Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Should I stay or go (back)?
I'll try to keep this short. Last month I left my job doing marketing for a non-profit. While I loved the actual job and the community connective-ness of it, I hated working with my boss and felt I had nowhere to move up to (I was the only person doing marketing, the rest of the folks do programming related work and work directly with the constituents.)
So I left to work for a PR firm, which is what I studied. At first I hated it. I was having panic attacks every morning before work, crying, the whole 9 yards. My new boss (a woman) is completely psycho, a total micro manager and has even told me I should "wear more make-up to clients meetings."
I heard through the grapevine that my boss at my old job was moved to another department after I left. Apparently they finally figured out he sucked, and my leaving was the catalyst for all this. So I spoke with some folks at my old work about returning there because I hated the new job so much.
They said they would love to hire me back but there have been some changes lately, so I would be helping them through a transition. I expressed the importance that this time around not be like how it was when I was there before and they agreed that things were going to change, just couldn't tell me exactly how right now.
I would be all for the move back to my old job except... the money. I got a $20k increase with my new job (non-profit to profit!). My old job said they would pay me the same amount as I was making and then "re-asses."
I really don't know what to do, because while I love my old job, the extra money is very significant and I feel like in the long term, making that much more will benefit DH and I immensely. And what if nothing changes at the old job, then I'm back to square one and making less... What would you do?
Re: Should I stay or go (back)?
Honestly, you just started this new job. My sense is you'll have better opportunities to advance and improve your skill set at this new job which will be better for your career in the long run.
Going backwards to your "comfort zone" is rarely the answer. And there are no guarantees you'll like the changes at your old job anyway. The only guarantee is a $20K per year pay cut. And "reassessing" whether to give a desperate employee a raise? Not going to happen in all likelihood.
Hands down I would stick it out in the new job. So your boss is a micro-manager - now would be a good time to learn how to "manage your manager".
I would stay where you are. The old job is sending red flags galore. It sounds like you still have nowhere to move up to. They're going through a transition, but I don't know what that means. They told you things were going to change, but can't tell you how.
You say that you hated your new job at first. I'm assuming things have gotten better?
I'd stay where you are, and if you're so miserable, look around for another job that's not your old one.
Our little Irish rose came to us on March 5, 2010
Don't drink the water.
Disclaimer: I am not an MD. Please don't PM me with pregnancy-related questions. Ask your doctor.
I would figure out what exactly you want to be doing long-term. You mentioned that you left your previous job because you hated the boss AND because you had no advancement options. If you go back to the old job you will still be facing the advancement issue, only without the bad boss. Are you okay with staying in the same position for the rest of your life? Also if you took your old job, you might face some trust issues with your coworkers, since you left them once before.
I also wouldn't let money be adeciding factor. Obviously you were able to get by without the $20k before this new job, and I believe that job satistfaction is priceless (as long as you are able to make enough to survive).
Personally, I would ask the old job about advancement, and if they were unable to give you an solid answer that you liked, I would say no thank you. Perhaps (since it's a nonprofit) you could volunteer there, since it sounds like a mission you enjoy and support. Then I would stick it out at the new job for at least 3 months and re-assess then. If you still don't enjoy the job, decide where you want your career to be headed and start looking for those opportunities.
Good luck, I've been in a similar situation and it was an extremely hard decision for me (p.s. I stayed at the new job). On the bright side, it seems as though you have two places that want you, and that's a good position to be in!
~Benjamin Franklin
DS dx with celiac disease 5/28/10