Career Change - What would you do?

[james t kirk]

So, I have a job offer from a client. I've been working for him since 99. Basically he's sick and tired of having to wait for his stuff while I juggle three or four other clients and he's paying a shit load of money. He figures he can pay me more than I make now, which will save him money, AND he gets dedicated service.

So, he's offering me a job with his company.

On the upside, it pays more than I'm making now. On the downside, I have TOTAL security where I am now. I won't have that with him. (He has about 50 people who work for him, vs. I currently work for a corporation of 40,000. I am quite secure where I am.

Upside....

- 50% more cash.
- Company car that I can use for my personal use.
- Share plan - basically, he's going to give me 2% per year up to a max of
10% as part of my remuneration.
- I like smaller organisations where I feel a part of something as opposed to a spec of shit in a corporate bowl.
- I truly respect my client as a sucessful entrepeur and a good guy


Downside....

- Less security, much more risk - moving in this economy and giving up a secure job?
- I will largely be working out of my house (I will miss the office thing)
- I will miss working with one other client of mine because it allows me to be truly creative whereas this new job will be more industrial like.
- more travelling than now (I don't particularly enjoy it)


I've been working where I work now for 10+ years. I like my job but it's more like I enjoy the career rather than my current employer. I feel like I am in a complete rut because I feel that I've hit a wall and there's nowhere for me to go to in the near to medium term (next 5 to 10 years say). I do my job well, the clients like me, I bring in a lot of money so I am good where I am and my boss likes that.

Over the last 10 years, I have been working both groups within our organisation (everyone else sticks to one group or the other - each group being about 65 people or so). As a result I am a bit of a hybrid. I feel that this has allowed me to keep my fingers into two areas of the same field, both of which I enjoy, and it makes me much more marketable, however, I am not seen as part of "the group" by the guys in my group (ironically, the group that I am NOT officially in see me more like one of theirs. Last Xmas it was funny because both groups went for an Xmas lunch and EVERYONE sat in their group except me. I sat with "the enemy".) (It's bizarre I know and I never understood it.)

I don't kiss ass and my boss (although he's a good guy) is very very much into ass kissers. These two things combined have resulted in me not being part of the "inner circle".

So, I am truly feeling like I need to leave my current employ.

Lastly, on a personal note, I had 3 true friends where I currently work. One (my closest friend) recently quit, the other got transfered to another office some time ago (so I don't see him hardly at all anymore) and the last is still where I am. The rest of the guys I work with are pretty much work friends, or colleagues I guess you could say. I must admit that with the departure of 2 of my friends, I am feeling somewhat lonely. Sounds teenage, but it's true.

Feeling somewhat unsure...

 

[21pro]

working for his company for only 5 years and you earn 10% ownership! impressive.

anyways, i've been the 'other' party in this circumstance- i 'stole' an engineer this way from a large robotics firm. I'm no longer an owner of the company and he's now VP and makes about $800k per year-as well as being part of the ownership that bought me out. I think he made about $100k at his previous firm- I paid him $160k/yr.

he had the same issues with security... but, we were a growing business (profit 50) and we were in a growing market (automotive) at the time. the economy has flipped somewhat and 2010 looks to be shaping up to be worse than 2008 with possible dollar collapse and food riots on the horizon... perhaps neither job will be secure. I really don't know.

Can you do 1/2 and 1/2 ... ie, make an arrangement with your boss to lighten your workload at your current place and devote enough to fulfill this other guys needs?

 

[C Dick]

Take the new job, for sure. 50% is a giant increase, it trumps the security. Put half the 50% aside, and you will have the security of a bunch of cash, the best security of all.

 

[calloway]

Depends on your personal risk assessment.

• Married
• Kids
• Mortgage
• Credit Cards
• Creditline
• Car Loans
• Industry You're In

 

[King Midas]

On the downside, I have TOTAL security where I am now.

Absolutely no such thing, unless you own the company.

 

[KBear]

Sounds like you are looking for a reason not to go. Maybe it is time for a change…

 

[Meister]

Ask for the golden parachute.

 

[alex52]

Grass is always greener on the other side.
You only appreciate what you have when you don't have it.
Security is worth something in this insecure world.

 

[fuji]

Ask for the golden parachute.

