Should I move job - thoughts?

[BobbyNW]

Hi guys, I have been offered a new job and struggling to make up my mind. Listed pros and cons below. What would you all do in my position?

A bit of a head vs heart situation too, so grateful for comments even if it just helps me firm up in my own mind! Thanks!

Current job pros:

1. Like the people - colleagues lovely, direct line manager great, top senior management also great;
2. Work is interesting, large projects, varied;
3. Quite a “prestigious” international company that looks good on the CV;
4. Immediate bosses seem to like me.
5. Very flexible WFH policy - fully open to choose when and where I work.
6. Salary and reward package good.
7. If you can get to the top, it is one of the best paying companies in my sector.
8. I line manage and train junior people in the team, something I enjoy.
9. Big team - lots of admin support, lots of more junior people I can delegate work to and supervise, freeing up time for me to do more interesting work.
10. Some opportunity to get involved in BD initiatives but usually only as one of a larger team and see comments below in ‘cons’ section…
11. In the last few days I’ve been invited to a session at HQ in Europe to meet the top boss. Only ten people going - thrown a curve ball as would be a good profile raising opportunity and perhaps alleviate some of my progression concerns…but obviously doesn’t mean anything concrete.

Current job cons:

1. The big one is progression. Three colleagues slightly more experienced than me have recently gone for promotion and been rejected. We have then hired external laterals instead into HQ (which is abroad).
2. To get to the very top, you need a big client base, and the top management are quite protective of their own clients/don’t give much opportunity for mid level people to do BD - I could probably get promoted to the next step in 4 or 5 years, but worry about then not getting any further….
3. If I do get promoted in 4-5 years but then can’t get further, it will be harder to move at that point than now - because people at other organisations will have built up their client base in the intervening years.
4. Middle management (ie: head of department between direct line managers and board level management) a little wayward - very nice people, but lacking in strategy and direction a little bit.
5. Don’t seem to have a progression plan in place - they tell you what you need to get promoted, but don’t help you get there.
6. A bit of a strange time in my department - a couple of people have left for various reasons (some negative, some not). Seems like a time of change.
7. A bit of a shift of focus to other international markets which concerns me about progression again.

New job pros:

1. Still an international company but much smaller - has a bit of a “start up” feel although has been established 20 years. Progression therefore likely to be easier.
2. The office in my region is virtually brand new - I’d be the third person in it - where part of the brief is to go out and win clients. So a great opportunity to build up clients which could help me get to those top senior positions.
3. They have existing client relationships they want me to take on as soon as I join as well. Again helps with long term promotion.
4. An exciting “buzz” at the moment - a new American office has just been opened, could be a really exciting time to join and grow with the firm. Equally though a bit of a gamble to be expanding in current economy.
5. A 10 per cent pay rise - to be honest, my current pay is better than most competitor companies, so this isn’t a major point, but obviously still quite a large increase (and partner pregnant so the extra cash will all help!). Bonus scheme at new place slightly better as well.
6. The people also seem really nice here.

New job cons:

1. Much smaller company - the work would be for smaller clients on smaller less high profile/interesting projects.
2. The two other people in my office were hired from much smaller companies so could be quite a cultural shift from what I’m used to.
3. HQ is still abroad.
4. I’d be one of the newbies - in the current economic climate = less job stability?
5. No guarantee of promotion here either - and the middle management level would probably get paid less than my current company. If I only ever make it to middle management, might be better staying where I am (negative attitude though that!)
6. No junior people for me to line manage - if goes well, would be planning to grow the team over the next few years, but no guarantee of when/if.
7. Not much admin/junior support, so I would be doing everything myself, including the more simple tasks I would currently delegate.

I was very open minded-until
You said you partner was pregnant.

Personally i would stay in the very flexible/comfortable yet stimulating job for at least one year after baby is born. Throwing a new job in a developing company with a lot of stress and expectation whilst going through the early stages of exhaustion and sleep deprivation could add a lot of pressure to your relationship and steal some of the new baby joy. Family life is always more important then work.

Wait until the maternity leave is ended and you have both managed that transition. And all tasks and care is distributed and then see how you feel about a job move. And what sort if job suits your family best. Both financially and practically.

I wouldn’t let your life circumstances put you off the move. There’s never a good time to do things. Though I note you say you have flexibility at the moment to work from home, would you have this? Also the lack of admin can cause a lot more work, I know this as I’ve worked in professional roles without any support and it’s just massive time pressure, which adds to stress

if you can see yourself creating a role that would work for you in your new firm maybe go for it

If your first, a baby will probably change your priorities a bit