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to investigate or not to investigate? [17 vote(s)]

don't waste anyone's time and stay where you're at
35.3%
investigate - you have nothing to lose
64.7%
D


Hermes

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I was recently contacted in regard to a position that is incredibly appealing.  I guess I want to kind of list out the pros and cons and see what you guys think.

First, the job is marketing to women via the web with supporting collateral for 3 automotive brand accounts, and they want a strategist with automotive and fashion advertising experience. It's also very near where I live in a really cool downtown area.  Probably means more money too.

For those of you who know my background, sounds like a perfect fit, right? 

Currently, I work 4 days a week for a start up agency in a higher level position. It's very entrepreneurial and challenging and even though the content of my projects is not so closely geared toward my background, I really like it there, like my boss and coworkers (all male except for subordinates), and generally like the job and like going into work.  With the 4 days a week, it allows me to pursue independent gigs and generally makes me feel like I have ownership over my life vs. my employer owning me for the majority of my week.  I also feel the size of the office is good - it's a good "pack" size for me.  I find I perform better in a small office environment vs. large corporate or large agency.  I also get paid well.

With the position that was proposed to me, it would be 5 days a week (probably 50+ hours/week), working with primarily women in the office (which holds its own dynamics which can be toxic), and... I guess I can't think of more cons.  Well, I guess getting back into a larger agency concerns me - it can get pretty cut-throat.  I would say this is a mid-size agency.

As appealing as the position is, I really like my current position and the freedom I have.  I get every Friday off and 3 weeks of vacation each year.  I also come in late a lot without flack, but I work late and on my days off as needed.  They have also been very accommodating to personal stuff and supportive.

I'm feeling like I don't want to waste any one's time if I'm not serious about the position.  Then there's a part of me that wants to explore the possibility.  Then I think of my work place and how I don't want to leave my boss, coworkers, clients, projects, and freedom.

I suppose I could interview and see if I felt like I could fit in at the office and if I'm willing to sacrifice for the gain the position would give me professionally. I'm just concerned that I'd be giving up a really nice gig for something that could potentially be an unhappy position.

What do you think?  Should I potentially waste my and their time investigating, or should I just say "no thanks - I'm happy where I'm at and I don't want to waste any one's time?"

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needsfashionadvice


Kate Spade

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To me it sounds as if the position you're in is pretty perfect for your life. Why put yourself in a more stressful position when you're happy where you're at? I wouldn't even bother interviewing because I wouldn't want to be tempted by more money (that's me personally, I'm always tempted by the money, how much more fun stuff I could buy etc).

Do you think you could be happier in the new position? If not, I say don't even bother interviewing.

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Elle


Hermes

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needsfashionadvice wrote:

Do you think you could be happier in the new position? If not, I say don't even bother interviewing.


Exactly!

I don't think the day-to-day happiness and flexibility you have now is worth sacrificing.  It would probably be nice if your current job made use of your background a bit better, but if the fact that it doesn't isn't interferring with your happiness ....?

Even though it sounds great on paper, I think you'd be getting less than you'd be giving up, personally.  However, if you can investigate a little more without consequence I'd go ahead with that.  You wouldn't be 'wasting' their time, and it would likely clarify your feelings on the situation.

-- Edited by Elle at 12:09, 2008-03-21

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Metric


Gucci

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What intrigues you about moving to the other position? It sounds like your happy in your current position. What are the pros to the other job?

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D


Hermes

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Elle wrote:

needsfashionadvice wrote:

Do you think you could be happier in the new position? If not, I say don't even bother interviewing.


Exactly!

I don't think the day-to-day happiness and flexibility you have now is worth sacrificing.  It would probably be nice if your current job made use of your background a bit better, but if the fact that it doesn't isn't interferring with your happiness ....?

Even though it sounds great on paper, I think you'd be getting less than you'd be giving up, personally.
That's a really good point, you guys - the happiness factor.  For so long I have been focused on climbing the ladder vs. happiness.  This could be a great move for me professionally, but at the expense of what?

One of the things that is especially appealing to me is the marketing to women factor - this could be a great professional growth area...

I'm still pausing on pulling the no thanks trigger.  Think I'll go work out and come back to this in a little bit...



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D


Hermes

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Metric wrote:

What intrigues you about moving to the other position? It sounds like your happy in your current position. What are the pros to the other job?


The pros to the other job are:
- it's a close fit to my background
- it provides professional growth in areas I'm passionate about
- it's in a cool office in a cool town and close to my home
- mo' money

jobs like this don't grow on trees.  I'm used to climbing the ladder and taking advantage of any opportunity to do so.  This time, I'd be sacrificing proven happiness for the unknown in regard to happiness...



-- Edited by D at 12:17, 2008-03-21

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littlebean


Kate Spade

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It sounds like your current position is a great fit, but if you're intrigued about this new opportunity and are hesitating to say 'no thanks', then I'm always one of those people who says, 'go for an interview -- you've got nothing to lose.' That way, if you decide to stick with your current position (either for professional or personal reasons), then you can do so without regret or wondering 'what might have been' if you had pursued this opportunity. I don't think you'll be wasting anyone's time.


