I'm at a crossroad and don't quite know what to do

x.sophie.x

Hi All,

I'll keep this as brief as possible. I've been headhunted, and went along to the interviews for 'experience'. Purely because my friends and family told me I'd be stupid not to. I had 2 x interview with the agency and 1 x with the 'new' company.

The new company is a competitor, and it now seems like they actually want me. I'd say I'm 90% sure I'm their #1 candidate... I've got one more interview left, which is abroad to meet the MD.

Problem is, it's half way across the UK. So my bf would have to move. I'd also have to leave my friends and family behind - we're very close.

My current work is great... I love the people I work with, and I'd feel very bad leaving to a competitor. Especially since I know strategy tactics for the next 3 years, that they'd never want them to know.

But then again, they are potentially offering between 1.5 to 2 times more salary + bonus + healthcare (+ pension + life insurance- which I get currently)

Has anyone been in a simiar situation, or have any advice? I've been running this over and over in my head... Grrrr!

claire16c

I think you just need to weigh up what is most important to you. Just because you might take the new job doesnt mean that one day you could potentially move back to your current area or even return to the company you are at now.

If you enjoy it where you are now, if it was me I would tell them about what job offer I had, and see if they can offer you anything in response. If they cant then its up to you to decide.

I felt bad leaving my last job, but at the end of the day it was a big company, and really i was just a number to them, it was the team of people I actually worked with that I miss but that can apply to any new job I start. You cant feel guilty, you have to do whats right for you, because in a lot of cases the company wouldnt feel guilty say for example they had to make people redundant etc. You need to put yourself first.

When working for competitors you have to be careful about what you tell the next employer, you should check to see if your contract has anything about that in it.

mountainofdebt

But surely you knew that it was for a competitor when you went to the interview in the first place, even if you went for 'experience' - though who has ever gone for an interview (let alone 3) if they were happy in a job.

Would your bf be prepared to move - could he move, job wise? Could you handle a long distance relationship or worse a break up if he couldn't move.

Of course the new firm might only be trying to 'buy' your knowledge of your current employer and once you're no longer useful to them.......

x.sophie.x

Hi Clare,

Thanks for answering. My contract says I cant work for a competitor for 3 months. I'm pretty sure if I left my current employer my bridges would be burnt, which makes the decision that much more difficult.

I really enjoy where I am. I know I shouldn't feel guilty, and the company I work for is huge... so I am a very little number. I do know they'd have no qualms about getting rid of me if they had to.

In my interview, the interviewer did fish for info... but I let nothing on, that couldn't be found in press. I made sure I gave nothing away, because you never know!

x.sophie.x

Hi Mountain!

I really am happy in my job, I guess I am an opportunistic person. I don't like to say no to something that could be great. I like to explore things that come my way and then make up my mind... Even if it's 3 interviews - soon to be 4!!!

My bf said he'd move, but only if they paid the higher amount... otherwise we might not be that much more better off, when you take into account the higher living expenses. It's a big thing for me to ask of him, and its not like he doen't have his own career.

Do you really think companies would mine for info and then get rid? Is this not just cynical? Its a fairly large organisation within the industry -1k employees...

mark55man

what are you going to do for the 3 months restriction (not that realistically your current company can enforce that).

I would wait until you got the job offer, then resign and see if they offer you more. Only do this if you are prepared for them to call your bluff. also make sure you absolutely understand what the offer consists of. what I actually take home is 40% more than my base salary when you add other parts of the package in. alternately they could be inflating it with some some unrealistic targets.

3 years in you have earned some protection from redundancy but not much. for me too the people would be the main guilt - but hey there is always facebook. I would make sure about the culture - if they are harder/incompatible you might not last long. Are there other companies you can go for?. Plus if they pay loads and work you hard - that's not the worst thing as long as you save enough to make it worthwhile and give you a cushion when they spit you out (and remember to party a bit)

I wouldn't worry about the strategy too much - honestly your competitors is probably much the same - the few differences there are are likely to be because of company specific factors and hence not really relevant useful. I may be wrong but that is what it mostly consists of :cool:

Oldernotwiser

Would doubling your salary enable you to buy a property or (if you already own somewhere) will it enable you to buy something much better where you could live for longer?

x.sophie.x

The three months is notice period, which would be gardening leave.

The base salary is 1.5 times more that I'm on currently plus bonus - so there's no unrealistic sales tagets to acheive this amount.

I think you've hit the nail on the head about culture. I think its going to be a lot of hard work, with not so much socialising with colleagues. With moving to an entiely new place, I think the environment is going to be tough. I also asked how the team would react to my appoinntment and the response was "cat amongst pigeons".

x.sophie.x

Hi Oldernotwiser,

I dont own currently, saving for a deposit - was looking to buy next year. If I moved, I think I'd rent again... just in case I hated it. I'd be able to afford rent for a (little bit) nicer place & still save a little. I think when you take in all financials, unless they offered me the higher bracket, I wouldnt be that better off... unless my boyfriend was able to secure a job at a salary similar or more than what hes on currently.

mark55man

x.sophie.x wrote: »

The three months is notice period, which would be gardening leave.

The base salary is 1.5 times more that I'm on currently plus bonus - so there's no unrealistic sales tagets to acheive this amount.

I think you've hit the nail on the head about culture. I think its going to be a lot of hard work, with not so much socialising with colleagues. With moving to an entiely new place, I think the environment is going to be tough. I also asked how the team would react to my appoinntment and the response was "cat amongst pigeons".

ohhh its fun being the cat so long as you don't care what the mice think

toughen up - learn how to be a beyatch - take the money (cry all the way to the bank if you have to) - then leave them (or get pushed) and go back stronger and much more experienced in a 2-3 years.

is the city you are going to fun - that will make the difference - if your weekends are awful - you won't last, but if there's lots to do you'll be fine

x.sophie.x

Mark88man... you are very funny, and made me laugh on this very dark and weary evening!

Personally I'd prefer to win the lottery... then I'd be laughing to the bank!!!