job question!

[m1ldslide1]

So I've had two jobs post-college: My last one and my current one. I was at the last one for six years, working my way from data entry to telecom specialist to network engineer to defacto senior network engineer. The problem was that they weren't compensating me as a senior, and also I felt like I could find new and interesting projects elsewhere. So I looked for other work and took a job with another outfit in October. It's been really good here, and I've been learning a bunch and really like the coworkers. The problem is that the first employer really wants me back and has offered me a huge raise, a properly classified position, and a formal role as technical team leader for a group of 6 or so engineers. I don't know what to do here - I would definitely be giving the current employers the short end of the stick by bailing on them after 3 months when they've worked so hard to make me happy here. Also everybody knows everybody in this town and this sort of thing doesn't go unnoticed. I would have a lot of karma to overcome after this. I also feel like the current employer has a lot to offer me, but a formal leadership position and high salary isn't a possibility.

So anyway, I haven't really dealt with all this moving and shaking before, so what's the deal? Is it a major a-hole move to up and leave after 3 months? Do I stand to gain more by having two solid long-termish employers on the resume or formal team leader experience? Anybody have similar experiences?

 

[Tweak155]

Have you brought it up with your current employer?

 

[lokiju]

Formal team leader is the path you'd want to go if you want to get into management and on day upper management, which is typically where the big money is at.

Hard to say.

How much more would you be making if you went back? (if you can say)

From what I've seen, it usually is best to not go back in most cases as they tend to take the stance that you "owe" them something for giving you so much to come back.

 

[paulxcook]

I would probably go for the team leader experience myself. Or, bring it up to your current employer and see if there's anything they can do for you. If they see in detail what you could be making, and what your title could be, they can either do their best to match it, or (assuming it's THAT big of an increase) they should understand that you'd be crazy not to do what's best for yourself and your family (assuming you have one).

 

[Tweak155]

I was recently offered a job for 66k/yr and I'm 23 so that isn't a bad salary, but I'm about to decline it since my work offered to let me move back to my home town once I brought it up. I make sub 50k. Weigh out what is important to you.

 

[m1ldslide1]

I haven't yet brought it up with the current employer - I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to say. I think that my boss would be sympathetic to the idea of moving around (he's done a lot of it himself) but at the same time he'd be left short-handed and will have essentially wasted a bunch of time trying to get me up to speed. I wouldn't expect him to take it all that gracefully.

The raise isn't ginormous, but it's like $12k immediately and would put me close to six figures after 2-3 years. I am already maxed out where I'm at, and won't be getting any raises. I'm trying to plan for what I'll do in 4 years though, and neither of these organizations are really where I hope to be at that point. I want to make the best decision in the short term to maximize my longer-term growth.

 

[Tweak155]

Originally posted by: m1ldslide1
I haven't yet brought it up with the current employer - I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to say. I think that my boss would be sympathetic to the idea of moving around (he's done a lot of it himself) but at the same time he'd be left short-handed and will have essentially wasted a bunch of time trying to get me up to speed. I wouldn't expect him to take it all that gracefully.

The raise isn't ginormous, but it's like $12k immediately and would put me close to six figures after 2-3 years. I am already maxed out where I'm at, and won't be getting any raises. I'm trying to plan for what I'll do in 4 years though, and neither of these organizations are really where I hope to be at that point. I want to make the best decision in the short term to maximize my longer-term growth.

Then why is there a debate?

 

[m1ldslide1]

Originally posted by: Tweak155

Originally posted by: m1ldslide1
I haven't yet brought it up with the current employer - I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to say. I think that my boss would be sympathetic to the idea of moving around (he's done a lot of it himself) but at the same time he'd be left short-handed and will have essentially wasted a bunch of time trying to get me up to speed. I wouldn't expect him to take it all that gracefully.

The raise isn't ginormous, but it's like $12k immediately and would put me close to six figures after 2-3 years. I am already maxed out where I'm at, and won't be getting any raises. I'm trying to plan for what I'll do in 4 years though, and neither of these organizations are really where I hope to be at that point. I want to make the best decision in the short term to maximize my longer-term growth.

Then why is there a debate?

Because I'm weighing the pros and cons of each:
Staying where I'm at
Pros
Learn a bunch of stuff I won't get to at the other place
Continue to make new contacts
Diversify my resume with multiple organizations and technology sets
Won't piss anybody off

Cons
Miss out on a significant raise
Miss out on valuable team leadership experience
Have a strange 4 month vacation on my resume, or even risk future employers having heard about my tactic

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: m1ldslide1
I haven't yet brought it up with the current employer - I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to say. I think that my boss would be sympathetic to the idea of moving around (he's done a lot of it himself) but at the same time he'd be left short-handed and will have essentially wasted a bunch of time trying to get me up to speed. I wouldn't expect him to take it all that gracefully.

The raise isn't ginormous, but it's like $12k immediately and would put me close to six figures after 2-3 years. I am already maxed out where I'm at, and won't be getting any raises. I'm trying to plan for what I'll do in 4 years though, and neither of these organizations are really where I hope to be at that point. I want to make the best decision in the short term to maximize my longer-term growth.

Still, talk with your current manager and explain the offer that you've been given. Explain to him that the opportunity to develop your skillset is greater there, but that you don't want to leave him and his team in the lurch. Ask if you and he can work out a plan to develop your skills that will allow you the same opportunities to build your capabilities. Explain that it's not just the money that's the draw, but the opportunity to have more responsibility and to have a role that will get you to that "next step" in your career.

He may very well be willing to work with you to develop a plan for your development with his company.

ZV

 

[ATLien247]

Another vote for talking to your current employer. If they can't match what your old employer is offering you, and by that I don't mean just the salary, I would give notice. In order to avoid hurting anyone's feelings, maybe you could work out some kind of transition period where you're able to get your current employer to where they need to be before you leave. Maybe instead of two weeks notice you give them a month or so. If you're old employer can't wait, then they really don't want you back bad enough.