Help me make my mind up...
Discussion
One of those times I wish I could just chat to my dad about this, but the internet is the next best thing.
- Have been in my current role for 3 years next month
- Have made good progression but reached a ceiling where the next step requires either (a) company expansion or (b) someone else leaving
- Have been recognised at the company as over-achieving and been assigned a board-level "mentor" to help my career. As part of this I've been made aware that should (a) or (b) above occur, I'm first in line.
However, I have a lengthy commute (35 miles each way) and have been itching for a job nearer home as travel costs are high. Flexi-working sadly not an option. I'm frustrated at the wait for a promotion which could be 6 weeks or 6 years.
I was approached by a recruiter a few weeks ago and invited to interview for a similar role at a competitor. I went along with the 'nothing to lose' mindset and as things fell, was offered the role.
- Very similar role to present, but with increased responsibility and potential to learn a few new skills.
- More senior sounding job title (good for CV...)
- Down the road from my current office (so no change to commute)
- Huge pay rise. They're matching my basic salary but adding a commission structure which realistically could provide me upwards of 30% of my basic pay in bonus (they said closer to 45%, but I know the industry and this was optimistic). Currently, my bonus is under 7% even when exceeding targets.
I'm torn. Do I stay with the company I know and who offer great "office culture", pension scheme, additional annual leave. Or take the jump and consider 5 days annual leave to be worth far less than a 30% pay jump, and enjoy the new experiences?
I have a meeting about something else this afternoon with my line manager and not sure if it's worth trying to mention this to him and getting a counter-offer. Always a controversial move.
Help?
- Have been in my current role for 3 years next month
- Have made good progression but reached a ceiling where the next step requires either (a) company expansion or (b) someone else leaving
- Have been recognised at the company as over-achieving and been assigned a board-level "mentor" to help my career. As part of this I've been made aware that should (a) or (b) above occur, I'm first in line.
However, I have a lengthy commute (35 miles each way) and have been itching for a job nearer home as travel costs are high. Flexi-working sadly not an option. I'm frustrated at the wait for a promotion which could be 6 weeks or 6 years.
I was approached by a recruiter a few weeks ago and invited to interview for a similar role at a competitor. I went along with the 'nothing to lose' mindset and as things fell, was offered the role.
- Very similar role to present, but with increased responsibility and potential to learn a few new skills.
- More senior sounding job title (good for CV...)
- Down the road from my current office (so no change to commute)
- Huge pay rise. They're matching my basic salary but adding a commission structure which realistically could provide me upwards of 30% of my basic pay in bonus (they said closer to 45%, but I know the industry and this was optimistic). Currently, my bonus is under 7% even when exceeding targets.
I'm torn. Do I stay with the company I know and who offer great "office culture", pension scheme, additional annual leave. Or take the jump and consider 5 days annual leave to be worth far less than a 30% pay jump, and enjoy the new experiences?
I have a meeting about something else this afternoon with my line manager and not sure if it's worth trying to mention this to him and getting a counter-offer. Always a controversial move.
Help?
Make the jump, its a no-brainer, take the offer on the table (including all the positives you have mentioned) over something that may never happen. Just make sure you have all the above documented in a formal offer letter.
I would only be letting it slip to your manager once confirmed in writing.
I would only be letting it slip to your manager once confirmed in writing.
romeogolf said:
redandwhite said:
I would only be letting it slip to your manager once confirmed in writing.
To do that, I'd have to accept the role... and then potentially decline it later if my present employer gives a reason to stay.My reservation with mentioning it before having a concrete offer on the table is that you may be seen as trying to entice a counter offer before accepting the job - how do they know you havent fabricated something? They may drag their feet with giving anything like a counter offer ,and think less of you in the process.
Accept the job and hit them with it, if they are going to come back with anything they will need to do it ASAP as the clock would be ticking. When you submit your resignation, outline all the reasons why you are moving on - they will clearly then see on paper what they need to better in order to keep you.
I have recently been in the same situation and its Win-Win for you.
Accept the job and hit them with it, if they are going to come back with anything they will need to do it ASAP as the clock would be ticking. When you submit your resignation, outline all the reasons why you are moving on - they will clearly then see on paper what they need to better in order to keep you.
I have recently been in the same situation and its Win-Win for you.
Edited by redandwhite on Friday 5th May 14:37
So I had the meeting with my manager and as part of it asked what his view was on my future at the company I currently work for. Essentially I asked if there was anything happening with new sites and I also asked if this year's bonus program had been agreed as it's now May and we've not heard a peep.
We discussed it and the new scheme (although not confirmed) wasn't much of an improvement, so I told him that I'd been offered the role elsewhere and while I love my current job - Great employer, great team, good manager, etc - there comes a point where someone dangles a very large carrot and you have to ask yourself whether you should be taking it. I said that this was why I needed to know progression options - Respectfully, is it worth me sticking around, or will I be waiting forever?
He told me he thought I should stay, but could understand the reasons I'd consider leaving. He told me that if I left, they'd be calling me back the moment a new site opens because they'd want me to work it. But he also said he was going to "have a conversation" with one of our directors to see what could be done on my current package. "No promises" he added.
The new employer call me an hour after that meeting and asked if I'd decided. He could probably tell by my tone that my decision was to stay where I am so before I gave an answer he also said "since we spoke, I've confirmed that we can match your current holiday allowance [+ 5 days] and we'll up the salary offer to [+2%]. We'll also contribute 5% to a pension if you match it."
I thanked him for this, but said that I would be declining the offer on the basis that my "main goal" for moving would, in fact, be to take a role closer to home and that if I took this position I couldn't guarantee that in a year's time I'd be having the same concerns over my commute. We ended on a good note. He thanked me for my honesty and I told him that should they open any sites nearer my home I'd be interested in coming back to speak to them. He agreed and said they'd want that, too.
An hour later he sent me a text message. "If we allowed home-working and shorter office hours, would this help?"
I was driving, but replied when I got home around 5.30pm to say could he email me details of what they might propose, and also could they confirm the details of how the bonus structure works around other KPIs (my concern here being it's a bit "too good to be true" and I wanted to see the catch. I told him I'm moving house this coming week (we're completing, not actually moving for 3 weeks) and so I've a lot on my plate and would appreciate a few days to think it over. I've not had a response yet, but I might here back on Monday. Fingers crossed.
We discussed it and the new scheme (although not confirmed) wasn't much of an improvement, so I told him that I'd been offered the role elsewhere and while I love my current job - Great employer, great team, good manager, etc - there comes a point where someone dangles a very large carrot and you have to ask yourself whether you should be taking it. I said that this was why I needed to know progression options - Respectfully, is it worth me sticking around, or will I be waiting forever?
He told me he thought I should stay, but could understand the reasons I'd consider leaving. He told me that if I left, they'd be calling me back the moment a new site opens because they'd want me to work it. But he also said he was going to "have a conversation" with one of our directors to see what could be done on my current package. "No promises" he added.
The new employer call me an hour after that meeting and asked if I'd decided. He could probably tell by my tone that my decision was to stay where I am so before I gave an answer he also said "since we spoke, I've confirmed that we can match your current holiday allowance [+ 5 days] and we'll up the salary offer to [+2%]. We'll also contribute 5% to a pension if you match it."
I thanked him for this, but said that I would be declining the offer on the basis that my "main goal" for moving would, in fact, be to take a role closer to home and that if I took this position I couldn't guarantee that in a year's time I'd be having the same concerns over my commute. We ended on a good note. He thanked me for my honesty and I told him that should they open any sites nearer my home I'd be interested in coming back to speak to them. He agreed and said they'd want that, too.
An hour later he sent me a text message. "If we allowed home-working and shorter office hours, would this help?"
I was driving, but replied when I got home around 5.30pm to say could he email me details of what they might propose, and also could they confirm the details of how the bonus structure works around other KPIs (my concern here being it's a bit "too good to be true" and I wanted to see the catch. I told him I'm moving house this coming week (we're completing, not actually moving for 3 weeks) and so I've a lot on my plate and would appreciate a few days to think it over. I've not had a response yet, but I might here back on Monday. Fingers crossed.
My gf was in this sort of position.
She was promised the world, but nothing was delivered.
On the off chance she went for an interview at a competitor.
She was offered more money, same holiday, more responsibility in an expanding company with real scope of lots of progression, both in terms of role & salary.
She is now a manager & whilst it's been hard work & the work load is a lot more she feels so much better about being challenged, the new place also think very highly of her.
She was upset at leaving her old place as she'd done all her training there & she also had a lot of good friends there.
But at the end of the day, she had to think of her future.
She was promised the world, but nothing was delivered.
On the off chance she went for an interview at a competitor.
She was offered more money, same holiday, more responsibility in an expanding company with real scope of lots of progression, both in terms of role & salary.
She is now a manager & whilst it's been hard work & the work load is a lot more she feels so much better about being challenged, the new place also think very highly of her.
She was upset at leaving her old place as she'd done all her training there & she also had a lot of good friends there.
But at the end of the day, she had to think of her future.
romeogolf said:
The new employer call me an hour after that meeting and asked if I'd decided. He could probably tell by my tone that my decision was to stay where I am so before I gave an answer he also said "since we spoke, I've confirmed that we can match your current holiday allowance [+ 5 days] and we'll up the salary offer to [+2%]. We'll also contribute 5% to a pension if you match it."
I thanked him for this, but said that I would be declining the offer on the basis that my "main goal" for moving would, in fact, be to take a role closer to home and that if I took this position I couldn't guarantee that in a year's time I'd be having the same concerns over my commute.
I think you've inadvertently negotiated up but your reasoning is a bit flawed.....if your main concern is location, why would you turn it down to stay in exactly the same commute ? You're effectively trying to convince him you're staying and then hoping something closer comes up soon which is a bit of a mixed message. I'd get everything on offer in writing and then take it. If it doesn't work out and you left your current employer on good terms they'd likely offer you something there or hire you into a new location.I thanked him for this, but said that I would be declining the offer on the basis that my "main goal" for moving would, in fact, be to take a role closer to home and that if I took this position I couldn't guarantee that in a year's time I'd be having the same concerns over my commute.
So they got back in touch regarding the flexible working arrangements. They'll allow me to start at any time so long as I'm there by 10am, and allow me to leave as early as 4.30 (assuming I start at 8am to make up the difference). They'll also allow me to work from home one day each week.
I've verbally accepted the role with them. I'll wait for it in writing before I hand my notice in.
I'm still not convinced in my gut though, which is worrying me. Hopefully it was the right choice.
I've verbally accepted the role with them. I'll wait for it in writing before I hand my notice in.
I'm still not convinced in my gut though, which is worrying me. Hopefully it was the right choice.
Further update
I've not received anything (yet) from the new employer in writing so have not yet handed my notice.
Today my manager in my current role contacted me to invite me to a meeting on 5th June with a senior director to "catch-up". I've also been told to expect a discretionary bonus in my pay this month. It's not a lot, it's about 0.6% of my salary.
I've not received anything (yet) from the new employer in writing so have not yet handed my notice.
Today my manager in my current role contacted me to invite me to a meeting on 5th June with a senior director to "catch-up". I've also been told to expect a discretionary bonus in my pay this month. It's not a lot, it's about 0.6% of my salary.
It sounds like the new company is worth a punt. Don't burn any bridges with your current employer under any circumstances though. Be very professional and outline the flexibility of the new role as well as the pay increase.
Once you've made the decision stick to it. Don't dither any more or you piss everyone off.
Once you've made the decision stick to it. Don't dither any more or you piss everyone off.
romeogolf said:
Further update
I've not received anything (yet) from the new employer in writing so have not yet handed my notice.
Today my manager in my current role contacted me to invite me to a meeting on 5th June with a senior director to "catch-up". I've also been told to expect a discretionary bonus in my pay this month. It's not a lot, it's about 0.6% of my salary.
Just 0.6% as presumably an incentive when they know you are on the verge of leaving? Talk about tight arses!I've not received anything (yet) from the new employer in writing so have not yet handed my notice.
Today my manager in my current role contacted me to invite me to a meeting on 5th June with a senior director to "catch-up". I've also been told to expect a discretionary bonus in my pay this month. It's not a lot, it's about 0.6% of my salary.
p1stonhead said:
Just 0.6% as presumably an incentive when they know you are on the verge of leaving? Talk about tight arses!
Yeah... We have a bonus structure which is paid quarterly. The "top tier" is 1.5% of my salary per quarter. The last quarter was frankly a bit s
t and I wouldn't have qualified for a bonus this quarter at all, but they've given me the 'mid-tier' bonus for my efforts in "challenging circumstances".But yes, bit tight.
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