Headhunted for a wonderful new job but feel so sad about leaving my current role

[BentleybooandHuntertoo]

So I was invited to interview for a new role via LinkedIn and was offered the job , I wasn't actively looking as such , I have been at my current workplace for 11 years and started at a young age, I have made some fantastic friends who are more like family I don't directly work with them anymore as moved around departments a bit, but wherever I have worked I have always managed to get on well with colleagues and managers alike , the company itself is not really the same since merging with another company, there has been redundancies which I was so grateful not to have been included in but there are not many opportunities to progress and I can't see that front improving we are also a multi billion pound company but despite this lots of cost freezes on equipment and travel, no bonuses or anything like that,and whilst my role has gone quite stagnant I was happy to just go a long with it, I also have pride in being in a company for a long time as I know not many can say that and was happy to stay there for as long as they would have me.

This new role is slightly (not massive increase) but more money, the role is similar to what I do now but keen to progress more and have more ownership on the work itself , the reviews on glass door are outstanding from employees and on LinkedIn they have lots of awards and been accredited for various 'best employer/great place to work' kinda things , it's home working with expense paid for occasional travel to head office (currently do 2 days in the office 3 days at home, but this was only ever introduced due to the pandemic and no obligation for it to be forever they could always change their mind one day if it suits them), benefits similar and the industry is cyber security which feels a safe industry to be in.

I just literally don't know any different to my current place of work with it being my only ever 'proper' job and this scares me greatly

I don't really know what I'm asking I suppose I just feel mixed emotions, excited about a unexpected new role but also sad and nostalgic about somewhere that has been a big part of my life for a long time

Thanks In advance for reading /listening

All of your emotions and thoughts are normal. I would be worried if you expressed only excitement and not the slightest bit of trepidations when you have been in the same company for 11 years.

To make you feel better, however, though it can't be said with absolute certainty, the odds are well in your favor that this is the right decision for all the reasons you identified . . . (A) the company is not the same since the merger (B) upward mobility is not likely . . . (C) your role has been stagnant which suggests a bit of boredom, perhaps? . . . (D) the redundancies and lack of investment in equipment and travel indicates instability or a company that now values shareholder enrichment over quality, which, in the end, will destabilise the company further though it may take several cycles to do so.

Meeting new co-workers, learning personalities and processes, and building those relationships will be a challenge, but given you have done so well with that over the last 11 years, I am certain you will continue with this new opportunity.

Just keep in mind that you will be an outsider, and as is the case everywhere nearly, you may be seen as a threat. Be observant and select your words carefully in these initial months while people are getting to know you.

I would like to thank you for your kind words and outlook xx

I’m currently in a similar position. The thing to hold onto is even if this job doesn’t totally work out for you, the job you are ‘grieving’ is anyway in the past given all the changes. You can only move forward!

I worked for 51 years, and now I’m a part-time consultant, so always operating in new environments. I’ve never not felt a little nervous (along with excited) to start a new job, and I’ve rarely left a job without some regret, even though I knew I’d outgrown that place or role.

It’s entirely normal. You’ll be fine, I’m sure. Work hard, be a supportive colleague, don’t be afraid to ask for advice and help with new and unfamiliar systems. I don’t think you’ll necessarily be seen as a threat, but nobody will want to hear that your previous employer’s ways of doing things were invariably better - it often feels like that because they are more familiar to you, but just wait and see. In time, you can suggest or implement change, of course, but base it on improvement not harking back.

Good luck!

Feel the fear and do it anyway. Work is always changing and evolving, people join, people leave, companies upsize/downsize/merge/etc. You've had what sounds like a great 11 years with your current company, but the new company sounds like a good move. I'd do it!