Author Topic: Should I pursue a new job?  (Read 563 times)

dragonwalker

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Should I pursue a new job?
« on: May 19, 2023, 10:00:36 PM »
I’m considering applying for another job at my current company but I’m not sure if I should. I’m 35 right now and work as a Business Analyst at a credit union near LA. My job is a lot of project management, requirements gathering, testing, meetings, some analysis, and some use of data. We work on implementing technology/software to the credit union systems. I’ve been in this role for a little over 1.5 years. Before this role, I was in a back-office operations support for 3 years, before that a banker at a branch for 6 years at a major bank, a teller for 2 before that. I graduated college with a degree in finance years ago and I’m working on my MBA with 1.5 years to go.

For several years, I’ve been unsatisfied by my professional growth. I feel that I find myself in somewhat junior positions with responsibilities that I sometimes find unfulfilling for what seems like trivial impact. Some of the work I do is interesting and I see the benefit. My coworkers are fine. The money is not fantastic either. I make about $70K but there are some nice benefits.

For the past few years I’ve had a plan to get into management. My strategy to do this is first to get my MBA which is in progress, work on leading more projects and building more familiarity across different working groups in the organization (a number of people in management have emphasized this as departmental performance is often measured on meeting project goals and deadlines), network and socialize with different people at different levels with other work areas of non-management as well as people in management positions, increase exposure and improve public speaking skills (Toastmasters) and company sponsored leadership program (in progress), communicate with management my intentions. I have been pretty consistent with these tasks to help me get into a role. I understand there is a level of politics getting into management and I’m trying hard to get the hang of it. I’m not a natural as some might say but I am intentional and committed and making some good connections.

Now, my immediate manager was just promoted to be a vice president. He’s a great manager and I’ll continue to work with him even in his new role. I worked well with him and our working relationship is good. The search is on for his replacement and I am not applying because at the moment I feel very strongly I have no chance. I am the junior most analyst among 6 others but only 2 of which are applying. These 2 have graduate degrees and in one way another have superior experience, education, or both. Both are also good with management.

Another position recently opened up which is basically a compensation analyst. It’s a bit outside my skillset but I feel I have a chance of getting it. It would be considered a promotion but based on internal pay increases my salary would likely go up less than 10%. My concern is that this position has fewer touchpoints with other departments, less project oriented and less room to grow. In my current position if someone more senior gets the promotion it’s highly likely I can also move up and get a salary bump very comparable to moving to this other position. However there is a fair possibility the more Sr. people in dept won't get it and it will take longer. If I were to move there would be a time where I’m going about relearning new processes again.

I want more money and career wise I want to go into management. Would going to this new position be a good idea? Due to personal life issues (possible marriage in the not-so-distant future) it’s also likely that I may look for a job elsewhere but I’d rather not do it until I obtain a managerial position. I’m not sure if this thinking is correct but I feel that if I leave as a more senior position such as a manager it will make it easier to find a comparable position elsewhere. 

Freedomin5

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Re: Should I pursue a new job?
« Reply #1 on: May 20, 2023, 01:28:11 AM »
If I were aiming for a managerial position, and I have a great manager who just got promoted, I would share my aspirations with my manager and ask him for advice. Since he has walked this path before you at the same company and obviously knows what to do to get a managerial position and to get promoted within your company, he can probably point out areas of growth or areas you should focus on developing that will make you a stronger candidate for a leadership/managerial position. I’d also run my own professional growth plan by him to ensure that what I’m doing is what leadership is looking for in someone they would want to promote. I’d basically tap him frequently for advice and use him like a career coach.
« Last Edit: May 20, 2023, 01:29:50 AM by Freedomin5 »

Wolfpack Mustachian

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Re: Should I pursue a new job?
« Reply #2 on: May 20, 2023, 03:06:40 AM »
If I were aiming for a managerial position, and I have a great manager who just got promoted, I would share my aspirations with my manager and ask him for advice. Since he has walked this path before you at the same company and obviously knows what to do to get a managerial position and to get promoted within your company, he can probably point out areas of growth or areas you should focus on developing that will make you a stronger candidate for a leadership/managerial position. I’d also run my own professional growth plan by him to ensure that what I’m doing is what leadership is looking for in someone they would want to promote. I’d basically tap him frequently for advice and use him like a career coach.
I'll echo this. Assuming a good relationship with the manager and a good company environment, the best way to work towards management is letting people in your company know you want to work towards management. They can provide advice, let you know if what you're looking for won't happen at your company for some reason so you know you'll have to look elsewhere, or just be aware and looking out for you.

ender

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Re: Should I pursue a new job?
« Reply #3 on: May 20, 2023, 09:38:21 AM »
In general it's immensely easier to become a manager at your company than via applying outside it.

Dreamer40

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Re: Should I pursue a new job?
« Reply #4 on: May 22, 2023, 04:27:27 PM »
Even if you don’t think you have a chance at your manager’s old job, there can still be benefits to applying. Because then when you apply for it again later, or shows a continued interest and dedication to the role. At least that was true at my old office. Nobody got promoted the first time they tried so it paid off to start applying for it early before you were even that competitive of a candidate.

 

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