Changing my mind after accepting a job offer...
Discussion
Evening,
I was contacted about six weeks ago by the recruiter that got me my current job. They had a new Motor Trade role on the books for a prestige dealership doing something similar to what I’m already doing albeit with more customer interaction. I interviewed along with about ten others and was offered the job. Great news I thought and accepted the job offer. A little bit more money, a change of scenery but a longer commute. I let my current employer know I was leaving pretty much straight away and although they said they would be sad to see me go they didn’t put up a fight. Until today!
I’m due to leave my current job next Wednesday and start the new job the Wednesday after that. Today my Manager called me into his office to chat about why I was leaving and why I thought the new job would be better. I explained the extra money and change of scenery parts which he agreed were good. He then went on to explain how much the company didn’t want to lose me, how much he didn’t want me to go and that when he eventually calls it a day that it’s already a done deal that I will take his job (lots and lots more money!). He said he could see about getting me a bit more money and would speak to one of the Directors about it. He also pointed out the increased commuting costs and wear and tear on my car etc.
About an hour later (while I was mid way through a Malteasers bunny!) he called me back into his office and offered me an extra £7000 a year on my basic salary and he’d double my share of bonus %. Based on what I earned this financial year it would equate to a £12,000 pay rise!
I’m now confused on what to do. I like working where I work. Most of the time. However one of the reasons I went for the interviews was the idea of a change of scenery. The new job will be considerably different with a different type of car and different type of customer, but I will probably end up earning the same as my current wage once commuting etc has been taken into account.
I also don’t like letting people down. I felt terrible handing in my notice and really felt like I was letting everyone down (there isn’t anyone else in the company that can do my job!). I know feel that if I change my mind I’ll be letting down the new place and the recruiters!
Any helpful advice would be great. I have no idea what to do!!!
I was contacted about six weeks ago by the recruiter that got me my current job. They had a new Motor Trade role on the books for a prestige dealership doing something similar to what I’m already doing albeit with more customer interaction. I interviewed along with about ten others and was offered the job. Great news I thought and accepted the job offer. A little bit more money, a change of scenery but a longer commute. I let my current employer know I was leaving pretty much straight away and although they said they would be sad to see me go they didn’t put up a fight. Until today!
I’m due to leave my current job next Wednesday and start the new job the Wednesday after that. Today my Manager called me into his office to chat about why I was leaving and why I thought the new job would be better. I explained the extra money and change of scenery parts which he agreed were good. He then went on to explain how much the company didn’t want to lose me, how much he didn’t want me to go and that when he eventually calls it a day that it’s already a done deal that I will take his job (lots and lots more money!). He said he could see about getting me a bit more money and would speak to one of the Directors about it. He also pointed out the increased commuting costs and wear and tear on my car etc.
About an hour later (while I was mid way through a Malteasers bunny!) he called me back into his office and offered me an extra £7000 a year on my basic salary and he’d double my share of bonus %. Based on what I earned this financial year it would equate to a £12,000 pay rise!
I’m now confused on what to do. I like working where I work. Most of the time. However one of the reasons I went for the interviews was the idea of a change of scenery. The new job will be considerably different with a different type of car and different type of customer, but I will probably end up earning the same as my current wage once commuting etc has been taken into account.
I also don’t like letting people down. I felt terrible handing in my notice and really felt like I was letting everyone down (there isn’t anyone else in the company that can do my job!). I know feel that if I change my mind I’ll be letting down the new place and the recruiters!
Any helpful advice would be great. I have no idea what to do!!!
a311 said:
How much longer is the commute?
FWIW Look after #1. Your current employer seems to think you're worth keeping, sometimes better the devil you know and all that but reading your post it sounds like you want a change-change is as good as rest.
I've now ran out of cliches
I currently have either a 10 minute drive to work (20-25 mins coming home) or a 56 minute walk if the weather is ok. The new job is a 30 min drive (up to an hour coming home). FWIW Look after #1. Your current employer seems to think you're worth keeping, sometimes better the devil you know and all that but reading your post it sounds like you want a change-change is as good as rest.
I've now ran out of cliches
Sammo123 said:
I currently have either a 10 minute drive to work (20-25 mins coming home) or a 56 minute walk if the weather is ok. The new job is a 30 min drive (up to an hour coming home).
How often could it be up to an hour? I've gone from a ten minute drive to a hour and came to resent it. I've just moved to a 20 minute drive and can't wait for my first shift next Wednesday.
You were going to leave. You'd had an interview, accepted the new job and resigned. You'd told your old workmates. You were almost certainly looking forward to the new job.
All of a sudden, your current employer came up with a guaranteed £7k pa, with the potential of another £5k pa. If that's what you always wanted, albeit subconsciously, then take it and be happy.
If you ever wonder why your existing employer took the threat of you leaving to pay you what you're clearly worth, then go, gracefully and without burning bridges. It sounds as though you could always go back.
All of a sudden, your current employer came up with a guaranteed £7k pa, with the potential of another £5k pa. If that's what you always wanted, albeit subconsciously, then take it and be happy.
If you ever wonder why your existing employer took the threat of you leaving to pay you what you're clearly worth, then go, gracefully and without burning bridges. It sounds as though you could always go back.
LosingGrip said:
How often could it be up to an hour? I've gone from a ten minute drive to a hour and came to resent it.
I've just moved to a 20 minute drive and can't wait for my first shift next Wednesday.
Pretty much every day it would be around an hour to get home. No short cuts from there to my house either. I've just moved to a 20 minute drive and can't wait for my first shift next Wednesday.
s2sol said:
You were going to leave. You'd had an interview, accepted the new job and resigned. You'd told your old workmates. You were almost certainly looking forward to the new job.
All of a sudden, your current employer came up with a guaranteed £7k pa, with the potential of another £5k pa. If that's what you always wanted, albeit subconsciously, then take it and be happy.
If you ever wonder why your existing employer took the threat of you leaving to pay you what you're clearly worth, then go, gracefully and without burning bridges. It sounds as though you could always go back.
In fairness to my current employer I haven’t enquired about a pay rise for the last two years. I won’t lie, the lure of staying for more money is tempting. All of a sudden, your current employer came up with a guaranteed £7k pa, with the potential of another £5k pa. If that's what you always wanted, albeit subconsciously, then take it and be happy.
If you ever wonder why your existing employer took the threat of you leaving to pay you what you're clearly worth, then go, gracefully and without burning bridges. It sounds as though you could always go back.
I know from watching others that burning your bridges in the motor industry is a very silly thing to do. Everyone knows everyone
One of the directors has already said to me that I will always be welcome back because I’m part of the family there. Tricky situation, but people who accept counter offers rarely hang around long.
Your card may be marked now and the promise of the promotion in the future may not materialise.
You may have to go with your gut on this one as to which feels right.
I’ve been in the situation twice, but always left as I’d already made up my mind. Jam tomorrow etc.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Your card may be marked now and the promise of the promotion in the future may not materialise.
You may have to go with your gut on this one as to which feels right.
I’ve been in the situation twice, but always left as I’d already made up my mind. Jam tomorrow etc.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Edited by romeodelta on Friday 28th February 08:04
if you like the job but need a change why not change something outside of work. A completely new hobby or holiday type. Sound like the new job will cost you time, longer commutes can be a drag.
BUT as said get those offers of a rise in writing not just from the manager who may not be there but one of the directors who can act on behalf of the company
BUT as said get those offers of a rise in writing not just from the manager who may not be there but one of the directors who can act on behalf of the company
s2sol said:
If you ever wonder why your existing employer took the threat of you leaving to pay you what you're clearly worth, then go, gracefully and without burning bridges. It sounds as though you could always go back.
Got to agree with this. Why has it taken the threat of you leaving for them to appreciate your value? Promises of promotions and big jobs should not be part of the decision - what if next week the company hires someone better than you OP? That person starts flying, in a few years the boss leaves and the high flyer is in. Unless there is anything written down and signed contractually regarding taking the bosses role (which I would find very unlikely) then it should have no bearing at all on your decision.
Thanks for the advice everyone. I need to give work an answer today because if I’m going then they need to start looking for my replacement.
In all honesty I’m still no further forward with my decision. I was happy with my decision to leave for a little more money and would of put up with the longer commute. Now that I’ve been offered considerably more to stay and there’s no commute change it’s confused me. I’m torn between being very loyal to my current employer and fancying the potentially greener grass.
In all honesty I’m still no further forward with my decision. I was happy with my decision to leave for a little more money and would of put up with the longer commute. Now that I’ve been offered considerably more to stay and there’s no commute change it’s confused me. I’m torn between being very loyal to my current employer and fancying the potentially greener grass.
On one hand, stay and take the pay rise and potential extra bonus (I wouldn't factor the potential to take your bosses job in to the equation though) and see how it goes. If you're still left hankering for a change, start looking again in due course, assuming that the new job isn't very niche and something that you've always wanted to do. It doesn't sound like it is though. Not to mention, in doing this, if ever the time comes around to start looking again, you can always command a higher salary.
I have only been in this position once before, small pay rise, similar commute, except hugely better opportunities and benefits. My manager did the same, dragged me in to his office a not long before I was set to leave and offered me £10k rise... I must admit it did tempt me for a split second in that room, but I knew that I'd only end up hating the place even more but feel obliged to fake enjoying my role more or worse, get sucked in by the money in the short term, let my skill set stagnate in the meantime and then struggle to switch up for similar money elsewhere.
Basically, only you know what's best for you. But if I were you, based on what you've said so far, I'd stick with your current job, get the pay rise and bonus element of the offer in writing and see how it goes as you obviously enjoy working there enough to even consider it, not to mention you're part of the family tree and all
I have only been in this position once before, small pay rise, similar commute, except hugely better opportunities and benefits. My manager did the same, dragged me in to his office a not long before I was set to leave and offered me £10k rise... I must admit it did tempt me for a split second in that room, but I knew that I'd only end up hating the place even more but feel obliged to fake enjoying my role more or worse, get sucked in by the money in the short term, let my skill set stagnate in the meantime and then struggle to switch up for similar money elsewhere.
Basically, only you know what's best for you. But if I were you, based on what you've said so far, I'd stick with your current job, get the pay rise and bonus element of the offer in writing and see how it goes as you obviously enjoy working there enough to even consider it, not to mention you're part of the family tree and all
Sammo123 said:
Thanks for the advice everyone. I need to give work an answer today because if I’m going then they need to start looking for my replacement.
In all honesty I’m still no further forward with my decision. I was happy with my decision to leave for a little more money and would of put up with the longer commute. Now that I’ve been offered considerably more to stay and there’s no commute change it’s confused me. I’m torn between being very loyal to my current employer and fancying the potentially greener grass.
They're not going to find someone new today so I am sure they would still be happy if you decided to stay early next week. Obviously that would be more of a let down for the new employer but there's a high chance you'll never encounter them again for the rest of your life, so just think about yourself.In all honesty I’m still no further forward with my decision. I was happy with my decision to leave for a little more money and would of put up with the longer commute. Now that I’ve been offered considerably more to stay and there’s no commute change it’s confused me. I’m torn between being very loyal to my current employer and fancying the potentially greener grass.
I was approached for a role which the main driver was extra money and new responsibilities, my old company wanted to talk about extra money but I was adamant i was leaving and didn't even discuss. In the end the new company was horrendous and I ended up leaving after 7 months once my guaranteed commission had finished.
Better the devil you know sometimes. Although it is frustrating that employers only offer you big pay rises once you hand in your notice.
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