Job Offer - experience vs. people
Discussion
How important is the office environment and people to you in a job?
Recently received a job offer for a role in a slightly different industry of engineering, providing mechanical design services.
Pros: Gain experience in a high-volume product engineering role, 10% pay increase. I like the product and the job sounds interesting as I feel I'd learn a lot. I also felt I'd get on well with the immediate colleague/ line-manager.
Considerations: The other people, office environment and culture generally seemed quite stale. Although it is a large, global company, the office is small and I felt like it would be a less-inspiring place to work than I'd like. Many of the employees have worked there for years.
Also the hiring manager seemed to give the impression he had filled the role previously but the person didn't do their research and left.
He also seemed quite dissatisfied with his manager, the CEO.
Lastly, the systems of work were less secure in terms of a lack of Product Data Management (PDM).
I enjoy my current role and like the company, the people and the environment but am hungry to gain more experience and learn more.
The reason I am keen to branch out is I feel like I've reached the ceiling, pay and experience wise where I am. I like the idea of being a contractor and improving my skills set is my main objective with a view to being able to pick and choose jobs, hourly rates, locations in the future.
Recently received a job offer for a role in a slightly different industry of engineering, providing mechanical design services.
Pros: Gain experience in a high-volume product engineering role, 10% pay increase. I like the product and the job sounds interesting as I feel I'd learn a lot. I also felt I'd get on well with the immediate colleague/ line-manager.
Considerations: The other people, office environment and culture generally seemed quite stale. Although it is a large, global company, the office is small and I felt like it would be a less-inspiring place to work than I'd like. Many of the employees have worked there for years.
Also the hiring manager seemed to give the impression he had filled the role previously but the person didn't do their research and left.
He also seemed quite dissatisfied with his manager, the CEO.
Lastly, the systems of work were less secure in terms of a lack of Product Data Management (PDM).
I enjoy my current role and like the company, the people and the environment but am hungry to gain more experience and learn more.
The reason I am keen to branch out is I feel like I've reached the ceiling, pay and experience wise where I am. I like the idea of being a contractor and improving my skills set is my main objective with a view to being able to pick and choose jobs, hourly rates, locations in the future.
One thing leads directly to the next does it not?
Move, gain the experience and the extra money then re-assess where you're at in a year. Jump ship again to a more vibrant company if it's needed and you'll likely get another pay increase.
It's pretty much the basics to career progression unless you're being groomed internally imo. That sounds a bit wrong doesn't it?
Move, gain the experience and the extra money then re-assess where you're at in a year. Jump ship again to a more vibrant company if it's needed and you'll likely get another pay increase.
It's pretty much the basics to career progression unless you're being groomed internally imo. That sounds a bit wrong doesn't it?
It's good that you're doing your due diligence and it's clear this has thrown up some doubts; for 10% I'd personally not be prepared to overlook those doubts.
As a previous poster said, it could just be seen as a stepping stone; for me though it would need to be a minimum 20% improvement to compensate for the doubts you've raised (I however always counsel that any move should be for a minimum 20% to compensate for the risk (every move attracts some level of risk)).
Good luck!
As a previous poster said, it could just be seen as a stepping stone; for me though it would need to be a minimum 20% improvement to compensate for the doubts you've raised (I however always counsel that any move should be for a minimum 20% to compensate for the risk (every move attracts some level of risk)).
Good luck!
OctaneV8 said:
Also the hiring manager seemed (...) quite dissatisfied with his manager, the CEO.
That's the point I'd worry about more than anything else. Over time you may or may not build good relationships with the new colleagues, but when considering a new job, I believe chemistry and like-mindedness with one's direct manager should be a prerequisite. After all, it's been said that people don't leave organisations, they leave bosses.
It sounds like your hiring manager is a flight risk. If he's unhappy with his boss (the CEO), he might leave as soon as a better offer comes along, or just stay on board and be frustrated all the time. Either way - it doesn't look good for you.
Combine that with the modest pay raise and the fact you're not being pushed out of your current workplace (so I assume), and you'll see that the risks here outweigh the benefits. Of course things might work out for the best, and if you were unemployed I'd say go for it, but for now I'd just keep my eyes and ears open and wait for the next opportunity.
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