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!

I think you should go for it! I think the fact that they have created this developmental role for you instead of slotting you into an available shows that they recognise that you could do the job but just need some additional support at first. It seems scary but i bet it's worth it! I've just recently changed jobs to a higher level at a new organisation and I felt the exact same but it's been good so far! Still waiting to get into the thick of it but there's been a lot of support so far!

"Definitely more stressful" - I'd be wanting more than a "slightly higher salary" for what sounds like a much bigger role. If you're on the cusp of turning it down, I'd see how far you can push the salary as the extra you negotiate might allow you to outsource anything that takes up your time at home (cleaner, ironing, posh ready meals etc).

I'm a PM and it's the nature of the role that people will vent their frustrations about the project to you. Now I'm older I feel
I'm much better at handling this, and I always factor in a bit of venting time to the project.
If however people spend more time moaning than accepting reality and moving on with things, then it's a management issue.

But overall it's a great job, requires no special skills just an ability to see the delivery path clearly and get people to work constructively together.

God I am so torn. Im so scared the extra stress will impact me mentally on the time I have with my DD i cant tell if its my gut talking or the fear talking. Its SO difficult!

To steal a line from Ted Lasso, taking on a challenge is like riding a horse: if you're comfortable, you aren't doing it properly.

Growth is uncomfortable, but it pays off. Apart from the personal attacks bit (?!), the cons just sound like the cons of any new stretching opportunity. Personal attacks are not OK in any organisation, so I reckon either that's being overstated and he just means the pushback you face in any role, or the org is so toxic you need to get out anyway, which sounds unlikely from your description so far.

Take it.

Change is always scary, even wanted change.

Don't let that cloud your judgement. It sounds like fear talking to me, which is a normal survivable emotion that will fade once you face it.

If you run away from this change it will only reinforce that you're not capable and make any future opportunities feel even scarier.

Thank you everyone. You're making me feel much better!

The manager has just sent me a message asking how the considerations are going & if there's anything he can help with so I'm going to speak with him shortly!

So I've spoken with the manager, he was great at reassuring me and confirmed there will be all the support & mentoring I need, and that i can work in any way i like. He also said i can work on minor change projects for as long as I feel comfortable, whether that be 3 months or 2 years.

It was a case of 'now or never' so i accepted! So now im scared but also excited/feel like a weight has been lifted

Thank you so much everyone for all of your advice. I will be revisiting this thread regularly to re-read!!

Well done, @rainbowcakes, and thanks for the update. Best of luck in your new role.

Great news. I wish you all the best.

Wonderful news! We will be here to cheer you on

Good for you OP!

You need to go in with an attitude of absolutely not tolerating personal attacks.

Valid criticism of work, fine. Personal attacks? Don't stand for it.

Glad you accepted it. Sounds like a great move forward. Actually thought it's pretty refreshing for manager to be upfront about the negatives

When do you start the new role @rainbowcakes

I would assume and hope that “personal attacks” is a wrong choice of words. Certainly as you progress there is an increased likelihood of being challenged in a professional sense and particularly if you are managing any change. But I have never heard of anyone having to accept “personal attacks” in the workplace.

If you want to progress, then an increased level of scrutiny, responsibility and challenge is part of that. That a role has been created for you after your applied twice is a positive thing, it shows your company are interested in investing time in your development. I think if you turn it down at this point, you are essentially telling them not to do that, which is fine, but then you have to be at leave with not progressing beyond where you are with your current company.

@CalmConfident exact date not confirmed but most likely second week of January 

@Aprilx im thinking/hoping he used the wrong choice of words! I decided last week to accept the role as the positives massively outweighed the negatives, and it felt too good an opportunity to turn down (i am still terrified though! )

Keep us posted on date so can wish you well for day 1

Good luck OP you will be great I’m sure!!

@CalmConfident slightly late in responding but my first day is tomorrow! Just re-reading this thread & all of the advice again before i start

Only just spotted your update @rainbowcakes. How did it go?

@CalmConfident really well thank you! Everyone is really lovely and supportive, and have made it clear that i can ask anyone for help at any time. I've been assigned a mentor who is lovely & has explained everything really clearly.

Its a lot to take in, as with any new job, but i dont feel completely frazzled yet! Before I started i was proactive and set up a couple of meetings with some key people from the department so id know a bit more about what to expect when i started. Have actually been given some projects today (5!) so will be hitting the ground running with those now! Thank you so much for asking

Hope it continues to go well :) - I do project management at work. You can sometimes end up on the receiving end of people’s frustration with not wanting to change things so my one piece of advice is to always keep in mind that even if it doesn’t seem that way they are reacting to having to adjust how they work and learn new things, which can be uncomfortable. It isn’t you, it isn’t personal and ultimately the changes are happening so you need to keep reiterating the positives while taking note of concerns and seeing if you can address them. Knowing what people hate about their current way of working is helpful as if your project somehow addresses one of the things they hate it really helps get everyone onboard

@IgneousRock

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

Absolutely this!! If you don’t take this role in your current company, don’t expect to be offered anything similar again. But if you go for it and it doesn’t work out, at least you have a promotion and different job title on your cv (and a higher salary) with which to get a new job! It’s a candidate’s market at the moment!! Good luck op.