I interviewed for a new position internally last week.

I was offered the position today. Same basic title as what i do now, but more specialized work. (Much harder work, much more stressful, very steep and long learning curve.)

What i'm trying to decide right now is if i want to take it. I may not have thought this all through before i submitted my application (not that it matters, i like keeping my resume up to date and interviewing periodically.), and am wondering if this is a bad idea.

Pros of taking job:
1) More pay. 15% raise
2) Learn something new
3) Working in this group brands you as "the Elite."
4) Opens new doors (OE and BA jobs)

Cons:
1) More stress. Much more difficult job
2) Locked in for a minimum of 1 year, though probably not marketable for new position for more like 2 years. (More explained in next bullet.)
3) This position will require LOTS of training, a year long learning curve, and more like 3+ years before i can consider myself an expert on the subject matter.
4) Learn something new
5) Closes current advancement "doors."

Pros of keeping current job:
1) Lower stress (Stress still there, but mainly from working with other people, not necessarily because the job function i perform is hard)
2) I AM the expert in the company in what i do. I like this.
3) Pretty much solidifies chances of getting jobs next "rung up the ladder" within this job function. (OE and BA)

Cons:
1) Less pay
2) Very specialized process i do. Openings are not real common, but chances are good that there would be something by the time i'd be "marketable" from the other position.
3) Been doing this for 5 years.
4) Potential "snub" to hiring manager?

I really have no idea which direction to take at this point. I like the idea of more money, but my job already stresses me out pretty badly. Part of me tells me to sack the berkeley up and make some money, but the other part of me says it's probably not really worth it.

I could make up almost half of the raise by working from home and not commuting, which is an option for the current position after a few months production data and some paperwork. Could probably make the rest of it up by selling used parts or something.

I'm also going to start working on my CISCO certifications this summer, so that's a backup plan i'll have going in a year or so hopefully.

Anyone else had this sort of thing? Devil you know vs. something more awesome? The Camry that gets the job done vs. the BiTurbo?

Swank Force One wrote: Pros of keeping current job: .... I like this. ... I could make up almost half of the raise by working from home and not commuting, which is an option for the current position after a few months production data and some paperwork. Could probably make the rest of it up by selling used parts or something. I'm also going to start working on my CISCO certifications this summer, so that's a backup plan i'll have going in a year or so hopefully.

There ya go.

Best of luck no matter what you pursue!

My opinion: You've been in your current position 5 years. Why that long? Are new positions few and far between? What other opportunities for advancement are there?

With what has been presented to me, I'd be taking the position and actively searching and applying externally.

To me it would boil down to: is the stress worth 15% more money?

Some people would eat their left testicle for more money. Others would rather have both the boys.

Which position would give you the best skill set for finding another job outside the company? Offhand it sounds like pursuing Cisco certs would, but how transferable are the skills from the new position?

Don't get yourself so specialized that no other company can use you. Because you never know when this place might fold/merge/reorganize and just happen to leave you without a job.

Swank Force One wrote: 3) Working in this group brands you as "the Elite."

I think this might be very helpful if you were to leave that company in a few years. Do you time with the elite then cash in when you go on the hunt again.

Swank Force One wrote: Part of me tells me to sack the berkeley up and make some money.....

This - you should always be moving forward - take the money and the job and make it happen.

I'd be concerned about turning it down. That probably sticks you exactly where you are in that company for the rest of your time there, since you have shown that you aresatisfied with your current situation- maybe complacent.

Those tough jobs generally look a lot tougher form the outside than they do once you get into them. Show a little self confidence and take it.

As apple alluded to, does the 15% pay raise actually make it worth it?

It sounds like you are salary; are you going to be expected to work more hours/overtime? If that's the case, then your hourly wage isn't really going up more, they are just letting you work more. That's a lifestyle choice at that point.

IMO, money does by happiness, but I could never do a job that followed me home (if the stress is great enough, it will).

mtn wrote: My opinion: You've been in your current position 5 years. Why that long? Are new positions few and far between? What other opportunities for advancement are there? With what has been presented to me, I'd be taking the position and actively searching and applying externally.

Well, i spent the first 3 years or so working my way up the "steps" within the job category. Been at the top for about 2 years.

New positions are somewhat uncommon, mainly because there's only two direct logical and attainable positions above it. Well, two titles, but multiple positions with those titles, if that makes sense.

Going to the new position will still limit me to the same two titles.

Appleseed wrote: To me it would boil down to: is the stress worth 15% more money? Some people would eat their left testicle for more money. Others would rather have both the boys.

That's the problem. I've got a lot of racing and another build coming up in the next year or two, and i can afford to do it on my current pay scale. Just not sure if i want the extra stress.

petegossett wrote: Which position would give you the best skill set for finding another job outside the company? Offhand it sounds like pursuing Cisco certs would, but how transferable are the skills from the new position? Don't get yourself so specialized that no other company can use you. Because you never know when this place might fold/merge/reorganize and just happen to leave you without a job.

Neither. I've already probably maximized the "what can i use from here to get a job elsewhere" factor with this company. The only way to look better from here is to move to the BA or OE positions i mentioned. Either position will have the same "next step."

And really, none of this is useful to any sort of outside company save for another health insurance provider, of which there are none in town.

Streetwiseguy wrote: I'd be concerned about turning it down. That probably sticks you exactly where you are in that company for the rest of your time there, since you have shown that you aresatisfied with your current situation- maybe complacent. Those tough jobs generally look a lot tougher form the outside than they do once you get into them. Show a little self confidence and take it.

