When Is It Time to Change Jobs

JelIyfish on 22/07/2022 - 19:51

Seeking opinions on when you would look at progressing your career. I’ve been at the same company for 14 years and doing essentially the same job for 7 years. There is no room for promotion at this company so the job is what it is. I am suited to the work but it’s not the most thrilling and somewhat stale having done a similar thing for such a long time.

Job Pros
*I know the role and I can complete the work to a high level, I have the confidence of my colleagues
*I am comfortable and not the type of personality who can hit the ground running in a new environment. Seeking a new role, being interviewed and working with new people does intimidate me.
*Pay is above national average and maybe 10% above industry average. If I tried to climb the ladder at another workplace I might get 20-30% more but that amount of money wouldn’t change my lifestyle
*I have a young family and I have flexibility to WFH and hours are not rigid
*I am not really managed, as long as I get the work done I won’t hear from my manager for months

Job Cons
*It doesn’t feel ambitious to do the same thing over a long term
*I'm not learning much new and there are no significant challenges
*Having essentially no manager overseeing my work makes it feel a bit unrewarding, i.e. when I get through something challenging there is no recognition

I talk openly with family & friends that I will progress my career when the kids are older but to be honest I think that is just a way to kick the can down the road and put the idea off for a while. I'm unsure whether I am actually on a really good thing and would regret giving up a cruisey environment that pays well enough and offers flexibility.

I spend so much of my life doing non-work activities including family time, I would hate to find myself in a new place working overtime and disrupting the work/life balance and being less available for the family. Meanwhile, I have the ability to do 'more' with my career, there is no doubt I could fill a higher role, higher responsibilities etc. but I don't know that is really something that I need out of life at the moment.

I don't exactly find value or self worth in 'work'. Is there any downside to being someone that had an OK job, who spent lots of time with their kids and had a balanced lifestyle? My gut feel is that a deathbed regret is more likely to be have too much focus on work/career progression than less.

I guess I'd life to hear from people who have made this decision (or indecision) and whether you can offer advice.

Education & Work

Comments

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 22/07/2022 - 19:55
    -3

    Ask for a raise and stay

  • Tee Rex Arms on 22/07/2022 - 19:57

    Some people are content to be a worker bee/Pleb with the bills paid. Others have a sense of community spirit/wanting to help others in a job that allows this and pays the bills. Depends what your priorities are in life.

    • JelIyfish on 22/07/2022 - 20:13
      +2

      That is an interesting point, thanks. I'd probably find it more rewarding to move to a job that is more fulfilling rather than climbing a corporate ladder.

  • [Deactivated] on 22/07/2022 - 20:14
    +7

    *It doesn’t feel ambitious to do the same thing over a long term

    ambition isn't always a good thing, if it's just ambition for the sake of it, why bother?

    *I'm not learning much new and there are no significant challenges

    if you want to learn, there is nothing stopping you from acquiring new skills by yourself, the best part is that you can choose what you want to learn

    *Having essentially no manager overseeing my work makes it feel a bit unrewarding, i.e. when I get through something challenging there is no recognition

    get a hobby

    I don't exactly find value or self worth in 'work'. Is there any downside to being someone that had an OK job, who spent lots of time with their kids and had a balanced lifestyle? My gut feel is that a deathbed regret is more likely to be have too much focus on work/career progression than less.

    no. people these days are far too focused on the rat race, i don't understand it, if you are in a good position, why not stay there? on the other hand, if you really want to change careers and think you can manage it, though keep in mind you have a responsibility to your family, especially the kids, then go for it. think about what you really want in life.

    are you happy with your life as it is, and you feel outside pressure to "do more" in regards to your career? if this is the case, remember it's your life, not theirs.

    are you unhappy with your life as it is, and you feel the genuine desire to change, and "do more" in regards to your career? if this is the case, the sooner you start, the better off you will be.

    if it were me in your position, i would not move, but that is what I would do, i am not a workaholic, a jobs a job to me.

