Unsure about changing jobs despite liking current role and needing stability

[Merryoldgoat]

How do you know if you should take a job?

I’ve not actually been offered one at this stage but I’m starting to look and had an interview yesterday.

I have no idea how it went - I was very nervous and it’s my first interview in over 10 years.

The recruiter called to ask how it went and what I’d need to take the role so I gave him salary and other bits etc and he asked if I’d take it if offered.

I really liked the sound of the role, but when he asked I realised I’m really scared about moving on and this is a very new feeling.

In the past I’ve only left jobs because I got completely fed up but this isn’t the case here. I actually really like where I work now, it’s a supportive and flexible place and I am well respected, quite senior, and paid appropriately.

But I am a bit tired of some aspects of my job and would like a change. Also my current sector is going through some significant changes/shrinkage so it’s a good time to change

There is also no doubt I’d be leaving my current employer a bit in the lurch - I’m leading on some projects and have significant organisational knowledge that would be hard to replace, but I’m not under any illusion I’m irreplaceable and if they wanted me gone they’d have no such compunctions.

I have a complicated home life which magnifies the uncertainty as well.

I don’t know what my AIBU is but what would you do if you were offered the role? How did you know it was time to move on?

The difference in pay would be around £800 - £1000 net per month which I would obviously find very helpful - the headline salary is similar but I’d be moving to 1fte from 0.7fte but hybrid (currently only wfh in exceptional circumstances).

Sounds like quite a lift in money - which, in the end, is what we work for.

I can’t disagree. We are in a reasonable financial position but don’t have much in the way of savings so this would help us build a lot more quickly.

I think if you went to the effort of looking for a job, applying and going to an interview... you must somewhat be ready for a change.

I didn’t really - a recruiter I know (who I used to get my last team member) called me out of the blue because he thought I’d be a good fit (some niche experience) so whilst I’ve been musing a while I’d not actually looked or applied.

If you’ve already started making moves to leave I find it’s a one way street - those niggles will grow and grow for sure. That given. I’d move just for the money and hybrid tbh, those are sufficient that they will give you so many more options life wise.

I think it’s totally normal to feel apprehensive about the actual leaving, especially if you have been there a long time. Last year I walked away from a decades long career in the civil service. It was entirely the right thing to do and I should have done it sooner, but that was the point when the right opportunity came along.

When I got the offer, which as it happened included a big payrise and better flexibility hybrid wise, I completely freaked out all over my friend, who talked me down and be reminded this was what I’d been aiming for. Pressing send on my resignation letter was so, so hard - they already knew I was leaving, we’d already started handovers and sorted my notice period etc but I sat and stared at the email for a whole day before pressing send literally with my eyes closed!

In the long run though I’m so, so I did it. Honestly it makes me feel a bit emotional thinking back on it.

Before you move, It's worth getting the financial accounts from the Companies House or a credit reporting site.

Check the balance sheet so check cash nalances and net worth etc - see if it's in s strong financisl position - less likrly to have redundancies or job cuts in the short to medium term.

very wise!

I'm an HR Consultant and do a lot of recruitment as part of that. Women are terrible for perpetually deliberating. Men wouldn't think, they'd just move jobs. Also, as long as you are confident the company is stable, even if you hate it, you've got a secure job so can move again. Not the end of the world.

If you are career driven, 10 years in a role is starting to be too long. Employers will start to look at you as being institutionalised and lacking in ambition. You should move, its exciting and a very good deal by the looks of it. Go for it!

You wouldn’t know this but I’m an accountant so it’s the first thing I did! 🤣

@HoskinsChoice

You are quite right - I can definitely move again if necessary.

In terms of 10 years and no move, have two children with autism, both of whom are in special education so we’ve always had to balance career with home responsibilities.

Both DH and I could have earned a lot more but chose to both maintain ‘decent’ careers rather than either of us try to be a high flyer and leave the other with all of the responsibilities for our children.