Author Topic: Should I Stay or Leave Job?  (Read 2094 times)

MissPeach

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Should I Stay or Leave Job?
« on: June 11, 2020, 01:21:13 PM »
My company recently had a lot of shake ups at my job. The CEO and CFO left and the new CEO has been cleaning out the c-level executives and letting go the 'poor performers'. My guess is he will put his own people in there at some point. My division has finally gotten some attention since we make up a lot of revenue for the company. We had struggled getting proper resourcing and have an old software platform to run the business.

As part of that they want to modernize out software platform. The issue is that our software engineering team isn't doing anything more than knowledge sharing and it's going to an outside consulting firm. I currently do the data architecture for both the software and reporting areas so I assumed this was a bad sign since I wasn't doing any of the platform design or build out for the new platform. It seemed like this would be a dead end job so I started applying.

On top of this I've been denied cost of living increases the last two years even though my performance reviews were good and my boss recommended one. The guy who was his boss was one of the ones fired in the c-level clearing but his buddy is now in charge of our division so I'm not sure how this will go in terms of raises/promotions. Another thing to note is that my division is in one city but the rest of the company is in another city. So I have concerns they will try to take over the software platform in a few years since they're changing it to their technology stack.

Recently one of the VPs asked me to lead the build out for a data warehouse and reporting. Apparently a lot of the director level folks were impressed when I started knowledge transfer and asked why can't I build it.  So it looks like I have some future. I still have concerns about getting raises/promotions and whether they will keep my area in my city. Relocating is NOT an option.

One part that gives me pause with my current job is I had been working in the division level which was nice and low-key. I could just focus on designs and coding. It was usually pretty easy for what I was being paid. Now I'm being thrust into the larger company politics, having to manage a team, etc. I'll have to work much longer hours than before too. There seems to be little attrition with the long timers (mostly management and leads) but a good amount at the lower levels.

I was just offered another job. Pay is $10k less with similar benefits/bonus schedule. It is biking/walking distance from my house. The people seems really nice. Everyone really seems to be passionate about working there. It's in a really nice neighborhood that I lived in for a long time. The project they need help with is almost identical to what I'm being asked to build at my current job but in a different technology stack. (Current job will be AWS and new job would be SQL Server/Microsoft stack). The main issues that make me hesitate are that no one seems very technical and the job wouldn't be able to provide any title growth as it's a small company and I would be coming in at the top of what I could in my area.

It's basically weighing the devil you know against the one you don't know. But in this case there are so many changes with my current positions I'm having to speculate both ways.

Anyone have and insights of things to consider or what you might do?


Chrissy

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Re: Should I Stay or Leave Job?
« Reply #1 on: June 11, 2020, 08:34:49 PM »
Don't leave your job YET, certainly not for less money with a smaller company which can't offer you any opportunity to learn new skills.  Keep looking!  Even if your current employer isn't as safe, and your job not as easy as it used to be, there's more potential there.  Stay to get the resume bullet points of building out the data warehouse and reporting and managing a team.  Hopefully, these come with a title change, too.  You might like being a manager, and having more robust experience to draw from gives you more options when you're job hunting.

BicycleB

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Re: Should I Stay or Leave Job?
« Reply #2 on: June 12, 2020, 10:15:56 AM »
Agreeing with Chrissy.

Make sure you have cash and generally a spendable financial cushion to ease future transitions. The job stress of managing a team and handling company politics is enough, plus location issues; keep financial stress down so your energy is up. Be open to growth, harvest the gains or at least the resume improvement, then move when the time is right for you. Careerwise it's easier to downshift than get promoted (again, politics!) so take the promotion.

Consider prepping some responses for instant use when key situations arise - maybe "I would love to complete the project and can run the team. Would I be compensated along with the responsibility?" (have a number or salary range ready in case they ask), for example. If they respond with blah-blah-blah-we'll talk later-you'll probably get a rasie after you finish the project, maybe "I'd like to focus on the job itself during this key development phase, rather than needing to explore offers when they arise. Who would be the decider on resolving a commensurate salary now?"

Extra idea: Until you are comfortable/experienced in runnning the team and sorting out the politics, read an Ask A Manager article every day. When needed, or when you have time to prepare, search for articles there related to topics of interest to you and your team. Every problem you face, Ask A Manager probably answered.

PS. Glad you're already looking. Sounds like you have the "common sense" (so uncommon!) and technical skill to succeed anywhere, keep up the good work.

MissPeach

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Re: Should I Stay or Leave Job?
« Reply #3 on: June 12, 2020, 10:44:13 AM »
Thanks for the opinions so far. Everyone who knows me IRL and works in tech is advising me to take the job.

To elaborate I've been at the architect level for about 9 years and have had a manager title for the last 5. The new job would be an architect title. For the non-engineering folks it's a good title. I already have a lot of these resume bullet points and experience managing people. That's why the director level folks told the VP I could do this project. New job is building the same project with different technology so I would still get that bullet point on my resume but with less red tape and stress.

I used to have a department at the current job but it was taken away and all my people were laid off a few years ago. I've been doing the job of the entire department the last few years. Same manager title though even though I was reclassified to an architect/tech lead. In the current job people wouldn't actually report to me for this project - just work on my project 1/2 time. Any other resources I need would have to go through our offshore group in China.

I've been trying to schedule meetings with the VP who gave me the project about title/raise intentions for this effort since he's denied me a raise the last 2 years. He's not accepted the last 3 meeting requests with me to talk. He only accepted the one when HE wanted to talk to me and sort of blind sided me with this. This project at the current job will probably require me working evenings and weekends for at least 6 months. When we return back to the office I'll be adding a 2 hour round trip commute to this.

I realize the new job is less money but it's not out of line for the title, it's 2 miles away, the people seem easy to work with, and it seems to be a 40 hour/week job. I'm leaning towards it just for the mental break. With their pay incentives, I should be in a similar place within a year or so. Plus I'm a bit miffed at the VP for lack of raises and not taking any of my requests to talk. I don't know if I can count on anything for the effort with the current job.

I've been hoping to find a company close to home for years but most are startups and don't have the ability to pay for someone my level. Most jobs in my city (especially the larger companies) are near the current one so long commute. Moving closer to the jobs isn't an option due to kid's school and other considerations. It was a plus that the new job also seems like a good company.

I need another 6-7 years to to hit my FIRE number but already have a good FU fund. My FIRE number is higher than a lot of the numbers I see on here so I have a good cushion.
« Last Edit: June 12, 2020, 10:57:51 AM by MissPeach »

PDXTabs

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Re: Should I Stay or Leave Job?
« Reply #4 on: June 12, 2020, 10:49:22 AM »
It sounds like the new job might well be more $$$/hr, especially considering commuting time, I say take it.

BicycleB

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Re: Should I Stay or Leave Job?
« Reply #5 on: June 12, 2020, 10:58:56 AM »
Thanks for the opinions so far. Everyone who knows me IRL and works in tech is advising me to take the job.

To elaborate I've been at the architect level for about 9 years and have had a manager title for the last 5. The new job would be an architect title. For the non-engineering folks it's a good title. I already have a lot of these resume bullet points and experience managing people. That's why the director level folks told the VP I could do this project. New job is building the same project with different technology so I would still get that bullet point on my resume but with less red tape and stress.

I used to have a department at the current job but it was taken away and all my people were laid off a few years ago. I've been doing the job of the entire department the last few years. In the current job people wouldn't actually report to me for this project - just work on my project 1/2 time. Any other resources I need would have to go through our offshore group in China.

I've been trying to schedule meetings with the VP who gave me the project about title/raise intentions for this effort since he's denied me a raise the last 2 years. He's not accepted the last 3 meeting requests with me to talk. He only accepted the one when HE wanted to talk to me and sort of blind sided me with this. This project at the current job will probably require me working evenings and weekends for at least 6 months. When we return back to the office I'll be adding a 2 hour round trip commute to this.

I realize the new job is less money but it's not out of line for the title, it's 2 miles away, the people seem easy to work with, and it seems to be a 40 hour/week job. I'm leaning towards it just for the mental break. With their pay incentives, I should be in a similar place within a year or so. Plus I'm a bit miffed at the VP for lack of raises and not taking any of my requests to talk. I don't know if I can count on anything for the effort with the current job.

I've been hoping to find a company close to home for years but most are startups and don't have the ability to pay for someone my level. Most jobs in my city (especially the larger companies) are near the current one so long commute. Moving closer to the jobs isn't an option due to kid's school and other considerations. It was a plus that the new job also seems like a good company.

I need another 6-7 years to to hit my FIRE number but already have a good FU fund. My FIRE number is higher than a lot of the numbers I see on here so I have a good cushion.

After reading the above, I switch my allegiance to your friends and your conscience. Get out of the toxic environment where you've already accomplished so much, take the new job where you'll have peaceful life until further notice.

erutio

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Re: Should I Stay or Leave Job?
« Reply #6 on: June 12, 2020, 12:33:08 PM »
Cn you negotiate your job offer to match your current salary?

kei te pai

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Re: Should I Stay or Leave Job?
« Reply #7 on: June 12, 2020, 01:25:46 PM »
Take the new job. Quality of life has value too.

MissPeach

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Re: Should I Stay or Leave Job?
« Reply #8 on: June 12, 2020, 09:08:16 PM »
The salary of the new job was as much as they could go. Otherwise it would have been a no brainer.

The old job had been pretty easy 9 months out of the year and really stressful briefly during peak season. Until recently I also had a boss who could buffer a lot of the politics from the parent company so I could just work. He was laid off recently. So was the CTO. SO new projects and new management mostly except for the VP guy who I don't trust. So it was challenging because it was essentially two unknowns I was weighing.

I took the job. Thanks to everyone for your input.

I found out today after I took the offer someone at our parent company is going to do the architecture that they promised I could do. They were trying to get me to do report development now. I'm feeling way better about my choice now and feel better putting my notice in next week. The new company seems like trying to be transparent and really nice to work with so far. Plus I can walk to the new job in less time than my old commute took by car.
« Last Edit: June 12, 2020, 09:10:52 PM by MissPeach »

BicycleB

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Re: Should I Stay or Leave Job?
« Reply #9 on: June 13, 2020, 02:27:19 PM »
Your new job sounds great! Thanks for reporting back on what sounds like a wonderful decision.

scottish

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Re: Should I Stay or Leave Job?
« Reply #10 on: June 14, 2020, 12:33:37 PM »
The salary of the new job was as much as they could go. Otherwise it would have been a no brainer.

The old job had been pretty easy 9 months out of the year and really stressful briefly during peak season. Until recently I also had a boss who could buffer a lot of the politics from the parent company so I could just work. He was laid off recently. So was the CTO. SO new projects and new management mostly except for the VP guy who I don't trust. So it was challenging because it was essentially two unknowns I was weighing.

I took the job. Thanks to everyone for your input.

I found out today after I took the offer someone at our parent company is going to do the architecture that they promised I could do. They were trying to get me to do report development now. I'm feeling way better about my choice now and feel better putting my notice in next week. The new company seems like trying to be transparent and really nice to work with so far. Plus I can walk to the new job in less time than my old commute took by car.

Excellent timing on your part!

BussoV6

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Re: Should I Stay or Leave Job?
« Reply #11 on: June 15, 2020, 04:29:33 AM »
Your old job sounds like it has the potential to get increasingly shitty wrt your boss. New job opportunity deserves serious consideration.