The Advice Thread

[Tredman]

Need some advice....

I stated a new job in January, decent promotion to director level and an extra 10 grand a year with a big corporate consultancy.

However, I pretty much work alone - all my direct colleagues are in Holland and it's really hard work! If I'm honest it's really not what I thought it would be and I can see it taking a year or so before I win my first big project.

So... saw my old boss at a conference and she said I can have my old job back, with a 5k increase. I'm very tempted, I miss the job and the people, if not the travelling. I also miss working from home.

What do people think? It would be a step back and down, plus would mean I would really have to stay put for a good few years.

 

[Johnny75]

What is it you moved from and to Tredman if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Tredman]

What is it you moved from and to Tredman if you don't mind me asking?

Not at all. I was UK sales manager for a large French metering manufacturer, I'm now UK business development director for an anglo-dutch engineering consultancy.

 

[Trips]

Obviously depends on your situation, both financially and personally, but I'm a big believer in doing something that you enjoy doing.

I had a 3 month secondment last summer which involved me doing the role my current boss does. At the end of the 3 months I was offered the job permanently, which would have meant a decent payrise, company car etc.... but the last month or so of my secondment I really wasn't enjoying it so turned it down and went back to my previous role.

You obviously need to work out how the move would affect you financially, and whether the extra travelling is worth it. Good luck with the decision

 

[Tredman]

Thanks Trips. That's my view too, but my problem is I'm always restless.

On the financial side, even with a 5k drop, I'd probably at least breakeven as the 45p mileage rate they paid was always great.

 

[Tyrannosaurus Dan]

Personally, I would always put happiness at work over money. We spend so much time at work that I'd rather earn a bit less but enjoy the job more (plus, I've never really been that ambitious).

I guess you need to weigh up the financial impact it would have against the benefits like working from home, spending more time with the family etc.

 

[Johnny75]

Not at all. I was UK sales manager for a large French metering manufacturer, I'm now UK business development director for an anglo-dutch engineering consultancy.

It's certainly a difficult situation to grasp. Please forgive me for my two cents and I know it's easy to spend somebody else's time and money.

I would be asking myself some questions: Do I enjoy my new job? Is it worth the extra money? How can my circumstances change in the next year? Am I still happy at home? What are the opportunities at this new place in comparison to the old place? Does work make me happier at home or have no bearing? How driven am I to achieving more?

I take it you have no direct sales staff underneath you so you are free to have your own responsibility, which can be a good or bad thing depending whether you are a hunter, technician relationship sales person. In my experience hunters always go for more money and invariably are driven by cash (even if they don't admit it). If you're not driven by cash then I'd always look to take the job that makes you happiest, least stressful and at a salary that will be good for you.

I am always minded of the saying 'the worst vice is advice' and 'In the end we only regret the chances we didn't take'. You've taken the chance so whatever decision you make should provide no regret.

Apologies for being a bit preachy and good luck.

 

[Tredman]

It's certainly a difficult situation to grasp. Please forgive me for my two cents and I know it's easy to spend somebody else's time and money.

I would be asking myself some questions: Do I enjoy my new job? Is it worth the extra money? How can my circumstances change in the next year? Am I still happy at home? What are the opportunities at this new place in comparison to the old place? Does work make me happier at home or have no bearing? How driven am I to achieving more?

I take it you have no direct sales staff underneath you so you are free to have your own responsibility, which can be a good or bad thing depending whether you are a hunter, technician relationship sales person. In my experience hunters always go for more money and invariably are driven by cash (even if they don't admit it). If you're not driven by cash then I'd always look to take the job that makes you happiest, least stressful and at a salary that will be good for you.

I am always minded of the saying 'the worst vice is advice' and 'In the end we only regret the chances we didn't take'. You've taken the chance so whatever decision you make should provide no regret.

Apologies for being a bit preachy and good luck.

All comments are very welcome.

To be honest I don't reply work in a traditional hunter type sales environment - all the large contracts available in utilities are tendered and most of my role is the business development before then - making sure people understand the technology and USPs that we can provide and developing the relationships to the point that tenders are looking for our products/services. It's definitely what I would think of as business development, rather than sales. And I like it and enjoy it, plus I have been very successful and am lucky enough to know that I could probably walk into a job in most companies within this industry.

Money used to be really important, but tbh I earn enough for everything we need and a few luxuries, we don't have much of a mortgage too.

If I'm honest I'm just convincing myself more and more to go back.

 

[SLA]

Put me in the happiness before cash camp. Obviously not everyone has that luxury but it sounds like you've worked hard to get yourself in a position where you can take a little less money for lot less stress/more happiness - if it was me, I'd probably go down that road. It sounds like your previous job suited you very well and you were obviously well thought of by the company. You gave something else a go, wasn't for you, no harm done.
All the best.

 

[Keef]

Id go the happiness over money thing,you've given it a go,it doesn't seem to be what you thought it would be,there's no shame in going back to your old job,if you were happier there.
But,I don't really know what I'm talking about,I left a bus driving job,to ride a bike around Eastern Europe,and atm I'm hating it,it's no fun,just a slog,mind you I felt like this a fortnight in last time I did it

 

[Tredman]

Id go the happiness over money thing,you've given it a go,it doesn't seem to be what you thought it would be,there's no shame in going back to your old job,if you were happier there.
But,I don't really know what I'm talking about,I left a bus driving job,to ride a bike around Eastern Europe,and atm I'm hating it,it's no fun,just a slog,mind you I felt like this a fortnight in last time I did it

I'm loving your Facebook updates (not seen one for a couple of days though?). I really like eastern and central Europe, amazing views and architecture and people. It'll get easier as you go along I guess?

 

[Dublin Drummer Wolf]

Need some advice....

I stated a new job in January, decent promotion to director level and an extra 10 grand a year with a big corporate consultancy.

However, I pretty much work alone - all my direct colleagues are in Holland and it's really hard work! If I'm honest it's really not what I thought it would be and I can see it taking a year or so before I win my first big project.

So... saw my old boss at a conference and she said I can have my old job back, with a 5k increase. I'm very tempted, I miss the job and the people, if not the travelling. I also miss working from home.

What do people think? It would be a step back and down, plus would mean I would really have to stay put for a good few years.

Take the job that makes you most satisfied. You cant put a price on that. And a 10K pay rise would see a marginal increase as a lot of that would be taken by the taxman (at least here in Ireland anyway).

I am in the same exact position right now actually. I have been interviewing for a new training role in a brand new dept. Its only a small start up section with 35 people. I've had 3 interviews, all went well and they offered me the job. I asked for an extra 10k plus bonuses which after some push back they actually agreed to, but I've ended up turning the role down.

I would be the entire training dept for the team, responsible for planning and delivering all training, plus the Quality aspect too, and also 1-2-1 coaching when Im not in class. On top of that I would be the only SME in the place and also attended weekly/monthly business meetings. Plus, its only a small start up dept and it may be wound down in a year, leaving me fooked.

So my workload would have increased massively, they tried to shrug that off but I know how these things go. Any issues with quality or training and my ass is the sole ass that gets pounded.

So after a lot of soul searching I turned it down, for the extra 10k I would actually only see an extra 250 per month in my salary. And I know I would be working late a lot and carrying work into the weekend. So it wasn't worth it IMO.

Happiness > Money

 

[Keef]

I'm loving your Facebook updates (not seen one for a couple of days though?). I really like eastern and central Europe, amazing views and architecture and people. It'll get easier as you go along I guess?

Thanks man,rain enforced day and a bit off,proper lashing it down,not going to ride in that unless I've got too,some photos will pop up later

 

[lemonjelly]

Put me in the happiness before cash camp. Obviously not everyone has that luxury but it sounds like you've worked hard to get yourself in a position where you can take a little less money for lot less stress/more happiness - if it was me, I'd probably go down that road. It sounds like your previous job suited you very well and you were obviously well thought of by the company. You gave something else a go, wasn't for you, no harm done.
All the best.

I agree with a lot here.
Years ago I was quite career driven. My attitude changed with a phenomenally badly handled redundancy.

The important stuff doesn't happen at work. The important stuff is family, friends, hobbies and interests, time well spent on the above. Work can give numerous good things - social structure, social contact, learning and development and so on, but I doubt many say on their death bed they wished they'd spent more time at work.

Is the extra £10k (or £5K ish?) worth the feelings of general unhappiness you're experiencing? To put it another way, would you pay £5ish to increase your happiness and see more of your kids?

 

[Tredman]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I've got lots to think about.

It's very tough, I was very miserable this morning, but I've just been in and pitched to the NCE100 Award judges and walked out on a massive high. I need to find some balance!!

 

[Parkins left foot]

Hopefully you have a bit of time to think this through & discuss the options with your family as realistically they are involved as well

Personally, but only with hindsight to my own situation would agree with others on the happiness/work-life balance against purely finance. Having said that my situation would have been different to yours as each of us & our family dynamics is individual

 

[UKYankieWWFC]

So, on the way out of work today the HR manager and Quality Manager stopped me and said they'd like to make me a full time offer of employment, however...

I've been a contract engineer with them since Sept 2016, I know how much they pay the company I work for per hour and obviously my hourly wage is deducted from that, currently I have no health insurance and limited holiday accrual, I get time and a half for anything over 40 and can work as much as I like as I usually have a ton to do.
The offer is substantially less monetary wise, would have to work 45 hours basic and then get straight time for any overtime worked, I'd get 56 hours holiday for the rest of the year and health insurance and 3 weeks holiday starting in 2019

So my dilemma is, (Apparently I have a choice..) stay contract and work a basic 40 plus overtime with no insurance or take the job for less, technically work more but with the normal perks of paid holidays and insurance.
Thoughts please?

 

[Del Woppio]

Simple equation. Does the extra money you earn (on average) now allow you to take unpaid leave and pay for insurance?

 

[Wombat del combate]

I'm sure I've asked this before but have we any experts in employment law here?

 

[PPB]

For once I'm not asking for advice, but giving it. If anyone is considering taking Apple Cider Vinegar ( diluted with warm water or whatever fucking bollocks it tells you) for health benefits, DON'T TAKE IT. You might just get a severe allergic reaction that closes up your throat and airways. Awful day.