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career hopping
Let me start off by giving some career background before I jump into my current issue. When I graduated college in May 2010, I started working as a field inspector on a project where my husband and I live. That job lasted until Feb 2011 when I was laid-off due to lack of work (they had no more work for me in my local area and had asked me to relocate to where the central office was but we were not going to move due to the fact that my husband already had a good job where we currently live). I picked up a government job from May 2011 until July 2011 when I was terminated due to personality conflicts between my boss and myself. In September 2012, I was offered a position as a project engineer for a general contractor for another job that is in my hometown, a 4 story building project that will last a year (completion date is November-December 2012). After this project is done, it is my company's intent to keep me on although it may require that I travel to other parts of the state (or may not if they can find more projects in my area but this is unlikely or may not happen for a few years as my area is somewhat remote). At least in this instance they are not asking me to relocate to where the central office is, but they are asking me to travel and possibly be away from home during the week (returning home on weekends).
Today, my mother-in-law informed me that a local company was interested in interviewing me for a project manager position (a step up from project engineer). I'm hesistating at doing the interview for a few reasons. Mainly though, it feels like I've just been hopping from one job to the next since I've graduated. I really like the people that I work with currently, and since I've had issues with working with people in my last job, finding a place that is supportive of my emotional needs has been really great. Plus I feel like my company has invested time and resources into grooming and educating me for my position, in particular they were searching for someone local to the project. To leave seems unfair to them.
The temptation comes from the fact that this job would be a substantial increase in responsibility and hoepfully salary, a position that would not be possible for me to advance into in my current company for at least 3-4 years. It is also a local company which means I would never have to worry about my company asking me to relocate and losing my job because we are not willing to.
So does anybody have any advice for me or a similar story/situation you would care to share?
Re: career hopping
At the end of the day you have to think what is best for you and your family. It sounds like in your field it is somewhat normal to work until there is no more work. Are these contract positions for short term work until there is no more work or permanent jobs that just run out? If this is how your industry is then it might not look so bad to a future employer. In my industry, contractors have a new job every 6 months or so at times and will regularly leave a newly acquired contract position for a permanent job in a heart beat. Too much of that might look bad to a future employer though.
I had a contract job once and left after 2 weeks for the job I am at now. I felt horrible, probably the same as you feeling like they took a long time to select me and were training me, but I don't regret it for a second. I have been at my job now for the past 4 years, I've been promoted, and I love it here. If you do interview and get the new position perhaps try to stay there for a few years to show you are a dedicated employee when looking for your next job.