When to start looking for a new company?

Stephanie2167 · March 2016

I've been with my company for almost 11 years. I've been very blessed that they have been very flexible with my husbands career in the Coast Guard, management is flexible and all in all we're pretty well taken care of. Except, I've been the same level for probably 8 years. I've mentioned it to the many managers I've had over the past 8 years. Every review I mention that I'm working hard to advance, etc, etc. I've been told that I'm doing the work of the next level, they just are on a freeze. I've been through probably 5 different managers in the last 10 years. So every time I feel like I start over having to prove my work. I'm also clueless as to how I would even go about applying for a new job and how do I know if the compensation would be anywhere near what I get paid now? I sometimes feel like they know we wont go anywhere so they don't need to advance us. Thoughts? I also know how lucky I am to have had a career for 11 years with the same company as a military spouse. But I also don't want to be taken advantage of either. If that makes sense.

CuriousKiddosMama · March 2016

I would start looking now. The worst thing that can happen is you realize you are being paid well and you decide to stay in spite of the lack of job advancement opportunities. There has to be some websites out there where you can find a salary range for your area, I'm just not sure what those would be.

LillibetteV · March 2016

I would start looking and probably talking to a local recruiter - just because you look doesn't mean you need to make the leap and leave! The recruiter will keep your search confidential and will be able to tell you the salary range for any job you might want to interview for so you can determine if the interview is worth your time. I worked with a recruiter to get my previous job and he was great and didn't even bother with ones that were below my target salary range and he was able to get me a big bump. And then a year after that I moved again (because the job turned out to be boring as all heck) and the next recruiter got me another big bump plus I love this job! Recruiters are your friend since they get paid based on a percentage of your starting salary they want to get you top dollar too!

brij2006 · March 2016

It doesn't hurt to begin searching. It doesn't mean you have to take the position you applied for, and it may give you a better feel for there being other opportunities out there.

I am personally going through this right now. Been with my company for 8 years and I have capped out at my current salary. I've been searching for a new job everywhere and when I tell them my compensation, many flat out tell me they can't come close. It's making me re-think the whole job search, but that's a good thing.

NicA617 · March 2016

When you say they're on a freeze -- does that mean you don't get a raise? or they just aren't promoting people?

I'm in a similar position. Been at my job for 11 years, i moved up a grade level a few years ago, but there really isn't anyplace else for me to go. That said, i sort of love my job, i walk to work, the hours are flexible, i get to travel (enough to keep things interesting -- not enough to be annoying), and i love the people i work with. I think i could make more money someplace else, but i'm pretty happy where I am.

Have you looked at job postings on Indeed.com? even when i'm not job searching, i think its interesting & i'm still curious about whats out there. a lot of jobs post a salary range, so you can get an idea on compensation. Just a thought...

short+sassy · March 2016

People have different personalities for this kind of thing but, as someone who has had some really miserable work situations, I will take pleasant coworkers/nice work environment/secure job any day over more money and more advancement opportunities.

I'm certainly not saying you shouldn't look and maybe put your resume out there, just pointing out that if you are happy overall at work, that should be a strong deciding factor also.

hoffse · March 2016

short+sassy said:

People have different personalities for this kind of thing but, as someone who has had some really miserable work situations, I will take pleasant coworkers/nice work environment/secure job any day over more money and more advancement opportunities.
I'm certainly not saying you shouldn't look and maybe put your resume out there, just pointing out that if you are happy overall at work, that should be a strong deciding factor also.

I agree with this.

H and I could both make quite a bit more if we were willing to move to Atlanta. Both of our firms have offices there, and we actually have family there too. We could easily move within our firm and then once we relocated start looking for a higher paid job. But we don't want to live our life in a commute, and we actually have a life outside of the office by practicing in a smaller city. We both happily give up tens of thousands of dollars each year to have that flexibility.

Sometimes I think people equate opportunity with more money. I can tell you that's not always true.

I think it's worth looking, but do consider what it might cost you if you moved.

Erikan73 · March 2016

I'm with the other posters, what harm is there to see what else is out there? If you get offered a job and they are offering you less, doesn't mean you have to take it. But if it pays less and you would be doing something that you enjoy more, then that is also something to consider.

brij2006 · March 2016

hoffse said:

short+sassy said:

People have different personalities for this kind of thing but, as someone who has had some really miserable work situations, I will take pleasant coworkers/nice work environment/secure job any day over more money and more advancement opportunities.
I'm certainly not saying you shouldn't look and maybe put your resume out there, just pointing out that if you are happy overall at work, that should be a strong deciding factor also.

I agree with this.

H and I could both make quite a bit more if we were willing to move to Atlanta. Both of our firms have offices there, and we actually have family there too. We could easily move within our firm and then once we relocated start looking for a higher paid job. But we don't want to live our life in a commute, and we actually have a life outside of the office by practicing in a smaller city. We both happily give up tens of thousands of dollars each year to have that flexibility.

Sometimes I think people equate opportunity with more money. I can tell you that's not always true.

I think it's worth looking, but do consider what it might cost you if you moved.

This is exactly me as well. I work for a small family owned business. If something comes up with DD or my family, they immediately tell me to go be with them and don't penalize me for it. We've had a lot happen with our family over the past 2 years and they've been very supportive and accommodating. It's been worth it even though I know I could commute to the city an hour away and make more than I currently do.
However, my H does commute an hour to that city and his job is very cutthroat and don't let him leave unless it's a dire emergency. So we figure it's worth it for at least 1 of us to have the flexible job, even though I could make more by getting a job closer to his.

Stephanie2167 · March 2016

Thanks you guys. We get an annual raise and an annual bonus. So as for "freeze" I sorta feel like that was a way to get me to stop asking. I do feel really lucky to have the flexibility that I do, especially as a military spouse. Like this June we are transferring again and luckily to a location where there is another office, so my boss is just getting me setup there. Now this move may only last a year or two so I may just hang in there and maybe once we settle down in a place where we expect to stay I can start looking for other opportunities. I do love the flexibility, my managers, etc. I think they wouldn't be happy to see me go. Thanks for your advice. The recruiter option is a great idea in case in the future I need to resign for a military move. Plus, we are losing a few team members due to retirement. That may open a few windows.

When to start looking for a new company?

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