Opinion....

SkyHog

SkyHog

Touchdown! Greaser!
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Feb 23, 2005
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Everything Offends Me
What do y'all say:

I left a job with a non-profit back in November because there appeared to be no room to progress with the company, and secured a really awesome position where I am currently. In the last 6 months (or so), I've developed myself quite a bit. My old boss at the old place recently left for a better job as well, and now I am being offered his old position (quite a bit more money, and a big title jump). There would no longer be the 2 hour daily commute, and better job stability (at my current job, I don't know if we'll be around more than 1 - 2 years from now, as we are being eaten up by our parent company).

I feel bad considering it because I've only been here for 6 months, and I feel that might be a tad unfair to my current employer. I hate job jumping this quickly.

Would you consider it?
 
I'd say go for it but only if the job does not involve basic math and calendar reading skills :)
 
I would consider it.

To be fair to your current employer, I'd discuss it with your boss before making a firm commitment. They may be able to deal with your concerns (money, security) and if not anyone with concern for their employees would wish you the best.

Joe
 
> Would you consider it

Yes.

Factors that I would consider important include whether or not my current positions is what I want to do and whether or not the possible new job is a better match to my desires.

The money wouldn't be that big a factor for me, if I'm unhappy in a job assignment then the extra money wouldn't buy happiness.

The commute savings may be important.

The prospect of losing your position anyway would be significant in my book.

good luck
 
You have to look out for number one, because nobody else will.

The commute alone is good reason, and I don't think anyone would hold it against you.

The best way to get ahead in life is to change jobs. Do it, and don't look back.
 
If it's a real big jump for you I'd say yes take it. You have to consider yourself and your career first. That being said, trying to help your current employer to find a good replacement for you will just bring good karma to you.
 
flyersfan31 said:
You have to look out for number one, because nobody else will.

The commute alone is good reason, and I don't think anyone would hold it against you.

The best way to get ahead in life is to change jobs. Do it, and don't look back.
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Agree, but I'd just add don't burn bridges in the process - it's a small world, as they say - sometimes uncomfortably so.


Trapper John
 
Which of the jobs is better for your further advancement, which one do you like better ?
 
weilke said:
Which of the jobs is better for your further advancement, which one do you like better ?
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Now that is a tough call. If I take the Director job, there is only 1 level above, and I don't know how I'd move into it. At the current job, there is a clear path, but I don't know if that path will open with the changes happening in our structure/ownership.

I like what I do, so not taking the other job wouldn't kill me. But, I liked working for the NPO too. Good people there.

The other thing that plays in, is that I constantly work 10+ hour days here, and often on weekends too. That won't happen at the NPO.
 
SkyHog said:
Now that is a tough call. If I take the Director job, there is only 1 level above, and I don't know how I'd move into it. At the current job, there is a clear path, but I don't know if that path will open with the changes happening in our structure/ownership.

I like what I do, so not taking the other job wouldn't kill me. But, I liked working for the NPO too. Good people there.

The other thing that plays in, is that I constantly work 10+ hour days here, and often on weekends too. That won't happen at the NPO.
Click to expand...

More money, less commute, sub-10 hour days and you get your weekends back?

Take the old job back, I'd say.
 
Sounds like a good opportunity. I wouldn't worry about hurting feelings at your current company. Be nice and as accommodating as you can be on your way out (offering to stay longer or work off hours if they need the help while they hire). It is a small world, and it helps to be remembered as the guy that cared.

The short stint won't look great on your resume, but it will be offset by the fact that you're going back to a company before this one (so you'll easily be able to explain that they wanted you so bad that they made you an offer you couldn't refuse).

Don't overthink it. It sounds like a great opportunity. Do whichever job you will be happier going to every day.
 
Nick,

It's nice to see you concerned about your present employer - a lot of people would just up and go without a second thought, and that can be hard on both people and businesses.

But, as someone above pointed, your loyalty is to number 1. So, you have to ask yourself what you'd be better off doing. Keep in mind that not all of the considerations are necessarily money-related. For instance, though you'd be making more at the old place, do you get better "exposure" at your current job? As in, are you making better connections there that might lead, in the long run, to even more success? Or, would leaving after 6 months have any fallout (that is, would you be bad-mouthed to potential colleagues/customers/etc.)?

Somebody above mentioned that you go and discuss with your current boss. That's not a bad idea. At best, he/she offers you a better deal. At worst, you just do a little earlier what you'll have to do anywhay - let the boss know you're leaving.
 
Of course the most important question is whether or not the new (old) employer will let you smoke on the job. :D

Since I don't know anything about your jobs I would say to go with your gut feeling. That's what I usually do. But remember, no job is secure and don't believe anything they promise you about the future, not necessarily because they are lying but because situations change.
 
jtheune said:
If it's a real big jump for you I'd say yes take it. You have to consider yourself and your career first. That being said, trying to help your current employer to find a good replacement for you will just bring good karma to you.
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That's great advice. If you've got someone you're willing to vouch for, it can: 1) reflect well on you for providing a good employee; 2) reflect well on you for not leaving the employer in the lurch (if that's a consideration); 3) help the employer out by providing a good employee (good help is hard to find); and 4) help out whoever you find if he/she is looking for a job.
 
SkyHog said:
Now that is a tough call. If I take the Director job, there is only 1 level above, and I don't know how I'd move into it. At the current job, there is a clear path, but I don't know if that path will open with the changes happening in our structure/ownership.
Click to expand...

Stop thinking that the NPO will be the last job you ever have. Certainly don't go to the other extreme, either. You should probably stay with the NPO for a few years. If you work as a Director for a few years, you will be able to make an even better upward jump when/if you change jobs in the future. This will look good on your resume so long as you don't leave the NPO too soon. So my vote is: Get the Director experience on your resume!

-Skip
 
One other thing I just thought of - the economy's not particularly good right now. Meaning a few things are worth considering.

First, how is this non-profit group funded? Is it stable? Any risk of it evaporating? You mentioned better stability originally, but it's worth considering.

Second, assuming that the non-profit's not going anywhere, because the economy's not good, job-job mobility isn't as good. Meaning that you might not have another opportunity to make more money for a while. So, factor that in, too.
 
The advantage of going back is that you already know what you're getting into and whether you will like it--at least to some extent. If your old boss left for another job, there's at least some reason to think you might be attractive to another employer after some time in grade, so that's also a good thing. For me, the clincher would be the daily commutes. I hate them.
 
I wouldn't worry about how it looks on your resume - things can be explained. I suspect that the new job title would be a major career builder for you and would totally offset any concern over that 4 month stint.

It seems as though you didn't mind the work environment at the previous organization. You really don't want to miss opportunities to step up in your career else you might end up stuck in the same position for years. If I were you I'd take the new job title, additional money, and shorter hours. Often the fastest way to grow your career is by moving on.

Of course you'll want to give your current employer an opportunity to match or better the offer...but I wouldn't do that until you had an offer in writing from the non-profit.
 
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SkyHog said:
and a big title jump
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I would talk to my current employer and tell them what I offered and why I am considering it.

You never know they might give you a pretty title too :rofl:

I agree it is nice to see you are thinking about your current employer. In the long run worry about you first. It is always good to leave on a good note. You never know what might happen in the future.
 
jesse said:
I wouldn't worry about how it looks on your resume - things can be explained. I suspect that the new job title would be a major career builder for you and would totally offset any concern over that 4 month stint.
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Exactly, particularly because you'd be going back to a former employer. It's one thing to job hop every 6mos to a new employer; that starts looking fishy. This is very easily explained and would never raise a red flag with me.

Obviously you want to leave your current employer on good terms. Don't toss a molotov in the window on the way out. BUT, again, the only guy looking out for #1 is you. Decide accordingly.
 
If things go to hell at your current employer, how much loyalty do you expect from them, as the last guy to come aboard?
 
I vote against discussing it with the current gig with an eye to matching, etc. - that rarely lasts.

