Changing job in these times

barnaby-bear

I have a very safe, reasonably well-paid job, that I've been doing for a long while that could carry as more of the same for ever...

I've an offer of a more interesting, similarly paid job but with more exciting prospects, more responsibility but probably a bit more cut-throat and it would take a couple of years before building up the permanent status full employment right, last in last out.... I've probably only been offered this as everyone else is too scared to move and they aren't getting candidates so it's an opportunity out of the instability....

I'm a bit bored and there isn't anywhere to go in my current role (there is no career ladder as such)... but am I complacent because I can pay my bills.

monkeymaster

I'm just about to do the same thing. Not a great time to move but good opportunity and I know I'd kick myself for not taking it, can't have everything. You'll just have to weigh it up as everyones circumstances are different.

Not sure I believe in last in, first out, not seen much evidence of it in the companies I've worked for - if you're any good they'd be stupid to get rid of you and it makes much more sense for them to get rid of dead wood. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Edit - meant to ask, what kind of industry are you in?

olly300

I have worked for companies that have made staff redundant and none of them have used the last in first out rule.

In fact a company using that rule needs to be careful as they risk being taken to an employment tribunal for discrimination.

They have tended to remove staff who are earning a high amount of money for their skill set, managers or staff who they took on to widen their diversity i.e. people with disabilities.

The only company where I've worked who made staff redundant fairly did it on a mixture of skillset and personal factors. They did not consider the time people had been working for the company.

treliac

barnaby-bear wrote: »

I have a very safe, reasonably well-paid job, that I've been doing for a long while that could carry as more of the same for ever...

I've an offer of a more interesting, similarly paid job but with more exciting prospects, more responsibility but probably a bit more cut-throat and it would take a couple of years before building up the permanent status full employment right, last in last out.... I've probably only been offered this as everyone else is too scared to move and they aren't getting candidates so it's an opportunity out of the instability....

I'm a bit bored and there isn't anywhere to go in my current role (there is no career ladder as such)... but am I complacent because I can pay my bills.

You've got a lot to take into consideration. Such as how old you are - how many years you are going to want to continue poodling along / whether you want a quiet life or more of a challenge. How much stress / risk / uncertainty you can thrive on. Have you got children whose security could be threatened? What do your colleagues responses tell you? Would this be your big opportunity or is it one of those situations where you are set up to fail?

It sounds as if the challenge is enticing you and sometimes we need to grab opportunities when they present. When you weigh up the pros and cons, would you live to regret your decision if you turn it down? Could you 'trade down' again in the future if you wish.

Your decision depends on where you are in life, your personality, what you want and what you are prepared to risk. In the end, only you can say.

barnaby-bear

monkeymaster wrote: »

I'm just about to do the same thing. Not a great time to move but good opportunity and I know I'd kick myself for not taking it, can't have everything. You'll just have to weigh it up as everyones circumstances are different.

Not sure I believe in last in, first out, not seen much evidence of it in the companies I've worked for - if you're any good they'd be stupid to get rid of you and it makes much more sense for them to get rid of dead wood. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Edit - meant to ask, what kind of industry are you in?

Hi-tech, engineering R&D (significant manufacturing)..... not sure I believe in last in last out either but there's the niggling fear of no longer having the safety net and certainty. Plus what if I didn't like it....

barnaby-bear

treliac wrote: »

You've got a lot to take into consideration. Such as how old you are - how many years you are going to want to continue poodling along / whether you want a quiet life or more of a challenge. How much stress / risk / uncertainty you can thrive on. Have you got children whose security could be threatened? What do your colleagues responses tell you? Would this be your big opportunity or is it one of those situations where you are set up to fail?

It sounds as if the challenge is enticing you and sometimes we need to grab opportunities when they present. When you weigh up the pros and cons, would you live to regret your decision if you turn it down? Could you 'trade down' again in the future if you wish.

Your decision depends on where you are in life, your personality, what you want and what you are prepared to risk. In the end, only you can say.

Goo list to ponder - might have to rate all of these with importance weightings....

monkeymaster

barnaby-bear wrote: »

Hi-tech, engineering R&D (significant manufacturing)..... not sure I believe in last in last out either but there's the niggling fear of no longer having the safety net and certainty. Plus what if I didn't like it....

There's always the risk you won't like something but if you think like that you'll be in the same job for the rest of your life. I'd recommend asking them about the security aspects and trying to have an honest conversation with them, that's what I did. The fact they're even recruiting at the moment should offer some reassurance. I'm sure they'll be happy to have discussions with you about their prospects for the next couple of years, it's only natural to be nervous at the moment.

As I said I've just had to make the same decision and came to the conclusion I don't like being comfortable and although the timing isn't great sometimes you have to grab the opportunity when it comes your way, time will tell if I was right!

olly300

barnaby-bear wrote: »

Hi-tech, engineering R&D (significant manufacturing)..... not sure I believe in last in last out either but there's the niggling fear of no longer having the safety net and certainty. Plus what if I didn't like it....

Apart from a lucky few - the numbers of which I can count on one hand - all the people I know who have been made redundant have received statutory redundancy pay.

I suggest you look the amount up.

I also would have a look at both companies finances. The job you have at the moment me not be as secure as you think..............

barnaby-bear

olly300 wrote: »

Apart from a lucky few - the numbers of which I can count on one hand - all the people I know who have been made redundant have received statutory redundancy pay.

I suggest you look the amount up.

I also would have a look at both companies finances. The job you have at the moment me not be as secure as you think..............

It's pseudo-public sector (university) - I get a minimum of 5 years notice :rotfl:people leave in boxes on the type of contract I have

piggeh

I would say in the current climate, dozens of people will show interest in any job going. To be offered a job at the moment shows that you have impressed greatly and the employer obviously has a lot of faith in your ability above all others.

Really2

barnaby-bear wrote: »

It's pseudo-public sector (university) - I get a minimum of 5 years notice :rotfl:people leave in boxes on the type of contract I have

Personaly if I was in public sector at the moment I would stay in it and look to move when things are improving.

Lets put it this way you would still have to compleat a probation period in the new job, they could extend it etc and would cost them nothing to get rid of you in less than 2 years.

I would look at it like this in a recession.

£100 in your hand or £150 on red or black.

Cash is king so a guaranteed income string is more valuble than anthing else untill things improve.

Unless this company as grown over 10% in the last year (in turnover and profit) I would not bother if they want you in a recession they would more when things are on the up.