So I've been working my tail off for quite a few years, and have built a pretty broad and wide skillset.
My current organization has certainly invested in me as far as training and skills, but I've still hit a glass ceiling in the current career ladder.

Now, on the horizon, it appears like there may be an opportunity for me to move up, but its nothing that can be promised to me. While I don't hate the work I do now, I'm looking for a change and upwards mobility, and nobody is promising me that, nor can they (that i'm aware of).

I do feel some loyalty, as there quite a few dependencies in my organization on my work, and I'm not sure that I can be easily replaced quickly.

On the other hand, I have a job offer for more money, in an area that I think i'm strong in, and would allow more upward mobility.

Logic says take the new job, embrace change. On the other hand I'm tempted to talk to my manager first....

Thoughts? one in hand better than 2 in the bush?


Everything I read says just leave.... If it helps, I work for the GOV, not business.

2/21/2014 5:11:45 PM

Imo, let them know your intentions to leave but give them notice so that they can find a replacement. I get the loyalty thing, but you need to have your and your family's interests as your top priority.

2/21/2014 5:55:57 PM

What type of company do you work for? Like how big of a place? Small businesses sometimes they get offended by the loyalty shit, because they're so vested in the companys performance.. In my experience the big companies all the people there are like you, and they understand that people do what they need to do to advance. Its not their money, and ultimately won't affect the bottom line.

Small company, just go if thats what you want. Big company, talk to then if you have an offer, see what happens.

2/21/2014 6:12:54 PM

I'd take the new job. Not even a question. Give two weeks or a month notice if the new job offer will allow it.

I'm near the top of my organizations management hierarchy after 4 years here, but would leave in a heartbeat.
I'm still getting training and development from the company purse, but I'm as advanced as I can get here and want more.

2/21/2014 6:14:43 PM

And ill follow up that when you talk to your manager, do it with the mindset that your leaving. See if they counter, and parlay that into a bump up with the new job.

2/21/2014 6:19:19 PM

^^^ Yeah small companies take things so fucking personally. You get people who actually think that the company is somehow different or better than any other or that it's supposed to be like a family.

It gets to be pretty obnoxious and silly at times. I''ll probably never work anywhere this small again if I can help it moving forward.

2/21/2014 8:00:36 PM

I work for the federal Gov... So things are a little different, they really cant "Offer" me more money.

Kinda like military, I'm like a Captain, they can't promote me to a Major without competition.

2/21/2014 8:56:48 PM

^^we paid for you to go to school, and you leave after your obligation?! How dare you! (Didn't happen to me but I've seen it)

^then fuck it. Just leave. If you've got a friendly relationship with your boss, tip him off you have a job offer before tendering your resignation. Give him more time to work on a job posting.

2/22/2014 2:38:38 PM

Yeah I think ultimately you have to realize that if a company didn't think keeping you on would help them make money they'll cut you lose so they shouldn't get so offended if you do if from the other side.

2/22/2014 2:56:53 PM

I had one friend who signed a contract saying he had to pay back his relocation expenses if he left the company within a year

he left on day 366

2/22/2014 5:27:13 PM

I've heard of that happening at my company. People using the relocation, and leaving the second their 401k vested (2years)

2/23/2014 12:07:12 AM

Quote :

"On the other hand I'm tempted to talk to my manager first"

I've done this twice at my current job (both about 4 years apart). First time I just talked to my boss, second time I told him I was leaving (but fully expecting him to make me an offer to stay). I am still with the company, and both times it meant a pay raise and a commitment to additional staff and training.

It can't hurt to talk to your boss, especially if the alternative is just leaving anyways.

2/23/2014 12:34:13 AM

taking the counteroffer is a mixed bag

you have already shown to be a flight risk, and why did it take saying you were leaving to get it?

they might be sincere on it, or they may kick you out the door when they are ready later on

2/23/2014 9:23:50 AM

Never feel compelled to stay at a job because of loyalty, never. They do not reciprocate. And if you're tagged as someone who would never leave, they will never pay you fairly.

2/23/2014 11:51:50 AM

^^ flight risk?

I certainly am not considered a flight risk for discussing my future at my company. Sometimes a new job offer gives me the confidence to discuss what I am looking for in my job with my boss. My boss knows that just because I have been doing a job for the past few years, it doesn't mean that it is the job I want to do for the rest of my life, and is certainly not going to hold it against me for evaluating options.

There is a limit, and I wouldn't try to "extort" anything by saying I have a new job offer. I have a good relationship with my boss, and I feel comfortable talking to him about why I would consider taking a different position. My boss then tries to see if there is a way for me to get the same growth at our company. My boss has told me multiple times to talk with him BEFORE I start looking for other positions so we can address any issues as they come up.

It comes down to the relationship you have with your boss. If you don't trust your boss or don't have a good relationship with your boss, then it is not worth taking a counter offer or discussing your options with your boss. However, if you are both mature adults and have a good working relationship, it can't hurt to discuss the new offer if the only other option is leaving anyways.

[Edited on February 24, 2014 at 2:25 PM. Reason : ]

2/24/2014 2:24:14 PM

I think it's worth giving your supervisor a heads up; at very least to ensure that you maintain good relationships with them and not burn a significant chunk of your network. While I can't speak for your particular job or agency, I can say that at a lot of larger companies, there's actually almost an expectation that high performers will rotate every few years. Other areas of the government are similar, and as long as you've done a reasonable amount of time (which it sounds like you've done a few years) and provide sufficient time to enable a smooth transition, there's no shame or anything with leaving a position for a new opportunity.

2/24/2014 4:54:27 PM

Quote :

"I certainly am not considered a flight risk for discussing my future at my company"

Quote :

"My boss knows that just because I have been doing a job for the past few years, it doesn't mean that it is the job I want to do for the rest of my life, and is certainly not going to hold it against me for evaluating options."

Ok, let's evaluate those two statements. Your boss knows this isn't the job you're going to be doing for the rest of your life. You've already interviewed and been given an offer that you'd presumably accept. Unless your job offer is a bluff, in which case I'd call into question your ethics. Barring that, how are you not a flight risk again?

Quote :

"My boss then tries to see if there is a way for me to get the same growth at our company."

So until you got an offer at another company, your growth wasn't on anyone's radar. It is a clear indication that they probably knew your true worth all along, but have opted to do nothing in the hope that you wouldn’t bring it up. It shouldn’t take a resignation letter for you to secure a pay raise.

If you have such a great relationship with your boss, he should have been aware of your ambition and supported your growth within the company. Either your relationship isn't as good as you claim, since it took a job offer to have a career growth conversation, or your boss didn't try to retain you until you were ready to leave.

Consider that if there's a layoff, your card is marked as a potential defector. You may be at greater risk to be cut than someone perceived as more loyal.

At the end of the day, even if you ignore the rest of that advice, the issues that led you to being willing to leave the company aren't going to be resolved through a counter-offer. Clearly career growth is an important thing for you. How about 2-3 years from now when you're ready to take the next step? Are you going to have to go through this again just to get a promotion? If that type of corporate dysfunction doesn't throw up red flags, then good luck to you, sir.

[Edited on February 25, 2014 at 9:32 AM. Reason : .]

2/25/2014 9:31:03 AM

Bobby spitting truth.

2/25/2014 10:11:06 AM