nope, not a topic about the Clash.

I've been offered a new job.

The package is all areas is better than my current one: bit more cash, private health care, non-contributable pension, closer to home so I can cycle all year round (a BIG plus), shower at work so I can go for a run at lunchtime ...... but it is a banking software application that is just dull - columns of numbers - current position is the web for a well known brand of holiday resort, that is far more interesting and pretty.

Do I grab the money and put up with the potential dullness (although having said that, it is not hugely different from my previous job) or stay, maybe get increase in package and continue to look for a job with content I'm happy with? (or even move closer to work?)

I should say that I am looking to retire within 10-15 years so it is not a case of getting experience for the next job as my career is more or less done; I'm probably looking for an easy life and a bonus would be to accumulate as much cash as I can before finishing work.

Just wondering what you think. :?

Play this to your advantage by staying put.

Suggesting to your incumbent employer that you've had a superb offer elsewhere, often prompt them to counter offer, meaning you can stay?

quote:

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Originally posted by carpmart
Play this to your advantage by staying put.

Suggesting to your incumbent employer that you've had a superb offer elsewhere, often prompt them to counter offer, meaning you can stay?

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As nick said above, id probably go to gain the lifestyle changes and a bit more cash for retirement. I wouldn't play the current employer for more cash, I've seen it backfire on friends a couple of times.

I have a bloody cool job. I am a exhibition designer. I work for all sorts of cool companies, Aston Martin at Le Man, Goodwood los, Rugby World Cup. I doing something different everyday. But after 12 years its getting dull. I would love to work less hours, I would love more cash to make what time off I have better. Spend more time with my son. I might take the duller job......10 years ago I wouldn't have said that.

I've turned down a better financial offer twice for the same company in a 12 month stint to stay where I am - the work is better and I have a more senior position. I could o the other job standing on my head but it has a lot of travelling and is less of a challenge.

I assume you're not suffering financially now, so try to take that out of the equation and look at the overall quality of life and job satisfaction. That might lead you to a decision.

Other option is to go to your employer stating that you've been offered another job as mentioned. They'll either counter with an improvement, or not. But at least you'll have an option either way...

Hi,

I'm a Ruby on Rails web developer and have worked in the IT industry for a couple of decades for a few different companies (IBM, Lucas Automotive, Small IT company, Manufacturing Company, Software Consultancy, Startup, Hospitality Company) and am now running my own consultancy but still doing software development. So I'm probably in a good position to understand your situation.

That said, I'm struggling to figure out how to advise you...

I would agree that threatening to leave or trying to "extort" (joking kinda...) money from your current employer is risky. Every job I've ever left has been left cleanly without any negotiation of this sort. My employers have tried to keep me by offering money and terms etc but I've always felt that once you decide to leave then you should follow it through.

The client I work with just now has some serious issues with dysfunctional management massively compromising the delivery of the product and it is really really frustrating. However, the 112 mile round trip commute is actually really nice and the people I work with are good guys. As a contractor I also get paid quite well so I can afford to enjoy good food, holidays and provide for my family which is important to me. The end result is that I put up with...for now. My longer term goal is to create a product/service of my own and in the meantime I'm gaining useful skills, meeting good people and working in a lovely environment. In fact by not being *that* engaged at "work", I can retain my creative energy for side projects. This is really important IMHO.

I have been offered jobs in the finance sector before and like you, I have had concerns about the dullness of them. However, I'm starting to think that the people and environment are more important. You can be working on something really "dull" but if working with bright people in a good environment maybe it's okay. I'm already working on side projects with two people who used to work at the company I contract for just now. Useful for networking.

I think I've figured out what my advice is - take the new job! If it's dull then give it a year then go get a new job but in the meantime, enjoy the change, extra money and enjoy the summer lunchtime runs and cycle commutes. I have never known anyone who has made a change like this and regretted it.

Hope this helps,
Craig.

If you are coming up to retirement, and you intend to retire ( which is another question) you know you should be planning your retirement from not only a financial perspective but a mental perspective.
You are preparing for change and the best way to go about this is not to stay the same so from that perspective move. One day you ain't going to comute period. Get used to it. You will need to keep your brain active when faced with tedium so start practicing

Me? I've retired twice already and gone back to work both times just cos I need to be needed.

Still it's nice to have justification.

Good luck

Cheers!

Thanks to all for taking time to reply.

I stayed 19 years in my previous job until went to India March last year.

The pay was top notch (I was able to pay off mortgage and save up a bit, if I looked into it, I may be able to retire and live off that, but it would be frugal living).

It also fitted my lifestyle (new job is 2 buildings away) where I could cycle/run/walk and even *shock horror* drive to work, go for a run at lunchtime plus there is gym on the estate. TBH that is more important than the job itself, I kinda drift through live so work to live, not the other way round.

Where I work now is very relaxed, perhaps too much so, so is an very easy life; ofcourse there is no way to tell what this next job will be like. Also I feel indebted to my employer as they helped me out when I was in a bit of a fix in between jobs - it seems to be one hell of a lot easier to get a job when you are already in one.

Personally I would put personal life above work life. If that means putting up with a dull app then so be it. The appeal of being close to home, and being able to get out at lunchtime, would be such a draw for me. And it's the people that make the job, not the job itself.

Ironically, I'm trying to break into finance IT (I'm a performance tester by trade) and the jobs are extremely infrequent.

My brother in law was looking to jump ship last week . Huge pay rise and more variety but more travelling. Reason, since our firm was bought out 18 months ago its not been the same.

He hadn't got through the interview stage when the new firm lost half its contracts and started laying current staff off let alone taking on new ones.

Grass isn't always greener but sometimes you just have to make a change