Worries leaving my "comfortable" job
Discussion
Currently working in a role earning £31k.
Job is ok, stressful at times, but generally ok. I don’t hate it is the main thing.
Hours are good, my immediate line manager is excellent and really helpful and understanding if it comes to needing a few hours here, or a half day there on the sly for childcare, appointments etc.
I have basically maxed out the position salary wise and the only real progression route is either my line manager’s position, and then the big boss. Neither of which are going anywhere in the immediate future and I would never be considered for the big boss anyways (or particularly want to be).
So out of the blue, an interesting proposition has come up, slightly different sector but the same kind of role in Project Management. Salary on offer is £45k, so a huge jump compared to where I currently am. In the same city, but longer hours (earlier start and later finish every day). The start is actually particularly early, 7a.m. office based role.
The money obviously is the main thing driving my interest, but my fear is leaving somewhere where I have a good relationship with my manager and starting again somewhere. I guess I’m just “comfortable” where I am, and this is a no brainer.
For the salary jump, I am pretty sure I could swallow the extra hours and early starts.
I guess I just want lots of people to say of course go for it, don't be silly, stop worrying, you'll never know until you try etc etc.
Job is ok, stressful at times, but generally ok. I don’t hate it is the main thing.
Hours are good, my immediate line manager is excellent and really helpful and understanding if it comes to needing a few hours here, or a half day there on the sly for childcare, appointments etc.
I have basically maxed out the position salary wise and the only real progression route is either my line manager’s position, and then the big boss. Neither of which are going anywhere in the immediate future and I would never be considered for the big boss anyways (or particularly want to be).
So out of the blue, an interesting proposition has come up, slightly different sector but the same kind of role in Project Management. Salary on offer is £45k, so a huge jump compared to where I currently am. In the same city, but longer hours (earlier start and later finish every day). The start is actually particularly early, 7a.m. office based role.
The money obviously is the main thing driving my interest, but my fear is leaving somewhere where I have a good relationship with my manager and starting again somewhere. I guess I’m just “comfortable” where I am, and this is a no brainer.
For the salary jump, I am pretty sure I could swallow the extra hours and early starts.
I guess I just want lots of people to say of course go for it, don't be silly, stop worrying, you'll never know until you try etc etc.
Well (with some assumptions)
Take home of £31k - £2042 a month
Take home of £45k - £2821 a month
It's £200 per week (which makes the maffs easier)
So £40 per day!
Would I want to be in the orifice at 7am everyday for £40 extra - nope.
Would I want £800 a month more - yep!
It's a hard one, I'd stay, but then again I'm lazy.
Only you know whether you NEED £800 a month more, I can honestly say I've never noticed all this extra money I'm supposed to be earning now.....Mrs D has I expect
Take home of £31k - £2042 a month
Take home of £45k - £2821 a month
It's £200 per week (which makes the maffs easier)
So £40 per day!
Would I want to be in the orifice at 7am everyday for £40 extra - nope.
Would I want £800 a month more - yep!
It's a hard one, I'd stay, but then again I'm lazy.
Only you know whether you NEED £800 a month more, I can honestly say I've never noticed all this extra money I'm supposed to be earning now.....Mrs D has I expect
You mention current role is stagnant, reliant on people to leave. Don't just consider the immediate move and payrise, also consider what further earning opportunities it could lead to.
There is no right or wrong answer. Your new boss could be a tosser. You might realise you preferred flexibility around your kids etc. Or it might be the best decision you make!
There is no right or wrong answer. Your new boss could be a tosser. You might realise you preferred flexibility around your kids etc. Or it might be the best decision you make!
Fusss said:
I guess I just want lots of people to say of course go for it, don't be silly, stop worrying, you'll never know until you try etc etc.
I'll start - for a near 50% uplift - you kinda don't have much of a choice. Even if it turns out not to be perfect, that's a fair old hike in coin and you'll then be looking at other jobs at a similar level. Unless your current place can match it, then you should definitely move - And even if they can match it, as you describe the current place as not having much in the way of opportunities beyond where you are now, you may end up still looking to move even after the increase.....It does seem like a no brainer to me.
What opportunities does the new role open up? Is there more career progression possibilities compared with the current role? This is worth considering over the "extra hours but more money" aspect. Also job satisfaction and experience gained in a new sector.
I took a leap of faith 8 or so years back, earning 36k in a middle management role, cushy job, very comfortable, very flexible and very easy but no career prospects left. I was contacted about an opportunity as a senior manager somewhere else, longer hours, 45k salary. Weighed up similar thoughts to you, but went for it. I'm now a Director here, earning a lot more then I was with similar flexibility albeit with added stress and responsibility but to be expected with the job. Very happy in what I do and where I've got to, but the fear was very much there at the start same as you have now.
Only you know what you want, I'd say push on but some people are happy plodding along in the same cushy job. The fact you're asking says to me you want to crack on, just need a kick up the rump to spur you on.
I took a leap of faith 8 or so years back, earning 36k in a middle management role, cushy job, very comfortable, very flexible and very easy but no career prospects left. I was contacted about an opportunity as a senior manager somewhere else, longer hours, 45k salary. Weighed up similar thoughts to you, but went for it. I'm now a Director here, earning a lot more then I was with similar flexibility albeit with added stress and responsibility but to be expected with the job. Very happy in what I do and where I've got to, but the fear was very much there at the start same as you have now.
Only you know what you want, I'd say push on but some people are happy plodding along in the same cushy job. The fact you're asking says to me you want to crack on, just need a kick up the rump to spur you on.
Exactly as above.
I jumped about £25k, I have to be away from home, pay rent / fuel in the current climate but I am skilling up massively.
Plan is to do 18-24m move back home at the next level again hopefully making £50k+ more pa than when I left.
I had flexi hours, final salary pension, wfh, easy job, sub 25hrs a week, 6 weeks holiday, etc, I regret it when I’m leaving home at 3am to drive 280 miles but I won’t regret it in 2 years time.
Play the long game.
I jumped about £25k, I have to be away from home, pay rent / fuel in the current climate but I am skilling up massively.
Plan is to do 18-24m move back home at the next level again hopefully making £50k+ more pa than when I left.
I had flexi hours, final salary pension, wfh, easy job, sub 25hrs a week, 6 weeks holiday, etc, I regret it when I’m leaving home at 3am to drive 280 miles but I won’t regret it in 2 years time.
Play the long game.
All really good advice thank you.
Like said above, as I am considering this then I think I am just looking for a kick up the bottom. Mrs says go for it, but then she see's the dollar signs.
My fears are generally, hating longer hours, hating new boss, no flexibility around kids/appointments.
Negotiating that start time is definitely something I will do, but then my fear is that I start and if my peers are lumping along doing it, do I start off on a bad note with people?!
Same with the flexibility, all things to be discussed.
I tend to overthink things as you can probably tell.
Like said above, as I am considering this then I think I am just looking for a kick up the bottom. Mrs says go for it, but then she see's the dollar signs.
My fears are generally, hating longer hours, hating new boss, no flexibility around kids/appointments.
Negotiating that start time is definitely something I will do, but then my fear is that I start and if my peers are lumping along doing it, do I start off on a bad note with people?!
Same with the flexibility, all things to be discussed.
I tend to overthink things as you can probably tell.
Went from 26k to 40k myself just last year (well, actually 26k to 32k and then got offered an intercompany promo up to 40k) Is it more work ? Yes. Am I enjoying the extra dosh ? Absolutely.
I'm now looking to get on the property ladder in a year or two, paying off some debt from my yesteryears and I am able to take Mrs CB out for a nice meal time to time, oh and I can realistically look at affording cars that were once a distant day dream (okay nothing drastically fancy, but a Cayman beats a Polo)
Also, plus side - My new base line is 40k pa. Now I'm in a role that feels worth paying me that salary, its easier to "value" my worth if I ever decide to move on again. You can bet I'll be looking for 50k-60k jobs.
Most companies these days are flexible, long as you can show yourself to be a team player.
I'm now looking to get on the property ladder in a year or two, paying off some debt from my yesteryears and I am able to take Mrs CB out for a nice meal time to time, oh and I can realistically look at affording cars that were once a distant day dream (okay nothing drastically fancy, but a Cayman beats a Polo)
Also, plus side - My new base line is 40k pa. Now I'm in a role that feels worth paying me that salary, its easier to "value" my worth if I ever decide to move on again. You can bet I'll be looking for 50k-60k jobs.
Most companies these days are flexible, long as you can show yourself to be a team player.
Sounds like you've offspring, which always muddies the water.
Ignoring that for a minute, 7am isn't actually that early, and you'd very soon get into the groove. (I used to start at 05.30 when I was a work w
ker 
)
For that sort of increase I'd go for it...
....plus, I've always managed to negotiate things once in harness. (But, as said, nothing to stop asking early doors)
Get stuck in!
Ignoring that for a minute, 7am isn't actually that early, and you'd very soon get into the groove. (I used to start at 05.30 when I was a work w
ker )For that sort of increase I'd go for it...
....plus, I've always managed to negotiate things once in harness. (But, as said, nothing to stop asking early doors)
Get stuck in!
Fusss said:
Seventyseven7 said:
How old are you op?
The change is worth it, just to help you step up in pay to the job after the next one.
31k a year doesn't really get you a decent life.
35, young family in tow.The change is worth it, just to help you step up in pay to the job after the next one.
31k a year doesn't really get you a decent life.
I'd say go for it, you're young enough to take a chance and this looks like a real step up compared to your current earnings, with the possibility of more to come.
Sounds like the Mrs is on board which is important if you'll be out early and home late as she'll be picking up the bulk of the family work.
Of course, money isn't everything but there's a point where it's worth grafting for the extra cash.
As others have said, negotiate and see if you can get a few more quid to justify it. From what you've said, you'll be leaving your existing employer on good terms and they must understand your reasons for going. If the new role doesn't work out, try to leave the possibility of going back open.
Good luck.
Sounds like the Mrs is on board which is important if you'll be out early and home late as she'll be picking up the bulk of the family work.
Of course, money isn't everything but there's a point where it's worth grafting for the extra cash.
As others have said, negotiate and see if you can get a few more quid to justify it. From what you've said, you'll be leaving your existing employer on good terms and they must understand your reasons for going. If the new role doesn't work out, try to leave the possibility of going back open.
Good luck.
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Sounds like you've offspring, which always muddies the water.
Ignoring that for a minute, 7am isn't actually that early, and you'd very soon get into the groove. (I used to start at 05.30 when I was a work wker )
For that sort of increase I'd go for it...
....plus, I've always managed to negotiate things once in harness. (But, as said, nothing to stop asking early doors)
Get stuck in!
Subject to doing the due diligence checks of course. (Studying their accounts, getting feedback etc)Ignoring that for a minute, 7am isn't actually that early, and you'd very soon get into the groove. (I used to start at 05.30 when I was a work w
ker )For that sort of increase I'd go for it...
....plus, I've always managed to negotiate things once in harness. (But, as said, nothing to stop asking early doors)
Get stuck in!
You mention the 7am start, but what is the finish time?
With a young family, you miss out on a awful lot of the kids growing up if you are out of the door at 6am and not home till 7-8pm five days a week. That said, the extra money will certainly come in useful as kids can be expensive.
I's "stuck" in a similar position to you (but with slightly older kids) and i enjoy the freedom and flexibility and low-stress of my current job a lot more than I'd enjoy an extra few hundred quid a month. But it all depends on what you want from life.
With a young family, you miss out on a awful lot of the kids growing up if you are out of the door at 6am and not home till 7-8pm five days a week. That said, the extra money will certainly come in useful as kids can be expensive.
I's "stuck" in a similar position to you (but with slightly older kids) and i enjoy the freedom and flexibility and low-stress of my current job a lot more than I'd enjoy an extra few hundred quid a month. But it all depends on what you want from life.
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