Got to final interview but changed mind

[Fourbyfour]

I have a good job at the moment but am looking for the next move in my career as it's become a bit stagnant.
I applied for a few jobs and got called to interview with a couple.

With one company I've got to the final round with the last interview on Tuesday but have been told it's not a formal interview, it's just to check rapport with a senior manager.

I've been thinking about it, and I'm now not sure the industry it's in is right for me, although the job itself is an exciting challenge. It's a longer commute and a less good work life balance than I have now, but a good opportunity to get more experience in my field of expertise.

Would the right job in the wrong industry appeal to you?

If the job is right, ie interesting, varied, challenging, prospects for the future etc, then it wouldn't matter what industry, unless it violated my personal values. I once went for an interview for an amazing job, about £10k more, lots of benefits, great job content.

Trouble was it was for a cigarette company. I had to turn the offer down, I thought I could put aside my values for a great job, but when push came to shove I couldn't contribute my skills towards an industry that had such a negative impact on society.

Ok ....

1. How long have you been in current job ?

1a. How much work experience do you have ( i.e. Years in work force)

1. What about job do you view as stagnant ?
2. Have you spoken to existing management about further opportunities ?
3. What are your priorities ? Getting experience or work life balance or minimizing commute ?
4. What are you short and long term goals ?

You can always gain something from any job.

I'd go with your gut.

The new is job is interesting but it's a small company so room to progress is small, other than leaving the company with newly gained skills and moving on again.
The problem is I'm not sure I believe the business will still be around in three years (its tech related).

In my current job there's no room to progress up so have to look out. Have asked for new challenges in my skill set area but they see that as an opportunity to give me stuff I can do but that's not skilled as someone needs to do it and because I'm asking for more responsibility they think that means I want more work to do generally. Also requests for salary increase despite delivering numerous successful projects have gone unanswered.

My current role is probably only using half of my specialism. I'm looking for a role that's entirely it.

6 years in workforce, 4 at current company.

I don't mind the longer commute if my work life balance is still manageable (ideally no 14 hour days)

I'm also interviewing at other companies where my gut feeling is more excited. This opportunity has proceeded fastest and will come to a final decision before the others.

Personally your description sounds a bit lacklustre. If you have other irons in the fire that are more exciting to you, I wouldn't make a snap decision about moving.

Nowadays, I tend to think it needs to be an exciting new opportunity where my circumstances in the new role are improved (either salary, benefits or QoL) before giving up 2 years' employment rights.

it doesn't seem the prospects for advancement in the new role are any better than your current job.

Thank you daisy chain. What you've said I 100% agree with and my first thought was well then this job is not for me. It's the additional experience I want, but it needs to be exciting. I shouldn't just jump at the first opportunity to get that career progression.

I normally give 110% from the get go, so it's a strange feeling to have a gut that's not sure this is the right opportunity.

Sounds like you would be swapping for no real upside - recommend approaching management again and also continuing your outwards search waiting for a better opportunity

Don't settle tho - write your "must haves" in a list and don't apply or interview if the list isn't met (I'd give different advice If you were unemployed)

Thank you OldGuard. That's excellent advice!

If you're sure it's not for you, then don't go forward. If you aren't sure, then get a list of questions together and go to the interview - interviews are two-way things and you're also there to find out if they will fit you.

I'm also job hunting at the moment and in a fortunate position of not working and having time to find the right next role.

I've also got to second stage with two jobs, both of which I will probably turn down as they both don't feel quite right for me, for one reason or another.

Don't be afraid to hold out for the right position and remember applying for jobs and interviews is a two-way process.

With the new job, is someone doing it at the moment or is it a newly created position? Would there be any chance to spend a couple of hours shadowing someone before you accept? It's really hard to know what the culture of the company will be like, day-to-day requirements of the role etc etc based on a couple of interviews held in a boardroom.

On the other hand a smsll tech company may be at the beginning of their growth with opportunities for those in near the start! Friend just cashed in their share options gained when they were just a small tech co but now a multi national plc and became an actual cash millionaire rather than an on paper one only!

What makes you think they may not be around in 3 years?

Agree with Allthebest.

Tech company was bought by DH's old company. Was sold then sold again. Most of the original employees had shares and are now millionaires. All ordinary guys who worked hard and got lucky. It can happen.

No chance to shadow in this role as no one is doing it currently and the management is all changing soon. No opportunity for shares and company has existed for three years but is struggling to find a place in the mass market, it's niche.
Its not really the small firm environment I was looking for, I've done that and work in a medium sized corporation now and am looking for a real progressive step in my career to a large company.
However, any experience is good experience, right?

If you're not feeling the love then it's probably not for you.

I tend to go into things with an open mind these days as the best opportunities didn't necessarily look like that at the outset. I do, however, trust my gut feeling and wouldn't go for a great opportunity if my mind/body are screaming no.

The right job in the wrong industry is not the right job.

Having said that, I'd attend interview and give a good account of myself. The networking opportunity could be valuable for the future, and you could perhaps further review whether the industry really is a poor fit.

I think "any experience is good experience" depends where you are in your career and if you have time to spare. It is possible to use up time gaining experience that doesn't further longer term goals. A bit like saying "any Degree is worth having", when a bit of focus and clear direction could be more beneficial that doing a course just for the sake of it. Just generalising there but hope you get the gist.

the management is all changing soon lack of management stability to that extend could be a red flag.

Did you go to the second interview OP?