I also believe that an extra two hours a day at the house (and probably, because of the more predictable hours, more) will be very good for a newly-married guy.
 
Did you talk to the old boss to verify his reason for leaving?
I would hate to find out he left because (insert unpalatable circumstance here).

As far as feeling bad about leaving your employer in the lurch by departing..we are in a high unemployment time.
 
It's fairly normal for folks in just about every field to change jobs rather frequently nowadays; I wouldn't worry about how it looks on future resumes.

There seem to be many good reasons to go back to the old outfit, but #1 is that you say you left because there was no room upstairs... and now there is.
 
Areeda said:
I would consider it.

To be fair to your current employer, I'd discuss it with your boss before making a firm commitment. They may be able to deal with your concerns (money, security) and if not anyone with concern for their employees would wish you the best.

Joe
Click to expand...

Nick Joe put it very well!
 
jtheune said:
If it's a real big jump for you I'd say yes take it. You have to consider yourself and your career first. That being said, trying to help your current employer to find a good replacement for you will just bring good karma to you.
Click to expand...

You're spot on. When I left my prior employer I literally hand delivered my replacement. He has been there about 3.5 years and has progressed nicely. My old supervisor and I are still friends and he has thanked me for the way we departed ways.

Nick, do the right thing for you and treat your currently employer respectfully and all will be well.
 
Ted DuPuis said:
Me too.
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Data at an old company suggested that 75% of people who threaten to leave as a method of negotiation will be gone within 12 months of the threat.

However, I have had great success encouraging directs to come to me when they have had an issue (like Nick's commute, or a better offer), and doing the same with my superiors. Opportunity is opportunity, after all, but I do give some consideration to my current employer.

Cheers,

-Andrew
 
astanley said:
Data at an old company suggested that 75% of people who threaten to leave as a method of negotiation will be gone within 12 months of the threat.

However, I have had great success encouraging directs to come to me when they have had an issue (like Nick's commute, or a better offer), and doing the same with my superiors. Opportunity is opportunity, after all, but I do give some consideration to my current employer.
Click to expand...
I've never spoken to a current employer until I've already made my decision to leave and by then it's too late. That said I haven't changed jobs much recently. I've only had 2 in 20 years. However back when I was Nick's age I changed jobs frequently.
 
Nick, this decision should not hinge on money, or commute, or title. It should rest on YOU. Money is a lousy long term motivator. You get used to commutes. Titles are cheap. What matters is that you are young and have many years during which you will be asked to be a productive member of society. You spend a lot of time at ANY job. You have to be OK with what you're doing.

Which one is more fulfilling? Which is more intellectually challenging? Which is more interesting? Which appears to offer a long-term career path that allows personal growth and fulfillment? And I don't mean $$ or the line under your name on your business card.

Those of us on the forum with more years behind us than ahead of us can all vouch for the fact that you will have jobs in your life where you dread going to work every single day. If you're lucky, you'll have jobs in your life where every day you pinch yourself that you're actually getting PAID to do this. Obviously the vast majority are in between, but you still have to keep THAT as the goal, rather than the short term motivation of salary and title.
 
Let'sgoflying! said:
Did you talk to the old boss to verify his reason for leaving?
I would hate to find out he left because (insert unpalatable circumstance here).
Click to expand...

This is something you should definitely do if possible. You indicated that you left in November because you didn't see a way to move up. Just 4 (?) months later, the opportunity is now here.... . Unless the reason for the previous director's leaving is purely a personal one (retirement, moving x-c with the family, etc), there's a hunch that something has changed at the NPO since you left - best to make sure the change isn't a deal-breaker for you.

I also agree with Spike and others to not discuss this with your current employer if the primary goal is to get a match. Counteroffers are slippery slopes; motivations need to be examined carefully, particularly if this is a company you want to move up in.

The main thing is for you to decide whether this job is something where you'll feel intrigued and challenged, that makes you want to come to work every day. Worth more than titles or money after a while.
 
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