Job Dilema - Stay or Go

[longballs]

Hi fokes. I have a big decision to make career wise and I will list some of the main pros/cons and would welcome some feedback on what I should do.

I did write out all of the background to the offer and my career history here but you never know who is reading this so I have just cut it down to pros and cons.

Summary: I work for a company near Chester as an IT bod. The salary isnt great but I guess it is average for North Wales. I am currently on 21K and have been offered a new job starting on about £24. I have been for an interview which was solid but I did very well in (I decided to go for the interview to test myself after being head hunted by the company)

Pros of current job

- I know the work inside out, very easy and I could literally do nothing all day if I wished.
- Chance of promotion to a senior position within 18 months
- No Internet restrictions
- 30 mins travel time (job is near Chester where I want to work)
- 27 days leave and public holidays

Cons of current job

- Limited training opportunities
- Small time company attitude
- £21-26K Salary

Pros of new job

- I would get out of my current comfort zone with a chance of learning a lot more skills
- A new start with new people at a bigger company with more going on
- £24-29K Salary

Cons of new job

- Serious responsibility / job stress (3 times the responsibility in terms of size)
- 60 mins travel time (Deep in to Wales in a place called Bangor)
- Less annual leave
- Heavily monitored Internet access

[Skidfingers McGonical]

Originally Posted by s79 Hi fokes. I have a big decision to make career wise and I will list some of the main pros/cons and would welcome some feedback on what I should do. I did write out all of the background to the offer and my career history here but you never know who is reading this so I have just cut it down to pros and cons. Summary: I work for a company near Chester as an IT bod. The salary isnt great but I guess it is average for North Wales. I am currently on 21K and have been offered a new job starting on about £24. I have been for an interview which was solid but I did very well in (I decided to go for the interview to test myself after being head hunted by the company) Pros of current job - I know the work inside out, very easy and I could literally do nothing all day if I wished. - Chance of promotion to a senior position within 18 months - No Internet restrictions - 30 mins travel time (job is near Chester where I want to work) - 27 days leave and public holidays Cons of current job - Limited training opportunities - Small time company attitude - £21-26K Salary Pros of new job - I would get out of my current comfort zone with a chance of learning a lot more skills - A new start with new people at a bigger company with more going on - £24-29K Salary Cons of new job - Serious responsibility / job stress (3 times the responsibility in terms of size) - 60 mins travel time (Deep in to Wales in a place called Bangor) - Less annual leave - Heavily monitored Internet access

That for me is the clincher, however heavily monitored internet access eh, how heavy?

[Skidfingers McGonical]

Also after saying what I said in my post I think I picked stay, please take my post as go you crazy man.

[Redder Lurtz]

The way I look at it is just commit yourself to a year in the new job. If you don't like it after that time you can look around and find something you'd prefer. The experience will look great on your CV and you'll be on better money. You can't lose. One year at a time mate. Good luck with your decision.

[She Knows It]

Why not hang out for a better job, with all the pros and less cons?

[longballs]

Originally Posted by Skidfingers McGonical That for me is the clincher, however heavily monitored internet access eh, how heavy?

No more GF heavy. It would be the evil Websense.

Originally Posted by Kopite68 The way I look at it is just commit yourself to a year in the new job. If you don't like it after that time you can look around and find something you'd prefer. The experience will look great on your CV and you'll be on better money. You can't lose. One year at a time mate. Good luck with your decision.

Yea, that's a very good way of thinking about it actually.

Originally Posted by She Knows It Why not hang out for a better job, with all the pros and less cons?

Yea, there is that. I am actually thinking of giving my current place an ultimatum of 'give me a pay rise or I am off'. What have I got to lose hey.

[She Knows It]

Where do you live? If you're prepared to drive all that way, why not look for something Liverpool/Manchester based? The salary would be much better.

[melons]

The A55 is a nightmare of late.... 60 mins from Chester is a bit optimistic...

good luck in what ever you decide though....

[shannow]

Bigger company doesn't always mean a better job.. hold out for the 18 months, get the promotion.. stay with that for about a year for experience and then move.. you'll get a better position and better pay..

You work to live not live to work

[WaltonRed]

always twist

[BRANDS]

Ive done the same thing myself - scoring a better job and a significant payrise - the thing is im really happy at my current employer but in my new role im giving me more responsibility and allowing me to be trained in Health & Saftey - the downside is the travelling as like you it will be an hour trek each day - but in the end money talks and as previously stated the CV looks even better!

I have started looking at houses halfway between were i live and my new job to cut the commute down and not to severe the wifes umbilical cord which im sure is still attached to her mum!

[Sweeney287]

Sometimes though, only working in a job for a year doesn't always look initially good on a CV.

If there is more repsonsibility/pressure, how do you cope with these?

Possibly have a serious discussion with your current employer. Make sure that they understand that you are seriously contemplating leaving but if there is the very real possibility of getting promoted in 12-18 months, you will stay.

That, for me, would show you how much they value you and whether or not they think you are in contention for promotion.

[G Richards]

I think you might be able to keep your existing job and hopefully have the best two factors from the other job added in.

Chat to your boss and say how much you like working there etc. But then say that you have been sounded out by another company. Let your boss know that the two things that appeal are the increased training opportunities and a bit more money.

See if your boss can respond. Presumably it would be better for your current company if its staff had better training, and if you have better training then a pay rise is also merited.

I really feel there is a way that you can have it all here.

However....if your boss says that there's no way they can let you go on additional training, and there's no way a pay rise is possible, then there you have it. That's not the future working relationship you need, so move on to a new chapter in Bangor.

[longballs]

Many thanks guys. Some good advice there and it has all worked out well today. :)

I went to see my boss and explained about the job offer. I said that they were offering more money and that perhaps it was time for a new challenge. I told them that I would be sorry to leave but it had taken 2 years for them to evaluate my position/pay and we were no further on etc.

He came back to me and matched the pay offer from the other place. I am also now booked in for some training that I wanted. Added to that, I am now going to lead some new projects here which will get me out of my comfort zone.

Really pleased that like G Richards said in that last post that I have got the best of both worlds out of it. I am sorry that it took this for them to give me a rise, but atleast it served as a kick up the arse for them and after all they have acted in good faith because for all they know I could have been bluffing.


Now I have to ring the other place up and let them know that I wont be coming down to discuss starting dates / salary. I am going to try not to burn my bridges and just explain the situation as you never know when you need a backup.

This episode has given me a kick up the arse too because I am now setting some career goals for myself. I want to be promoted here within 18 months or be in my dream job in Chester at that point.

Thanks again guys.

[She Knows It]

Nice one!

[Strontium Dog]

I want to know what is this mythical job where people who can't even spell dilemma can earn £30k a year.

How the fuck am I stuck on slightly more than half that?!?!