  • Vote for Pedro on 22/07/2022 - 20:16
    +10

    I spend so much of my life doing non-work activities including family time, I would hate to find myself in a new place working overtime and disrupting the work/life balance and being less available for the family. Meanwhile, I have the ability to do 'more' with my career, there is no doubt I could fill a higher role, higher responsibilities etc. but I don't know that is really something that I need out of life at the moment.

    I think you’ve answered your own question. Sounds like you would be unhappy if you lost the ability to do the things you love. Perhaps a small side hustle using your skills could help you push yourself in some way?

    • cookie2 on 22/07/2022 - 20:38

      Have a +1

    • brendanm on 22/07/2022 - 20:39

      Not sure why this is negged, it's a valid idea. Work pays the bills, side hustle could be something something of interest, requires thought, and adds cash at the same time.

      • Vote for Pedro on 22/07/2022 - 20:47
        +3

        It’s what I do because I had the exact same dilemma as Op. Work I do with my eyes closed. It pays the bills more than sufficiently and gives me the flexibility I need. I now get fulfilment on other things I decide to invest my time in. And those other things can adapt to the circumstances and can scale as I feel like. Some are money making and some are community based.

        Though, if you fall into a rut and don’t do something that brings you personal fulfilment, you could experience some of Ops emotions - (been there)

  • cookie2 on 22/07/2022 - 20:37
    +2

    I think you already have your answer. Life is short and forever changing and not everyone gets their life worth from what they do at work. It sounds like you value your flexibility and work life balance and unless you actually feel that you genuinely want to progress within your work environment, then i think you're doing what's right for you.

  • brendanm on 22/07/2022 - 20:41
    +9

    What is the point of being "ambitious" while working for someone else? Generally just loses you time, and makes someone else rich. I do 38 hours, have no wish to do any more for someone else. Anything extra I do as a side hustle, is more interesting, as well as more financially rewarding. Time with family is more important than time at work.

    • Vote for Pedro on 22/07/2022 - 21:34
      +2

      No matter how good you are or how loyal you have been to an organisation, you’re just a number and they’ll pretend to be sad during your farewell cake and forget you existed 5 minutes later.

      • cookie2 on 23/07/2022 - 21:11
        +1

        Wait, you got farewell cake? My worst was my workplace trying to arrange a morning tea for me…on a week day I didn't work! And asking me to come in and work a half day. I didn't of course but how twisted!

        • Vote for Pedro on 23/07/2022 - 21:15

          Lol. Brilliant

          I was lucky. Learnt the ‘everyone’s replaceable’ lesson in early 20’s.

  • SF3 on 22/07/2022 - 21:42

    There is no room for promotion at this company

    Unless you are the CEO.

    My advice is that you start to exploring skillsets that may offer you the opportunity to move up and build relationship across other departments. Unless moving up (e.g. management) isn't your cup of tea.

    There is some saying You are exactly where you are meant to be. Unless you make progress to create a better you.

  • mrvaluepack on 22/07/2022 - 21:46
    +1

    IMHO, your pros are pretty sweet and outweigh your cons. Remember that the grass always seems greener on the other side.

    I've seen plenty of people whine about their current job but when they do find and move on to another opportunity, they tell me 3-6 months later that they wished they didn't move.

  • tallkid123 on 22/07/2022 - 22:08

    I would try and do something outside of your work to make you feel more fulfilled. It'll offset the boredom.

    Considering your circumstances with a young family I'd hold tight at this point. A 20-30% pay increase is not worth the uncertainty in having to work under a different manager in a new work environment.

  • whatwasherproblem on 22/07/2022 - 22:46
    +2

    I talk openly with family & friends that I will progress my career when the kids are older but to be honest I think that is just a way to kick the can down the road and put the idea off for a while.

    It can be can-kicking, sure, but it's also a perfectly logical move.

    Especially if you've got really young kids. You don't want to be rising up the chain or doing too much novel (read:interesting) work at that point in your life. Instead, you want the 'boring and safe' job that you could do with your eyes closed. The job that you could do when you're asleep. Or (more pertinently), the job that you could do when your kids have kept you up all godd*mn night and your brain is fried, and the only thing keeping you from getting fired for hilarious incompetence is the fact that your job is so old-hat to you at this point that you can coast on muscle-memory alone.

  • rollin on 23/07/2022 - 00:53

    i wouldnt bother moving if i were you mate. You are in a very good position imo.

    You have;

    • a decent job
    • a job that pays well and above average.
    • W/L balance
    • WFH options
    • Plenty of time to do your own thing and with family. This is fantastic for a young family.
    • Cruisey role due to your experience / skills
    • established respect

    Plenty of people would happily snap your hands off for that all day long. Dont be pressured by external factors. The rat race isnt for everyone and nor should it be. Do what is best for you and the family. I would not trade family time for the rat race. Maybe the time to move is when the kids are teenagers and dont want to go out with mam and dad :D.

    The grass is not always greener. If pay is the stickler, then put a case together w/ evidence and take it to management to push for a raise.

  • AustriaBargain on 23/07/2022 - 02:01

    Do what will make you happy. Depression will hurt your career the most in the long run.

  • JelIyfish on 23/07/2022 - 08:13
    +1

    These replies have been great, thank you. Life is good, I appreciate I’m not in a bad place by any measure, it is just the one part of my life that feels a bit stale.

    In the past 10 years I’ve built a house & moved towns, got married and started family, started new hobbies and made friends. Everything else is moving forward and work is just ticking over.

    I always pictured myself having a side hustle but I’ve lacked the idea to get started. I could probably dedicate 10h/week to ‘something’.
    I think I need to have a think about a side hustle, studying, or learning a new skill to push some boundaries.

  • oscargamer on 23/07/2022 - 08:16

    Only read the title of your post .

    You should change jobs when you wake up in the morning and actively dislike the thought of the work day ahead.

    That's my trigger anyway.

    • Vote for Pedro on 23/07/2022 - 10:18
      +1

      When you dread your job. I’ve hated jobs. Only changed when I dreaded them.

  • johndowy on 23/07/2022 - 10:41

    If you were me. I'd change.

    If I was you. I'd stay.

  • FreeUyghur on 23/07/2022 - 12:10

    when you get bored

  • [Deactivated] on 23/07/2022 - 21:32
    +1

    Grass is always greener on the other side. Well, sometimes it really is, but that is rare.

    I've had itchy feet before - been on a good income, but bored, so took a risk for what I thought would be more exciting, but turned out the big name company was a hot political mess inside, and I ended up worse off than if I stayed in the boring job.

    I have a young family and I have flexibility to WFH and hours are not rigid

    Sacrificing career for your children is not a sin. There's a lot to be said about being there for the kids. Plus - ever notice how the ultra-successful parents end up with children who see their successful parents and believe they'll never measure up and so they stop trying. If you're content to do your work, make the money for the family, your children will see they, too, can grind when necessary.

    I would hate to find myself in a new place working overtime and disrupting the work/life balance and being less available for the family

    Working at a new company requires you to quickly establish yourself socially. This involves:

    • proving you can do what you've been hired to do
    • showing you have a strong work ethic (translation: get to work first, leave last)
    • don't rock the boat (translation: keep your opinions to yourself)

    It doesn't matter who you are or what position you've been hired into. You're a nobody compared to the staff that have been there 5-10 years. Even if they're junior to you.

    If you can keep your head down, work hard, and have some good results, then in 3 months you can start to relax, open up about some of your personal beliefs. After 6-12 months you can start slacking off, turn up to work late, leave early, miss the occasional meeting. Openly disagree with other staff members.

    That first 3 months in a new role is a precarious time. You don't know who you'll accidentally offend, or whether you make a mistake and be forever judged as an idiot as a result. First impressions are everything.

    TL;DR changing roles is risky, sometimes you crash and burn. Staying comfortable but bored for the sake of your family is not wrong.

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