. Problem I have is I always want to be progressing/training, and as a result, earning more.


The other job is a very similar role, but without the exact same opportunities (not to say it doesn't have any). They are a huge organisation (locations in Americas, Europe, Middle East and Asia) and practically on my doorstep.
They're very keen to get me and it's looking like there may be an offer.


But I don't know what to do. Accept an offer for a permanent position that *may* not have the future career opportunities that I want, or stay in a role that has far away opportunities, but a risk of no job if they don't follow through with their word. :confused:

I understand this is a preferable situation to be in, and that only I can probably answer this, but I was hoping for some wisdom.
 
Last edited:
If you can make the move give you a decent rise and the experience will be useful then make the jump, enjoy the shorter commute, get that bit note experience and move on. If you're lucky enough to be in an area with a fee of the main Auer's ( which I suspect you are) then you'll never be short of work - especially not in a composites role as that area is doing particularly well at the moment
 
MrBlobby said:
If you go there will be trouble. And if you stay it will be double !
Click to expand...

Darling you've got to let me knowwww...


In all seriousness though I'd go for the company that you are with at the minute, larger organisations may just want to compartmentalise they're workforce and there may be more room for progression with the smaller company if you give it time.
 
I'd say stay and wait, you sound reasonably happy in your current job. If the employer goes through with their word in the future you are set, and in the mean time you still get kept on your toes.

If they don't follow through with their word then you know that there are other firms out there that would want you on board.

If your basing it on commute alone, then I can see the benefit of a switch other than that I'd stay. And you don't want to end up in a grass is greener on the other side mentality, switch then figure out you preferred the other grass!
 
Kristoph said:
+ Good prospect of NDT training in Ultrasonic and/or Radiographic testing.

- 45min-1hr commute
Click to expand...

You don't say how long you've been in your current role. If you've been there around 2 years, then I personally would think of showing your current employer your job offer and get them to commit on training and permanent role. If they aren't prepared to do this, then perhaps better to go with the larger company.

You should get the experience anyway, which you might hope to get via training.

I'm ignoring commute times, as I guess you've factored that in.

You seem to be an employee with a dynamic plan, therefore, I guess you'd do good anyway whatever your choice - best wishes!
 
It wouldn't look great, I've been in the current for just over 6 months, with another 6 to go. However the other job would be available in the new year.

In my current role I'm essentially now the main technician, as the other has begun his NDT training. I am already training apprentices and writing work instructions, so I feel the job security is high (unless they're willing to freeze other peoples training).

I think this may just be like murah said, a case of the grass is greener.

I don't think I've been here long enough to be able to use that leverage approach PanchoVilla. I may shoot myself in the foot if I don't get the other role for whatever reason, and my contract isn't renewed.
 
If they're very keen like you say, have you asked about future opportunities? If they're a big company then there's bound to be opportunities in the future even if you haven't been promised anything yet.

Also remember that promises of training at your current place doesn't mean much when they haven't made you permanent yet.
 
Kristoph said:
But I don't know what to do. Accept an offer for a permanent position that *may* not have the future career opportunities that I want, or stay in a role that has far away opportunities, but a risk of no job if they don't follow through with their word. :confused:
Click to expand...

Their word means nothing... Their writing in a contract is a different matter... From what has happened to a friend (albeit in a different industry) they kept getting strung along with the promise of a permanent position and guess what... eventually let go (and not due to incompetence etc...)

It doesn't matter if you manager says there is a possible permanent position, as ultimately bigger fish than him will make the decision even if he wants you and argues your case.
 
Kristoph said:
They are a huge organisation (locations in Americas, Europe, Middle East and Asia) and practically on my doorstep.
Click to expand...

I dunno why but this bit made me laugh.

If it was me, I'd go for the new job. Surely if they are a large global company, you wouldn't have a problem getting a role doing what it is you want to do or progress too.
 
Wait until you get the official offer and then approach your current employers and tell them, they may make a better offer. If not, you can pass on the new offer or leave (not permanent staff so usually only a weeks notice) and have potentially more job security.
 
Blackhawk47 said:
I dunno why but this bit made me laugh.

If it was me, I'd go for the new job. Surely if they are a large global company, you wouldn't have a problem getting a role doing what it is you want to do or progress too.
Click to expand...


sometimes these big companies, especially american ones that have to please the share holders aint all theyre cracked up to be. its more more more and penny pinching these days, but i guess thats the same with any job.

id definately be inclined to show them the job offer and ask for a perminant job. if they say youre safe and you'll get one, why prolong it? to me it just sounds like stalling, and what prospects you have now, in 4 months time could go balls up and end up seeing the job center with only a weeks wage in hand.
i hate it when employers say yeah youre temp but dont worry youre safe. well if thats the case why not give a perminant contract?

why not reply back and ask what opputunities are available in the new job offer?
 
Good god do not show anyone a job offer when you've been there a few months in a temporary position unless you're definitely happy to go! Decide if you would be happy to take the permanent job but also decide what it would take for you to stay in the current position. Resign, if they ask what they could do, tell them. Either you'll get your perm role and a little bit of cash or you'll get a cheerful goodbye - either way you Dont lose.

I'll echo what was said above, sometimes the multinational defence companies can be very hard to progress in due to beaurocracy and a jobs for the boys mentality, not to mention the current decline. You will get excellent training and experience though which you can use elsewhere if need be!
 
Last edited:
Kristoph said:
Evening,

Firstly, any replies from anyone in the aerospace or composite material industries would be greatly appreciated, but advice from anyone is welcome ;)

I have recently fallen into an industry that I have little experience in, and I'm now destructively testing materials for an aerospace company. But I have been approached about a job with another organisation, in a very similar role.

The job I am in has the following pro's / cons:

+ Good pay / overtime opportunities
+ Interesting role, see parts made from lay up through to completion, always something different to keep me on my toes.
+ Good prospect of NDT training in Ultrasonic and/or Radiographic testing.

- 45min-1hr commute
- Temporary contract that has been renewed. Not 100% secure (however I'm told I'm very likely to be made permanent.)
- Further training could be well over a year away. Problem I have is I always want to be progressing/training, and as a result, earning more.


The other job is a very similar role, but without the exact same opportunities (not to say it doesn't have any). They are a huge organisation (locations in Americas, Europe, Middle East and Asia) and practically on my doorstep.
They're very keen to get me and it's looking like there may be an offer.


But I don't know what to do. Accept an offer for a permanent position that *may* not have the future career opportunities that I want, or stay in a role that has far away opportunities, but a risk of no job if they don't follow through with their word. :confused:

I understand this is a preferable situation to be in, and that only I can probably answer this, but I was hoping for some wisdom.
Click to expand...

Do you have the opportunity to learn NDT Penetrant testing?

If you can get into Ultra Sonic Testing,try and aim for immersion testing, higher grade and pay.

What is the highest level of UST that your current employers offer?
 
Jonnybmac said:
why not reply back and ask what opputunities are available in the new job offer?
Click to expand...

I'll hopefully be going into the company and discussing what kind opportunities are available very soon.

rodenal said:
Good god do not show anyone a job offer when you've been there a few months in a temporary position unless you're definitely happy to go! Decide if you would be happy to take the permanent job but also decide what it would take for you to stay in the current position. Resign, if they ask what they could do, tell them. Either you'll get your perm role and a little bit of cash or you'll get a cheerful goodbye - either way you Dont lose.

I'll echo what was said above, sometimes the multinational defence companies can be very hard to progress in due to beaurocracy and a jobs for the boys mentality, not to mention the current decline. You will get excellent training and experience though which you can use elsewhere if need be!
Click to expand...

Bickaxe said:
Wait until you get the official offer and then approach your current employers and tell them, they may make a better offer. If not, you can pass on the new offer or leave (not permanent staff so usually only a weeks notice) and have potentially more job security.
Click to expand...

Yep, I'm not playing any cards until I'm in a safe position to do so, as at the moment, I don't have any security as such.
 
Clov!s said:
Do you have the opportunity to learn NDT Penetrant testing?

If you can get into Ultra Sonic Testing,try and aim for immersion testing, higher grade and pay.

What is the highest level of UST that your current employers offer?
Click to expand...

We don't have much of a requirement for penetrant testing here, we work predominantly with fibrous composites and if any testing was required, it would probably be outsourced. UT doesn't interest me as much as RT training, but I realise there's a higher demand for UT, especially in oil and gas. Forgive my ignorance, UST?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom