WWYD? Moving from familiarity…

[PatBoucher]

Senior role, global name company, could probably stay here in one role or another for the remaining 20 years of my career. But it’s a HUGELY frustrating environment, lack of any real space/freedom due to backwards internal politics, not really utilizing my expertise, more just pandering to the politics. This year inherited a project which is a disaster and I’m not convinced it’s the right direction… if I land it, the credibility would be enormous, but really there’s a chance of it being a failure. Work-life balance struggling at the moment, with no foreseeable let up. Good money, wiggle room for more.

Just been head hunted for a similar role. Smaller remit, smaller, younger, more dynamic organization, probably more autonomy and creativity. Different industry but very up and coming. Long term prospects obviously a bit unknown. Would still look good on cv. Work life balance better though a little offset by the commute (1-2 days a week office based - would prob require an overnight stay). Financial package a tad lower than current comp, with role at the top of the range - but they really want me .

So it’s definitely a sideways step, and not profession… which could be ok as I have probably hit a bit of a ceiling anyway so now I see a next step more about moving for variety.

We live abroad and the likelihood is that any new role in this country will be in another part (up to 2.5 hours away) so I’m also very aware that my options are limited, due to seniority and also location.

Current employer feels like a safety net, albeit a frustrating one.

Is the new one just a case of greener grass because I’m sick of the BS in the current one?

Should I take the plunge or stay and put up?

(For reference, I’m the main breadwinner, DH very PT/Sahd… 2 kids upper primary ages)

WWYD?

Hopeful bump

Go for it. I’ve made sideways moves and they have paid off in terms of job satisfaction and providing a change without the additional pressure of moving upwards.

Good luck

You sound like you’ve already decided.

@Alpinechalet sounds like it’s worked out well for you. I am a bit concerned this is a step backwards to an extent just because the company is so much smaller - the team is 10% the size of my current remit. I actually tried to hire the current incumbent as one of my senior managers. I am pretty sure I could bring a good deal of value though.

@Nc123 far from it…. I’m a bit worn down by my current role. But need to make sure I don’t make bad decisions just because it’s a bit of a rough patch.

A change would be good, but leaving feels daunting. The commute concerns me - I currently have a 10 min drive, new place is 2 hours away… and we don’t want to move… and if I don’t like it, I’m a bit stuck for other options…

I moved from a role in large company (000s of employees) where I was relatively senior in terms of responsibilities, sign-off etc but in practice there were still several layers of management above me (though I've no idea what most of them did) and it was full of politics; also they were gradually weeding out the smaller clients and mainly working for large faceless companies. I went to a tiny company (less than 30 employees) doing the same role but with only one person above me but for smaller clients and therefore much more varied/interesting role. I play a key part in any management decisions and feel really valued by my boss and those "below" me, which makes a huge difference to how I feel about work. I spent months dithering, partly due to worries about job security (luckily my new firm waited as they were very keen to have me). There are some downsides, eg our IT "department" is on the phone, not down the corridor, and job security still not certain (but I have been here nearly 10 years so if it all goes wrong I will have had 10 good years) but I absolutely made the right decision. However, the one big difference for me was that it reduced my commute, whereas 10 min versus 2 hours is a huge factor but for 1-2 dpw might be worth it.

Thanks @AliMonkey, I do think a smaller environment offers more scope and flexibility… it’s still 20,000 employees so not tiny, but 10x smaller than current place.

I am thinking I would say that I would do 1 day per week and get it done in a day, then if they want more they pay for a hotel overnight.

It’s all a bit theoretical at the mo as I haven’t got a concrete offer. They might come back and say I’m too expensive!

[quote PatBoucher]@Alpinechalet sounds like it’s worked out well for you. I am a bit concerned this is a step backwards to an extent just because the company is so much smaller - the team is 10% the size of my current remit. I actually tried to hire the current incumbent as one of my senior managers. I am pretty sure I could bring a good deal of value though.

@Nc123 far from it…. I’m a bit worn down by my current role. But need to make sure I don’t make bad decisions just because it’s a bit of a rough patch.

A change would be good, but leaving feels daunting. The commute concerns me - I currently have a 10 min drive, new place is 2 hours away… and we don’t want to move… and if I don’t like it, I’m a bit stuck for other options…[/quote]
A smaller company isn’t necessarily a backwards step. It can bring greater flexibility and opportunities to continue developing your career because it can be more agile.

Would you have the option to work flexibly and include some home working in the new role?

I would see what they offer you OP, the commute does sound daunting and is not to be underestimated but being given the 'challenging' projects really wears you down after a while (or it did for my DH!). You don't always want to be dragging victory from the jaws of defeat especially if your bonus is performance based

No I know smaller doesn’t always equal a step back. Ultimately it’s the same role as Head of Xxx but just proportionately smaller.

At the moment we’re in the office 2 days a week but there is a strong sense of presenteeism so they’d have us back in 5 days pw if they thought there wouldn’t be uproar. As i said it’s a very traditional environment…

New place seems to be a bit more modern, different industry too. And remote working much more of a thing. The headhunter said “a couple of days in the office”. I could do the drive in a day if it was just one day. I’d want overnight to be kept to a minimum - my headspace has been filled with work for the past couple of years and the Mum Guilt is rife (I thought that would pass as the kids got older but I get it worse actually… but that’s a different thread).

I could potentially ask new place for 4 days a week if they match my current package. Ironic really as the young mums I mentor I always tell them 4 days a week sounds good on paper but in reality it’s 20% less pay, holidays, pension, flexibility but rarely 20% less work…..

I’m too expensive apparently 😭

Oh, sorry to hear that OP that's so disappointing and a bit annoying that they didn't check that first

It really is, really saw a way out of my current place for a second and got all excited.

Has made me realize I will keep an eye out more seriously. Had always felt restricted by location but the thought of 1-2 days in another city could be ok so has made me think there could be other options.

I will leave my gate in the universe’s hands!

*fate!

It's always a gamble. I've started new jobs thinking they'd be great and they weren't, and taken interim roles as space fillers that turned into much better opportunities as anticipated.

But you sound bored and disheartened where you are now. If it was to turn out to be a wrong move, what would you do... is it a risk worth taking?

Personally I'd take it as you sound like you've lost faith in your current place.

Just saw your update! Being too expensive is not too bad a thing in many respects!

I was prepared to take the risk. But total comp was about 20% less than I’m on now + a 2 hour each way.

Current place is safe but very frustrating.

It’s made me realize there could be other things - for a long time I’ve thought “this is it” due to location. But with covid there’s more remote working which opens possibilities.

@PatBoucher

I was prepared to take the risk. But total comp was about 20% less than I’m on now + a 2 hour each way.

Current place is safe but very frustrating.

It’s made me realize there could be other things - for a long time I’ve thought “this is it” due to location. But with covid there’s more remote working which opens possibilities.

It absolutely does. I'm in a completely location independent role now as are most of my team. Only disadvantage is that it can be harder to compete as it vastly opens up the candidate pool (for me, I'm interim so will be looking again when this project ends) but you sound fairly specialised and senior that this may not be such an issue.

Well opportunities are few and far between. My current employer pays above average. So leaving won’t be easy and may require a move abroad (again).

We’ll see.

In the meantime I need to fall in love with my job again.