Career Advice Needed (1 Viewer)

[T Love]

So I have been working at the same company in the same field for 15 years now, and now have two different but exciting opportunities. I have been frustrated with my job over the past few years due to the internal politics, slow process to change, etc. I have been looking for a while and now have a decision to make between two jobs (would have been much easier if I was only offered one of the positions). Need advice on which offer to take. Both would require me to move to the other side of the country and are ironically about 45 minutes from each other. No family in either location.

Job A: Slight downgrade in title. Go from managing a team of 35 today, to less than 10. Some expanded scope, but in many ways reduced scope from job today. In a related, but not identical industry. Great opportunity for long-term growth as I could see myself working there for 10+ years. Similar in size to current company, so while politics may be different, definitely not gone. About $10K less in pay (factoring in everything). I know that I would come in and crush this job because I am doing much more advanced work today in current position. Definitely enjoy this industry and feel I could learn a lot, but it will take a while to approach the $$ with Job B.

Job B: Upgrade in title. 25%-30% upgrade in pay vs. Job A. Creating new corporate function from newly merged companies so I would be the only person on my team for at least a year. Would have to work with the brands and their individual areas, without having direct oversight. Brand new industry to me so exciting to learn new things, but obviously more risk as I am not familiar. Company is currently private (private equity) so there may be some upside with equity if decide to go public (retail but in a good space so no possibility of hyper-growth tech IPO)-however I have pushed for details and they don't have it yet. In a space that I am passionate about (industry less so if that makes sense). While it will be very interesting work for a while, not really opportunity long-term for advancement as I will be the top person in the company doing this function. Don't think I could necessarily see myself here 5 years down the road. However the increased title and new industry will help open doors for me long-term.

Dilemma is do I take position A with less money, lower title than today though long-term potential, a bit easier work as I do this all day long...or B where I could broaden skill set to new industry, significantly higher salary & bonus, upgraded title over today, but more risk as I entering a brand new industry where my skills may not translate as easy as I might imagine? Been going back and forth for a while...trying to quantify how much I value the extra $$ & new work vs. direct application of my skill set and more long-term opportunity. To be completely transparent if $$ and title were equal (or close), I would probably go Job A, but the advice others have given me is that Job A could also help open long-term doors for me (though at other places).

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

However the increased title and new industry will help open doors for me long-term.

This sounds promising, and the challenge sounds more interesting.  Given that you said you didn't care for the internal politics, I'd go with Job B.  But comfort level and stress are important.  But I'd still find the opportunity to create your own work environment appealing.

Good luck.

 

[TheWalkmen]

If your current job paid you more, would you stay? You have tons of leverage at this point, obviously, to ask for more money from your current company. 

Regarding job A & B and the move...are there cost of living impacts with the move?

Job B sounds riskier, so I would be thinking about what you'd do if the job doesn't work out (move back, stay there, etc). It sounds like your trade off between A & B is risk and stress for more money, which is a tough choice, but without knowing more about you personally it is really tough to say what to do. If you handle stress well, B could be the choice. If you don't, I'd go A all day. Money isn't necessarily worth the stress.

 

[Otis]

I can't fathom taking a job that is less challenging, less responsibility, and less money, unless I'm just so overwhelmed with my current job and/or winding down for retirement/don't need the money.  Unless Job A has tremendous long term potential, I don't see how you do that.

ETA: I've become a stress monkey and workaholic, so probably not everyone views this the same way.  But this is an easy call for me, at least in terms of NOT taking Job A.  Whether it's Job B versus my current job, lots of other factors unless your foot is already out the door. 

 

[Thorpe]

Is the area you are moving more or less expensive than the area you are in now?  IE, do you need to make more money to have same standard of living?

 

[Beef Ravioli]

Does the new location have a higher cost of living then where you currently live? Does either company pay for relocation? Are you moving a family?

 

[Thorpe]

I'd go with job B.  You never know what a job is like until you work there for a month, so take the money.  For all you know A is a worse job for less money...

 

[Beef Ravioli]

@Thorpe you beat me by 5 seconds with the same question.

 

[Poke_4_Life]

How old are you? Or better question how close to retirement?

If you are looking to cruise into retirement around 10 years from now go with A. Otherwise B. 

 

[T Love]

Thanks for the replies. To answer the questions raised...

No I wouldn’t stay at current job if offered more $$ as I have been unhappy with the politics for a while.

Moving packages are about the same, B is probably slightly higher. Cost of housing in new area is slightly higher.

I am probably 15-20 years from retirement so still a ways to go.

By less stress I mean that Job A is more similar to what I’ve done in my current career (on a larger scale) so it would “easier” to produce value quickly. With larger company, many more opportunities to grow and they said it would definitely be easy to move around (I.e. get promoted) every few years as they want people to be well rounded at this level and above. I would probably get to same level, pay of Job B, if I perform well which I know would definitely happen, but it would probably take a couple of promotions and around 5 years. This is definitely not an “easy” job where I’d skate into retirement, just that I know the roadmap to tackle from day 1. Also I’d be looking to get exposure to gain back some of the job short comings so I’d definitely be putting in the hours. This is a company and industry I’ve always wanted to join, but just don’t see the step back as right way to do so.

Job B is completely different industry and there are some skills I am probably a bit rusty on some skills as I currently manage a relatively large team, so that is where the more uncertainty comes in. This would definitely look better to future employers/recruiters as I’d have the larger title and larger salary. As I’ve found during the interview it seems the common questions are always, title, who did you report to and compensation, and this definitely would show good career progression. I could get here as well with Job A, just have to take a half step back first.

 

[Beef Ravioli]

To me it sounds like you want B - Go for it! 

 

[[scooter]]

It sounds like Option B has higher risks. Two companies just merged, and they may be still trying to figure out which positions are truly necessary. Also, it sounds like there is more pressure for Company B to be profitable, so a guy like you could end up being a sacrificial lamb the next time someone decides that heads need to roll.

But the 30% pay increase is going to be very tough to turn down.

My advice: take Option B but start hiding money.

 

[Kanil]

So I have been working at the same company in the same field for 15 years now, and now have two different but exciting opportunities. I have been frustrated with my job over the past few years due to the internal politics, slow process to change, etc. I have been looking for a while and now have a decision to make between two jobs (would have been much easier if I was only offered one of the positions). Need advice on which offer to take. Both would require me to move to the other side of the country and are ironically about 45 minutes from each other. No family in either location.

Job A: Slight downgrade in title. Go from managing a team of 35 today, to less than 10. Some expanded scope, but in many ways reduced scope from job today. In a related, but not identical industry. Great opportunity for long-term growth as I could see myself working there for 10+ years. Similar in size to current company, so while politics may be different, definitely not gone. About $10K less in pay (factoring in everything). I know that I would come in and crush this job because I am doing much more advanced work today in current position. Definitely enjoy this industry and feel I could learn a lot, but it will take a while to approach the $$ with Job B.

Job B: Upgrade in title. 25%-30% upgrade in pay vs. Job A. Creating new corporate function from newly merged companies so I would be the only person on my team for at least a year. Would have to work with the brands and their individual areas, without having direct oversight. Brand new industry to me so exciting to learn new things, but obviously more risk as I am not familiar. Company is currently private (private equity) so there may be some upside with equity if decide to go public (retail but in a good space so no possibility of hyper-growth tech IPO)-however I have pushed for details and they don't have it yet. In a space that I am passionate about (industry less so if that makes sense). While it will be very interesting work for a while, not really opportunity long-term for advancement as I will be the top person in the company doing this function. Don't think I could necessarily see myself here 5 years down the road. However the increased title and new industry will help open doors for me long-term.

Dilemma is do I take position A with less money, lower title than today though long-term potential, a bit easier work as I do this all day long...or B where I could broaden skill set to new industry, significantly higher salary & bonus, upgraded title over today, but more risk as I entering a brand new industry where my skills may not translate as easy as I might imagine? Been going back and forth for a while...trying to quantify how much I value the extra $$ & new work vs. direct application of my skill set and more long-term opportunity. To be completely transparent if $$ and title were equal (or close), I would probably go Job A, but the advice others have given me is that Job A could also help open long-term doors for me (though at other places).

How close to retirement are you?  My gut says B for future opportunities but if you're close to retirement and aren't so worried about future growth, you could make a case for A.

 

[ProstheticRGK]

I vote B. Good luck.

 

[Fishboy]

I'd also take B.  Once you are at the title/pay, it sets you up for future opportunities at that level/pay in the event that this opportunity doesn't work out.  There is no guarantee that option A is 100% either, so in the event B doesn't pan out, you have already set your market level for down the road.  Career growth should be up and to the right.  Given that cost of living is slightly higher in the new location, I wouldn't take the step back in title, responsibility and pay. 

 

[Ignoratio Elenchi]

100% B imo.  

 

[moleculo]

take job B but don't burn your bridges at A.  Buy a house 1/2 way between the two.  If B doesn't work out, maybe you can re-apply at A.  At that point, you would have additional skills you can leverage, and you would be local.  Might be able to work your way into A at a higher position.

 

[Johnny Rock]

Take both new jobs since they’re only 45 minutes apart.