Considering moving on from my first job

[BlackDragon]

Hi guys,

Looking to just air my thoughts and get some advice.

I've been a software engineer at my company for 2.5 years, and it is my first job since graduating.

After getting a bit frustrated with work the other day, due to problems that probably a lot of software engineering departments will have, I decided to contact a few recruitment consultants.

Having calmed down a bit, I've attracted interest and can agree to some interviews, but I now feel a bit apprehensive about leaving my first job, and doubting my reasons for changing job. There's nothing seriously wrong with my department/company that affects my job, other than the usual software engineering department issues (although having no other personal experience to compare it against), and I could probably carry on doing this job for a while yet.

Now that these potential job interviews have come up, I am reflecting on my job and trying to decide if I have enough justification to leave other than for a change of scenery, learn something new, and a salary increase.

Basically there's nothing major that screams at me that I don't want to work here any more, but the idea of being in a new job is exciting, however if I switch jobs I could find I hate it. Has anyone been in a similar situation, and what did you do? How long did you stay in your first job? What made you leave?

 

[BlackDragon]

Thanks for the advice so far, all.

A common fear that everyone will have to some extent, but you can't live your life/career like that. Just make sure you get a pay rise so then even if you hate the job, at least you are earning more money until such time as you move on again.

One thing you talk about is "usual software engineering department issues", but only ever having worked for one firm, can you really be sure that those problems exist in all companies? If you are sure, and that is what is making you want to leave, then maybe you aren't in the right line of work anyway. But I suspect that what you will find is that at other companies, not all problems will be the same, some will be handled differently etc. Some companies won't even have a designated "software engineering department" for example, they might have developers more integrated into the business, others might be small companies where instead of a department there is just you sorting everything out yourself.

It is very easy to get blinkered into thinking that an industry is, nay, MUST be the same everywhere, but that often isn't the case. Particularly in terms of non-technical aspects such as reporting lines, methodologies used etc. When I made my first company switch I discovered this firsthand.

I remember making a post on OCUK a while ago regarding these issues, and I've spoken to a few people regarding these issues and it does seem like these issues are common (at least to those people). Although I agree it may be handled differently, and the problems might not be as severe.

I shall think about this all for a bit longer. My decision is made slightly more difficult due to being recently involved in a new major and potentially exciting project, but it all depends on where it goes in the near future.

 

[BlackDragon]

Is the "new job" going to be better paid
Is the "new job" going to be closer/easier to get to
Is the "new job" likely to be more interesting

???

If yes then maybe you should think about moving on?

Yes, no, and yes. So sounds like I should go, but as I mentioned in my previous post I shall ponder a bit longer due to a recent development at work.

Thanks for the advice so far.