Longer commute for less money...would you?
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For me it'd boil down to whether you wanted to move industry and not much else.
Your current firm gave you a decent pay rise and from how you describe things there should be no animosity in the circumstances that lead to the counter. I know in all the years where people have resigned to me I've only countered when I want the person to stay and there's no point doing that and holding a grudge.
You say the current environment is toxic but you have no real assurances the new place won't be similar. I don't care what websites say, big firms are big firms and you really should be wary of the "grass being greener". Go if the current place makes you unhappy but don't go because you think the new place will make you happier (culture wise that is). It's a subtle but important difference.
So given its more travel and less money, and my points above, for me it's 'how much do I want to switch industries' that would form the basis of my decision.
Your current firm gave you a decent pay rise and from how you describe things there should be no animosity in the circumstances that lead to the counter. I know in all the years where people have resigned to me I've only countered when I want the person to stay and there's no point doing that and holding a grudge.
You say the current environment is toxic but you have no real assurances the new place won't be similar. I don't care what websites say, big firms are big firms and you really should be wary of the "grass being greener". Go if the current place makes you unhappy but don't go because you think the new place will make you happier (culture wise that is). It's a subtle but important difference.
So given its more travel and less money, and my points above, for me it's 'how much do I want to switch industries' that would form the basis of my decision.
Soldato
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Suggest you say to the prospective new employer you have had a significant counter offer and re negotiate.
And where your current employer talks of a restructure they could restructure you out once they have recruited a back stop now you have played your cards and if they are as hard-nose as you make out.
Take the new job, it sounds like a better environment. The commute is nominal. If it was an hour+/40-60 miles then maybe worth reconsidering.
And where your current employer talks of a restructure they could restructure you out once they have recruited a back stop now you have played your cards and if they are as hard-nose as you make out.
Take the new job, it sounds like a better environment. The commute is nominal. If it was an hour+/40-60 miles then maybe worth reconsidering.
I can only speak for myself but the few times that's happened to me as the hiring manager I've told them where to go. I don't really know them from Adam and if we're going to start off with a bidding war them I want no part of it.
The converse is true with the incumbent employer's position because I know them and know if I want to go the extra mile to keep them.
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If both were new applications with identical commutes and packages, then without a doubt I'd take the energy job. There are exciting times ahead in the industry, whereas all my current company does is buy zombie funds and run them off into oblivion. But then, it's just a job.
Cheers all. Some real food for thought in here. To clarify some of the main queries:
- The new place would be 28 days holiday vs the current 26.
- I did tell the new place (through the agency) that I'd had a counter offer. The new place didn't budge, hopefully no hard feelings on their part
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- Staying for the bonus then looking again would be ideal, but this sort of company / opportunity will not come up that often and I'll never work for them if I turn them down now. I could ask to defer my application until the bonus comes in but I'd be staggered if they even entertained such a big delay in getting someone into the position.
- Scrutinize - it had crossed my mind that I could end up being the victim in the promised restructure, but I know why they're doing it and it's because there are several weak team members they want rid of. I'd be in very little danger in my position and I believe it would be an opportunity for me.
- BigT - yes, I agree that's what it boils down to eventually. The reality is that energy interests me a great deal, but then I might just be staring at spreadsheets all day (though I doubt it), in which case how much does the industry really help? At my age, I'll be pigeon-holed as a financial services guy for the rest of my career if I don't make a move soon. Not saying that would be a bad thing...
One option I'm considering is to leave, then go back cap in hand when they have the restructure, if I can't stand the new place for whatever reason.
Cheers all. Some real food for thought in here. To clarify some of the main queries:
- The new place would be 28 days holiday vs the current 26.
- I did tell the new place (through the agency) that I'd had a counter offer. The new place didn't budge, hopefully no hard feelings on their part
. - Staying for the bonus then looking again would be ideal, but this sort of company / opportunity will not come up that often and I'll never work for them if I turn them down now. I could ask to defer my application until the bonus comes in but I'd be staggered if they even entertained such a big delay in getting someone into the position.
- Scrutinize - it had crossed my mind that I could end up being the victim in the promised restructure, but I know why they're doing it and it's because there are several weak team members they want rid of. I'd be in very little danger in my position and I believe it would be an opportunity for me.
- BigT - yes, I agree that's what it boils down to eventually. The reality is that energy interests me a great deal, but then I might just be staring at spreadsheets all day (though I doubt it), in which case how much does the industry really help? At my age, I'll be pigeon-holed as a financial services guy for the rest of my career if I don't make a move soon. Not saying that would be a bad thing...
One option I'm considering is to leave, then go back cap in hand when they have the restructure, if I can't stand the new place for whatever reason.
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35 is still young to be honest. As horrible as it sounds, you may be working for another 35 years so there's plenty of time to work your way up in a different market. I think you should reaffirm exactly what you will be doing in your new role. Nothing worse that leaving a decent job to find yourself in a new job that makes you want to blow your brains out 
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I would only entertain such an idea of they came chasing you. You going back sends such a negative message about your ability to not be there it serves as a huge green light to treat you poorly in terms of future pay rises etc.
Caporegime
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Even the increased commute is nothing substantial and the $4k drop is meaningless if you earn good money (which I imagine you do) and there is a strong chance of getting a much improved salary in future (which I also imagine there is) in a field you much prefer (which I know is true because you said so).
Take the new job you big dummy
x
Take the new job you big dummy
x
Man of Honour
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One thing that occurs is your stated desire to spend more time with the family and you say that "if I can leave the new place at 5pm most days..." - that seems like quite a big if to bank on. Month end is typically a bit painful at most organisations, I don't really see why it's likely to be any better at the new organisation just because it's a different industry.
Are the roles definitely comparable? Finance business partner can cover a multitude of sins as so many organisations define what one does differently. If one looks like it'll mean you're more involved in the business and doing something that interests you rather than being just the number cruncher then it's probably worth moving for that.
Are the roles definitely comparable? Finance business partner can cover a multitude of sins as so many organisations define what one does differently. If one looks like it'll mean you're more involved in the business and doing something that interests you rather than being just the number cruncher then it's probably worth moving for that.
You think your current environment hates management? Wait until you move to the bigger company, you're eyes will be opened massively by those career hungry look after number one graduates.
Remember the grass isn't always greener, also what are the hours at your new place? Finish at 5?
Remember the grass isn't always greener, also what are the hours at your new place? Finish at 5?
Suspended
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No.
I'd never consider a. taking less money or b. a longer commute.
I commute 3 hours a day as it is. Forget that.
I'd never consider a. taking less money or b. a longer commute.
I commute 3 hours a day as it is. Forget that.
In my opinion chasing the money rarely works out. Go for the job where the prospects are better and where you will be happier. People do better work when happy and progress further, whereas those who stay in a bad environment eventually find it seriously affecting their life outside of work.
The new job is more than you were on, so is a pay rise, whereas you talk about it like a pay cut. You've not been getting that money before now. As far as I'm concerned that extra few K from staying will not change your life (especially after tax), but a job where you are happy will.
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The new job is more than you were on, so is a pay rise, whereas you talk about it like a pay cut. You've not been getting that money before now. As far as I'm concerned that extra few K from staying will not change your life (especially after tax), but a job where you are happy will.
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Sit down with a sheet of paper separated inro four quadrants. Mark the two columns "move" and "stay", and the two rows "pros" and "cons".
Fill in the quadants with everything you can think of.
Bear in mind that in your list, some itms are concrete (pay, bonus, travel time, 2 mins to kids nursery), but others are vague or aspirational (whether the atmosphere is better).
You then have to decide what your priorities are?
How much does the bonus and or £4k mean to you? And the family time? What does the wife think about time versus money?
And just how unhappy are you currently?
It sounds like you fancy the 'thought' of the new firm, but just how realistic are you being? Is it just rose-tinted glasses?
Where do you want to be in 5 years, 10 years, and 20 years? What's the long-tetm prospects where you are, versus the new job?
Do you live to work, or work to live?
If you hadn't had the new offer, what would you be planning for 5 years, 10, etc? Because if you turn it down, you're back to that.
In the end, only you (and your wife/partner) can decide what you want, need and expect from life. But from what you've said, it sounds like the future looks quite good either way.
Fill in the quadants with everything you can think of.
Bear in mind that in your list, some itms are concrete (pay, bonus, travel time, 2 mins to kids nursery), but others are vague or aspirational (whether the atmosphere is better).
You then have to decide what your priorities are?
How much does the bonus and or £4k mean to you? And the family time? What does the wife think about time versus money?
And just how unhappy are you currently?
It sounds like you fancy the 'thought' of the new firm, but just how realistic are you being? Is it just rose-tinted glasses?
Where do you want to be in 5 years, 10 years, and 20 years? What's the long-tetm prospects where you are, versus the new job?
Do you live to work, or work to live?
If you hadn't had the new offer, what would you be planning for 5 years, 10, etc? Because if you turn it down, you're back to that.
In the end, only you (and your wife/partner) can decide what you want, need and expect from life. But from what you've said, it sounds like the future looks quite good either way.
This is the perspective I see it from. You get a 5k raise, moving to a business you want to be in, and you just have to drive a bit further and lose your private health care in the process.
That's not too bad, and to leave a place where your working culture is "poisonous" doesn't sound like a bad thing. You also get an extra 2 days holiday out of it to help balance that 40 mins of extra commute per day.