Satisfaction vs Money
Discussion
Recently been offered a new job at a new company, 40% pay increase in a good startup with massive potential. However have a dilemma about whether or not to take it. Current place of work is brilliant really talented engineers mid size company so lots to get involved in & good site/benefits/projects. Current issue is head of department is a bit of a loose cannon & all in the department are stagnant because of how out of depth he is. Trying to push for a role in another as 85% of the work I'm doing is for them anyway & with a bit more pay.
Not been in this situation before as the money is too much to ignore but the development I could get in the other department is potentially brilliant but no guarantees of it happening.
Any advice?
Not been in this situation before as the money is too much to ignore but the development I could get in the other department is potentially brilliant but no guarantees of it happening.
Any advice?
Give your notice to the head of departments boss stating you love working for the company and the team you’d be trying to join, however you feel unable to manage your working relationship with your current head.
They’ll either offer you a role elsewhere or you get more money at the new place. Not a bad position to be in.
I left a job years back due to a regional manager who was unbearable. 10 years down the pan after a year of hell.. he was dismissed a few months after I’d left.
They’ll either offer you a role elsewhere or you get more money at the new place. Not a bad position to be in.
I left a job years back due to a regional manager who was unbearable. 10 years down the pan after a year of hell.. he was dismissed a few months after I’d left.
I always took the money.
Ok, I had some miserable jobs, but I ended up retiring at 56.
Pal of mine took the job satisfaction, and is still in the same place, still working, and earning a relative pittance. He isn't satisfied any more.
ETA:
40% is one hell of an amount to turn down for satisfaction.
And if you were that satisfied in the first place, why look for a new job?
Ok, I had some miserable jobs, but I ended up retiring at 56.
Pal of mine took the job satisfaction, and is still in the same place, still working, and earning a relative pittance. He isn't satisfied any more.
ETA:
40% is one hell of an amount to turn down for satisfaction.
And if you were that satisfied in the first place, why look for a new job?
Edited by sociopath on Friday 14th February 09:57
It kinda depends. Do you earn enough to be happy and comfortable or would this new amount push you up to that point?
I have a job I really enjoy and am fortunate that it pays well. I haven’t gone for any promotions largely because being comfortable already I value the job satisfaction over the additional money.
It sounds like you want talking into taking the new job. If you’re curious just go for it.
I have a job I really enjoy and am fortunate that it pays well. I haven’t gone for any promotions largely because being comfortable already I value the job satisfaction over the additional money.
It sounds like you want talking into taking the new job. If you’re curious just go for it.
I think an element of it is comfort, know where I stand, know whats going on & how everything works. There is an element of benefits too in that I have access to decent facilities and am able to use when need for home things, however given the extra money it would unlock the ability to have those facilities at home instead.
I have a meeting on Wednesday to discuss to say I have this offer with the head of the other department.
Money wise, I would say that I am comfortable now but having this extra opens up a few more doors, allow more to be put towards the mortgage & means less financial pressure for us both to work. Don't really live a lavish lifestyle so it would mean more in saving rather than fancy holidays and flash new cars.
Hardest thing I am struggling with is that I am not 100% in the zone to leave, I wasn't proactively looking and just took the interview to see, the role is good and if I was not in a good place I wouldn't think twice to take it. I also have a few close friends here now and a few people who are some of the best I've ever worked with.
I have a meeting on Wednesday to discuss to say I have this offer with the head of the other department.
Money wise, I would say that I am comfortable now but having this extra opens up a few more doors, allow more to be put towards the mortgage & means less financial pressure for us both to work. Don't really live a lavish lifestyle so it would mean more in saving rather than fancy holidays and flash new cars.
Hardest thing I am struggling with is that I am not 100% in the zone to leave, I wasn't proactively looking and just took the interview to see, the role is good and if I was not in a good place I wouldn't think twice to take it. I also have a few close friends here now and a few people who are some of the best I've ever worked with.
just to update, signed the new contract & handed in notice, typically as people found out things started changing.
The role I've been trying to go for has opened up, able to write my own job description for the role, will be more money but not as much as the new place and in the right area I want to develop in.
Problem I have now is that I was mentally starting to check out, noticing all the rubbish issues at the current place and quite content with moving, however the fact this role is now open makes me want to stay & turn down the new place, of course it would mean a burnt bridge but given how unsteady things are with the economy at the moment having some continuity might not be a bad thing for the moment.
Waiting to have something in writing first before actioning anything but wondering if anybody has been in a similar situation before?
The role I've been trying to go for has opened up, able to write my own job description for the role, will be more money but not as much as the new place and in the right area I want to develop in.
Problem I have now is that I was mentally starting to check out, noticing all the rubbish issues at the current place and quite content with moving, however the fact this role is now open makes me want to stay & turn down the new place, of course it would mean a burnt bridge but given how unsteady things are with the economy at the moment having some continuity might not be a bad thing for the moment.
Waiting to have something in writing first before actioning anything but wondering if anybody has been in a similar situation before?
bobski1 said:
just to update, signed the new contract & handed in notice, typically as people found out things started changing.
The role I've been trying to go for has opened up, able to write my own job description for the role, will be more money but not as much as the new place and in the right area I want to develop in.
Problem I have now is that I was mentally starting to check out, noticing all the rubbish issues at the current place and quite content with moving, however the fact this role is now open makes me want to stay & turn down the new place, of course it would mean a burnt bridge but given how unsteady things are with the economy at the moment having some continuity might not be a bad thing for the moment.
Waiting to have something in writing first before actioning anything but wondering if anybody has been in a similar situation before?
All workplaces have their "rubbish issues" or as I call them "stupid bullsThe role I've been trying to go for has opened up, able to write my own job description for the role, will be more money but not as much as the new place and in the right area I want to develop in.
Problem I have now is that I was mentally starting to check out, noticing all the rubbish issues at the current place and quite content with moving, however the fact this role is now open makes me want to stay & turn down the new place, of course it would mean a burnt bridge but given how unsteady things are with the economy at the moment having some continuity might not be a bad thing for the moment.
Waiting to have something in writing first before actioning anything but wondering if anybody has been in a similar situation before?
t retardedness", the grass is rarely greener, but sometimes being able to go in as a fresh face can be a huge advantage when people at your existing place might be holding you back.In some respects i'm only just starting to hear about many of the lies told and the incorrect perceptions that management had of me in my first job 20 years ago, I had no idea of some of the damage people were doing behind my back, it's no wonder I didn't get anywhere.
I'd say if you can afford to take a risk, GTFO........... But then i'm in a position where I could just walk out at any time and not have to work for a year.
lyonspride said:
I'd say if you can afford to take a risk, GTFO........... But then i'm in a position where I could just walk out at any time and not have to work for a year.
This^^ makes a huge difference to any crappy situation at work.It's what I fall back on when things are going badly; knowing you don't have to stay makes it much more bearable.
I would say I'm in an okay position 6 months of income set aside for situations like this, certainly the extra income at the new place would boost the safety net & it would be a massive enabler for other things i.e. want to buy a milling machine/lathe to start creating some parts for old cars/motorbikers as a side jobbie
However staying in my current place would allow me to learn more at a faster rate as the projects are max 12-18mths & from discussions with what could be my new manager it would be a pretty steep curve including possibly a masters & practical skills.
My gut is saying for a little more money I would rather stay, I just hate passing an opportunity especially not knowing what it could be....
However staying in my current place would allow me to learn more at a faster rate as the projects are max 12-18mths & from discussions with what could be my new manager it would be a pretty steep curve including possibly a masters & practical skills.
My gut is saying for a little more money I would rather stay, I just hate passing an opportunity especially not knowing what it could be....
bobski1 said:
I would say I'm in an okay position 6 months of income set aside for situations like this, certainly the extra income at the new place would boost the safety net & it would be a massive enabler for other things i.e. want to buy a milling machine/lathe to start creating some parts for old cars/motorbikers as a side jobbie
However staying in my current place would allow me to learn more at a faster rate as the projects are max 12-18mths & from discussions with what could be my new manager it would be a pretty steep curve including possibly a masters & practical skills.
My gut is saying for a little more money I would rather stay, I just hate passing an opportunity especially not knowing what it could be....
When I was looking to leave my last job and had an offer on the table, one thing that helped me to decide was to think if I was already doing the new job, would I leave it for my current one? The answer being no I wouldn't helped me to make the jump. Of course you have to temper that with "the grass is always greener" and you'll probably also find things in the new one that piss you off.However staying in my current place would allow me to learn more at a faster rate as the projects are max 12-18mths & from discussions with what could be my new manager it would be a pretty steep curve including possibly a masters & practical skills.
My gut is saying for a little more money I would rather stay, I just hate passing an opportunity especially not knowing what it could be....
crofty1984 said:
bobski1 said:
I would say I'm in an okay position 6 months of income set aside for situations like this, certainly the extra income at the new place would boost the safety net & it would be a massive enabler for other things i.e. want to buy a milling machine/lathe to start creating some parts for old cars/motorbikers as a side jobbie
However staying in my current place would allow me to learn more at a faster rate as the projects are max 12-18mths & from discussions with what could be my new manager it would be a pretty steep curve including possibly a masters & practical skills.
My gut is saying for a little more money I would rather stay, I just hate passing an opportunity especially not knowing what it could be....
When I was looking to leave my last job and had an offer on the table, one thing that helped me to decide was to think if I was already doing the new job, would I leave it for my current one? The answer being no I wouldn't helped me to make the jump. Of course you have to temper that with "the grass is always greener" and you'll probably also find things in the new one that piss you off.However staying in my current place would allow me to learn more at a faster rate as the projects are max 12-18mths & from discussions with what could be my new manager it would be a pretty steep curve including possibly a masters & practical skills.
My gut is saying for a little more money I would rather stay, I just hate passing an opportunity especially not knowing what it could be....
You mentioned starting to mentally turn off and I think this is your single biggest issue.
I was in a similar situation, got offered another job, more money, handed in my notice but got offered a decent increase so stayed.
The retainer latest for two years, but 6 months in I was regretting staying already.
18 months in i'd switched off completely, the job wasn't challenging me and i needed a change mentally - I got offered another job and effectively brought myself out my retainer to leave. Best thing I ever did.
I miss the people at my last place, and the environment and ethos, but never felt so challenged and fulfilled at my new place.
So, just a word of warning - if you are in an industry that burning bridges will make future job hunting difficult, strongly consider before turning the new job down. I was lucky that I could change tact and industry as the skills are transferable, not every one is so lucky.
I was in a similar situation, got offered another job, more money, handed in my notice but got offered a decent increase so stayed.
The retainer latest for two years, but 6 months in I was regretting staying already.
18 months in i'd switched off completely, the job wasn't challenging me and i needed a change mentally - I got offered another job and effectively brought myself out my retainer to leave. Best thing I ever did.
I miss the people at my last place, and the environment and ethos, but never felt so challenged and fulfilled at my new place.
So, just a word of warning - if you are in an industry that burning bridges will make future job hunting difficult, strongly consider before turning the new job down. I was lucky that I could change tact and industry as the skills are transferable, not every one is so lucky.
crofty1984 said:
When I was looking to leave my last job and had an offer on the table, one thing that helped me to decide was to think if I was already doing the new job, would I leave it for my current one? The answer being no I wouldn't helped me to make the jump. Of course you have to temper that with "the grass is always greener" and you'll probably also find things in the new one that piss you off.
I think honestly part of me would consider leaving the new place for my current job. It's definitely the best job I've had. My frustrations have definitely come more from the team & it's management and how I've been managed into stagnation with my development. The company has issues but I've felt less issues with it as it's still quite small so you can get around a lot by knowing who to speak to & the ways things work.The new place has more people but I'd say is similar age to the place where I am at currently so it has similar issues with growing pains and having the structure in place to enable that growth.
Swampy1982 said:
You mentioned starting to mentally turn off and I think this is your single biggest issue.
I was in a similar situation, got offered another job, more money, handed in my notice but got offered a decent increase so stayed.
The retainer latest for two years, but 6 months in I was regretting staying already.
18 months in i'd switched off completely, the job wasn't challenging me and i needed a change mentally - I got offered another job and effectively brought myself out my retainer to leave. Best thing I ever did.
I miss the people at my last place, and the environment and ethos, but never felt so challenged and fulfilled at my new place.
So, just a word of warning - if you are in an industry that burning bridges will make future job hunting difficult, strongly consider before turning the new job down. I was lucky that I could change tact and industry as the skills are transferable, not every one is so lucky.
The staying isn't just for money, I would be moving teams and this position is being created specifically for me, it includes some of what I already do plus extra of what I want to develop in, both in terms of engineering and management. Plus the chief is one the best mechanical guy I've worked with so I'm keen to develop & learn from him as much as I can. So it would be a good challenge & there would be lots to get stuck into, for me worst case I stay another 12 months doing the new role & learning more skills which would help me in the future.I was in a similar situation, got offered another job, more money, handed in my notice but got offered a decent increase so stayed.
The retainer latest for two years, but 6 months in I was regretting staying already.
18 months in i'd switched off completely, the job wasn't challenging me and i needed a change mentally - I got offered another job and effectively brought myself out my retainer to leave. Best thing I ever did.
