Need some none biased input (work oppoutunity)

Soldato
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Rightio Guys,

Got a bit of a pickle here about work, I'll give you a little bit of background so forgive the guff.

I started going out with a girl in 2007 just as I was going through my MSc where I was recruited to go and work in Aberdeen for a company called Saipem, this was at the start of my career so put that first, me and the girl kept going through and did the long distance thing with the end being once i finished my grad programme I would move back to Newcastle, things took a turn for the worse and the girl started suffering from depression badly and not coping, so after 2yrs at Saipem at a job I loved I explained to them and moved back to Newcastle and joined Noble Denton (now GL Noble Denton) which wasnt the most ideal job, I still enjoy it but no where near as much as Saipem, that was Dec 2008.

A few months before Xmas last year after a pretty crappy time with her depression getting worse and she started to drink every night I decided enough was enough and moved back to my parents and ended it, now I've continued my work at GL and was speaking to old work mates this morning about one of the senior engineers leaving.

Fast forward to a couple hrs ago I emailed my old boss about the possibility of work (which I have done in the past even when I was with the ex) and it turns out they are going to try and find a place for me, work has been slow with the turn down in oil and gas exploration hence they aren't actively recruiting and laid off quite a few contractors. But had an email off my old boss saying things are being discussed on a high level about getting me up to replace the senior engineer.

Now my question is do I show no loyalty to my current employer who took me in when I needed to move back to newcastle for personal reason (at reduced pay) and jump ship to a better paid job with better oppourtunities but away from close friends/family.

Or do I stick it out here and push for a career within this company which is at a dodgy stage as we are in the middle of a merger and the MD of my office (who brings in 90% of this office work through his own contacts) is retiring 2012 so would probably mean moving into another office as the role of Design Engineer/Consultant wouldnt be useful when none of major company design work is done in the middle east/aberdeen/london.

Need someone to talk to about this, I'm at work so OcUK give me advice :D

Money involved is a big jump aswell but would also mean living in Aberdeen again which is expensive.

KaHn
 
When you moved before did you have any real negatives apart from leaving the gf behind?
It sounds like a sensible move to go back to your old company especially if there's an element of uncertainty about your current role.
 
Move, long term prospects at your current employer are too hit and miss. The fact your old boss wants you back is a very, very good sign and having a boss like that is worth his weight in gold!

You might find that renting in Aberdeen is a bit cheaper now, certainly is in Glasgow.
 
I think you are right to be considering your options in the uncertain times of your current employment and although they did allow you back, I assume that's because you are good at what you do and they knew this as well. I wouldn't feel bad about Taking a better position with another company. Do you think you have the chance to progress where you are currently at all? You have to weigh it up in terms of your future and what you could possibly get out of each scenario really.
 
When you moved before did you have any real negatives apart from leaving the gf behind?
It sounds like a sensible move to go back to your old company especially if there's an element of uncertainty about your current role.

Nope, one of the reasons me and the ex fell out was due to me leaving Aberdeen, she saw it just a job, where as to me it was my career. The only reason I left and came back because I was soft when I should have told her to get ****ed but thats stupid love for you.

KaHn
 
I'd say go for it, you enjoyed it when you were there last (which is a great thing to enjoy your job!) and this time you can work there without the feeling of being tied to your gf.

Good luck either way though :)
 
I've just decided to make a big change & take a chance on the next step in my career, I don't know how it'll work out - but it's exciting! Hard to advise others really as it affects everything in your life.

If you're getting bored & feel like you're stagnating then making a big change can give you a new lease on life.

Plus from experience, when I lived close to family I saw them loads but had little quality time, when living further away from them I see them less frequently but when I do we do a lot more together & it seems more valuable..
 
Nope, one of the reasons me and the ex fell out was due to me leaving Aberdeen, she saw it just a job, where as to me it was my career. The only reason I left and came back because I was soft when I should have told her to get ****ed but thats stupid love for you.

KaHn
Then if that was the only downer and it's now gone then it's only loyalty to your current employer that's holding you back, and really you don't owe them any, give them the respect of the correct notice periods and more if you can so they can find a replacement, but look after number one first.
 
I think you are right to be considering your options in the uncertain times of your current employment and although they did allow you back, I assume that's because you are good at what you do and they knew this as well. I wouldn't feel bad about Taking a better position with another company. Do you think you have the chance to progress where you are currently at all? You have to weigh it up in terms of your future and what you could possibly get out of each scenario really.

Possibilities here are very good within the company as a whole, just don't know what I would do, my boss here is very good but I work in a very small team, 8 people where as before it was a design team of a few hundered.

Risk of losing my job here is nill, we are still recruiting staff to expand the office but its not happening and no one here can see the outcome when the MD leave and 2 other senior engineers will be leaving next this year.

Old place, in a good way its because I was very good at what I do and was given more and more responsibilities with every project.

KaHn
 
Where work is concerned, always look after number one. no one else will do it for you.
Definitely, I find it hard not to feel some loyalty and responsibility to the places I've worked, but I know that if push came to shove they wouldn't be so accommodating to me, so just go with whatever's best for you.
 
Easy question for a "neutral", move back up to Scotland. Companies are all about making money, I don't see any reason why you should be loyal to your current one in particular. Especially since as you say rocky times might be afoot.

For a start you took a reduced salary didn't you when moving back to Newcastle?

In a weird and probably personal level moving away from where you are now might be a good thing. Sounds like things didn't end particularly well with your ex - a relatively fresh start isn't always bad. :)
 
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Easy question for a "neutral", move back up to Scotland. Companies are all about making money, I don't see any reason why you should be loyal to them.

For a start you took a reduced salary didn't you when moving back to Newcastle?

In a weird and probably personal level moving away from where you are now might be a good thing. Sounds like things didn't end particularly well with your ex - a relatively fresh start isn't always bad. :)

Yeah took quite a big cut, but knew that was going to happen due to location (think of Aberdeen like living in London with out the benefits of a big city), the Ex issue isnt a problem I havent spoken to her (or her two kids) since we split in Nov last year, and dont think I will, found out off friends that shes latched on to some new guy a few days after we split.

KaHn
 
Then if that was the only downer and it's now gone then it's only loyalty to your current employer that's holding you back, and really you don't owe them any, give them the respect of the correct notice periods and more if you can so they can find a replacement, but look after number one first.

I'm leaning this way if I am honest.

Just worrying at the moment.

KaHn
 
I'm leaning this way if I am honest.

Just worrying at the moment.

KaHn
Leaving doesn't make you an arse, so long as you go about it in the right and decent way, it is perfectly possible to leave a company on good terms, even if you're just going elsewhere for more £
 
The Newcastle company took you on because they could afford to at the time and would have needed your services, not because they are a charity. If the shoe was on the other foot, they wouldn't hesitate to let you go, business is business.

Thank them very much for the opportunities they have afforded you, take your leave of them and start a new life with a good reference.
 
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