Just wanted to add that at this point, if you decide to go for an interview, you're not yet saying that you are willing to sacrifice happiness for uncertain gain. That's the potential tough decision you'd face if you decide to take the job, but right now you're just investigating. It may turn out that the job isn't good for a number of reasons, or that you'd be really happy in it -- but you'll never know unless you find out more. wink.gif

-- Edited by littlebean at 12:21, 2008-03-21

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NCshopper


Hermes

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I say, go in for an interview and see what you think. You're totally in the catbird seat here--if you like it, you can jump on it, and if you don't, you haven't lost anything by looking and you can stay where you're at.

Also, who knows--maybe during the interview they'll make some compromises like a 4 day workweek or something.

At least by agreeing to an interview, you'd get a chance to feel the "vibe" of the office and it might be great or it might be awful. At least you'll know one way or another and you won't be left with that "I wonder what it would have been like" feeling.

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blubirde


Chanel

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I definitely think you should go in for the interview. In the end you might be wasting everyone's time if you decide not to switch jobs but that's the risk of interviewing (either giving or taking - 90% of it is wasted time).

As far as I'm concerned it can't hurt to have all the information in front of you. Worst case scenario is that you like the job and become conflicted over which position to keep/take. That's really not that different than where you are now. I'm a big proponent of exploring all options before making a decision.

I don't know the status of either company but if we really are going to have a bad economy (worse than now), there also might be some security in taking a job in an established company vs. the start-up you're with right now. Just a thought.

It can't hurt to see what they have to say.

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D


Hermes

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blubirde wrote:

I definitely think you should go in for the interview. In the end you might be wasting everyone's time if you decide not to switch jobs but that's the risk of interviewing (either giving or taking - 90% of it is wasted time).

As far as I'm concerned it can't hurt to have all the information in front of you. Worst case scenario is that you like the job and become conflicted over which position to keep/take. That's really not that different than where you are now. I'm a big proponent of exploring all options before making a decision.

I don't know the status of either company but if we really are going to have a bad economy (worse than now), there also might be some security in taking a job in an established company vs. the start-up you're with right now. Just a thought.

It can't hurt to see what they have to say.


yes, I agree with this...

in regard to the economy/security - it's hard to say which is more secure.  my primary accounts at my current job are medical (secure), and this new thing is automotive (not secure.) unfortunately, among the automotive makers, marketing spending is the first to receive cuts (yes, I know it does not make sense.)  On the other hand, the current position is a start up -- there's a lot of uncertainty since we really have no accounts that carry the brunt of our expenses, and I'm nervous often in this regard.  Then that's kind of what I love too - the entrepreneurial aspect - I feel a true sense of ownership in my current agency as far as whether it succeeds or not...

well, I just sent an e-mail indicating that I'd like to move forward with the process... we'll see what happens. maybe they'll hate me and it will be a moot issue wink


-- Edited by D at 13:11, 2008-03-21

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gingembre1


Kate Spade

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Hi D - If I were in your enviable position, I think that even if I knew my current position had lots of great perks, flexibility, freedom, and generally made me happy, I would regret not at least exploring the possibilities of the other option. So I think you're doing the right thing by moving forward with the interview process. If you do decide to stay where you are, you won't have the "what if" to deal with, because you'll know you made the right choice!

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littlebean


Kate Spade

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Sounds like a good decision!

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Suasoria


Chanel

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I'm glad you're going to look into it. It definitely doesn't hurt to investigate.

I've been in similar situations, and I decided that the lifestyle tradeoffs just aren't worth the additional money/prestige/more interesting clients.

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Farrah


Marc Jacobs

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I was once in the exact same same position and I took the offer. All I can say is that 10 months later I quit that job and wished I hadn't left my other one. It can't hurt to look, but do not be swayed by more money. Just remember the perks and fun you have at your current position. Oh, and loving the people you work with is a serious perk that is priceless in the long run. Good luck!

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XtinaStyles


Marc Jacobs

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I would stay - it seems like you love your job and its perks. It just doesn't seem like the right time to explore.

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HeatherLynn


Gucci

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Hey! I'm glad you decided to continue with the interview process. Hopefully by going through it you will come to some sort of resolve (you don't like the job, want to take the job, or you aren't a good fit with the company- although this one isn't an option in my opinion!). By not moving forward you would have always wondered if should have.

Let us know how the interview process goes!

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kenzie


Chanel

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I think it's smart of you to continue exploring this new opportunity. You never know, right? At the same time, I know that lifestyle sacrifice for more money (as long as you're able to live comfortably with the current salary) isn't something I would do. All the money in the world isn't worth having a life that you actually can enjoy.

Keep us posted!

-- Edited by kenzie at 14:17, 2008-03-24

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squishy


Coach

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hope it works out well!

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nonsense!
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