Company is way too big for that to prevent me to get a job in the future, and my manager will certainly understand, and she'd be perfectly happy keeping me in my present position since i make life REAL easy on her.

HiTempguy wrote: As apple alluded to, does the 15% pay raise actually make it worth it? It sounds like you are salary; are you going to be expected to work more hours/overtime? If that's the case, then your hourly wage isn't really going up more, they are just letting you work more. That's a lifestyle choice at that point. IMO, money does by happiness, but I could never do a job that followed me home (if the stress is great enough, it will).

Oh it is. It is NOW.

Neither position is salary, they're both hourly.

You applied for the job "knowing" full well what it involves. They offered it to you. Not taking the offer might look bad to your employer. Jus' sayin.'

Sounds like you're in a situation you're unhappy with either way. Take the job and start actively searching elsewhere.

Sky_Render wrote: You applied for the job "knowing" full well what it involves. They offered it to you. Not taking the offer might look bad to your employer. Jus' sayin.'

I really didn't, though. I knew what they did, just didn't know what it involved. I haven't done anything relevant to what they do in over 5 years.

I STILL don't know everything that will be involved. My interview was 2 hours long because of all the questions i asked, and i had a second interview that was another hour.

Anyways, berkeley it.

Carpe Diem for dumb people.

YOLO

mtn wrote: Sounds like you're in a situation you're unhappy with either way. Take the job and start actively searching elsewhere.

Eh, it's a job. If i liked it, it'd be a hobby. Getting paid to do your hobby is a great way to hate your hobby.

I just took it. We'll see how this goes.

Swank Force One wrote: Eh, it's a job. If i liked it, it'd be a hobby. Getting paid to do your hobby is a great way to hate your hobby. I just took it. We'll see how this goes.

Just because it's a job doesn't mean you have to hate it. That being said, I'd take the money (as you obviously did). To me if you're going to be somewhere and not enjoy it, you might as well maximize your time there. There has to be something you want that the extra $$ can afford, if you don't I'm sure SWMBO does. Gotta keep them happy too.

I have considered every single job I've ever had as, first and foremost, training to prepare for the next opportunity. Whenever an employer offered to pay me to learn something new, I jumped at the chance. This strategy has served me well for over 40 years in the workforce. YMMV

Forget about the short term pros and cons - which choice will give you more opportunity in 5 years?

Swank Force One wrote: Eh, it's a job. If i liked it, it'd be a hobby. Getting paid to do your hobby is a great way to hate your hobby. I just took it. We'll see how this goes.

QFT.. though that doesn't stop me from thinking I'd like to work on cars full-time, but I think that won't happen until I'm retired.

Ashyukun wrote:

Swank Force One wrote: Eh, it's a job. If i liked it, it'd be a hobby. Getting paid to do your hobby is a great way to hate your hobby. I just took it. We'll see how this goes.

QFT.. though that doesn't stop me from thinking I'd like to work on cars full-time, but I think that won't happen until I'm retired.

BERKELEY THAT. I hate working on cars.

bludroptop wrote: I have considered every single job I've ever had as, first and foremost, training to prepare for the next opportunity. Whenever an employer offered to pay me to learn something new, I jumped at the chance. This strategy has served me well for over 40 years in the workforce. YMMV Forget about the short term pros and cons - which choice will give you more opportunity in 5 years?

That's more of a wash than i believe i've made it sound like in this thread.

moparman76_69 wrote:

Swank Force One wrote: Eh, it's a job. If i liked it, it'd be a hobby. Getting paid to do your hobby is a great way to hate your hobby. I just took it. We'll see how this goes.

Just because it's a job doesn't mean you have to hate it. That being said, I'd take the money (as you obviously did). To me if you're going to be somewhere and not enjoy it, you might as well maximize your time there. There has to be something you want that the extra $$ can afford, if you don't I'm sure SWMBO does. Gotta keep them happy too.

Maybe i could just buy the house attached to the garage i'm renting down the street from you and we could start a GRM Commune.

I will take the stress of a difficult task over the stress of difficult people any day.

Beer Baron wrote: I will take the stress of a difficult task over the stress of difficult people any day.

Stress of difficult people doesn't go away. Difficult job is just added to it.

You guys keep an eye on me and let me know if it seems like i'm going off the deep end in the next year.

Swank Force One wrote:

moparman76_69 wrote:

Swank Force One wrote: Eh, it's a job. If i liked it, it'd be a hobby. Getting paid to do your hobby is a great way to hate your hobby. I just took it. We'll see how this goes.

Just because it's a job doesn't mean you have to hate it. That being said, I'd take the money (as you obviously did). To me if you're going to be somewhere and not enjoy it, you might as well maximize your time there. There has to be something you want that the extra $$ can afford, if you don't I'm sure SWMBO does. Gotta keep them happy too.

Maybe i could just buy the house attached to the garage i'm renting down the street from you and we could start a GRM Commune.

Exactly my point.

Swank Force One wrote: You guys keep an eye on me and let me know if it seems like i'm going off the deep end in the next year.

Umm... how would we tell around these parts?

Beer Baron wrote:

Swank Force One wrote: You guys keep an eye on me and let me know if it seems like i'm going off the deep end in the next year.

Umm... how would we tell around these parts?

A couple real easy signs:

1) I buy a 3rd miata
2) I ever own more than 2 MX6 GTs at one time (previously i've been good about shuffling to never have more than 2 at a time, despite having owned 4 different ones this year already)
3) I agree with Bobzilla more than once a month
4) Same as #3, but Javelin
5) I stuff an F2T in the Escort in an effort to drive it
6) I sell my red 90 MX6 GT

Beyond that, it'll be hard to tell i think.