Advice on risky(ish) career move
Discussion
Posting anonymously for this one. Was hoping to get some advice on a potential career shift. I'm sure I know the right answer, would just like some reassurance and maybe might be some things I'm not thinking about. Apologies if this is a bit rambly.
I'm mid 20's, male, and have a degree with zero kids and no mortgage.
Since uni I have had a job in the public sector (~3 years). It is very specialised, and based in a semi rural area. It offers good travel opportunities and is work that I enjoy. Get on well with my colleagues and do enjoy being there.
The salary is poor compared to industry, as expected. There is little room for progression, the next step is more management. With reduced travel it is a lot more work and responsibility but an effective pay cut.
I have ambition, and want to work more than I do. It is very much a 4pm out the door sort of job. There is little chance for overtime and the place lacks any ambition. I feel like the longer I work there the more I would struggle going to private sector.
My ultimate goal was to leave in a few years to go to the private sector.
This job has given me good opportunities while training, including working in central London for 3 months on secondment to help write policy, as well as another secondment at a start up (also in London), also 2 months overseas.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the start up (~200 people). It was a place that felt alive, people shared a goal and it was overall refreshing. I worked across different aspects of the business. A lot of team spirit, lots of benefits as would be expected from a start up. It has a lot of cross over to my current position.
I've been offered (subject to interview) a position in the policy side of the business. Not a million miles from my current job but less specialised. I have a good background for the role and think I would enjoy it. Also the aspect of working in central London appeals to me. I've spent half of the last year there and loved it. Where I am now I feel almost constricted.
I have hope in the start up, they seem to have good funding and proof of concept. However I wouldn't bet my life savings on it. They have an impressive roster of people working, with a lot of people moving there from well established businesses in the sector.
Salary wise it is undecided, but I'd expect a significant pay rise to what I am currently on (circa 60-100%).
Should I take this? It feels like it opens more career options for me being less specialised, and should give me some ambition and drive. I was planning on moving to the private sector in a few years so should I take this opportunity now.
My heart says go for it, my head says go for it but bear in mind the reduced job security. Any comments, advice, similar situations, or things I should bear in mind?
I'm mid 20's, male, and have a degree with zero kids and no mortgage.
Since uni I have had a job in the public sector (~3 years). It is very specialised, and based in a semi rural area. It offers good travel opportunities and is work that I enjoy. Get on well with my colleagues and do enjoy being there.
The salary is poor compared to industry, as expected. There is little room for progression, the next step is more management. With reduced travel it is a lot more work and responsibility but an effective pay cut.
I have ambition, and want to work more than I do. It is very much a 4pm out the door sort of job. There is little chance for overtime and the place lacks any ambition. I feel like the longer I work there the more I would struggle going to private sector.
My ultimate goal was to leave in a few years to go to the private sector.
This job has given me good opportunities while training, including working in central London for 3 months on secondment to help write policy, as well as another secondment at a start up (also in London), also 2 months overseas.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the start up (~200 people). It was a place that felt alive, people shared a goal and it was overall refreshing. I worked across different aspects of the business. A lot of team spirit, lots of benefits as would be expected from a start up. It has a lot of cross over to my current position.
I've been offered (subject to interview) a position in the policy side of the business. Not a million miles from my current job but less specialised. I have a good background for the role and think I would enjoy it. Also the aspect of working in central London appeals to me. I've spent half of the last year there and loved it. Where I am now I feel almost constricted.
I have hope in the start up, they seem to have good funding and proof of concept. However I wouldn't bet my life savings on it. They have an impressive roster of people working, with a lot of people moving there from well established businesses in the sector.
Salary wise it is undecided, but I'd expect a significant pay rise to what I am currently on (circa 60-100%).
Should I take this? It feels like it opens more career options for me being less specialised, and should give me some ambition and drive. I was planning on moving to the private sector in a few years so should I take this opportunity now.
My heart says go for it, my head says go for it but bear in mind the reduced job security. Any comments, advice, similar situations, or things I should bear in mind?
If you move to the start up and it doesn't work out whats the worst that could happen?
I left a very secure role with very little progression (rural-ish location) to join a 12 person startup in London (Shoreditch) five years ago and have learned loads, progressed quite a bit and would never look back. Can't believe I didn't do it sooner.
I left a very secure role with very little progression (rural-ish location) to join a 12 person startup in London (Shoreditch) five years ago and have learned loads, progressed quite a bit and would never look back. Can't believe I didn't do it sooner.
Of course you should take the job. Just make sure you pay into your pension as your public sector one will be way better than what you're going to get in private sector.
Do this and I suspect the world is your oyster. Plus you could always transition back into public sector in the future when you've got more experience etc.
Do this and I suspect the world is your oyster. Plus you could always transition back into public sector in the future when you've got more experience etc.
FrankAbagnale said:
If you move to the start up and it doesn't work out whats the worst that could happen?
I left a very secure role with very little progression (rural-ish location) to join a 12 person startup in London (Shoreditch) five years ago and have learned loads, progressed quite a bit and would never look back. Can't believe I didn't do it sooner.
I seem to have built up a fear of not having job security. I was told when I started this role that I could only be sacked for two reasons, fiddling expenses or punching a colleague. I guess this summarises the sort of mentality within my current position.I left a very secure role with very little progression (rural-ish location) to join a 12 person startup in London (Shoreditch) five years ago and have learned loads, progressed quite a bit and would never look back. Can't believe I didn't do it sooner.
Hopefully moving to a more generic skill set could increase my employability rather than being as specialised as I currently am.
That is very promising, thanks.
I'm a little concerned about salary. A number was initially mentioned but it seems to be up in the air entirely. Should I even take it if it isn't a considerable increase? Invest in my future so to speak.
In terms of salary, you say it's undecided. I wouldn't really be content with "salary TBA" on the job description. If you succeed in getting to the interview stage and they ask you, "What sort of salary are you expecting?" I'd say, "What's your hourly rate?".
Otherwise, I'd certainly go for it.
Otherwise, I'd certainly go for it.
Some public sector jobs will let employees take a sabbatical, ie guarantee to take you back in a years time, if they think the role you're going to do would be good for your career when you came back. Might be worth enquiring, but wording it as going to work for them for a year to get experience setting up new policy stuff, rather than as a safety net in case they collapse.
But yeah, go for it, at your age with no dependents or financial ties there're really no better time.
But yeah, go for it, at your age with no dependents or financial ties there're really no better time.
Langweilig said:
In terms of salary, you say it's undecided. I wouldn't really be content with "salary TBA" on the job description. If you succeed in getting to the interview stage and they ask you, "What sort of salary are you expecting?" I'd say, "What's your hourly rate?".
Otherwise, I'd certainly go for it.
I've given a number of what I'd like and have been asked to find similar roles salaries for them to give to their HR dept. Issue is it's so unique I can't find much. I've been told the next steps are to decide a salary range (internal), and then interview me. As far as I'm aware the role isn't being advertised which is promising.Otherwise, I'd certainly go for it.
Despite the initial number being good I have a bad feeling it is going to be a low number they come back with, in which case I need to decide how much I want the role
RizzoTheRat said:
Some public sector jobs will let employees take a sabbatical, ie guarantee to take you back in a years time, if they think the role you're going to do would be good for your career when you came back. Might be worth enquiring, but wording it as going to work for them for a year to get experience setting up new policy stuff, rather than as a safety net in case they collapse.
But yeah, go for it, at your age with no dependents or financial ties there're really no better time.
I know we do have a career break option, I'll see what I can find out. Thanks for mentioning this. But yeah, go for it, at your age with no dependents or financial ties there're really no better time.
Op, unless you want to spend the next 40 years plodding along, you should go for it. Now is the time before you get tied down with family, mortgage, etc commitments.
In terms of risk, if things don't work out what would be your fall back position? If things got tight could you move in with parents/family for a few months? And how specialised is the role? Are there plenty of other opportunities out there if you needed to move on?
In terms of risk, if things don't work out what would be your fall back position? If things got tight could you move in with parents/family for a few months? And how specialised is the role? Are there plenty of other opportunities out there if you needed to move on?
Anonpistoner said:
Issue is it's so unique I can't find much.
I was working in IT back in 2000, i took a "unique" job doing some v specialist software. I was late 20's, single etc so a year later it got me a job in Switzerland (banking sector, skiing every weekend!) then a job in London. And a year after Saudi on a tax free gig! But when i came back, i couldnt find any similar work and was redundant for ages. My point is unique has 2 sides to it... good luck!
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