Anyone regret taking an easier job?
Discussion
Hi all. Seeking input from the collective wisdom of Ph on whether or not to take an easier job with better title for more money.....but with more junior responsibilities. Project and Programme management type role.
I'm currently a mid-senior manager (1 below regional director). For some time I've been frustrated with the level of autonomy I'm able to deploy with my 3x direct reports, plus thier sub reports, and aware that our competitors offer circa 10-15% more money for the same role.
Our company also has quite odd titles - this hasn't really bothered me in the past but makes it difficult when applying for new roles as other candidates will have more recognisable title (think "functional champion" vs 'deputy director')
I've been speaking to a competitor who have offered me a role. The role comes with the more recognisable title, and the aforementioned pay rise (which would push me just into the next tax bracket, but I'd simply put more into pension).
On the face of it all good. But talking to the company the role responsibilities are actually more junior than I'm currently doing. I'd have a smaller team in total, in a smaller part of the business doing easier projects (less hours too).
Longer term I'd want to progress into the next role up and concerned this may become limiting.
On top of that, in the last few weeks my current department head has accepted that I'd need more autonomy and has restructured our team, meaning I'd finally be able to do the things I'd want to do in my current role. This has various positives, not least increased visibility to senior leadership which would benefit future prospects.
So what to do?
Take the new role, build relationships from scratch and work over the next few years to get to the next step?
Stay in the current role, accept the limitations but deliver with the new team?
Tell the current organisation about the offer and ask if they think I'm worth the same?
The latter has some merit.
I will probably list out the pros and cons of each however this becomes a bit transactional.
So, I've wondered if anyone has ever been in a similar position. What did you do and why, and how did it work out?
Thanks!
I'm currently a mid-senior manager (1 below regional director). For some time I've been frustrated with the level of autonomy I'm able to deploy with my 3x direct reports, plus thier sub reports, and aware that our competitors offer circa 10-15% more money for the same role.
Our company also has quite odd titles - this hasn't really bothered me in the past but makes it difficult when applying for new roles as other candidates will have more recognisable title (think "functional champion" vs 'deputy director')
I've been speaking to a competitor who have offered me a role. The role comes with the more recognisable title, and the aforementioned pay rise (which would push me just into the next tax bracket, but I'd simply put more into pension).
On the face of it all good. But talking to the company the role responsibilities are actually more junior than I'm currently doing. I'd have a smaller team in total, in a smaller part of the business doing easier projects (less hours too).
Longer term I'd want to progress into the next role up and concerned this may become limiting.
On top of that, in the last few weeks my current department head has accepted that I'd need more autonomy and has restructured our team, meaning I'd finally be able to do the things I'd want to do in my current role. This has various positives, not least increased visibility to senior leadership which would benefit future prospects.
So what to do?
Take the new role, build relationships from scratch and work over the next few years to get to the next step?
Stay in the current role, accept the limitations but deliver with the new team?
Tell the current organisation about the offer and ask if they think I'm worth the same?
The latter has some merit.
I will probably list out the pros and cons of each however this becomes a bit transactional.
So, I've wondered if anyone has ever been in a similar position. What did you do and why, and how did it work out?
Thanks!
Edited by Previous on Saturday 4th May 11:43
I’d take the new role and money.
If it’s easier / more junior, just smash it, ask for and make clear you’ve the capacity for more responsibility / voluntarily add value in important projects outside your remit.
Then after 2-3 years ask for a promotion or market yourself externally and go again.
If it’s easier / more junior, just smash it, ask for and make clear you’ve the capacity for more responsibility / voluntarily add value in important projects outside your remit.
Then after 2-3 years ask for a promotion or market yourself externally and go again.
I've did this a number of times in my career. Sometimes I found I ended up getting promoted and back to what I had left behind.
I was in sales and enjoyed selling. However, I tended to find that management made me become more of an accountant with forecasting, budgeting and all to frequent meetings. Also, managing a sales team was testing as most salespeople (me included), have fragile egos.
On other occasions it didn't go so well, especially as I was aware of the failings of management and would on occasion question their decisions.
I was in sales and enjoyed selling. However, I tended to find that management made me become more of an accountant with forecasting, budgeting and all to frequent meetings. Also, managing a sales team was testing as most salespeople (me included), have fragile egos.
On other occasions it didn't go so well, especially as I was aware of the failings of management and would on occasion question their decisions.
Thanks.
Apart from the current frustration (and pay) I really enjoy working in my current company. Great people, diverse range of interesting projects. Lots of flexibility.
Been here 6 years, which is the longest I've worked anywhere.
I suppose its simply the current model - if you want to progress, for most people, you have to move.
Apart from the current frustration (and pay) I really enjoy working in my current company. Great people, diverse range of interesting projects. Lots of flexibility.
Been here 6 years, which is the longest I've worked anywhere.
I suppose its simply the current model - if you want to progress, for most people, you have to move.
No regrets at all. Worked my b
ks off for 10 years for previous employer, commuted 1 hour plus each way, did extra hours at home, was far more proactive and positive about the business and management team than my 2 equivalents and as soon as things got a bit tough I was the first one out of the door.
Now I have more time for myself and my family, I can do school runs and attend school concerts/plays etc., have zero commute and for very little difference nett to be honest.
fk busting a gut for someone else just to get shat on when life a gets a bit tough and then only to find out the MD rocks up a couple of months later in a new Nissan GTR.
ks off for 10 years for previous employer, commuted 1 hour plus each way, did extra hours at home, was far more proactive and positive about the business and management team than my 2 equivalents and as soon as things got a bit tough I was the first one out of the door. Now I have more time for myself and my family, I can do school runs and attend school concerts/plays etc., have zero commute and for very little difference nett to be honest.
f
k busting a gut for someone else just to get shat on when life a gets a bit tough and then only to find out the MD rocks up a couple of months later in a new Nissan GTR. I recently went from a PE backed FinTech to a charity. I actually got a bump in pay, the roles were largely equitable I was just underpaid in the previous role. Job title is a minor drop but I've never cared what they are.
The change is night and day, I had no idea how much stress the previous job was creating. I'm senior so the new job has some but it's not on the same scale at all. So much more relaxed and more rewarding as we are trying to do good and not just make a bunch of richs richer.
Having seen the other side now I'm not sure I could go back to the corporate dark side again.
The change is night and day, I had no idea how much stress the previous job was creating. I'm senior so the new job has some but it's not on the same scale at all. So much more relaxed and more rewarding as we are trying to do good and not just make a bunch of rich
s richer.Having seen the other side now I'm not sure I could go back to the corporate dark side again.
MrBig said:
No regrets at all. Worked my bks off for 10 years for previous employer, commuted 1 hour plus each way, did extra hours at home, was far more proactive and positive about the business and management team than my 2 equivalents and as soon as things got a bit tough I was the first one out of the door.
Now I have more time for myself and my family, I can do school runs and attend school concerts/plays etc., have zero commute and for very little difference nett to be honest.
fk busting a gut for someone else just to get shat on when life a gets a bit tough and then only to find out the MD rocks up a couple of months later in a new Nissan GTR.
so few people realise this. all that sucking up. yes sir attitude so many people put up with for year after year to try and get to the next level.ks off for 10 years for previous employer, commuted 1 hour plus each way, did extra hours at home, was far more proactive and positive about the business and management team than my 2 equivalents and as soon as things got a bit tough I was the first one out of the door. Now I have more time for myself and my family, I can do school runs and attend school concerts/plays etc., have zero commute and for very little difference nett to be honest.
f
k busting a gut for someone else just to get shat on when life a gets a bit tough and then only to find out the MD rocks up a couple of months later in a new Nissan GTR. even if they do make it another grade or 2 above previous. is that extra £500 take home a month worth all of the above? not for me it isnt yet apparantly im the idiot for not putting in for effort.
yes. I held several leadership positions in tech until about 2022 where I had a wobble and decided I didn't want to do it anymore. I took a couple of contract roles doing individual contributor work in my particular field, and did this for a couple of years. I got bored, and ended up feeling like it was beneath me a bit and so I am just about to take up another leader position, which I think i was very lucky to be able to get. There is only so much explaining away you can do as to why you chose a different tack, especially if you then U-turn it. I am 46.
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