Feeling rubbish about job hopping...

[ranchababs]

Hi all,

Apols in advance for keeping this as vague as possible...

After finally being on the career trajectory I wanted for myself (good salary, sector I enjoyed, role I enjoyed), I was made redundant earlier in the year.

I was offered a role quickly at an adjacent company thanks to a good network of people around me and some good friends that took a chance on me; similar area but different skillset, considerably less money and just a touch away from what I truly enjoyed in my previous role.

Though it's been great to learn new skills, I know I don't want to be in this specific area long term (very KPI driven, not getting to do the bits I love and am good at and progression is based on hitting said KPI's only).

Roles like my previous one are few and far between in my area so I was aiming to bide my time and see what else came up, continuing to learn & grow in the interim.

However, a potential opportunity that aligns with what I want to continue to do with my career has arisen sooner than anticipated (5 months into my current role), back in a salary bracket that I am more comfortable with and aligns better with what I want for my future. It's a smaller start-up business so comes with it's own risks, but also opportunities to make the role my own.

I guess I'm struggling with the guilt that comes with considering leaving the company that 'saved' me post redundancy, and I'm looking for anyone that's been in a similar situation or can offer advice.

My concern is burning bridges, particularly since my current company is well embedded in the sector and I'd likely still engage with them in my new role, because of the area I'm in. And the potential optics of job hopping in a very close knit community in my city.

Any thoughts very much welcome!

Have you interviewed for and got the new role? Sorry I can’t tell from your original post.

Tbh these days few employers hesitate to discard staff when they need to, so you have to take the opportunities when they present themselves. If you haven’t applied nothing may come of it; if you do and get the job offer make your decision on what is best for you.

Ah sorry I didn't clarify - not officially but as good as it's there if I want it. It's not a role that will go to market (unless I turn it down), more so a good friend in the industry that wants me specifically because of my experience.

Of course would ensure I have an written offer before doing anything!

Go for the new job.

No question!

I really felt this during the redundancy earlier in the year. I'd only been in the company a short time but had had continuous feedback about my impact, yet my team was the first to go during times of difficulty.

It's really had an impact on my self-worth which is why I'm so seriously considering the offer. Whilst I feel quite crippling guilt about leaving, I have to do what's right for me and my career.

I am in exactly the same position and the guilt is getting to me as well.

I work in HR so putting my professional head on I say - these thing happen, do you up most to make your resignation about the unexpected opportunity and how you couldn't turn it down. Grateful for the opportunity with them etc etc

Also remeber if the table were turned the company would not be feeling guilty and would do what it needs to do. As do you! Go for the new job, be happy and thrive.

As for relationships - if you remain respectful, positive and collegiate these will survive.

Good luck

Thanks for this - in my head I know this is exactly the case.

I guess one part of my fear is that there's nothing to say this start-up might not fail at some point. And just imagining my situation in 6-months time if that was to happen, knowing I had left a okay, steady job for it to all go to sh*t.

I know the counters to this train of thought, but it's still niggling!

Brilliant advice and totally true. Sometimes life takes an unexpected turn and you have to do what is right for you.

Also I don’t think that job hopping is really a thing anymore. Before my current role I deliberately took on maternity leave and other fixed term contracts because I wanted to gain as vast a range of experience as possible in my field, which is most easily achieved by working for a range of different employers.

I think you're 100% right, in the field I'm in as well! And I would be more than happy to explain my reasoning down the line in any subsequent roles where I was questioned on it.

I guess it's just the head vs heart aspect. The optics for my current company for me dipping out so soon, the optics for the wider industry community in my area (small but mighty!) of me jumping ship.

I know I shouldn't care because it is potentially a decision that's right for me. But you do dwell on illogical things sometimes don't you!

Yes you absolutely do, I can be an excellent overthinker sometimes!

I think if you are abundantly straightforward with them then they will be able to see themselves why it is the right move for you, and that way you won’t burn bridges. Good luck with your new adventure by the way!

You could turn this on its head and think - your current employer has had the benefit of you and your experience for over a year at a lower salary than you deserve!

Thank you so much for your kind words!

Ah, therein lies my raging guilt. I've actually only been in my current post for 5-months...

I know this is a role I would only have found myself in for 12-18 months anyway. And despite generally finding the role okay, because of a particularly tough couple of weeks I had already started having a look to see any other opportunities available locally, before this one came along!

I would make it clear you were headhunted, not looking, and only moving because the role is tailormade in your specific area of expertise. I think that makes a difference. Be grateful, apologetic, and willing to go above & beyond to make the hand over as smooth as possible. But definitely accept it!

Thank you @SuperGreens, this is great advice 💗

What @SuperGreens said but it's also worth pointing out the salary is much higher. Money talks. Only an idiot would hold accepting a salary increase against you.

I'm happy to say my main motivator for the new role is that it's closer to an area of my sector that I'm especially passionate about, but the salary increase comes a very close second.

I took a very considerable pay cut to move into my current role post redundancy; of course I had to do what I had to do in the face of having no job! And whilst I'm very fortunate in that the environment I'm in now is very flexible, friendly and autonomous, it did really impact me, and my progression and ability to build my base salary where I am now is limited (plus, it's a concern I raised during the hiring process).

I've always been the sort of person with a 5-year plan, love budgeting and saving, and the redundancy and subsequent pay-cut really impacted me financially and psychologically.

I know the feeling OP ive just left a job (today) without another job to go in to and im quite scared

I'm about to start my 3rd role in under 3 years (after having previous jobs for 7 and 10 years). Life is too short to be unhappy at work so go for the new role!

One short tole on your CV is fine and if you get the new offer then it obviously doesn't bother your new employer

Good for you! Hope it all goes well!

I'm less so bothered about having to explain it to others; like you said, it was the right decision for me at the time, based on a great opportunity. I think it's more so that feeling from current employer - I need to get over it!

Just wanted to say a HUGE thank you to everyone that put my mind at ease!

I've been invited in to share my ideas for the role next Friday with their directors - I'll keep you posted!

Good luck! You have to do what’s right for you in life….other than what you say about it being a small field you work in, a year after you leave the majority of employers will be saying who? if your name crops up

I think you'd do the right thing to take them up on the invite @ranchababs.

I've been working at a company I really wanted to be in at for a little while now but after a few months I'm figuring out it might not be for me. I mentioned this to someone I know who said they could have something I'd be interested in coming up, so I've already got one eye on being out.

I've been in jobs 6/7/8 years, when they work they work great. I think my shortest was six months where I knew it wasn't going anywhere. If you know you're not planning on sticking around there longer than a year or two anyway I wouldn't let it get in the way of what could be a good opportunity.

This is pretty much my exact situation; I have a lot of time/respect for my current company but I know it's just not what I want to do. I definitely wanted a little more time under my belt (at most just to get the experience) but I couldn't do it long term!

I'm meeting them next Friday! I know they've also opened it to external applicants so if worst comes to worst, I don't get it and I'll just keep my eye out for something else.

I'll see how it goes! Thanks for commenting!

I'd ensure the offer is 100% guaranteed, then go to the HR of your current employer and tell them you've been headhunted with a job that fits your skillset and salary expectations. Ask if there is any chance of movement within this company into a role better suited your abilities and in line with your previous salary. If not, say you would not normally job hop so quickly but you can't afford to turn down such a big salary hike or a role so much in line with your career plans.

That way, you give them the chance of keeping you, to show you'd like to stay if the right role existed.