Change job or not? Advice needed
Discussion
Hello all,
Having read this forum for a while, I thought it might be a good place to ask this as time is of the essence with this one, and I'm not 100% sure what to do.
I will be totally frank here, so please excuse the way I write about my current role. You can add any comments you like. I won't be offended
I have just been offered a new job, at a different place of work. I went for an interview a week or so ago, and to my surprise, they have called and offered. I have asked if I can consider their offer for a couple of days as I am really not sure what to do. They said no problem, take your time, as they want me to be sure it is right, presumably so I don't take it, then just leave 12 months later.
My current job is a bit unusual:
I have a fairly meaningless job title of 'Business transformation and development' and I am paid £74k. I have worked here for 4 years. The job really isn't difficult at all. I spend most of my time working from home, and 1-2 days per week in our London office. We do not have working hours, and my boss does not care where I am or what I'm doing as long as I meet my objectives. I can just randomly have the morning off if I feel like it, and catch up via a couple of hours later in the day. That sort of thing.
Most of my work revolves around being an advisor for my boss, who is a Director. I suggest improvements and things we could change to make the business run better, I write reports for him, I attend Executive meetings and Board meetings, and put forward proposals, assist with the management of the 220 staff below us, and so on.
I kid you not, some weeks I have very little to do, by that I mean almost nothing. Some weeks there is a flurry of activity and we get a load of big things done and signed off, but other than that, it is just reacting to things that crop up.
My boss is absolutely brilliant. Me and him get on like a house on fire, and he is very easy to work with. We love going for a pint after work and have a proper laugh. He often suggests we simply bunk off work in an afternoon to go for food and drinks and chat about stuff. Some days we go and play crazy golf or something silly like that.
Don't get me wrong, we do some great work, and the Board is happy with our division of the business, and we have made loads of improvements and good investments over the last few years, but a lot of the time it feels more like a bunch of mates mucking about. To get into this position, I really had to work hard and prove myself, but now that I'm here, it feels like I'm part of the Directors/Execs as they treat me like one of their own, and it's more of a case of just deciding what to do, and asking those below me to carry out the tasks.
I get a really great pension scheme, and various other benefits.
Bad points about my current work: The meaningless job title, and I can't see myself progressing unless my boss leaves which he won't.
The new job:
A chunky step up in money to £89k which would be nice to have, and the title is a clear cut one of Assistant Director. Similar sector but looking at a the structure, and how the interview discussion went, there is more scope to move up or around to different positions. The title of AD is also easily recognised, will look good on my CV, and may lead me to progressing to a higher position elsewhere if I want to push on.
My worries are that from reading the job description, and from the interview, they want their pound of flesh as you would expect for £89k. The list of responsibilities and targets is quite daunting. My number of direct reports would increase significantly as well. They seemed nice people at interview, and they offer hybrid working, but it seems a bit less flexible than what I'm used to.
I'm really not sure what to do. I would like more money, a better title for my CV, and I also would enjoy more responsibility, but I worry that I'm on a good thing at the moment and will regret the move to something where they really expect me to deliver strongly or GTFO.
Anyone been in this position?
Edited to add - on paper the actual job description is very very similar to what I do now. But just felt it seems a lot more strict and demanding of that makes sense? But nothing the new role would be asking is outside my comfort zone in terms of experience.
Having read this forum for a while, I thought it might be a good place to ask this as time is of the essence with this one, and I'm not 100% sure what to do.
I will be totally frank here, so please excuse the way I write about my current role. You can add any comments you like. I won't be offended
I have just been offered a new job, at a different place of work. I went for an interview a week or so ago, and to my surprise, they have called and offered. I have asked if I can consider their offer for a couple of days as I am really not sure what to do. They said no problem, take your time, as they want me to be sure it is right, presumably so I don't take it, then just leave 12 months later.
My current job is a bit unusual:
I have a fairly meaningless job title of 'Business transformation and development' and I am paid £74k. I have worked here for 4 years. The job really isn't difficult at all. I spend most of my time working from home, and 1-2 days per week in our London office. We do not have working hours, and my boss does not care where I am or what I'm doing as long as I meet my objectives. I can just randomly have the morning off if I feel like it, and catch up via a couple of hours later in the day. That sort of thing.
Most of my work revolves around being an advisor for my boss, who is a Director. I suggest improvements and things we could change to make the business run better, I write reports for him, I attend Executive meetings and Board meetings, and put forward proposals, assist with the management of the 220 staff below us, and so on.
I kid you not, some weeks I have very little to do, by that I mean almost nothing. Some weeks there is a flurry of activity and we get a load of big things done and signed off, but other than that, it is just reacting to things that crop up.
My boss is absolutely brilliant. Me and him get on like a house on fire, and he is very easy to work with. We love going for a pint after work and have a proper laugh. He often suggests we simply bunk off work in an afternoon to go for food and drinks and chat about stuff. Some days we go and play crazy golf or something silly like that.
Don't get me wrong, we do some great work, and the Board is happy with our division of the business, and we have made loads of improvements and good investments over the last few years, but a lot of the time it feels more like a bunch of mates mucking about. To get into this position, I really had to work hard and prove myself, but now that I'm here, it feels like I'm part of the Directors/Execs as they treat me like one of their own, and it's more of a case of just deciding what to do, and asking those below me to carry out the tasks.
I get a really great pension scheme, and various other benefits.
Bad points about my current work: The meaningless job title, and I can't see myself progressing unless my boss leaves which he won't.
The new job:
A chunky step up in money to £89k which would be nice to have, and the title is a clear cut one of Assistant Director. Similar sector but looking at a the structure, and how the interview discussion went, there is more scope to move up or around to different positions. The title of AD is also easily recognised, will look good on my CV, and may lead me to progressing to a higher position elsewhere if I want to push on.
My worries are that from reading the job description, and from the interview, they want their pound of flesh as you would expect for £89k. The list of responsibilities and targets is quite daunting. My number of direct reports would increase significantly as well. They seemed nice people at interview, and they offer hybrid working, but it seems a bit less flexible than what I'm used to.
I'm really not sure what to do. I would like more money, a better title for my CV, and I also would enjoy more responsibility, but I worry that I'm on a good thing at the moment and will regret the move to something where they really expect me to deliver strongly or GTFO.
Anyone been in this position?
Edited to add - on paper the actual job description is very very similar to what I do now. But just felt it seems a lot more strict and demanding of that makes sense? But nothing the new role would be asking is outside my comfort zone in terms of experience.
Edited by Goldman Sachs on Wednesday 10th April 10:52
You don't get many opportunities like this in life. More money and a better title? Of course they'll want more from you. I'd take it.
Goldman Sachs said:
Most of my work revolves around being an advisor for my boss, who is a Director. I suggest improvements and things we could change to make the business run better, I write reports for him, I attend Executive meetings and Board meetings, and put forward proposals, assist with the management of the staff below us, and so on.
I read this as 'I'm doing my boss's job for him but not getting the salary or the recognition'. (No offence - I'm in the same position!). Easy to get comfortable doing this, but you won't be doing your career any favours...Edited by essayer on Wednesday 10th April 10:42
Tricky one.
It seems like you’re on to a good thing with your current role tbh.
What price do you put on the flexibility? I think once you work out the net difference in take home, it’s probably not that much.
You could always raise the offer with your current employer, saying you want to stay but ask for an uplift and title change? It could upset the apple cart though…
Best of luck.
It seems like you’re on to a good thing with your current role tbh.
What price do you put on the flexibility? I think once you work out the net difference in take home, it’s probably not that much.
You could always raise the offer with your current employer, saying you want to stay but ask for an uplift and title change? It could upset the apple cart though…
Best of luck.
I'd agree with Essayer. Only exception being if you're only a few years from retirement. Otherwise it's a great opportunity.
Bit of a cliche, but consider where you want to be in 5 years. Easy to get comfortable and stay where you are, but I suspect that you think that you can achieve more.
In your position I'd go for it.
Bit of a cliche, but consider where you want to be in 5 years. Easy to get comfortable and stay where you are, but I suspect that you think that you can achieve more.
In your position I'd go for it.
Edited by smn159 on Wednesday 10th April 10:49
essayer said:
You don't get many opportunities like this in life. More money and a better title? Of course they'll want more from you. I'd take it.
No offence at all! I'm well aware this is what is happening. You are totally right, I got really comfortable. He looks after me really well as he doesn't want me to leave as he knows what difficulties it might mean for him in replacing me.Goldman Sachs said:
Most of my work revolves around being an advisor for my boss, who is a Director. I suggest improvements and things we could change to make the business run better, I write reports for him, I attend Executive meetings and Board meetings, and put forward proposals, assist with the management of the staff below us, and so on.
I read this as 'I'm doing my boss's job for him but not getting the salary or the recognition'. (No offence - I'm in the same position!). Easy to get comfortable doing this, but you won't be doing your career any favours...You are right again about it not doing my career any favours. Which is why I applied for this other job, just to see what might happen.
worsy said:
Age and plans for retirement?
If I was 55 and thinking 5 more years I'd stick, if I was 35 and looking to grow my career, I'd move.
I'm 40.If I was 55 and thinking 5 more years I'd stick, if I was 35 and looking to grow my career, I'd move.
No plans for retirement yet. Pension is just what I've built up over the years from working so far and isnt bad as I've always had reasonable to good pension schemes. It's nothing mind blowing though.
We live in a really nice 4 bed house and our mortgage is almost paid off. Probably be mortgage free in a couple of years as we are chucking money at it. This is mostly due to us making some smart property moves over the years, and doing a couple of big renovation projects ourselves to move up the ladder faster for less money.
Wife earns £54k.
This is partly why I'm not immediately jumping at the new job and more money. After tax our household income is around £8200 a month which feels a lot to us, and we generally have a couple of thousand, or more, spare each month, and save it all up then put into high interest accounts and/or throw it at the mortgage.
But, I do want to progress and more money is usually better.
Certainly one of those "nice to have" problems! Is there any likelihood of your current boss leaving and you replacing him and, also, what if he left and someone else came in and rode you a bit harder in your current role? I would roll the dice and leave if you want career progression, but that's just me
Personally I’d stay:
It ain’t that much more money net and it won’t make a big difference to your quality of life.
The loss of flex may have a meaningful impact on your quality of life.
New entry at that level can be high risk. It can be unforgiving and there’s a possibility the company cultures are chalk and cheese. I’ve seen several people burn over the years.
Change can happen at the most unexpected times and in unusual ways. If you are grafting and those above are dossing, it will get noticed.
100% stay
It ain’t that much more money net and it won’t make a big difference to your quality of life.
The loss of flex may have a meaningful impact on your quality of life.
New entry at that level can be high risk. It can be unforgiving and there’s a possibility the company cultures are chalk and cheese. I’ve seen several people burn over the years.
Change can happen at the most unexpected times and in unusual ways. If you are grafting and those above are dossing, it will get noticed.
100% stay
I'm also in the 'stay' camp. The jump in salary isn't worth it for the potential change in working conditions.
I would have a frank conversation with your manager and say that you desire to progress, increase earnings, enjoy the culture of the current place, like working with him etc. See what he can do.
The other factor here is your mortgage. If you are a few years away from paying that off then your disposable cash is about to increase substantially and probably have a far greater impact than a £15k salary increase would provide.
So, pay rise at current place plus paying off mortgage, you could be looking at a comfortable early retirement. If you want more responsibility and a challenge, surely you can get that at your current employer (especially with a revised job title, as suggested by another poster).
I would have a frank conversation with your manager and say that you desire to progress, increase earnings, enjoy the culture of the current place, like working with him etc. See what he can do.
The other factor here is your mortgage. If you are a few years away from paying that off then your disposable cash is about to increase substantially and probably have a far greater impact than a £15k salary increase would provide.
So, pay rise at current place plus paying off mortgage, you could be looking at a comfortable early retirement. If you want more responsibility and a challenge, surely you can get that at your current employer (especially with a revised job title, as suggested by another poster).
okgo said:
Not even close to enough money to change the status quo.
That "£15k" is gross, so about half that net? About £150 a week more I reckon, and you lose the flexibility, good working relationship, get a whole load of extra duties, staff to manage, etc.(edit - and if the new company is as demanding as you suspect, what are the odds you'll be, say, working through lunch and an extra hour in the evening to keep up? Congratulations, you're now lower-paid.)
Not enough money to tempt me. Not nearly enough.
ATG said:
Have you asked your current employer for a change of job title and/or a pay rise? Have you discussed your wish for career progression ... i.e. a path to more responsibility and more cash?
That's what I'd be doing. Have a conversation about it with your existing lot. If the relationship is as good as you say, odds are they'll offer you something to keep you. Best of both worlds, bit more money with all the existing good relationship and flexibility.I'd talk not just about £££ now, but about what you can be doing in a couple of years, what else you could bring over and above what you do now, etc.
Edited by shtu on Wednesday 10th April 12:02
I’m in the stay camp.
It sounds like you have a really good setup as it stands with a good work life balance. I’m sure they pay increase and title would be nice but at what personal cost? Are you prepared for the greater intrusion into your home life if they expect you to work longer hours, or take work calls at home during the evening and weekends etc?
If it was me in your position I’d be staying where you are, I do admit though that I’m not as career focussed as some and very much in the work to live camp.
It sounds like you have a really good setup as it stands with a good work life balance. I’m sure they pay increase and title would be nice but at what personal cost? Are you prepared for the greater intrusion into your home life if they expect you to work longer hours, or take work calls at home during the evening and weekends etc?
If it was me in your position I’d be staying where you are, I do admit though that I’m not as career focussed as some and very much in the work to live camp.
If you get on well with your current boss id ask about the possibility of a Title change and a pay rise to circa 80k. The current gig sounds pretty good and i've jumped ship for an extra 10-15k before and it wasnt worth it. You lose 40% in tax, possibly another 9% student loan so really the jump is worth 7500, or 650 ish a month. Add that onto not being able to be flexible with working hours, taxing on more stress etc. Suddently doesnt make sense for £35 a day really, especially if you're having to visit the office more often too
Zarco said:
okgo said:
Not even close to enough money to change the status quo.
My take too. I would be asking for a title review (some extra money never goes amiss either) at my current place so it can be lined up correctly for when the boss moves on and you can move up a level
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff