Working dilemma...

Vince

Vince

Vince

Man of Honour
Joined
30 Oct 2003
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Location
Essex
Picture the scene, you have a job that you love and have been at for 7 years, you get decent pay and a yearly pay increase, bonus etc , you love the flexibility and the people and are pretty content if not a bit comfortable.

You open your email one morning to see an email from an ex HR Director offering you a roll at another very large and well established company with an excellent package and almost double the salary, what’s more is that the job is tailored for you in that it matches your competencies perfectly.

This is what has happened to me and not for the first time this year, last time this was a client trying to poach me and although at the time I was interested my current contract (which has some clever terms for clients trying to poach staff) put them off as it would have meant them paying 20k odd finder fees. Anyway, although we still stay in touch the deal fell through and my current employer offered me a 30% pay increase to cover the salary increase I would have got moving, this was February and I happily accepted and stayed.

This time it’s not so cut and dry, the company is not a client so it’s a straight leave and start a new roll as there is no clause in either contract with regards to this. The salary increase is substantial enough that I know my current company simply cannot match it and even though I have been more than happy I now know that in the eyes of others I am still worth considerably more, however I see it as a possible risk leaving a company that I love for unknown grounds.

Anybody been in the situation? What did you do? Did it work out?
 
Its a really difficult situation, on one hand you are in a job that you really enjoy and are comfortable in. Its flexible, you're content, and lets face it you spend at least half your waking life at work so it has to be something that you enjoy or else no amount of money is really worth it.

On the flip side you're now being offered pretty much double what you're getting now, plus you get the excitement of moving onto a new job with new challenges, and from what you've said it sounds right up your street.

I don't actually know what I would do, I'd probably take the risk and move if I'm honest. Lets face it who can turn down extra money? Extra money and new challenges should be enough to keep you going in the new job for at least a year or so and if at that point it turns out you don't like it well then they're is always the chance of moving on.
 
VinceB1 said:
The salary increase is substantial enough that I know my current company simply cannot match it and even though I have been more than happy I now know that in the eyes of others I am still worth considerably more, however I see it as a possible risk leaving a company that I love for unknown grounds.

Anybody been in the situation? What did you do? Did it work out?
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I've been in 'similar'. For me the bit in bold is the key. Sure its business sense to get the most out of your employees for the least amount of money. But somewhere down the line that employee will feel under-appreciated, under-valued etc (like i do right now), especially when others see your real worth. So before you consider loyalty to your existing boss.....has he/she been loyal to you?
Risks? Well, i guess there's always risks, but do you not want to better yourself? You're obviously well thought of in the eyes of others, and probably your boss even though you say they couldn't afford to match the new offer.
If the new offer isn't just blowing smoke and you KNOW you can do that job.....then....what's holding you back?
Nothing wrong with being in a comfortable, secure job but "if you know what you're worth, go out and get what you're worth!" (Rocky Balbao)

I know plenty of people who take salary drops to be in a job that offers more challenges, better long-term prospects etc.
You seem to be being offered all of that and more...........don't regret not taking it buddy.
 
I'd take it as well. I'm in a similar situation at the moment only I've not been offered a job for double salary. Just looking at something more worthwhile with more progression.

If you know you can do the other job well and it's paid as well as it seems to be I think you'd regret not taking the chance.

As someone else has said though I think it's most important to be sure it somewhere you'll be happy.
 
I had a similar situation about 4 years ago. Offered management position in a smaller company after working for years at the same place taking on the hardest jobs and still being the bottom of the 6 person team.

I nearly didn't bother as I didn't feel confident enough I could do the job - so glad I did as it meant my salary as good as doubled, love the work, easy life and finish at 4 where as before I used to work 12-14 hour days.

There will be things you will miss from your previous place which isn't a bad thing, but nothing like a fresh challenge and of course more money!
 
So far its pretty much what I was expecting and to be honest what my gut is telling me.

The job involves managing the introduction of a new document management system and supporting / developing the systems to support a large company of patent attorneys. Now document management is my forte, I have developed, delivered and trained staff on countless SharePoint platforms ranging right from WSS2 right up to the most recent 2010, as well as others for a law firm that I used to do contract work with on behalf of my current employer.

I have also worked very closely with the HR Director and in the past we got on very well… She will also be the one selecting the applicants and interviewing for the roll. It looks to me like the roll will involve some challenges but essentially I will be working under their current IT Manager. So essentially my job title, if anything, won’t be as good.

Other than that it looks to have a decent amount of progression which is something I don’t really have in my current role. Basically I don’t know why but I feel a little weary about the whole thing. Probably because I am so comfortable here.
 
You're comfortable right now but in 3,4,5 years you might start feeling you need more. At that point you'll have to go and look for it and you'll likely not get as good an offer as the one on the table here. You'll look back and go "Damn, I should have taken that job". Whereas in 5 years at your new job you get uncomfortable, you can go looking for an even better opportunity, with more money.

To me this is a no brainer. But I'm young and not had the chance to "settle" into a job yet. I think the only thing holding you back is your comfort. Only you can decide what is best for you in the end.
 
Morbius said:
Go and ask HR if they'd like to make you a counter offer.
Click to expand...

At the moment I report to one of our FD's and the Chairman, these will be the guys to make an offer. I think what I am going to do is take a tour around the new employers offices and see what I think, this should allow me to see what the department is like and make a much more informed decision. I also think it might be a good idea to keep quiet until I have been up there to take a look - I may go and not like what I see in which case telling these guys may be counter productive?
 
Right, going in to meet these guys next week to have a look around, meet a few of the managers and discuss their projects. Sounds like it could be an exciting role that could lead onto much more. Thanks for the nudge and reassurance guys, I think you are right... It is time to move out of my comfort zone and attack a new role and some new projects.
 
A change is always worth while - 7 years is a long time to be in one place. It'll help develop you and see different parts of business.
 
Do it.

I just made a similar choice. Very comfortable, OK pay, great colleagues & atmosphere, good management, very flexible, work is generally decent. Big corp came knocking and I was very torn, but in the end I knew if I didn't take it I'd regret it. I think its the comfort factor that's so hard to get over.
 
Look at it from the other point of view, if your current employer couldn't afford to keep you on at your current salary they wouldn't keep you out of loyalty, business is business and you would be out on your ear.

I'd take it.
 
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