Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Did you find it hard to leave your first 'proper' job?

16 replies

DerelictWreck · 12/05/2019 16:22

If you had a clear first 'proper' job i.e. the first full time one after leaving education or the first one in the career you actually wanted, did you find it difficult to leave?

I've been in mine for four years and have been offered something else but I can't decide what to do. Trying to figure out how overly emotional I'm being Hmm

OP posts:
longtimelurkerfirsttimeposter · 12/05/2019 16:25

Yes! Can totally relate. I felt like I was being disloyal to my boss. I had been at the company 5 or 6 years. And he didn't make it any easier when I told him, in fact he threw an almighty strop! The entitled way he behaved made me feel glad I had made the right choice and I handed in my notice. Never looked back and am very glad I did change, so much better for me all round.

Ragwort · 12/05/2019 16:27

Not really, I loved my first job and stayed there for two years but I could see there was absolutely no career development/progression opportunities. I was offered a job by a friend of the family who at the time was MD of a world famous, large company Blush and I moved there and had a great career (the family friend was actually asked to leave after a few months so I am confident I progressed on my own merit).

Original poster
DerelictWreck · 12/05/2019 20:44

Thanks both. I'm more in your situation longtime - love my job but actually my boss is being lovely about it (sussed I had an interview). Is essentially offering me the world to stay but I can't figure out what I want!

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Jobs
Original poster
DerelictWreck · 13/05/2019 07:29

Bumping for the morning crowd - anyone else?

OP posts:
Polestar50 · 13/05/2019 08:21

I stayed in my first job for four years. I was working for a staunchly Conservative Local Authority and, even though I did progress fairly well in that time, I now wish I had left earlier and gone to a more dynamic organisation, possibly in the charity sector. I feel my youthful enthusiasm, optimism and energy was knocked out of me far too early by working in such a bureaucratic environment.
Not sure how that relates to your situation though!

Loopytiles · 13/05/2019 08:25

Why did you apply for the other job? What are the pros and cons of moving vs staying, in the short term and - your best guess - medium term?

Loopytiles · 13/05/2019 08:26

What is “offering the world”: more money? Good stuff to work on? Promotion?

The last one usually can’t be guaranteed.

Fortheloveofscience · 13/05/2019 08:27

Yes 8 years since I joined I’ve informally resigned twice but backed out and decided to stay. It’s a lovely place to work, pays well and treats me brilliantly so I’ve decided to stay for the medium/long term.

BikeRunSki · 13/05/2019 08:27

I could t stand my boss. I was delighted to leave.

Polestar50 · 13/05/2019 08:28

Sorry posted to early.
I'd say if the new job gives you opportunities for fresh perspectives and experiences then go for it.
You might regret it but if you don't try you'll never know and you don't want to be stuck in the same job in 10 years time and regret not having been more adventurous earlier on. Four years is a good stint in a first job in anyone's book.

ATowelAndAPotato · 13/05/2019 10:37

I’m still in my first company, 20 years after I started. But I’m on my 7th job. All different from each other.
I am terrified of working somewhere else now as I have been here for so long, I don’t think I know how the rest of the world works!
I always knew exactly when I was ‘done’ with each role in terms of development/opportunities, but sometimes stayed in them longer than I would have like whilst waiting for something else to come up internally.
If you know what you want out of your next job and this looks like a good opportunity then go for it! It sounds like you are very much in your comfort zone right now, and sometimes that’s good especially if you have other stuff going on outside of work. But if all else is stable, could this be an exciting move? Will you earn more money? Get paid to re-train/study for a new qualification? Is the flexible working/commute better?
Why did you apply for the role in the first place? What originally drew your interest?

Original poster
DerelictWreck · 13/05/2019 14:26

Why did you apply for the other job? I didn't, I was approached which is why I'm so confused! I did go and interview so I suppose the intention is still there though. Largely because it meant a move from public to the private sector which is attractive, and the company is one I like the sound of.

What is “offering the world”: more money? I don't know yet but he is the CEO so in theory, anything is his to give. I'm more concerned about progression than anything else. I've had lots so far I just want to make sure there is more otherwise there's no benefit to stay.

I’m still in my first company, 20 years after I started. But I’m on my 7th job. All different from each other. I'm technically on my fourth 'job' at the company too, although all in the same area e.g. sales assistant to sales manager to head of sales (it's not sales!).

A few people have asked about the pros and cons of new job. For me it's:
Potentially more money (though I suspect boss will match)
More defined progression pathways
Private sector (would be a pro for me as I'd like the contrast)
Interesting field

Pros of current role:
Better range of duties
More senior because it's smaller so I get to do more. The new job I would be one of many.
I've built up a name in this world which I would lose in the new job (slightly different sector)

Both have a similar commute, new job has better flexible working but current job I have more flexibility (can get away with doing as I want).

OP posts:
ineedanewjobplease · 13/05/2019 15:33

Yes I found it hard, so I'm still here.

Honestly, LEAVE! Run for the hills Grin

I'm starting to look for alternative employment now but I graduated with a law degree nearly 10 years ago and still working in retail. I should've broke free a long time ago, deeply regret it.

Loopytiles · 13/05/2019 16:11

Often line managers in the public sector have very limited flexibility on pay for individuals, due to equality and pay policies, transparency etc.

Depending on your field, private sector experience is often respected, so you may have the option to apply for advertised public sector vacancies in the future.

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 13/05/2019 16:12

No I bloody well hated it.

Bonkersblond · 13/05/2019 16:19

I’m still here 30 years later, in various roles, now part time after 2 DC, year off each one, it’s a 10 minute drive, the people are lovely, I know the company like the back of my hand, it’s flexible, have never missed one of the DC events, it also allows me to focus on my DC and earn a reasonable salary. I sometimes think what if I hadn’t stayed but to progress would involve a commute and full time, not for me, especially after DC came along.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page