(more) career guidance needed

[206xsi]

Chances are good I'm going to be offered another job soon.

Currently I work for a large software company supporting one backup/recovery product. I've done this role for 2.5 years

A small software firm have approached me - they are offering £3k less than my base salary. However I would be supporting financial reporting software, and that would open doors...

I'm fed up with my current job, especially after being passed over for the promotion which was mine. My current firm IS outsourcing to India in the near future for my role, but chances are if I stay I'll be moved to support a product where I could earn around £50k pa as a consultant (self employed) after a year of support work.

What do I do?!

Edited to say - the new company are only 5 years old and growing very fast! Current company are established in the market but still very successful

>>> Edited by 206xsi on Friday 31st October 15:14

[agent006]

Have a talk to your current lot and get them to sort out what you'll be doing. Get them to make assurances in writing as to your career path with them, rather than just a 'chances are' type discussion. Staying put seems the best plan.

[zumbruk]

The way the jobs market is at present I'd be inclined to stay where you are, unless you *really* hate it.

[206xsi]

What I'm tempted to do is to try and secure an offer for this new role and then speak to my current lot with an open mind.

Anyone ever done this?

I really do not enjoy this role any more and I'm far and away the most experienced person in our team. There were shock waves from everybody when I wasn't offered promotion (apparently did not perform in interview but I suspect there's more to it as the interviewers commented on how well it went afterwards without knowing I could hear)

[Plotloss]

If you're going to play one off against the other be prepared for your current employer to say piss off.

Other than that I see no real downside in doing it.

[dragstar]

trust your gut feeling.

isnt that the case for these things?

[_DJ_]

My advise would be not to use a job offer as an bargaining chip with your employer. I've seen people resign from a company expecting them to throw money at them, move company then return to the 1st 12 months later with a pay cut!
Stick with the first. Have you tried explaining your problem with your current job with your line manager?

DJ

[206xsi]

I'm not using it as a bargaining chip - I'm perfectly happy to walk if they don't offer me anything to say.

I've been given a new manager - who says that he's made it his personal quest to get me promoted in 12 months. I'm 12 months overdue promotion!

Like I was hinting above, the promotion was mine and for whatever reason they've decided that my hard work and good results aren't enough. I was doing the job in an acting capacity for a year

[_DJ_]

206xsi said:

I'm not using it as a bargaining chip - I'm perfectly happy to walk if they don't offer me anything to say. I've been given a new manager - who says that he's made it his personal quest to get me promoted in 12 months. I'm 12 months overdue promotion! Like I was hinting above, the promotion was mine and for whatever reason they've decided that my hard work and good results aren't enough. I was doing the job in an acting capacity for a year

I'm sorry, but you are using it. If you want to leave the company, leave. If you don't, don't. If you threaten to leave unless you get a promotion then you're forcing them to promote you or lose you. Even if you get the promotion then I doubt you'll ever get another on the strength of your actions.
The promotion wasn't yours, you just thought it was. In my opinion you should find out:

a) Why you didn't get the promotion
b) Whether you can have another go at the interview before the 12 month timeframe your manager has set.
c) What you have to do to be at the required level for promotion (based on the job description for that role).

DJ