To leave job of 8 years for fixed term contract?

[Yesterdayyesterday]

I really hate my job at the moment. My team was absorbed into a larger organisation, and restructured. I now work in a completely matrixed environment, but I miss working in a close knit team. Added into that, I have no specific role, just more like flexible resource where I can be applied to any project that comes up for which I have the right experience to do the task. The senior management are struggling with decision making as they have too much to review and aren't delegating decision making responsibilities.

I've seen a job come up at a start up which sounds exciting. It's not an upwards career move but it's interesting, innovative and I would have a specific role. However, it is only a 12 month FTC (mat cover). AIBU to apply for it? We can survive for periods of time with me out of work as DH has a good salary. However, long term I wouldn't want to be out of work.

I would! Life's too short.

I'm in a similar situation and have decided to take a gamble on applying for FTCs as well, you never know where it'll lead you to.

Sounds like the career reset you need.

Go for it. It can be a great way to side step and get new/different experiences. I took a 12 month ftc - still here 5 years later and been promoted twice

I just had a look at company reviews in Glassdoor and it looks like it has good reviews for being innovative, is developing a great product, has a one-team environment etc, but at the same time seems like quite a high pressured environment/long working hours. That's not ideal for me really with two primary aged DC, but at the same time maybe if it was just for a year it would be ok.

So much career advancement happens when you can apply for a better paying job while at the job you're at.

Go and apply... and in your interview, ask if you can speak to folks who'd be your potential colleagues-- to better understand what the work environment is like.

(edited to update) -- worst thing that happens is that you gain some recent interviewing experience for your field. OH NOES! =)

Folks tend to forget that work interviews are a two-way street. They want to attract great talent. You've got your needs and expectations too. So where they're asking about if you're qualified, you should be asking... are you worthy of my time?

And considering that you've already got a job, you're ultimately in the better position for negotiating pay and perks.

Soak it up and use it well.