Quick Advice Needed

tessalr · June 2014

tessalr · June 2014

Thanks, April. Yes, my financial security won't change at all. Actually the rate the are offering me is very consistent with my current compensation prior to my 16% raise that will kick in in a couple weeks.

But you are right. I have so many people tell me that I am so lucky to have such a supportive work environment and a job that is so rewarding. And I know that's rare. It would be a big sacrifice to give that up. I might find the same conditions in this new job, but it's hard to predict.

jessica490 · June 2014

Based on the perks you listed of your current job (as well that awesome increase!), I would stay where you are. Those are the types of things that would be important to me. I'm all about growth but not at such a cost....

maple2 · June 2014

Can you use this opportunity to negotiate with either employer? It sounds like you really like your current job but would like more professional growth opportunities. Would they be willing to allow you to take on new projects/responsibilities if you told them you might otherwise end up taking a job elsewhere that would allow you to do those things? Alternatively, could you talk to the folks at the new job and tell them about your recent raise and ask if they can at least match that salary so you wouldn't have to take a loss?

I would absolutely leave a job that I didn't like or no longer found fulfilling or challenging even if that involved a pay cut, assuming I could still meet my financial obligations. I'm not sure that's your situation, though. Honestly, as I've gotten older and had kids finding a career that I enjoy and that offers a good work/life balance has become much more important that it used to be, so I would probably stick with the current job that you enjoy and that has other great perks. Maybe when I was younger, I would have been more drawn to new challenges, but now that I've had a bunch of jobs, keeping one that I enjoy would be more valuable than the uncertain risk and reward of moving someplace new that wasn't obviously better on many levels.

hoffse · June 2014

I would stay. The day I realized that I spend more waking hours around the people I work with than I do around my husband was the day I realized how important it is to work with people you really like.

You know you like your current company, you know you like the people, and you're getting a raise. I don't see a reason to leave TBH.

Also consider the politics of being the "new person" who is suddenly in a management position over 20 people who have been there longer than you and know the inner workings of the company better than you. I would personally NOT take a paycut to be in that situation. Rather, I would need to be paid significantly more to be willing to do that.

hoffse · June 2014

I should add: I recently made a lateral move when my old law firm went under. It was incredibly stressful learning an entirely new system for client files, work product, etc. while still maintaining my billable hour minimums. Plus expectations are different here.

It was still a good move for me because of one very simple thing: all the people at my old job that I worked with moved to the same firm with me (or rather, I moved with them - the partners arranged it). I really really like these folks, and so even though moving work places was stressful, at least we were all in the same boat together. My old practice group basically piloted the Birmingham office for this new firm, so for the most part I'm dealing with the same personalities, etc. as before with just a few additional people.

Honestly I wouldn't have really wanted to do that without them. H and I had opportunities before my old firm sank to make significantly more money by moving to Atlanta. Together, we probably would have made about $40K more per year than we will make here. That's a crapton of money, but we never even had an inclination to do it because we really like how law firms treat their young lawyers here. Neither of us had any expectation that Atlanta firms would treat us the same way, and frankly that money is not worth it when you're miserable, especially because we can comfortably afford our lifestyle here as it is. On paper, those firms are better and more "prestigious." They would seriously pad both of our resumes. But living life like that? Hell no.

I guess my point is that "opportunities" really need to be judged against your current situation and how you feel about it. Ultimately, it doesn't matter how many people you manage or how great your professional resume is. You just need to be happy with what you do, while hopefully being able to afford the lifestyle you want to live. It sounds like your current job provides that, and I wouldn't mess with that. Job satisfaction is far too important.

brij2006 · June 2014

I would stay where you are, but would also have a discussion with your boss about new challenges and opportunities. There may be a direction that they're wanting to move the business, but just haven't gotten there yet.

If you love your job and love where you work, then stay there. You will thank yourself later.

vlagrl29 · June 2014

I would stay where you are as well, especially since you enjoy it. I would hate to take the pay cut. Good luck with whatever you decide. I love the arts as well

KatieCutie05 · June 2014

Stay. My husband has left jobs he's liked for other reasons and he's never been happy since. Its the people that make the job what it is. Your not going to care about the opportunity if you don't like the people/ work environment. its everything.

I love my job, my coworkers are awesome, i have an awesome boss and flexible hours, but theres zero room for advancement past my current position. I know one day i'll have to move on but theres no way i'm doing that without a significant raise. And even that isn't going to be worth it to me for a while. No opportunity is worth less money.

Kellyt2012 · June 2014

I'd stay wheree

you are.

Mom987 · June 2014

I'd stay where you are.

strickland8052 · June 2014

Stay! It sounds like the only reason you want to leave is for the learning experience. If that is all you want, you could always ask your current employer for more responsibility, or you could take on a volunteer leadership position elsewhere to do in your spare time. There are plenty of ways to gain experience outside of your 9 to 5, but there are not going to be too many places where you actually like your co-workers.

jjbmstinco · June 2014

I agree with everyone else. Definately talk to your boss about some challenges you can take on while growing in your skills.

Xstatic3333 · June 2014

Another vote for stay. As a fellow nonprofit employee, one of the things I like about it is that I think there is a fair amount of flexibility to shape your own position-IF you bring in the grants to make it possible. I just think that a job where you like your coworkers is absolutely priceless. I've had that job where I just don't fit in, and it wore me down much more than the occasional "my job is stressful!" type stress that I experience at my current position.

IAmSherlocked · June 2014

I agree with everyone else who has said to stay. If I was in your position I'd talk to my boss about some challenges you may be able to take while in your current position and see what they say. I think having a team that you like working with and having a job that is flexible with your needs is a great asset, and I would have a really hard time leaving a place like that. Good luck!

jjbmstinco · June 2014

What did you decide????? @tessalr

tessalr · June 2014

Thanks everyone! I took all your advice and turned down the position. Staying where I am for now!

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