Changing Jobs Dilemma
Discussion
I'm so lost on what to do. I've been with my current software development company ~14yrs and had various jobs. The company has changed a lot over that time and been bought out once. It's small ~100 people, and my department is < 20 people. The benefits are really good. The job is stress-free. I have a lot of freedom.
I got offered a role a Head of Technology in the small department, but also offered a senior role at a 2,000+ people company. I'm so torn on what to do. The role at the other company is far more of an unknown and likely a big challenge.
I think I've been with my current company way too long and it's so hard to move on. It seems to make sense to move and try somewhere else and learn something new. This seems really sensible for the CV. I am late 30s so feel getting more experience somewhere else makes a lot of sense.
Money for both roles is the same.
I'm so confused. What would you do?
I got offered a role a Head of Technology in the small department, but also offered a senior role at a 2,000+ people company. I'm so torn on what to do. The role at the other company is far more of an unknown and likely a big challenge.
I think I've been with my current company way too long and it's so hard to move on. It seems to make sense to move and try somewhere else and learn something new. This seems really sensible for the CV. I am late 30s so feel getting more experience somewhere else makes a lot of sense.
Money for both roles is the same.
I'm so confused. What would you do?
Say to the bigger company you are interested but you need a 30% salary uplift. They'll either cough up, or tell you to get lost.
If they pay up then definitely move. Staying in the same place too long is rarely a good thing - you get stale, you get bored, you get bitter. Not every change is positive but if you don't like it, then move again. Taking on new challenges is always daunting but you never know what you can do until you try. Especially (and this is talking directly from experience) you frequently don't realise how bored and unhappy you are until you move on.
If they pay up then definitely move. Staying in the same place too long is rarely a good thing - you get stale, you get bored, you get bitter. Not every change is positive but if you don't like it, then move again. Taking on new challenges is always daunting but you never know what you can do until you try. Especially (and this is talking directly from experience) you frequently don't realise how bored and unhappy you are until you move on.
deckster said:
Say to the bigger company you are interested but you need a 30% salary uplift. They'll either cough up, or tell you to get lost.
If they pay up then definitely move. Staying in the same place too long is rarely a good thing - you get stale, you get bored, you get bitter. Not every change is positive but if you don't like it, then move again. Taking on new challenges is always daunting but you never know what you can do until you try. Especially (and this is talking directly from experience) you frequently don't realise how bored and unhappy you are until you move on.
I believe moving makes a lot of sense, purely because I've been where I am so long. I'd rather get used to moving jobs whilst I'm in my 30s than trying to do it later in life. It's just difficult to do after being in one place so very long and having it very easy.If they pay up then definitely move. Staying in the same place too long is rarely a good thing - you get stale, you get bored, you get bitter. Not every change is positive but if you don't like it, then move again. Taking on new challenges is always daunting but you never know what you can do until you try. Especially (and this is talking directly from experience) you frequently don't realise how bored and unhappy you are until you move on.
I don't think there's much hope of salary negotiations with the bigger company, they've already made the offer. Perhaps I'm wrong though. It's clearly been a while since I've been through this.
Matt.. said:
I think I've been with my current company way too long ....... It seems to make sense to move and try somewhere else and learn something new. This seems really sensible for the CV. I am late 30s so feel getting more experience somewhere else makes a lot of sense.
Your own words tell you all you need to know.I would be reluctant to move for the same money though, unless it's completely unavoidable.
Matt.. said:
I believe moving makes a lot of sense, purely because I've been where I am so long. I'd rather get used to moving jobs whilst I'm in my 30s than trying to do it later in life. It's just difficult to do after being in one place so very long and having it very easy.
I don't think there's much hope of salary negotiations with the bigger company, they've already made the offer. Perhaps I'm wrong though. It's clearly been a while since I've been through this.
The offer is just the first step. I don't think there's much hope of salary negotiations with the bigger company, they've already made the offer. Perhaps I'm wrong though. It's clearly been a while since I've been through this.
Just be honest with them on the situation. Tell them you have been offered the role with your current employer for the same money and that you would want more to move companies due to the higher level of risk ie a greater unknown and also loss of accrued benefits eg redundancy.
eta
Moving jobs is the best time to get a better salary as you're the candidate they want, once you're in the company you'll be stuck with the discretionary payrises.
Matt.. said:
I don't think there's much hope of salary negotiations with the bigger company, they've already made the offer. Perhaps I'm wrong though. It's clearly been a while since I've been through this.
You have literally nothing to lose and there isn't any magic to it. Just be up-front - say the role sounds great but the package just isn't there. Go in with a figure and let them work out if they can pay it or not.You never know until you ask and they aren't going to withdraw the offer just because you've opened negotiations.
BoRED S2upid said:
I stopped reading at stress free job.
Yes, this is one reason it's really hard to move.I'm tempted to tell the other company my current place has offered a new role and ask for more money. There's nothing to lose really.
Tempting to take the job where I am, try it for 6 months, if it doesn't work out then move elsewhere. The job market is good.
Matt.. said:
I'm so lost on what to do. I've been with my current software development company ~14yrs and had various jobs. The company has changed a lot over that time and been bought out once. It's small ~100 people, and my department is < 20 people. The benefits are really good. The job is stress-free. I have a lot of freedom.
I got offered a role a Head of Technology in the small department, but also offered a senior role at a 2,000+ people company. I'm so torn on what to do. The role at the other company is far more of an unknown and likely a big challenge.
I think I've been with my current company way too long and it's so hard to move on. It seems to make sense to move and try somewhere else and learn something new. This seems really sensible for the CV. I am late 30s so feel getting more experience somewhere else makes a lot of sense.
Money for both roles is the same.
I'm so confused. What would you do?
If it were me I would see if I could get an uplift in salary at the other company - you are taking a risk moving and so should try and see if you can get a salary increase first. If the new company is a bigger name that could work in your favour on your CV if you decide to move on in the future.I got offered a role a Head of Technology in the small department, but also offered a senior role at a 2,000+ people company. I'm so torn on what to do. The role at the other company is far more of an unknown and likely a big challenge.
I think I've been with my current company way too long and it's so hard to move on. It seems to make sense to move and try somewhere else and learn something new. This seems really sensible for the CV. I am late 30s so feel getting more experience somewhere else makes a lot of sense.
Money for both roles is the same.
I'm so confused. What would you do?
CheesecakeRunner said:
Bigger companies are better IMO.
It depends a lot on the company. I went from a multinational to a company of <40 people and now with a huge organisation again.Small firms can give you some great opportunities because when new skills are needed it's often easies to train someone in house. I got involved in some interesting projects with them where a bigger company would have found someone in house who was already a specialist in that area. Plus the lack of bureaucracy was nice, things like expense and travel claims can be a nightmare in some big organisations.
However in a bigger company there is a lot more room for promotion/progression, the small company had 3 groups and each head of group had been there for years so nowhere to go if you want to move in those kind of roles.
In the OP's case it sounds like he has an opportunity to take on a pair of dead mans shoes and keep the benefits of a small company.
In a lot of ways I think I’ll have regrets with whichever option I take.
Staying where I am and taking a promotion means I’ll regret not going elsewhere and the opportunity to work with better people on bigger projects with different tech.
Moving means I’ll regret leaving a stress free job with a lot of freedom and really good benefits (eg. less hours, more holiday, really flexible, I essentially sign off my own holidays, etc…).
It’s hard. It would be so much easier if the salary was different!
Staying where I am and taking a promotion means I’ll regret not going elsewhere and the opportunity to work with better people on bigger projects with different tech.
Moving means I’ll regret leaving a stress free job with a lot of freedom and really good benefits (eg. less hours, more holiday, really flexible, I essentially sign off my own holidays, etc…).
It’s hard. It would be so much easier if the salary was different!
Matt.. said:
I don't think there's much hope of salary negotiations with the bigger company, they've already made the offer. Perhaps I'm wrong though. It's clearly been a while since I've been through this.
Bigger companies have a pay range normally, so unless you are at the top of it they have some flexibility. From your perspective, moving companies has a large risk associated with it as you have no rights for the first couple of years, not sure whether you'll like it etc.. so there has to be benefit such as a salary increase. Matt.. said:
BoRED S2upid said:
I stopped reading at stress free job.
Yes, this is one reason it's really hard to move.You're treating the 'stress free job' as a positive for the role you're currently in, but you don't know whether this is also something you'd get with the other.
I'd go for whichever role puts you most outside your comfort zone - you're likely to learn more. Also remember this isn't a 1 way door - if this doesn't work out, there'll be other roles out there (or perhaps you could return to your old employer?).
I'd go for whichever role puts you most outside your comfort zone - you're likely to learn more. Also remember this isn't a 1 way door - if this doesn't work out, there'll be other roles out there (or perhaps you could return to your old employer?).
SS9 said:
You're treating the 'stress free job' as a positive for the role you're currently in, but you don't know whether this is also something you'd get with the other.
I'd go for whichever role puts you most outside your comfort zone - you're likely to learn more. Also remember this isn't a 1 way door - if this doesn't work out, there'll be other roles out there (or perhaps you could return to your old employer?).
It's just hard to make the move. Normally you move for money/benefits or because you hate your job. Money is the same, benefits are worse for the new job, and I like where I currently work. The main reason to go is to work with better people and to try something new. Ultimately it seems more a question of risk and whether I am comfortable risking stability and work/life balance to try something new. As someone that is very risk averse it's difficult!I'd go for whichever role puts you most outside your comfort zone - you're likely to learn more. Also remember this isn't a 1 way door - if this doesn't work out, there'll be other roles out there (or perhaps you could return to your old employer?).
The promotion in your current company IS a new job, certainly from the CV point of view it's advancement, shows ambition and the ability to learn. Not a bad thing at all. By all means push the external company for a decent pay increment - I wouldn't move otherwise personally. I'd do the new job in the existing company for a couple of years, get that experience on your CV, then look to move if you still want pastures new.
Also, if you have a family, the value of a low stress, flexible job is huge. I've been through many stressful, senior roles and the money doesn't make up for it. It's nice, sure, but when I look at how much I didn't do things with friends or family, I have some regrets.
Also, if you have a family, the value of a low stress, flexible job is huge. I've been through many stressful, senior roles and the money doesn't make up for it. It's nice, sure, but when I look at how much I didn't do things with friends or family, I have some regrets.
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff