Risks of moving companies

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GroundEffect

Original Poster:

13,864 posts

163 months

Friday 3rd February 2023
quotequote all
Chartered engineer. 35yo. 11 years in current multinational company. Senior engineer position. Interviewing for another equally large company. Reasons aren't really relevant (I think I'll have better future prospects) but wondering in general the risks of moving companies.

My current job is stable. I'm highly regarded. Got a solid pension. Pay is good. Just fed up and frustrated by the direction the company is going and the last few years.

New job is same grade but seemingly more opportunities. ~10% more pay (not important to me really). Good pension (is important). Potentially better work life balance.

Just nervous about jumping company and being first on chopping block if cuts there are needed....

Muzzer79

11,060 posts

194 months

Friday 3rd February 2023
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'Last in, first out' as a pure policy isn't really a thing in my experience, at least in decent companies. Especially in this recruitment market, people value quality and reliability.

The problem is that as a newbie, you are cheapest to let go. If cut backs are needed as a result of a (potentially) impending recession, your redundancy value is pretty much nil.

One of our managers left 12 months ago to a rival - better job, more money. They've apparently done well but the company is now cutting back roles and they are out with just their notice pay. That's scary if opportunities in your line of work are limited.

But, nothing ventured, nothing gained. If we all didn't take jobs in case we got made redundant then no-one would change jobs.
If you feel confident that the industry and the company is stable, roll the dice.

2 sMoKiN bArReLs

30,602 posts

242 months

Friday 3rd February 2023
quotequote all
GroundEffect said:
Potentially better work life balance.
That's the tempter. But, potentially? Might work out worse.

Better the devil you know maybe.





GT03ROB

13,570 posts

228 months

Friday 3rd February 2023
quotequote all
I’ve changed jobs once. In October 2008 about 4 days before the global financial crisis.

Not ideal, new company went into redundancies. 15 years later I’m still there.

A sensible company will assess redundancies based on your potential contribution not length of service

GroundEffect

Original Poster:

13,864 posts

163 months

Friday 3rd February 2023
quotequote all
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
GroundEffect said:
Potentially better work life balance.
That's the tempter. But, potentially? Might work out worse.

Better the devil you know maybe.
Maybe. But I am doing 2-3 hours of overtime. Every day. And in that workday it's flat out (sometimes 3 meetings attended in 30 mins). It's just chaotic. I'm at real burn out risk. Speaking to my potential new boss, it really does seem different. She doesn't even work full time!

The new company has just turned record profits. You might be able to work it out.

Jasandjules

70,505 posts

236 months

Friday 3rd February 2023
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Potentially better work/life? I'd want assurances of some kind I think as otherwise you may be in the same boat just under a different captain.. Also consider that you have few employment rights under 2 years whereas at your current place, a redundancy should see you get almost 12 weeks of money (up to the weekly cap mind but still)..

But I would try it !!

mikees

2,784 posts

179 months

Friday 3rd February 2023
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Presume it’s O&G?

GroundEffect

Original Poster:

13,864 posts

163 months

Friday 3rd February 2023
quotequote all
mikees said:
Presume it’s O&G?
Sort of.

2 sMoKiN bArReLs

30,602 posts

242 months

Friday 3rd February 2023
quotequote all
GroundEffect said:
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
GroundEffect said:
Potentially better work life balance.
That's the tempter. But, potentially? Might work out worse.

Better the devil you know maybe.
Maybe. But I am doing 2-3 hours of overtime. Every day. And in that workday it's flat out (sometimes 3 meetings attended in 30 mins). It's just chaotic. I'm at real burn out risk. Speaking to my potential new boss, it really does seem different. She doesn't even work full time!

The new company has just turned record profits. You might be able to work it out.
Well, crack on! thumbup

mikees

2,784 posts

179 months

Friday 3rd February 2023
quotequote all
GroundEffect said:
mikees said:
Presume it’s O&G?
Sort of.
We are in Essex and are always looking for mech and elec engineers so plenty of jobs about if that’s you thing

abzmike

9,295 posts

113 months

Friday 3rd February 2023
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OP - I was in your position 20 months ago… got offered a chance to move, I fancied the change of scene etc. Last summer after 14 months in role, regional cutbacks and I’m out. Thankfully with 3 months notice, and I’m starting a new place in a couple of weeks, so missed 2 months pay basically. Would I do it again? Yes probably, the reasons I left remain the same and I didn’t try to get back to my previous employer. If it all goes boobs up then you have plenty experience to fall back on.

blank

3,578 posts

195 months

Friday 3rd February 2023
quotequote all
Do you know any current employees? They're the ones that will tell you the truth.

I know people at most automotive related companies in the UK but not sure which company you're talking about.

If it's JLR (probably not as I don't think their current profits are "record", more "black again") I would tread carefully as there's a massive range of "real life" from people who are massively underworked to those that are completely overloaded with bosses that (literally) shout at them.

Motorman74

432 posts

28 months

Friday 3rd February 2023
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The longer you work somewhere the scarier the idea of moving is.

I'm 18 years in and actually pretty happy - I've had several roles in those 18 years, managed teams of people, jumped at the right time to new opportunities internally and have ended up on my "dream" role - I basically get to do what I want most of the time due to my track record of delivering, with zero interference from my boss.

People who have left tell me that the stuff we take for granted - good training, exposure to massive project, empowerment make moving to a new company fairly easy, so I'd have no fears. If you have confidence in your abilities do what you think is best for you I doubt you will regret it - don't let how comfortable you have become prevent you from taking an exciting new opportunity

bigandclever

13,948 posts

245 months

Friday 3rd February 2023
quotequote all
GroundEffect said:
Maybe. But I am doing 2-3 hours of overtime. Every day. And in that workday it's flat out (sometimes 3 meetings attended in 30 mins). It's just chaotic. I'm at real burn out risk.
Easy for me to say, sat here, but learning to say 'No' would help.

GroundEffect

Original Poster:

13,864 posts

163 months

Friday 3rd February 2023
quotequote all
blank said:
Do you know any current employees? They're the ones that will tell you the truth.

I know people at most automotive related companies in the UK but not sure which company you're talking about.

If it's JLR (probably not as I don't think their current profits are "record", more "black again") I would tread carefully as there's a massive range of "real life" from people who are massively underworked to those that are completely overloaded with bosses that (literally) shout at them.
It's in the automotive field, but not an auto maker.