Should I stay or should I go?

[ratsintheattic]

I have been offered a job (headhunted by previous company). I have tried to negotiate a better deal at present company and failed. I'm not 100% sure about the new job but now feel like I'm not valued by my current employer. Present job offers better springboard to other jobs but new job better work life balance. Can you help me think it through? I don't want to cut off my nose to spite my face but just feel like leaving.

Not all companies will negotiate because they think they are being held to ransom. Mine won't. Work life balance is a definite plus for me but you have to question why you left in the first place.

What if you hadn't been headhunted? Would you have been happy to stay with your current employer?

Awkward... Do your current employers know why you tried to negotiate?
If so you run the risk of being seen as 'that person' unless you manage it very very cleverly - making sure that they know that you chose to stay over and above the other offer (if you do)
It depends what is more important to you - prospects (which might be equally good at the other place, how do you know) or the work life balance (which wins it for me every time, but that's just my situation/motivation at the moment with 2 young dc)

I would have been happy to stay for a while but generally not so happy there as doing much more than I'm paid for. I knew the old company would headhunt me eventually (on good terms with them and just a question of the right job becoming available). But hoped I could get the work I do recognized. Then I would stay.

This is a classic 'bird in the hand is worth two in the bush' situation. New job offers tangible benefits, current job offers potential but so far you are being overworked and they have refused to negotiate a better deal when requested to do so. They might give you a springboard, they might not expect even more hours in return for it.

Personally I would think about how you can make the opportunities you think could happen with current company happen elsewhere. New company might only be a way station on your journey but it sounds like, if you stay at current company, in two years you could still be waiting to get started.

Tribpot speaks sense. Plus ime it's far easier to get a pay rise with a new company - plus, this one actively wants you!

It IS nice to be wanted. I think the new job probably would be a way station but would at least get me moving. I did tell them I'd got an offer but I reckon they think I'm bluffing.

For me, once the rot of dissatisfaction sets in, I'm on a countdown. Currently, I have a fab job which offers everything I could ask for in terms of work life balance. But the new system coming in will fundamentally change my job spec, and I'm really torn between actively looking around (knowing I won't find something so well located near home and school and childminder) and thinking I may need to jump before I'm pushed. It's a headache.

Bluffing? That's a jolly odd thing for a company to think, do many people do this in your industry?

I don't think anyone in the company had outright asked for more recognition in years. He was shocked by it and said "if you have an offer ....." which made me think he didn't believe me.

Sounds like there is a basic lack of something in that boss/employee relations.
The more you post, the more I think if it were me I'd call their bluff. On good terms, of course.
However... You could stretch the facts a little and tell the new company that the old one really doesn't want to lose you... Every man for him/herself out there :)

Take the new job
Leave before it becomes a huge deal and any relationships suffer
Use it to get going on your career choice