Job: Should I stay or should I go?
 

So I had my annual review yesterday. It went "ok" and I got a token increase and a meager bonus; after taxes, the 'bonus' will be equivalent to about a single paycheck.

What makes it interesting is I have another offer on the table already; I was stalling because I wanted to see the outcome of my review, so I could get an idea of where things stood. The other position is less day-to-day ops and more testing/abusing/benchmarking equipment with some technical writing. Its a lateral position, and actually a pay grade lower than where I am now. I wouldn't take a pay cut, but my overall pay potential would be lower; however, it would take so many years to claw up the pay bands to get there that the sun crashing into the earth poses more of a hazard.

Pros

• Completely different job, learn new skills with the latest-and-greatest tech
• Management at the new org is local, instead of on a different continent

Cons

• No real reward to compensate for the risk of leaving current position
• Very unfamiliar territory hardware-wise, and I'm not a strong tech writer
• More regimented schedule/release cycle; I'm currently very autonomous with very little adult supervision
• My ops skillset would probably erode; that's what I've been doing for the past umpteen years.

The group that I work for now has been steadily downsizing, and is just a fraction of the size it was a few years ago. Management says the group will stay at its current location - as far as they know meaning it could change tomorrow if they want it to. However, the same could be said for the other group, although they've been adding people; in fact, a lot of people people who have left the group I'm currently in went to the group that's trying to lure me in.

I need to fish or cut bait, and I have mere hours in which to pull the ripcord or abuse more clichés.

As a rule of thumb, unless I am out of work, I would not take a lower title/pay grade. Even if the salary is the same, it could be viewed as a step backwards, and could be a challenge to move up.

How relevant are the new skills? Will they take you to the next level?

Could you go back to the other position if things didn't work out?

Sometimes the best evil is the evil you know.

Lateral move, lower pay grade, I think I'd pass...if you're not challenged/uncomfortable in a job, you're in the wrong job.

I've never received a bonus from my "employer", for 3 years (in the 90s) I didn't even get a cost of living raise. So yea, things could be worse.

You've only listed two "pros."

And they both sound like "cons."

This. Unless you are totally miserable, why take a step down?

You are stagnant where you are. You will not lose pay (in the short term) by leaving but you will gain skill sets. Those new skill sets combined with your current ones could potentially provide you significant future income in a future job/endeavor or employer.

Remember, that the last rat on a sinking ship still drowns. Cutting staff and providing false assurances is a sign of racing to the bottom. My suggestion would be to swim while you still have a shore in sight. (CUT BAIT AND GO)

angela

sounds like you may be burned out on your current job, or you are caught up with "the grass is greener" (speaking of clichés).

Don't follow the herd, make a choice best for you

I don't think stagnant defines my current condition; probably more like complacent. I'm not burned out yet, but I am wary that the changing tide might no be lifting all boats.

This is all very thought-provoking - keep going!

What does your wife think?

Besides what has been said, look at it how it will fit in with the rest of your life.

I've recently gone from working 60-65 hours a week to 52-55 with an easier commute. I notice a big difference in my mood when I get home.

Sounds like Angela might have nailed it. If you can gain a skill set that would be additive to your current still, will it pay off in 3-5 years? Short-term set back for long-term benefit. But if those skills are not complementary and wouldn't be an advantage later, might be best to pass up.

I've started to feel complacent as well and started looking at outside activities and hobbies.

If you work for who I think you do, I'd view the opportunity as a "lifeboat on the Titanic"...unknown, but at least a snowball's chance :). When faced with a "decision" back in the fall of '08, I bailed (retired)...life couldn't be better and I have absolutely no regrets. I could either continue on with who I considered the Motormeister of IT...which was being bought out by "your" outfit, and even then I saw the writing on the wall. Speaking with former coworkers...I made the right move. BTW, I've seen more top-notch performers "shown the door" during outsourcings, mergers, etc. than I care to think about over the years, and you know what....invariably they're in a "better" place (mentally, financially, etc.) before the dust settles...even in the worst of economic times. Only "you" can make this decision and it's nice to have options...many I know had it forced upon them. Good luck Thom!

More importantly, what does the cat think?

Seriously?

You have a major league sense of humor and the ability to put it on paper...that is huge. Your ceiling should be yours to define.

How old are you? Where are you financially? Family to support? Debt to pay off? Will they benefit from the possibility of a bigger paycheck in the future?

If it's just you, go for the fun. If you have responsibilities go for the bucks, both current and potential.

contrary to Paul's comment, this is a very important consideration

talk it over with her; get her advice...

then do the opposite

I was kidding...I do nothing important without my wife's counsel, critique and ultimate agreement.

Tom, take your creativity in cars and humor and figure out how to take advantage of both. You are a bit of an artist and a bit of smart ass.

Run with that.

If you stay it will be trouble, if you go it will be double.

If you can do something different and learn something give it a shot.

HAHAHA

20 years experience is usually 5 years of experience and 15 years of repeating yourself. I would think about changing jobs in the same company first before jumping ship. Sometimes the unknown can be a real pain in the arse.

Also, get in touch with some of your colleagues who went to the new company and ask them if they miss their old company (yours). This might be invaluable.

Not in IT, at least it wasn't for me. Unless I misinterpreted, Thom has to option to move within the same co. Sounds as if his current dept. will not be around for the long run if I'm reading the "tea leaves" correctly...

Yes, this would be in the same company, but a different business unit. So it's more like switching deck chairs on the Titanic.