Should i accept a higher pressure job?

[rainbowcakes]

Sorry for posting in AIBU but desperately need some advice!

I have been offered a new job at work (within the same company but in a different department). I have applied for the same role a couple of times this year, but they have now essentially created this role for me as a developmental role, with a few to leading bigger projects etc in the future.

Had a chat with the hiring manager today to find out more about the role, it sounds good but it will definitely be more stressful/pressure than i have at the minute (which is currently zero!!). Apparently i also need to be prepared for criticism and possible personal attacks being the ‘face’ of projects, including from the head of the department now i am totally terrified and dont know what to do!

Its a slightly higher salary than my current role to start with, but will rise with more experience. I will also be able to renew my the qualification i already have in the field and be able to take more qualifications. Its a great opportunity and i know it wont come round again, but not sure how i would cope with the stress etc. I am not the best at conflict at the best of times! I also know its not normal to have zero stress in your job like i do currently, which is clouding my judgement. There isnt really much scope for my progression in my current role either.

I have made a big pros and cons list for each job. My pros list for the new job is quite long (career progression, transferable skills, qualifications, role was created for me, have been told i will get plenty of support etc) but the cons are scary (more stress/pressure, conflict, dont know what im doing!)

Does anyone have any words of wisdom to help me decide what to do? I need to let the manager know my decision ASAP and I just cant make up my mind!

What?! They actually told you that people will be making personal attacks? Apparently i also need to be prepared for criticism and possible personal attacks being the ‘face’ of projects, including from the head of the department

Sounds utterly unprofessional and shitty. I would definitely avoid. Who do they think they are? Constructive critical feedback, fine. Personal attacks, not fine. Unless you are a professional boxer or similar.

Apparently i shouldnt take them personally though! He then said that hes made it sound worse than it is & that its not that bad. But it did scare me a bit!

I know i need to be pushed out of my comfort zone & be put under pressure to be able to grow but i just dont know! Theres just nowhere to go in my current role, and ive said for years this is what i want to do... now that ive been given the opportunity ive got cold feet!

Is it the type of job or project that will bring change to the organization, like converting to a new software system? Those types of projects can engender some ill will. The key is to have high-level executive support, so that it's not seen as "your idea".

Even under a situation like that, there should be no personal attacks, but people may make their displeasure known in other ways.

I would say go for it. Opportunities like that don't come along often. You should have a serious talk with the hiring manager about how they are going to support you politically in your new role so that attacks are not going to happen.

@MissConductUS as its a development role, it would be starting with minor change projects with the aim of taking on bigger projects once i have more experience.

Its definitely a great opportunity, especially as theyve created the role for me so it wont come around again. I think im just scared to take the plunge & go for it! I will definitely mention to the hiring manager tomorrow about how he will support me if im on the receiving end of such attacks.

Given that the role has been created for you, would you be comfortable rejecting it? And if you did, what would it mean for your future in the company?

@Asiama I think i would feel comfortable rejecting it if thats what I decided to do.

It may mean i wont be considered for another job in that same department in the future but i dont think it would impact any other roles i might apply for in the the rest of the company.

Life is all about taking risks to move forward. There will always be other jobs if this one doesn't suit you.

Good luck.

Go for it OP! If it doesn't work out you can make another move. But you may as well give it a try!

I’d say there’s times in life to accept pressure and stress and times when best to look at the bigger pic. If family life is calm, older kids (ie. not exhausting babies or toddlers), you can throw money at things to make life easier if needed (online food shop, cleaner), then worth it.

I’d ask for examples of situations he would describe as personal attacks and hear how it was handled.

Do you REALLY want to progress?

Maybe they are painting the bleakest picture to see how committed you are? When I am recruiting, I tell it straight about the challenges and let people know how tough it can be, a few have pulled out at that stage but I am ok with that, I’d rather that than invest time and energy into onboarding for them to leave very soon after

Thank you everyone!

@OnlyFoolsnMothers I do have a 2 year old i currently work a 4 day week, which they are happy for me to continue with (i wasnt prepared to budge on that as its not worth giving up my 'extra' day with her for).

Sounds like the role you are being offer is some sort of Change & Transformation Manager.

Some people can be very resistance to change and will criticise it or object to it. Some many see it as an unnecessary upheaval that they could do without it. I suspect that's more what he means than personal attacks.

I think you should go for it. They clearly think you are capable of it as they have come looking for you. You clearly are good at what you currently do. These are change initiatives that the company supports so they are on your side. It is another skill, something else for the CV where you want to progress internally or externally.

What is the worst that can happen? You could hate it but you can go back to your former role internally or externally. You never have to stay with something if it's not working for you.

@NeverChange it is a project manager role.

Hopefully i could move elsewhere in the business if i decided it wasnt for me, even if it meant getting my old job back!

Change is always scary. You've applied several times and you have a long list of pros - you've just have a case of cold feet - of course you should take it.

If it's a rough environment re criticism, talk to people about that to discover more (do NOT tell them you are nervous or struggle with it) - then I'd personally have a couple of sessions with a good coach to prepare for how to manage it in a way that works for you - everyone manages stress differently.

You don't have to stay long term if you don't like it, but it may not be as a big a challenge as you think. There may well come a time in your life when you don't want to/can't take on big jump roles (eg when you have little kids or care responsibilities), try the opportunity while you can.

You’ve got this. They see something in to you to warrant creating a new role.

If you know it's going to involve you in situations you will find hard to handle ask for some mentoring and training in handling conflict. Will stand you in good stead for the teenage years too.

Thanks all, theres some really great suggestions here for getting some coaching/training around conflict etc. Its something i need to work on in both my work & personal life (and yes definitely for the teenage years )

Ive been told there will be plenty of support, and that i will be able to essentially be 'mentored' by some of the more experienced PMs/create a development plan with them. I actually know quite a few people in the department already so hopefully this will be valuable if i need assistance!

Take it and remember criticising is about the job and not personal.

This sounds fabulous, of course you gabe to say yes !

Thanks so much everyone, you've given me a lot to think about.

Just need to weigh up what i will regret more - not taking this opportunity or leaving my current cushty job!

Do it! Or stagnate stagnate stagnate. If it turns out not to be nice you can stick it out for a bit and then use it to convert to something else. If you don’t take this then you will be really saying you want to do your not-really-teaching-you-anything job forever - do you?

If you work in an industry/sector where career progression and pay is based on how many years you've been there you probably have more scope to choose.

If you work in an industry/sector where your pay and progression is based on what you achieve and how you challenge yourself then you probably have the choice about whether you give the employer/management a reason to hold back your salary/career or you take the opportunity they seemingly have offered

I note that you say a con is that you wouldn’t know what you are doing. Have you ever heard of the male way of applying for a position?
Criteria 1) yeah
Criteria 2) s’pose
Criteria 3) who the fuck cares?
Criteria 4) unread
Etc

Go, go, go.

@rainbowcakes

Thanks all, theres some really great suggestions here for getting some coaching/training around conflict etc. Its something i need to work on in both my work & personal life (and yes definitely for the teenage years )

Ive been told there will be plenty of support, and that i will be able to essentially be 'mentored' by some of the more experienced PMs/create a development plan with them. I actually know quite a few people in the department already so hopefully this will be valuable if i need assistance!

I would suggest that you ask to have a mentor assigned to you for a three month period, rather than rely on a vague promise of support.

Im going to come back to this thread regularly to remind myself of the reasons why i should take this opportunity