Should I take the job?

confusedinleeds

Hi all, I am a regular user of this site, but just created a new login to ask this question in case anyone I know logs in and may see this as my username is quite specific and they will know it is me....

I have been in talks with a customer of mine and they want me to come and work for them. I have known this customer for over 10 years and I know the company is quite solvent.

At present I work in IT and the job I have been offered is doing the accounts for them (it is actually linked to what I do now), and other office based work.

They are offering me the same salary (well £60 more a year) but with a guaranteed bonus of £1,000 a year, plus more bonus if I hit my target with debt collection.

They have even offered to buy me a car (second hand) and cover the major costs of running it. I have a car now (my own) but want to change it. They also offered flexitime so I can continue taking daughter to school.

My current employment, my workload has doubled in the last couple of years and the work can be stressful. I am having to support more systems than I have ever before, and last year I got my first payrise in 3 years (albeit a small increase). BUT I have been with this company for many years (about 11 years).

My head is saying to take the new job, but because this is such a big change, I am holding back. I have a week to think about it and they are very keen for me to work for them as they like the way I treat them as a customer at the moment..

Never been sort of head-hunted before, so I want to cover everything before I make a decision.

Thanks all for help...

williacg

It's never going to be easy leaving a job after such a lengthy service, you get comfortable, you know the routine and procedures back to front, and it's all within your personal comfort zone, and it can be a case of "Better the devil..." However, you do have the advantage of knowing the history of this company, 10 years did you say? so you'll know how solvent they are, and they seem very keen to have you work for them.

OK, so it's not a great deal more in pounds and pence, but it sounds like they're offering many other 'sweetners' on top, and the work is similar to what you're currently doing.

I did a similar thing about 5 years ago, leaving paid employment to set up my own business, whilst I can't say that I have never thought to myself once or twice "Did I do the right thing?" I'm most certainly glad that I did, it forced me to stretch myself even further, and to progress to the next level.

No one can blame you for holding back, it's a big step, and you'd be somewhat reckless if you didn't weigh up all of the pros and cons, especially in this current climate, but you have a week to decide, so have a chat with your family and friends, and balance that out with what you want for yourself.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

confusedinleeds

Thanks for the help. Spoke to a few friends and family already, and they all say to go for the new job. The stress levels will be a lot less than I am having now. I do not enjoy going to work at the moment as I know that I will end up stressed.
My main concern is that I have been in the same job for years, and as you say, you do get comfortable. And the other side is that I will miss the IT side of my job which currently is about 80% of my workload.

[Deleted User]

I was told that you should look for between 20-30% increase in salary when you move jobs. Doesn't sound like this is going to be anywhere near it.

However.. it's no good sitting in the same job forever, especially if it's stressful/you don't like it/you're not progressing.

If you look back at your CV and think that you've added nothing to it in the last year then it's time to move on

williacg

confusedinleeds wrote: »

Thanks for the help. Spoke to a few friends and family already, and they all say to go for the new job. The stress levels will be a lot less than I am having now. I do not enjoy going to work at the moment as I know that I will end up stressed.
My main concern is that I have been in the same job for years, and as you say, you do get comfortable. And the other side is that I will miss the IT side of my job which currently is about 80% of my workload.

The issues of the stress levels and the fact that you don't like going into work, is there any possibility that this could be resolved by sitting down with your employer and re-negotiating your career development? if as you say that you would miss the IT element of your work so badly, then it might be worth a try? You know your employers better than anyone, is the situation likely to improve? is it a particularly busy time of the year for the company but will eventually settle down later? or is it a constant? You should bear all of these things in mind before making a decision.

confusedinleeds

The workload will not get easier, if anything it will get harder. Having to go on a course soon to learn another 2 systems.

Speaking with my current employer, I know they will not want anyone to try any re-negotiate their development, they do not like change!!

I hate the way we have to priorotise certain customers as they pay a lot, to me all customers are the same, they pay my salary..

I can still do my IT in the new job, but not as much as where I am now..

relic

Have you got any experience in book keeping, or accounts?

confusedinleeds

Yes, before I went into IT I worked 12 years in accounts, doing credit control and all other manner of things. And my current Job although in IT, I deal with accounts on a daily basis in line with my work, knowing accounts is a major factor to get the job I do (do not want to say more on what I do now in case someone reads this who works for us) and there are not many of us around who do what I do.. probably about 100 people maybe more/less...

Mistral001

Being "head-hunted" is something which you should be weary of. It is considered by many people as an under-hand way of getting staff. Thus I would be weary of such companies which use such techniques. You hear about it with regard to managing directors of TV companies or top stock-exchange dealers, where the stakes are high and careers are fairly short and perhaps where business ethics are not so important.

An attempt was once made to head hunt me. I got asked to lunch etc. etc. I even considered it because I was really fed up with my present job as I was over-worked etc. I turned it down. One of the few good decisions I have ever made. It was not just because the company who offered my the job went out of business a few years later, but because I was promoted in my then existing job a few months later. I also had a clear consicence with regard to my then existing employer.

claire16c

Sounds like you should go for it, but if it was me, I would be saying I wasnt sure due to the salary, as it was the same as what I was currently on, and therefore I would be looking for more if I were to change jobs as obviously you have the security of where you are now on the same money. If they really want you they might negotiate with you. Dont ask dont get!

Evilm

I would read your contract to make sure there isn't a "you must not contact our clients for a period of XX" clause in there. It shouldn't be since you are in IT but if it is its worth knowing about it before the possible argument over whether it is enforceable or not.

Otherwise it does sound like a good opportunity.