| Hi guys I've been working at my current employer for 16 years and about a month ago I received a phone call from an agency with a role they had to fill with a local company which turns out to be a competitor to my current employer. Two weeks later I found out I got the job which is amazing news as things here haven't been great these last few years and I'm feeling undervalued. The new job is at a huge company with better prospects and money. My current bosses don't seem to give a toss that I'm leaving yet for some reason I can't fathom I'm feeling really sad about the situation. I want to move jobs and all to better myself but I'm getting cold feet about it. Had anyone here been in a similar situation? |
Changing jobs for the first time in 16 years
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Donk8077 159 posts
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You-can-call-me-kal 23,013 posts
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Registered 15 years agoI was at a job nine years, which isn't as long as you, but it was long enough for me to feel strongly attached and I had a lot of anxiety about leaving (which was in very similar circumstances to you).
I made the move. Spent there years somewhere else. It was better in some ways, worse in a lot more, but it massively advanced my skills and experience. Now I'm moving again.
I think it's important to not see your career as a linear path. There's no right or wrong decisions really. It's all good experience, and even if you don't like the next place as much, what you learn will better equip you for the next step. And then the next.
As for your current bosses, that's very common. It's a defence reaction. Don't worry about it. -
creepiest-lizard 2,977 posts
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Registered 8 years agothat's actually fantastic advice -
Donk8077 159 posts
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Registered 10 years ago@You-can-call-me-kal thanks mate that makes a lot of sense, I've got a weeks holiday after I finish next Friday and I need to focus on that so this place doesn't bring me down.
I think what's really pissed me off is that when I handed my notice in they didn't really ask why I was leaving and they didn't try to make an offer. I wouldn't of taken it anyway but it really didn't make me feel valued for all my hard work over the years. -
You-can-call-me-kal 23,013 posts
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Registered 15 years agoDonk8077 wrote:
You could literally be describing what happened to me. Again, I think it's often a defence reaction. Also some places have a policy against counter-offers as it sets a bit of a dangerous precedent, and encourages people to go out and get job offers just to leverage a pay rise.
@You-can-call-me-kal thanks mate that makes a lot of sense, I've got a weeks holiday after I finish next Friday and I need to focus on that so this place doesn't bring me down.
I think what's really pissed me off is that when I handed my notice in they didn't really ask why I was leaving and they didn't try to make an offer. I wouldn't of taken it anyway but it really didn't make me feel valued for all my hard work over the years.
Getting a new job is a really good opportunity to reinvent yourself a bit. Think about all the things you do in your current job that you don't like, or the habits you wish you didn't have, and start your new job with a fresh agenda. Get a new haircut and some new clothes or whatever makes you feel like you're starting a new chapter. A nice fresh new start can really feel great.
By the way as a bit of an epilogue, my old place where I was for 9 years have made me an amazing offer to go back as senior management, which I'm now doing. So don't feel too sad about leaving, as you might find yourself back there one day! -
You're making me want to leave my job Kal.
I always get the itch at 3 years, which is coming up in a month or so.
What you said about no bad experiences is true. I've had some really shit periods in my career but they're often more valuable for learning in the long run than when things are going smoothly.
I think you need to get out of your comfort zone sometimes. -
@Donk8077 It could be that your boss knows your leaving for his competitor and is a bitter or it could be just the cold realization that he doesn't really give a shit.
My boss is a bit like that he inspires great loyalty and is phenomenal at his job but privately has no interest if you are not an employee or a potential client. -
You-can-call-me-kal 23,013 posts
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Registered 15 years agoI think as well if someone quits a job after 16 years, they’re fairly obviously not just fishing for a pay rise. I don’t think I’d bother trying to persuade someone to stay if they’d been there that long. -
quadfather 39,071 posts
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Registered 11 years agoWhat Kal said basically.
Plus, the nervous feeling is natural, because after being at a place for so long, you've effectively got your slippers on there.
That nervousness will change to excitement potentially in your new job if you like it.
It's good to have a change after so long, it freshens everything up again. Not just the job, but outlooks, perception, all that jazz.
And when you start your new job, within the first months it's natural to think, "Oh, shit, have I made a mistake coming here?". But that's just because it's new, so give it some time.
Good luck with your new endeavours! -
Donk8077 159 posts
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Registered 10 years agoThanks guys here's some really good advice here, much appreciated cheers
Edited by Donk8077 at 10:37:34 07-09-2017 -
Spent 16 years in my first job as well. It was a big move to quit, (18 month notice period and losing out on enhanced pension), but I've not looked back and have gone from strength to strength. Had I stayed in that position, then I would potentially have been in a much worse position when I had needed to leave. As it was, I left when I was skilled and in demand, the alternative would have been to hang on (the easier choice as I was coasting), but I would have had a much harder time getting a position down the line when older and with less relevant skills.
I've got a boss who has been in post over 20 years. He's great here as he knows everything and everyone, but I think he would struggle elsewhere and his job is looking shaky, so he is stressed to hell.
Congrats on your new role. Give yourself about 6 months until you are comfortable in the role. Until then, you'll be a bit of a fish out of water.
As I say, I've not looked back nor regretted my choice (even though my first job didn't work out). I've also learnt a lot more having moved around different companies and my CV looks better for it. -
You-can-call-me-kal 23,013 posts
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Registered 15 years ago18 MONTHS NOTICE??
Jesus Christ that's insane. I've never seen more than 6 months even at super high level corporate positions. How on earth are you supposed to get another job with that kind of notice? Nobody's going to wait 18 months. -
quadfather 39,071 posts
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Registered 11 years agoGarden leave would be nice for 17 months though. -
Alastair 24,828 posts
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Registered 20 years agoSounds like a great opportunity.
Try not to be too miffed at them appearing to be not bothered at your leaving - look onwards and upwards..gif)
Moving to a new place is a chance to learn how other companies do things. You'll be able to see where they do things better or worse and can offer tips. Your new employer should welcome this sort of thing.
Good luck! -
quadfather 39,071 posts
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Registered 11 years agoPlus there might be a massive adaptive toilet that you can shag women in. -
quadfather wrote:
Always the first thing to check when you arrive in a new workplace.
Plus there might be a massive adaptive toilet that you can shag women in. -
Donk8077 159 posts
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Registered 10 years ago@quadfather ha ha always a bonus! -
quadfather 39,071 posts
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Registered 11 years ago@Donk8077
Priorities, man -
JamboWayOh 25,237 posts
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Registered 8 years agoWait a minute, did you shag a work colleague in the toilets at work? -
quadfather 39,071 posts
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Registered 11 years agoWho are you asking? -
JamboWayOh 25,237 posts
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Registered 8 years agoquadfather wrote:
It was always going to be you.
Who are you asking? -
quadfather 39,071 posts
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Registered 11 years agoMight have. -
AceGrace 3,464 posts
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Registered 11 years agoI'm starting a new job next month. Just really excited. -
You-can-call-me-kal 23,013 posts
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Registered 15 years ago -
JamboWayOh 25,237 posts
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Registered 8 years agoFair play. I've only managed a fondle. It was a right pain going back into the teacher's room with a lob on that I had to push up against my waistband. But yeah to the Op, never feel guilty, I left a job after 7 years and changed career. Best thing I ever did.
Edited by JamboWayOh at 12:03:28 07-09-2017 -
You-can-call-me-kal 23,013 posts
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Registered 15 years ago
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quadfather 39,071 posts
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Registered 11 years agohaha -
THFourteen 54,987 posts
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Registered 16 years agoI always find doing a pros and cons list of staying vs leaving helpful.
Having said that, I've been at my current role for 10+ years now, and i'm fortunate that the pros far outweigh the cons so the decision is easy for me.
But you never know it might help you to see it written down. -
quadfather 39,071 posts
Seen 14 hours ago
Registered 11 years agoI remember getting fucked off with a job I was doing at the time (I work in IT), and this guy said to me, "Excuse me, can I just get by your chair?", and I looked and it was the guy that looks after the indoor tropical plants at the place we had and needed to get by me.
I spent about 20 minutes watching what he was doing, and I was totally envious. This guy was clearly ENJOYING his job. It made me realise that I was in the wrong job at the time and I needed a change.
So I went outside for a cig and clocked the number on his van. Gave them a ring and ended up having an interview and got offered the job. It was Monday-Thursday, and you had Fridays off unless there was an install at a new client, which may take Friday and all day Saturday, depending on the scale.
The only bummer was the pay. It wasn't very good. But I didn't care, I really wanted to do it. So I took the job, and got a part time bar job for the Fridays (flexible in case I had an install on with work), and Wednesday evening + Sunday pretty much all day to make up.
You got your own company van and could take as many plants home as you wanted that they didn't want to use or were ready to be lobbed. You started on the Monday with a manifest of the places you needed to go, and it was up to you after that how you dealt with the day, as long as all the work was completed obviously and signed off by the facilities manager of the place you went.
Some of the places you'd go to might just have 2 tiny pot plants on reception. Some of them have over 200 plants sprawled around a huge office environment. Some of them were millionaires houses who couldn't be arsed to look after their own plants - either inside or outside ones. Some places were restaurants. Banks. Car showrooms. Anything. Some involved getting 30 foot palm trees crane lifted into annexes of buildings. Some people wanted rockery's, running water displays, fountains, you name it.
And you meet SO many different types of people and end up seeing loads of different places. It was sometimes back breaking, and sometimes leisurely, but there was always variety. Every day.
I did it for around 8-9 months and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it before I ended up back in IT in a much better IT job. But I really didn't want to leave, but I had bills to pay and I needed the cash at the time.
I still miss it now, about 12 years later, and if I got a windfall or something that didn't require a half decent office wage, I'd fucking jump at the chance to go back.
tl;dr - Change is great! -
Ha, what a totally random little job that is. I honestly admire the balls in that kind of can do kind of thinking.
.gif)
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