I miss the people at my last place, and the environment and ethos, but never felt so challenged and fulfilled at my new place.
So, just a word of warning - if you are in an industry that burning bridges will make future job hunting difficult, strongly consider before turning the new job down. I was lucky that I could change tact and industry as the skills are transferable, not every one is so lucky.
As for the burning bridges - it's kind of is & isn't an issue. Is as there is lots of potential at the new place and if I ever wanted to go into OEM/big volume it's a place I would've considered. I was asked about it before taking the job at this funnily enough. However the new place is very much OEM style whereas what I do now is consultancy or motorsport jobs so they don't really run in the same circles few people cross over but if I was to stay I think I would be on a different career path to not really go back there. Plus where I am now the projects vary and much smaller timescales which I much prefer.
Spoke to former colleague about it & he recommended to review my initial pros and cons list & and score each place with what I want/need and see which place is better. Will be a big dollop of what if around the new place.
I still feel really bad letting the new place down, if I was in the zone to leave then it's somewhere I'd be quite interested to go to, however I don't have any fizz for it, how much is from my lack of motivation in my current place or the fact I am not yet ready to leave I am not sure. Is there anyway to turn them down with maybe just charring the bridge? I was thinking of using the whole corona thing as a way to say I need a little security and continuity for the time being but even I wouldn't buy that....
Not sure this is any help, but I've never seen the grass being greener, it's just the dead patches are in different places.
So a bit like the pros & cons advice: what lines up with where you want to be ?
You say the new job has 'ifs', but surely the same applies with the offered new role as this is also effectively a new job, albeit in existing employer
So a bit like the pros & cons advice: what lines up with where you want to be ?
You say the new job has 'ifs', but surely the same applies with the offered new role as this is also effectively a new job, albeit in existing employer
bobski1 said:
The staying isn't just for money, I would be moving teams and this position is being created specifically for me, it includes some of what I already do plus extra of what I want to develop in, both in terms of engineering and management. Plus the chief is one the best mechanical guy I've worked with so I'm keen to develop & learn from him as much as I can. So it would be a good challenge & there would be lots to get stuck into, for me worst case I stay another 12 months doing the new role & learning more skills which would help me in the future.
As for the burning bridges - it's kind of is & isn't an issue. Is as there is lots of potential at the new place and if I ever wanted to go into OEM/big volume it's a place I would've considered. I was asked about it before taking the job at this funnily enough. However the new place is very much OEM style whereas what I do now is consultancy or motorsport jobs so they don't really run in the same circles few people cross over but if I was to stay I think I would be on a different career path to not really go back there. Plus where I am now the projects vary and much smaller timescales which I much prefer.
I wouldn't consider the Manager to be a strong enough reason to stay - you don't know his career plans, he might himself be about to jump ship. And with all due respect to the chap as I don't know him, but I doubt he's a 1 one in a billion and other successful firms will also have good managers to ensure that.As for the burning bridges - it's kind of is & isn't an issue. Is as there is lots of potential at the new place and if I ever wanted to go into OEM/big volume it's a place I would've considered. I was asked about it before taking the job at this funnily enough. However the new place is very much OEM style whereas what I do now is consultancy or motorsport jobs so they don't really run in the same circles few people cross over but if I was to stay I think I would be on a different career path to not really go back there. Plus where I am now the projects vary and much smaller timescales which I much prefer.
I think you have to also look within yourself in terms of how you view work and your career. For some it's more vocational and would do it for any salary (I recall my mother refusing to retire from her education role "because of the children..."), whilst others like me, it's a means to paying off my mortgage so that I can do something more entertaining with my life and pay for more entertaining weekends - to which a 40% pay increase (or whatever %) allows me to attain that faster and I'm willing to make myself a little less happy on the day to day to ensure that final goal.
I wouldn't get too hung up on the soft bits personally. Other people will come and go, opportunities can arise anywhere, don't stick all your eggs in one basket only to find your left 10 years down the line on a paltry income and what could have beens if they'd let you work on x project like they'd promised you.
If there are plenty other companies in the area, then you can hop off elsewhere once you've milked the new place of the higher salary. Employers aren't loyal, why show the same back?
Pinkie15 said:
Not sure this is any help, but I've never seen the grass being greener, it's just the dead patches are in different places.
I agree. At the risk of mashing proverbs, in the new job I sometimes feel like in leaving I've jumped out of the frying pan into the fire. But that doesn't necessarily mean that staying in the frying pan was the best option.Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff