Job conundrum - what would you do?

[slackerinabox]

So here's my situation - I work at a publishing company as an associate editor of a licensing related publication. I've been here 6 months and am a bit overworked and under appreciated (read: underpaid). I was OK with it because I'm realistic and understand that paying your dues is important, but a recent chance encounter is making me rethink my stay at this company. The the licensing show in NY, I met this fellow who's the president of a major fx and publishing house. We spoke for over an hour and I offered to introduce him to the CEO of my company to discuss his ideas for making an interactive version of our publication. The CEO treated the poor guy with disrespect and snubbed him, so I wrote him a letter apologizing for the incident, explaining that I felt that the idea had potential. Today he calls me to thank me for the email and to also offer me a job.

My issue is that I'd be burning a major bridge jumping ship now - I'm in the middle of a major project and the future of the project would be in question if I leave now. On the other hand, I do feel underpaid and under appreciated.. Thoughts?

 

[MisterJackson]

take it. go with your gut.

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: MisterJackson
take it. go with your gut.

 

[mcvickj]

6 months seems a little early to leave. Of course opportunity only knocks once.

 

[Ulfwald]

take it

 

[TheAudit]

Originally posted by: Nebor

Originally posted by: MisterJackson
take it. go with your gut.

 

[jemcam]

Originally posted by: Nebor

Originally posted by: MisterJackson
take it. go with your gut.

 

[Koing]

I have a very similar situation. I think if it happens I'll just jump ship even though it will land some of the guys at work with a lot more hassle/ work to replace the stuff that I am doing. I don't want to do it as the guys at work are great but this will be better for me career wise.

Koing

 

[bennylong]

Take it, you have only yourself to look out for. You think your CEO gives a damn when he fires your ass?

 

[markgm]

Jump. They should have known that it would upset you to be rude to someone, so why should you care that it'll upset them to leave?

 

[alrocky]

Can we assume the position is a much better and higher paying than one you currently have and that you'll have better promotion possibilities? How long will it take to complete the major project that you're in the middle of? Will he wait and let you take the position after the project is completed?

 

[D1gger]

It is unlikely the company you are with would show you any loyalty if they were to fall on hard times, so I say if you think the offer is a good opportunity; take it!

 

[BrokenVisage]

Originally posted by: jemcam

Originally posted by: TheAudit

Originally posted by: Nebor

Originally posted by: MisterJackson
take it. go with your gut.

 

[aux]

Originally posted by: bennylong
Take it, you have only yourself to look out for. You think your CEO gives a damn when he fires your ass?

 

[Ilmater]

There are a million questions you failed to answer here:

Do you think you'll like the job at the other place?
Is the pay better there?
Is the work easier than what you're doing now?
How long will the project you're working on take? (someone above asked this)
How stable is your company?
How stable is the new company?
How will your title sound compared to your old one?
How will this new job position you to another job or company in the future?

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
So here's my situation - I work at a publishing company as an associate editor of a licensing related publication. I've been here 6 months and am a bit overworked and under appreciated (read: underpaid). I was OK with it because I'm realistic and understand that paying your dues is important, but a recent chance encounter is making me rethink my stay at this company. The the licensing show in NY, I met this fellow who's the president of a major fx and publishing house. We spoke for over an hour and I offered to introduce him to the CEO of my company to discuss his ideas for making an interactive version of our publication. The CEO treated the poor guy with disrespect and snubbed him, so I wrote him a letter apologizing for the incident, explaining that I felt that the idea had potential. Today he calls me to thank me for the email and to also offer me a job.

My issue is that I'd be burning a major bridge jumping ship now - I'm in the middle of a major project and the future of the project would be in question if I leave now. On the other hand, I do feel underpaid and under appreciated.. Thoughts?

jump.. you dont want to work for a stupid ceo. with manners like that, he;s going to run the compnay into the ground.

jump NOW!


btw- where's your pole?

 

[slackerinabox]

Originally posted by: Ilmater
There are a million questions you failed to answer here:

Do you think you'll like the job at the other place?
Is the pay better there?
Is the work easier than what you're doing now?
How long will the project you're working on take? (someone above asked this)
How stable is your company?
How stable is the new company?
How will your title sound compared to your old one?
How will this new job position you to another job or company in the future?

Sure, i'll answer your questions:
1. Is the pay better - I'm not sure. My pay sucks but he asked me what I'd be happy with. I resisted the urge to high-ball the figure so I gave him an honest range, and he said that wouldn't be a problem (which is a 50% more than I currently receive)
2. Is the work easier - I don't know. He didn't even say what job he'd offer me. He's eccentric and asked me to say what my "dream job" would be. I'm still sitting on an answer to that since I don't want to shoot myself in my foot.
3. My current company is pretty stable - they've been around for 30 years, one of the reasons I accepted the job (job security is important to me)
4. How stable is the new company - he's been around for 20 years in the FX industry but I don't know the employee turn over rate
5. Title - my current titles sound great: managing editor and associate editor of various publications, but the pay sucks. I don't know what my new title would be.
6. How will this job position you for growth - This is one aspect that excites me - this gentleman owns (I did my own research) video game design studios, a special fx house, a comicbook company, and a few publishing interests - he's all over the place and I feel that I have more of a chance to bounce around with this company than the one i currently work for

 

[Nutdotnet]

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212

Originally posted by: Ilmater
There are a million questions you failed to answer here:

Do you think you'll like the job at the other place?
Is the pay better there?
Is the work easier than what you're doing now?
How long will the project you're working on take? (someone above asked this)
How stable is your company?
How stable is the new company?
How will your title sound compared to your old one?
How will this new job position you to another job or company in the future?

Sure, i'll answer your questions:
1. Is the pay better - I'm not sure. My pay sucks but he asked me what I'd be happy with. I resisted the urge to high-ball the figure so I gave him an honest range, and he said that wouldn't be a problem (which is a 50% more than I currently receive)
2. Is the work easier - I don't know. He didn't even say what job he'd offer me. He's eccentric and asked me to say what my "dream job" would be. I'm still sitting on an answer to that since I don't want to shoot myself in my foot.
3. My current company is pretty stable - they've been around for 30 years, one of the reasons I accepted the job (job security is important to me)
4. How stable is the new company - he's been around for 20 years in the FX industry but I don't know the employee turn over rate
5. Title - my current titles sound great: managing editor and associate editor of various publications, but the pay sucks. I don't know what my new title would be.
6. How will this job position you for growth - This is one aspect that excites me - this gentleman owns (I did my own research) video game design studios, a special fx house, a comicbook company, and a few publishing interests - he's all over the place and I feel that I have more of a chance to bounce around with this company than the one i currently work for

Dude...do it! This guy must have really saw something in you to simply offer you a job...you can't beat respect...

 

[MangoTBG]

Originally posted by: Nutdotnet

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212

Originally posted by: Ilmater
There are a million questions you failed to answer here:

Do you think you'll like the job at the other place?
Is the pay better there?
Is the work easier than what you're doing now?
How long will the project you're working on take? (someone above asked this)
How stable is your company?
How stable is the new company?
How will your title sound compared to your old one?
How will this new job position you to another job or company in the future?

Sure, i'll answer your questions:
1. Is the pay better - I'm not sure. My pay sucks but he asked me what I'd be happy with. I resisted the urge to high-ball the figure so I gave him an honest range, and he said that wouldn't be a problem (which is a 50% more than I currently receive)
2. Is the work easier - I don't know. He didn't even say what job he'd offer me. He's eccentric and asked me to say what my "dream job" would be. I'm still sitting on an answer to that since I don't want to shoot myself in my foot.
3. My current company is pretty stable - they've been around for 30 years, one of the reasons I accepted the job (job security is important to me)
4. How stable is the new company - he's been around for 20 years in the FX industry but I don't know the employee turn over rate
5. Title - my current titles sound great: managing editor and associate editor of various publications, but the pay sucks. I don't know what my new title would be.
6. How will this job position you for growth - This is one aspect that excites me - this gentleman owns (I did my own research) video game design studios, a special fx house, a comicbook company, and a few publishing interests - he's all over the place and I feel that I have more of a chance to bounce around with this company than the one i currently work for

Dude...do it! This guy must have really saw something in you to simply offer you a job...you can't beat respect...

Respect is key. You showed some great qualities for how you handled the situation (I'm assuming this of course, but that's obviously why he offered you a job). Go with him, keep up your great attitude, man!

 

[Sentinel]

Take the job, better than always feeling like you don't want to be at work.

 

[BoomerD]

As an employee of any company, your NUMBER ONE interest should always be yourself. Yes, you have to look out for the company, but YOU are responsible to YOU.
If the current job leaves you feeling like you're worth more than you get, or leaves you wanting more of something, (recognition, money, respect, whatever) then you'll not likely be happy there, BUT, you don't know what the other guy is to work for either. He could be a dick with ears as a boss...
I've never had a problem jumping ship. NEVER. I owe no company any more than to give an honest day's work, for an honest day's wages. Usually I give 110%, and if a company treats me poorly, I'm gone in a second. Only been a few times in my life I've even given any notice, and most of the time, they've let me go because it was "disloyal" of me to even consider leaving...(ah shucks...I get to start the new job sooner? )

Take time to weigh your options carefully. Sometimes, the old saying :
"A bird in the hand, is worth 2 in the bush" is true...
Talk to the guy who offered you the job. Maybe take a "vacation day" and go visit in person. See what he has to offer BEFORE bailing the current job. MAYBE what you have is better inspite of the monetary differences...