Need Some Advice on My Career

wudsapp on 16/09/2024 - 13:13
Last edited 16/09/2024 - 15:24 by 1 other user

Hi all, I've been feeling a bit stressed about my career path lately and wanted to share my thoughts.

Three years ago, I joined this company primarily due to a personal connection and an attractive salary. However, recently my personal connection left the company. He played a key role in the business, and we are now seeing a decline in our office and potential business closedown in future.

I've explored the possibility of moving to other places, but it seems like a pay cut would be necessary to stay in the same level. I am concerned about pushing to join the higher level as I'm not confident whether I can perform. There will also be reduction of L&D opportunities, working long hours etc. as well.

I'm hesitant to discuss this openly with my mentors due to concerns about confidentiality.

I'd appreciate any advice or perspectives you can offer to help me navigate this career crossroads.

Education & Work

Comments

jugsy on 16/09/2024 - 13:14

+8

Either take the hit or fake it til you make it, there's no magic answer here
holdenmg on 16/09/2024 - 13:17

Why not follow the person that caused you to join the Company wherever they have gone…
- jv on 16/09/2024 - 13:48
  
  -5
  
  They joined the priesthood.
- wudsapp on 16/09/2024 - 14:39
  
  There is a possibility. But he moved to a new startup, which means a lot of business development, tenders, and proposals and very little technical work. I did that for about a year when I moved to this place, and I don't really want to do it again.
  
  But I'm keeping it as the last option
- Protractor on 16/09/2024 - 15:09
  
  +1
  
  Yes, always fulfil the stalking craving.
DingoBilly on 16/09/2024 - 13:18

+3

Unfortunately change happens and it seems like that change is about to hit you.

The one thing you have control over is your actions here. I'd suggest trying to apply for jobs at high pay levels and see how you go if that doesn't work out, go for lower jobs. But don't do nothing just out of fear.
Seraphin7 on 16/09/2024 - 13:35

+11

One matter to consider … that often gets overlooked … is that a career is not a series of only upward steps.

There will be pay cuts, sideways moves, backwards moves, harder conditions from time to time, just as there will be promotions, above market salaries, bonuses, great environments, etc.

It's hard to comment on any specific circumstance, but it may be now is the time to consider your options, even if they carry some "loss". If you genuinely think business closedown is on the cards, do you want to take a 20% pay cut, or a 100% one?
- arrowroot on 16/09/2024 - 13:52
  
  I would second this. The "move but take pay cut" bit of your post is relatable. Without knowing your situation, don't hold on too tightly just because of getting paid X amount - that is just one factor.
  
  I would also encourage you to re-visit your resume (take stock of you, and what you've done and developed capability in, and where you want to be headed) and the market (how you would be placed to navigate this)
- original15 on 16/09/2024 - 13:59
  
  Feels like market was way hotter 2-3 years ago, so what was available then isn’t now for same price
  
  If you aren’t comfortable discussing with your mentors, discuss with the person that you joined for (now left, would imagine they’re safe to discuss with).
  Decide what is best for you:
  - staying here
  - testing yourself at the next level
  - trying a new environment with maybe a slight pay reduction
  - wudsapp on 16/09/2024 - 14:42
    
    That's very true.. market was very hot when i moved to this company and i was able to bargain a good package.. Current market is not so great where i would have to agree to what they offer..
    
    I have had a chat with the person who left.. there may be opportunity to join him but there will be a tons of BD, tenders and proposals as it is a new startup. Which i don't want to do for the second time
    - original15 on 16/09/2024 - 17:06
      
      I didn’t necessarily mean about following them again, I meant chatting through how you’re feeling and asking for guidance.
      If a great role exists and they can help, great, but at the same time there will be a point where following one person around for your whole career isn’t best for you in the long run (imo)
      - wudsapp on 16/09/2024 - 22:59
        
        @original15: Yeah, I know. I have worked with him in 2 places. I don't mind following him again, but the problem is, I think it will take at least a year to land some decent work.
        
        I have already had a chat with him, and he indicated that I can move to his place.
jv on 16/09/2024 - 13:46

+14

Need Some Advise on My Career

Don't teach English…
- wudsapp on 16/09/2024 - 14:37
  
  +2
  
  Well.. English is not my first language anyway
- Protractor on 16/09/2024 - 15:13
  
  Play nise
- foursaken on 16/09/2024 - 15:15
  
  But he could tell people how to talk gooder
  - wudsapp on 16/09/2024 - 22:56
    
    Very Funny
p1 ama on 16/09/2024 - 14:14

I've explored the possibility of moving to other places, but it seems like a pay cut would be necessary to stay in the same level.

Get an offer first, then negotiate the pay and benefits. If you are a good candidate, many employers will pay above band for your signature.

At the moment, you don't even have an offer yet, so no point thinking about the details.

I am concerned about pushing to join the higher level as im not confident whether i can perform. There will also be reduction of L&D opportunities, working long hours ect as well.

What role do you want your career to play in your life? That's something only you can answer.
- wudsapp on 16/09/2024 - 14:45
  
  -1
  
  True. I don't want to reach out to a contact, get an offer, and say no (I don't feel like doing this even though people told me it's normal).
  
  I once tried to get a higher salary and a position and got burned for a while, and that's what's stopping me at the moment. I had to work some 12-hour days to catch up with the expectations, including a lot of self-learning.
  - p1 ama on 16/09/2024 - 21:08
    
    True. I don't want to reach out to a contact, get an offer, and say no
    
    Then you will never get anywhere. If you don't want to help yourself, then why ask for help?
    
    I once tried to get a higher salary and a position and got burned for a while, and that's what's stopping me at the moment. I had to work some 12-hour days to catch up with the expectations, including a lot of self-learning.
    
    Well you're not getting paid more for nothing.
    - wudsapp on 16/09/2024 - 22:55
      
      Work in a small industry where everyone knows everyone..
      
      I know some people who tried to get offers and declined with certain companies who are struggling to get an offer again..
      
      I once tried to get a higher salary and a position and got burned for a while, and that's what's stopping me at the moment. I had to work some 12-hour days to catch up with the expectations, including a lot of self-learning.
      
      Well you're not getting paid more for nothing.
      
      Well.. I am not sure if working 3-4 hours everyday extra is healthy though i have done that in last 3 years.. Which is why i am hesitant to go for a higher salary again
      - p1 ama on 17/09/2024 - 00:40
        
        +3
        
        @wudsapp:
        
        Work in a small industry where everyone knows everyone..
        
        I presume you're still a civil engineer (from https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/504054)? There is no chance that it is an industry where "everyone knows everyone".
        
        I know some people who tried to get offers and declined with certain companies who are struggling to get an offer again..Well.. I am not sure if working 3-4 hours everyday extra is healthy though i have done that in last 3 years.. Which is why i am hesitant to go for a higher salary again
        
        Have you actually thought through what you are saying?
        
        You are basically saying that:
        - You can't stay at your current workplace because the business is going to shut down
        - You can't apply for any new jobs, because you don't want to reject any potential offers
        - You can't take on a job with higher pay because you're afraid of working too much
        - You can't take on a job with lower pay because you don't want to take a pay cut (or because others think it is "a crazy idea"?)
        - You can't move to the new place with your mate because there's not enough technical work (supposedly)
        
        Excuses, excuses, excuses. As asked in my previous post - if you don't want to help yourself, then why ask for help?
        
        OP, I'm going to be upfront because I've been doing some recruitment for vacant positions on my team over the past few weeks and I've done the whole gamut of going through CVs, doing screening checks, conducting interviews, writing a crap tonne of candidate reports…etc.
        
        It might be uncomfortable, but with everything you have displayed on this thread so far, you are unhireable. You have shown that you're not able to take responsibility for making trade-offs, you are not able to take on guidance or advice, you are making every excuse under the sun to avoid taking any actions / risks, and you have a terrible attitude. On top of that, your communication and grammar are just downright bad.
        
        I don't want to give you crap for no reason, but you've gotten all the advice you need and your options are on the table. You are never going to get everything you want, so you need to figure out what things you're willing to compromise on, what things are your non-negotiables, what things you can live with, pick a path and get a move on. Maybe it'll work out, maybe it won't. If not, pick yourself up and try something else.
        
        wudsapp on 17/09/2024 - 11:00
        
        @p1 ama: Thanks for being honest and open. I understand what you are saying, and I am going through all the scenarios inside myself at the moment. I'm trying to see if people have been in similar situations or if I am thinking too much about this.
  - SlickMick on 17/09/2024 - 10:42
    
    I don't want to reach out to a contact, get an offer, and say no
    
    You need to get over this. It's how every job application works. You present yourself, they make you an offer, you consider that offer and either accept it, reject it, or negotiate. If you dont accept the offer, no one is offended. They might increase thier offer if they really want you, or they'll just turn to thier 2nd choice.
    
    I felt like you when I considered leaving my first job. I ended up deciding to stay, after being offered the other role. I was so apologetic, but he just told me that I need to do what's right for me, and it was totally acceptable from his point of view.
    - wudsapp on 17/09/2024 - 10:54
      
      Thanks. Yeah, I was like that when I wanted to move out of my first job. I kept apologising to the person who offered me the other role. I think it is pretty normal here compared to the culture where we grew up..
Protractor on 16/09/2024 - 15:51

-3

It's a quitting pandemic>
https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/at-work/new-reason-gen-…
Protractor on 16/09/2024 - 16:52

-1

DIY builders and mechanics (and whatever else) will become the norm. Russian Roulette time.
https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/at-work/hard-grim-futur…
- freefall101 on 16/09/2024 - 19:28
  
  How did you read those two articles and decide "those were really informative, I'm going to share this with other people!"?
  
