education and career
should I stay or should I go?
WSA adsense code -->There’s are jobs going at a company that I’ve wanted to work at for a few years. It’s in essentially the same field that I work in now, just a slightly different sort of company (quite a bit smaller). I’ve met the director a few times and we get on fairly well - he gets on very well with my boss, who knows that I like this little company. The company is based in a small town about 40 minutes train ride from the city that I live in (reverse commute situation).
The job ad is a little confusing - they are looking for people with between 1 and 3 years experience, yet the two different job titles would suggest something more like 1-3 or 3-5+ years experience. I have around 6-7 years. Whilst they might employ me, I’m not sure whether that means that they’re limiting the salaries on offer to something considerably less than I make (like £5k less?).
I’ll be discussing this with my informal semi-mentor (ex-colleague about 4-5 years older / more experienced) when he gets back from his overseas trip. But what do you guys think?
Oh yeah, I’ve also spent most of the day at work continuously thinking that I need to get out, despite the fact that I’m actually doing quite interesting things and have great colleagues.
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8 comments for “should I stay or should I go?”
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Deciding to change jobs can be a difficult decision. It really depends on your level of satisfaction at your current job and your financial situation. When I left my first job out of school, I was sad, but I knew I had to advance my career. It turned out that the second job was not good (for a long list of reasons). When I changed jobs the second time, I didn’t have to think about it at all. I ran away from my old job practically singing with glee!
It’s been about 16 months, and I’m very glad I left. The pay ias about the same, but the job situation is a million times better. I’m more respected and treated much better at my new job.
I would definitely try to find out more about the experience level and the salary. It could be worth an “anonymous” call to human resources to ask about requirements and salary range.
Or if you are comfortable, you could ask the director what the story is, and whether it mean a significant paycut (which I wouldn’t take, unless you are switching type of company, ie, for-profit to non-profit).
What about growth opportunity? Smaller company might offers a more interesting job, but I am not sure if growth opportunity is always there when you need one. May be this is something to think about.
Either way, good luck!
Based on the limited information in your post, this is what I can determine.
Positives:
Smaller firm – possibly more creative leeway
New environment – change of scenery
Negatives:
Smaller firm – possibly might have more difficulty enduring an economic downturn
Less experience required – possibly less salary
Commute – 40 minute train ride means increased distance and transportation costs
In the event of future lay-off – first in, first out (FIFO) and less severance
New environment – you might not have good chemistry with your new colleagues
Benefits – may not be as attractive at a smaller firm
Neutral:
Same type of work
My apologies. It’s been a long day. I meant to say… last in, first out (LIFO).
plonkee, I wouldn’t do anything rash in ‘the current economic climate’.
Especially if the new job actually means you are slightly worse off. A 40 minute commute is madness, less money is madness, upheaval for no good reason is madness.
It looks like you have not applied for the post yet, or am I wrong? So is it a question of “should you or should not apply”?
You have not specified what are the pull factors that are making you even think about this. J has listed some possibles, though.
I will be following this thread.