Would you change jobs?
Discussion
Current situation : Been at my current company for 4 years, joined due to previous redundancy. It's convenient and fairly stress free (because I'm not invested or motivated) but it was a backwards step in my career (software) and salary. In the last year or two I'm increasingly unhappy - poor management and some very poor engineers, with absolutely nothing done to improve the situation. One way or another, I should leave. But I hadn't taken any action to do so.
A month or two back, I was contacted by an agency and this resulted in interviews with another company - final interview was yesterday. I think it went reasonably well and there were some signs that they might offer - if so, it will be today or tomorrow.
It's a different industry but one that interests me. Salary is likely to be similar to what I'm on now, although there are some nice benefits. Commute will be further but still under 15 miles each way.
But.....
The role is team leader / manager. I have led teams in the past but I'm aware it's not my strong point. My soft skills are not great.
My previous role was more management than development, but more towards management of problems and keeping customers happy.
I'm not the best at decision making, which I think would be essential to this role. And having spoken to the guy who would be my boss yesterday, he clearly has high expectations.
I admit that I'm scared I will be way out of my depth - I could turn up on day one and not have a clue what I should do.
On the other hand, I feel like my career went backwards and stalled 4 years ago, and I need to do something about it. I'm in an industry which most people would think has a bright future but in reality is a shrinking market, and one where it's harder and harder to command decent salaries because the is always somebody in India - or who used to live in India - who will fill the role for less money.
Taking this management role would no doubt open doors career wise in the long term - if I don't find myself unemployed at the end of the probation period! Although when I mentioned this to a friend they said : if that happens just go contracting.
Of course, they may not offer which certainly simplifies things in the short term. But if they do, I know they want a fairly quick answer so I have to decide what I'll do.
Any thoughts? It's very tempting to take the safe route and stay where I am - although if I was in America, I think I would have brought an AK-47 to work by now. But I'm pretty sure the move would be to a better situation all round - but will cause me a lot of stress for the short term at least. I would very quickly have to figure out how to be a manager!
Any suggestions are welcome. I woke at 3am this morning and this stopped getting any more sleep!
A month or two back, I was contacted by an agency and this resulted in interviews with another company - final interview was yesterday. I think it went reasonably well and there were some signs that they might offer - if so, it will be today or tomorrow.
It's a different industry but one that interests me. Salary is likely to be similar to what I'm on now, although there are some nice benefits. Commute will be further but still under 15 miles each way.
But.....
The role is team leader / manager. I have led teams in the past but I'm aware it's not my strong point. My soft skills are not great.
My previous role was more management than development, but more towards management of problems and keeping customers happy.
I'm not the best at decision making, which I think would be essential to this role. And having spoken to the guy who would be my boss yesterday, he clearly has high expectations.
I admit that I'm scared I will be way out of my depth - I could turn up on day one and not have a clue what I should do.
On the other hand, I feel like my career went backwards and stalled 4 years ago, and I need to do something about it. I'm in an industry which most people would think has a bright future but in reality is a shrinking market, and one where it's harder and harder to command decent salaries because the is always somebody in India - or who used to live in India - who will fill the role for less money.
Taking this management role would no doubt open doors career wise in the long term - if I don't find myself unemployed at the end of the probation period! Although when I mentioned this to a friend they said : if that happens just go contracting.
Of course, they may not offer which certainly simplifies things in the short term. But if they do, I know they want a fairly quick answer so I have to decide what I'll do.
Any thoughts? It's very tempting to take the safe route and stay where I am - although if I was in America, I think I would have brought an AK-47 to work by now. But I'm pretty sure the move would be to a better situation all round - but will cause me a lot of stress for the short term at least. I would very quickly have to figure out how to be a manager!
Any suggestions are welcome. I woke at 3am this morning and this stopped getting any more sleep!
Perhaps slightly random thoughts but
1. If you are not happy in your current job, find somewhere else. Life is far too short to hate your job
2. Why would you only get the same salary if you increase your role?
In summary, get the new place to offer you a bit more to cover your increased responsibility and commute time and go to them
1. If you are not happy in your current job, find somewhere else. Life is far too short to hate your job
2. Why would you only get the same salary if you increase your role?
In summary, get the new place to offer you a bit more to cover your increased responsibility and commute time and go to them
If you're not out of your comfort zone, you aren't progressing. Sounds like you want to make the move but are just nervous, I would recommend you don't let this stand in your way or you'll always regret it.
Oh, and read one minute manager.
Oh, and read one minute manager.
Edited by rsbmw on Thursday 8th November 08:39
What's your over-arching goal in your career, say in the next 5-10 years? If you had a blank sheet of paper - no constraints, no ifs/buts - what does that look like?
Being outside of your comfort zone is a sign of growth and something most people bottle. It's good. BUT getting out of your comfort zone to do something that isn't in line with your above vision and priorities is a waste of time. If you have zero interest in being a manager and leading a team, then why take it? You could take it as a tactical approach: so that you can figure out if its for you. But have a clear idea of your direction of travel in terms of your 5 year 'vision' before you do that. Life isn't very long, don't waste years doing stuff that isn't taking you somewhere.
Being outside of your comfort zone is a sign of growth and something most people bottle. It's good. BUT getting out of your comfort zone to do something that isn't in line with your above vision and priorities is a waste of time. If you have zero interest in being a manager and leading a team, then why take it? You could take it as a tactical approach: so that you can figure out if its for you. But have a clear idea of your direction of travel in terms of your 5 year 'vision' before you do that. Life isn't very long, don't waste years doing stuff that isn't taking you somewhere.
How many people would there be in your team? Is your prospective employer a company that will help you with the management piece, or do they just expect you to know how to do it and get on with it?
You can learn to be a manager; it's not something you have to be born with but... managing people is A LOT of work and if it's not something you enjoy do you really want to take that on? Is being a leader/manager something you actually want to do? If the answer is no then don't do it. You'll be miserable and that won't help you do a good job.
You can learn to be a manager; it's not something you have to be born with but... managing people is A LOT of work and if it's not something you enjoy do you really want to take that on? Is being a leader/manager something you actually want to do? If the answer is no then don't do it. You'll be miserable and that won't help you do a good job.
davek_964 said:
Jasandjules said:
2. Why would you only get the same salary if you increase your role?
Smaller company so smaller budgets I guess. But there are some things that make up for it - very generous holiday allowance.So enjoy your new job !
silent ninja said:
What's your over-arching goal in your career, say in the next 5-10 years? If you had a blank sheet of paper - no constraints, no ifs/buts - what does that look like?
Being outside of your comfort zone is a sign of growth and something most people bottle. It's good. BUT getting out of your comfort zone to do something that isn't in line with your above vision and priorities is a waste of time. If you have zero interest in being a manager and leading a team, then why take it? You could take it as a tactical approach: so that you can figure out if its for you. But have a clear idea of your direction of travel in terms of your 5 year 'vision' before you do that. Life isn't very long, don't waste years doing stuff that isn't taking you somewhere.
If I'm completely honest, I'd like to radically change what I do and start a job where I feel it has some meaning - charity / support kind of stuff. But that doesn't align with my chosen lifestyle - at least the pay doesn't.Being outside of your comfort zone is a sign of growth and something most people bottle. It's good. BUT getting out of your comfort zone to do something that isn't in line with your above vision and priorities is a waste of time. If you have zero interest in being a manager and leading a team, then why take it? You could take it as a tactical approach: so that you can figure out if its for you. But have a clear idea of your direction of travel in terms of your 5 year 'vision' before you do that. Life isn't very long, don't waste years doing stuff that isn't taking you somewhere.
I think that if they were going to offer, they would have done so by the end of Friday. I didn't hear anything so I think they've probably had the same doubts I had! If I'm wrong, and I hear next week then I'll update.
A number of things come to mind, some have been touched upon above.
The core question is: what do you want to be and are you committed to achieving it?
You have given some insight; a role that has some more immediate benefit to others.
You mentioned the charity sector (and your assumption it's poorly paid (it is if you front the shop; it's not if you're the CE!)).
There are many roles that could give you the satisfaction I think you're looking for.
In terms of the current role potentially on offer; if you don't like leading people directly and all that comes with it, I'd avoid it as you could become very unhappy very quickly.
Good luck!
The core question is: what do you want to be and are you committed to achieving it?
You have given some insight; a role that has some more immediate benefit to others.
You mentioned the charity sector (and your assumption it's poorly paid (it is if you front the shop; it's not if you're the CE!)).
There are many roles that could give you the satisfaction I think you're looking for.
In terms of the current role potentially on offer; if you don't like leading people directly and all that comes with it, I'd avoid it as you could become very unhappy very quickly.
Good luck!
Sounds like potentially you wouldn't enjoy being in a management position? or might find it stressful? Are you doing this for career progression or personal development?
If you haven't applied for many jobs, I would suggest you apply for some jobs that are better pay using a slightly different tech stack that will be somewhat challenging and dev focused rather than people management focused?
If you haven't applied for many jobs, I would suggest you apply for some jobs that are better pay using a slightly different tech stack that will be somewhat challenging and dev focused rather than people management focused?
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