  A random "recruitment expert", a 29 year old tradie who's decided what Gen Z thinks and a pair of poorly written articles that managed to completely screwed up their main statistic. Completion rates are not down 55.5%, that would be an absolutely bonkers decrease. They are actually down 1% and up 0.7% for trades.
  - Protractor on 16/09/2024 - 19:48
    
    -3
    
    LOL, your bagging relevant info on where the 'gens' are going worth wise after 2 posts pop up on a forum asking for advice from randoms. Nobody can question YOUR work ethic freefy. ( A decent slab of the posts here on Ozb are clickbait in and off themselves.)
    
    But you make a good point about both OPs, perhaps trying journalism as a career though. There aint none left in the MSM any more. Just Murdoch sycophants pumping out clickbait.Or piggy backing off the ABC stuff for outrage.
    
    There could be an uptick( statistically) of 30% more 'tradies' than we had 5 years ago, and we'd still have 10% less 'real' trades people. Anybody who buys a new house beyond covid and for the foreseeable future needs to be prepared for a few serious headaches going fwd.
    BTW , make sure any time you drop a link here the info pleases the masses according to YOUR standards.
    Hey, isn't Ozb a random recruitment (legal/neighbour dispute/insurance claim/speeding /red light ticket) expert knowledge base?
    
    And maybe, just maybe the tradie in the story knows and talks to his cohort and knows more about what IS going on than a sh*t load of online gurus?
    
    TLDR, who knows why we do these things?
    - freefall101 on 16/09/2024 - 20:03
      
      +2
      
      BTW , make sure any time you drop a link here the info pleases the masses according to YOUR standards.
      
      Sure thing, my standards are
      
      Not sourced from a random on social media
      
      Can reference a source properly and understand a simple number
      
      I know I set the bar high, but hopefully I can stick to it.
      
      There could be an uptick( statistically) of 30% more 'tradies' than we had 5 years ago, and we'd still have 10% less 'real' trades people.
      
      Those are some stellar statistics, have you thought about a job with a Murdoch online news outlet?
      - Protractor on 16/09/2024 - 20:20
        
        -3
        
        @freefall101: I'm using BrendamMs exaggerate everything + hyperbole formula. ( Pretty sure he aint skiving that skill from the ABC media sources.)
        
        Your standards are way too high for Ozb, and mine too high for Murdochs rags, so maybe we have an impasse until next we drop a link…
Randxyz123 on 16/09/2024 - 20:01

Sometimes a small pay cut and more of a sideways step is necessary for you to then move up.
- wudsapp on 16/09/2024 - 22:51
  
  May be Yes.. but a lot of people think it is a crazy idea.
Halo375 on 16/09/2024 - 20:51
If you don’t enjoy your company - leave.

No - you can’t always just walk straight into an easy high paying job.

Yes - you can earn less and be happier. You can learn new skills and you can find companies that don’t expect you to work 14 hour days.

Do - start looking and applying now.

Learn to have some confidence in yourself. If you don’t believe you can learn something new then why should anyone else believe you? If you can’t learn then your career path is going to stay pretty bloody short.

Apply yourself and commit to find something you enjoy or at least get some satisfaction out of. A lower salary but new experience makes you more valuable in the long run.
OMGJL on 16/09/2024 - 22:24

I could be wrong but to me it sounds like you won't get in to where you are now if it wasn't your connection, and you'll not easily find another job same (pay/skill) level as what you do currently.

if this was the case, consider yourself lucky that you are in where you was for the past 3 years, that's already a sweet deal, one can't always win.

if this wasn't the case, you surely would find another similar job…. The job market sucks now and plenty people suffer from it, it is what it is, if the pay is lower so be it, stay low for another couple year until market catch up again, and you can find an even better job again.
- wudsapp on 16/09/2024 - 22:50
  
  Well its partially true.. He invited me and offered the salary, though it was a bit higher than i expected. Market was very hot and i think he saw value on me.
  
  I have never let him down though. Have gone through very steep learning curves, wored 10-12 hour days and delivered what was expected.
  
  The job market is terrible at the moment and no bargining power at all.. some people suggest lay low until it picks up.
  
  Not sure if it is a good thing to move somewhere now and move again in 1 year.
2esc on 17/09/2024 - 09:17

Nothing wrong with going to a lower paying job if you actually enjoy it. Ive had higher paid jobs and opportunities for advancement but work life balance is more of a priority.
RichB on 17/09/2024 - 20:20

Welcome to the party, pal.

Embrace the change and opportunity, that's life. Organisations are dynamic, organic things. If you think they are standing still you probably haven't been paying attention. Usually takes a significant event for people to look around and take notice of wtf is going on. Accept everything, expect nothing and treat like one big experiment to get better at what you do. Go for it, it'll be fine.
Nucleus Acumbens on 09/11/2024 - 03:06

If current company does close down, what will you do?

If you are already aware that it is danger of closing down, are you going to risk going down with the ship and then start seeking alternative employment or are you going to try and get other employment before that happens?

Your friend might be prepared to give you a job but what job security can he provide and how much does he intend to pay you?

Need Some Advice on My Career

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