Yeah. Specifically tell him the only reason you wouldn't take his offer is the job security and seniority you have right now.

If he can offer you, say, a year's pay if you are laid off through no fault of your own is it still a risk? That's fair because with 10 years seniority you would likely get about a year's severence from your present employer, why should you lose that benefit?

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Forget about analyzing the thing to death. Just go with what your gut feeling tells you. Gut feelings are more accurate and true than anything the mind comes up with.

 

[a 1 player]

I say follow the money. No job is secure, none of them.

 

[Gyaos]

I don't kiss ass and my boss (although he's a good guy) is very very much into ass kissers.

Ah, ah. Yeah, you do. Tell your current boss of the new job offer and have him match it.

Gyaos.

 

[elmo]

Why don't you have the new guy sign a contract with you and hang out your own shingle?

 

[Nickelodeon]

You need a career plan and to think about your career goals. Answer these questions first, and you will be able to answer the questions you've asked of us.

I think you're asking the right questions, but the answer lies in where you want to be in 5 years.

 

[3Tees]

Absolutely no such thing, unless you own the company.

You think owning a company gives you security?

Sure, if you're Bill Gates, Michael Dell, Andy Grove or Frank Stronach or if you've already managed to safely sock-away millions in previous years.

Owners of small to mid-sized businesses have about as much security as anyone else!! Here's a general, but not universal rule - in order to reach that level of security you so loftily gaze at, owners take on a hell of a lot of risk for a fair length of time.

How many salaried employees are asked to remortgage their house for the privilege of having a job? How many employees max-out their credit cards cash advances just to meet payroll? How many employees borrow from friends and family when a deal goes bad just to keep the lights on in a business?

 

[onthebottom]

Go for it. Here are my reasons:

- Working for a small company is a very rewarding experience, you'll have a much larger impact at a smaller firm. If you've never done it you'll find that it dramatically enhances your resume.

- Rich people are owners, not workers, if you have an ability to build equity without cash flow risk that's a golden opportunity.

But:

- Make sure the company is in good shape - look at revenue (all the other numbers can be cooked) if revenue is going up (and in these times) you'll feel safer.

- Are you in a job where you can easily find other employment? Some jobs are more liquid than others, if it would be easy for you to find another job then you really should take this.

My value-priced free advice.

OTB

 

[james t kirk]

Depends on your personal risk assessment.

• Married
• Kids
• Mortgage
• Credit Cards
• Creditline
• Car Loans
• Industry You're In

No kids, no wife, just me.

No credit card debt, car will be paid off in 4 months.

Mortgage and LOC yes - that's the one thing we all have unless we've worked long enough to pay it off.

 

[james t kirk]

Sounds like you are looking for a reason not to go. Maybe it is time for a change…

Absolutely true. After 10.5 years you become a piece of the furniture.

I worked my last job (same industry) for 9 years, now this one for 10.5. I'm not the kind of guy who bounces around like a pinball.

As to the security, there's no such thing as total security, but truthfully, I have a lot. They could lay off half the office and I'd still be the half working because I'm able to write proposals very well, I have a good knowledge of pricing, and I've been successful in my proposals more times than not and brought in a big chunk of business. Then, unlike many of my colleagues, I actually do the work (some of them like just to talk and to forward)

I'm just getting a little psyched out by the economy blowing up. If that hadn't of happened, I wouldn't be giving this a second thought.

 

[james t kirk]

Yeah. Specifically tell him the only reason you wouldn't take his offer is the job security and seniority you have right now.

If he can offer you, say, a year's pay if you are laid off through no fault of your own is it still a risk? That's fair because with 10 years seniority you would likely get about a year's severence from your present employer, why should you lose that benefit?

That thought crossed my mind, however, I didn't bring it up in the negotiations because of the offer of the shares in the company. (Mind you, he still owns 80% of the shares and can effectively fire my ass if he feels like it.)

 

[james t kirk]

Forget about analyzing the thing to death. Just go with what your gut feeling tells you. Gut feelings are more accurate and true than anything the mind comes up with.

True and my gut tells me to go for it.

I figure that if it comes off the rails (and I hope it does not) I can always do what I am doing now. Though I would HATE to have to get on my knees and go back to my current employer.

I figure at the end of the day, you have to have faith in yourself and your ability to work. And you need a back up plan.