Anyone regret taking an easier job?
Discussion
Hi all. Seeking input from the collective wisdom of Ph on whether or not to take an easier job with better title for more money.....but with more junior responsibilities. Project and Programme management type role.
I'm currently a mid-senior manager (1 below regional director). For some time I've been frustrated with the level of autonomy I'm able to deploy with my 3x direct reports, plus thier sub reports, and aware that our competitors offer circa 10-15% more money for the same role.
Our company also has quite odd titles - this hasn't really bothered me in the past but makes it difficult when applying for new roles as other candidates will have more recognisable title (think "functional champion" vs 'deputy director')
I've been speaking to a competitor who have offered me a role. The role comes with the more recognisable title, and the aforementioned pay rise (which would push me just into the next tax bracket, but I'd simply put more into pension).
On the face of it all good. But talking to the company the role responsibilities are actually more junior than I'm currently doing. I'd have a smaller team in total, in a smaller part of the business doing easier projects (less hours too).
Longer term I'd want to progress into the next role up and concerned this may become limiting.
On top of that, in the last few weeks my current department head has accepted that I'd need more autonomy and has restructured our team, meaning I'd finally be able to do the things I'd want to do in my current role. This has various positives, not least increased visibility to senior leadership which would benefit future prospects.
So what to do?
Take the new role, build relationships from scratch and work over the next few years to get to the next step?
Stay in the current role, accept the limitations but deliver with the new team?
Tell the current organisation about the offer and ask if they think I'm worth the same?
The latter has some merit.
I will probably list out the pros and cons of each however this becomes a bit transactional.
So, I've wondered if anyone has ever been in a similar position. What did you do and why, and how did it work out?
Thanks!
I'm currently a mid-senior manager (1 below regional director). For some time I've been frustrated with the level of autonomy I'm able to deploy with my 3x direct reports, plus thier sub reports, and aware that our competitors offer circa 10-15% more money for the same role.
Our company also has quite odd titles - this hasn't really bothered me in the past but makes it difficult when applying for new roles as other candidates will have more recognisable title (think "functional champion" vs 'deputy director')
I've been speaking to a competitor who have offered me a role. The role comes with the more recognisable title, and the aforementioned pay rise (which would push me just into the next tax bracket, but I'd simply put more into pension).
On the face of it all good. But talking to the company the role responsibilities are actually more junior than I'm currently doing. I'd have a smaller team in total, in a smaller part of the business doing easier projects (less hours too).
Longer term I'd want to progress into the next role up and concerned this may become limiting.
On top of that, in the last few weeks my current department head has accepted that I'd need more autonomy and has restructured our team, meaning I'd finally be able to do the things I'd want to do in my current role. This has various positives, not least increased visibility to senior leadership which would benefit future prospects.
So what to do?
Take the new role, build relationships from scratch and work over the next few years to get to the next step?
Stay in the current role, accept the limitations but deliver with the new team?
Tell the current organisation about the offer and ask if they think I'm worth the same?
The latter has some merit.
I will probably list out the pros and cons of each however this becomes a bit transactional.
So, I've wondered if anyone has ever been in a similar position. What did you do and why, and how did it work out?
Thanks!
Edited by Previous on Saturday 4th May 11:43
I’d take the new role and money.
If it’s easier / more junior, just smash it, ask for and make clear you’ve the capacity for more responsibility / voluntarily add value in important projects outside your remit.
Then after 2-3 years ask for a promotion or market yourself externally and go again.
If it’s easier / more junior, just smash it, ask for and make clear you’ve the capacity for more responsibility / voluntarily add value in important projects outside your remit.
Then after 2-3 years ask for a promotion or market yourself externally and go again.
I've did this a number of times in my career. Sometimes I found I ended up getting promoted and back to what I had left behind.
I was in sales and enjoyed selling. However, I tended to find that management made me become more of an accountant with forecasting, budgeting and all to frequent meetings. Also, managing a sales team was testing as most salespeople (me included), have fragile egos.
On other occasions it didn't go so well, especially as I was aware of the failings of management and would on occasion question their decisions.
I was in sales and enjoyed selling. However, I tended to find that management made me become more of an accountant with forecasting, budgeting and all to frequent meetings. Also, managing a sales team was testing as most salespeople (me included), have fragile egos.
On other occasions it didn't go so well, especially as I was aware of the failings of management and would on occasion question their decisions.
Thanks.
Apart from the current frustration (and pay) I really enjoy working in my current company. Great people, diverse range of interesting projects. Lots of flexibility.
Been here 6 years, which is the longest I've worked anywhere.
I suppose its simply the current model - if you want to progress, for most people, you have to move.
Apart from the current frustration (and pay) I really enjoy working in my current company. Great people, diverse range of interesting projects. Lots of flexibility.
Been here 6 years, which is the longest I've worked anywhere.
I suppose its simply the current model - if you want to progress, for most people, you have to move.
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