Stay or go - keep amazing flexibility v. exciting new challenge

[Anonymous]

Struggling with a career move and could use some advice.

My current job is a "dream job" in many ways... amazing flexibility, great pay and pretty unparalleled benefits, lots of autonomy and good colleagues. BUT I have hit a ceiling, both in terms of promotion, challenge, and pay... and I work in a very small industry where I know I do not want to spend the rest of my career. And this all means I am bored, and I am at the point in my life (kids getting older and more independent) that I am looking for a new challenge.

I have the opportunity to make a change to a bigger, more wide-ranging organization in a big, multi-faceted role. It is a big pay increase, but benefits are not as good and there is significantly less flexibility. The increased pay would allow me to outsource more, but the reduced flexibility would mean some changes in the way my house runs. There is tremendous opportunity for growth in this new role, and it's a chance to build something new. Of course, that comes with risks - both in terms of job security and potential satisfaction. That said, it is very exciting and I am really ready for something new.

So, DCUM career gurus, what do you say? Stay safe and bored or take the jump?

[Anonymous]

Do it. You wouldn’t be asking if you didn’t feel some deep disatisfaction with the way things are right now. That said, buckle up, make sure you are comfortable with failure, and go for it.

[Anonymous]

You can price the benefits you have now and compare them to the new pay. But it sounds like you’re looking for permission to take the new job.

[Anonymous]

When I read the title I was leaning towards staying, but it sounds like this new job would be really great for you!

Especially if you dont want to keep your job as a career/industry, make the jump! Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I think permission might be a good word… permission to put myself first. Most people wouldn’t dream of giving up what I have now.

[Anonymous]

Nobody wants to be bored. That said, an alternative is investing more time and energy in things outside of work (and outside of raising young kids).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think permission might be a good word… permission to put myself first. Most people wouldn’t dream of giving up what I have now.

Oh please! If it were so great you wouldn’t be considering leaving. A boring job can be very unpleasant even if it’s cushy in some ways.

That said—a job with less flexibility and more risk — make sure you read Glassdoor and ask around and find out what you’re getting into.

[Anonymous]

Let’s talk numbers? How much do you make now and how much more will you make? What benefits are you foregoing (like less vacation time or like fewer options for dentists).

Does spouse work, anytime you change jobs there is a risk it won’t work out, especially if you are jumping industry etc for a stretch role.

Finally how old are kids — our kids are teens and we are busy almost every afternoon into the evening we are running the kids around. Maybe they more capable of doing laundry and chores but we found 9-16 actually needing even more flexibility then the daycare years for instance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Struggling with a career move and could use some advice.

My current job is a "dream job" in many ways... amazing flexibility, great pay and pretty unparalleled benefits, lots of autonomy and good colleagues. BUT I have hit a ceiling, both in terms of promotion, challenge, and pay... and I work in a very small industry where I know I do not want to spend the rest of my career. And this all means I am bored, and I am at the point in my life (kids getting older and more independent) that I am looking for a new challenge.

I have the opportunity to make a change to a bigger, more wide-ranging organization in a big, multi-faceted role. It is a big pay increase, but benefits are not as good and there is significantly less flexibility. The increased pay would allow me to outsource more, but the reduced flexibility would mean some changes in the way my house runs. There is tremendous opportunity for growth in this new role, and it's a chance to build something new. Of course, that comes with risks - both in terms of job security and potential satisfaction. That said, it is very exciting and I am really ready for something new.

So, DCUM career gurus, what do you say? Stay safe and bored or take the jump?

Can you elaborate on the job security risks? Are you in a gov role now and going private or something similar?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nobody wants to be bored. That said, an alternative is investing more time and energy in things outside of work (and outside of raising young kids).

+1. I made this calculation about 5 years ago. I have a hobby that I wanted to devote more time and travel to. Couldn't have done it with the more "exciting" job.

I'd also look carefully at the new position. Why is the previous person leaving? What exactly does "less flexible" mean and how will it impact you on a daily basis?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nobody wants to be bored. That said, an alternative is investing more time and energy in things outside of work (and outside of raising young kids).

+1. I made this calculation about 5 years ago. I have a hobby that I wanted to devote more time and travel to. Couldn't have done it with the more "exciting" job.

I'd also look carefully at the new position. Why is the previous person leaving? What exactly does "less flexible" mean and how will it impact you on a daily basis?

It’s 2024, what competitive job doesn’t offer flexibility? Sure few want 100% remote, but WFH and flex hours are a professional baseline — red flag if that is a concern

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let’s talk numbers? How much do you make now and how much more will you make? What benefits are you foregoing (like less vacation time or like fewer options for dentists).

Does spouse work, anytime you change jobs there is a risk it won’t work out, especially if you are jumping industry etc for a stretch role.

Finally how old are kids — our kids are teens and we are busy almost every afternoon into the evening we are running the kids around. Maybe they more capable of doing laundry and chores but we found 9-16 actually needing even more flexibility then the daycare years for instance.

Total comp now is about $315k. New total comp would be $375-400k.

Benefit changes would be more expensive health care, less vacation time, less retirement match. Flexibility changes would be most extreme - right now I mostly work from home and set my own schedule, although I do work some nights and travel a fair amount. Nights and travel would be the same - but I would be in the office four days a week with set hours. I think I could push for a bit of flex on the hours, especially because my work involves a lot of outside events and meetings.

Spouse works but could switch to a very flexible schedule. Involved parent, but I have been responsible for all the kid chauffeuring and such given my job now. Kids are late ES and have tons of activities but we live in a great, engaged community.

[Anonymous]

I have this exact dilemma but my kids are 2 and 5 so I’m keeping the flexible job for now. But in a few years I’d definitely go for option 2.

What is key I think, is knowing how much time is left in your career, and knowing you have to do something that will open up other opportunities at some point - opportunities may disappear if you stay comfortable too long and age out. (No clue your age but just general advice)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let’s talk numbers? How much do you make now and how much more will you make? What benefits are you foregoing (like less vacation time or like fewer options for dentists).

Does spouse work, anytime you change jobs there is a risk it won’t work out, especially if you are jumping industry etc for a stretch role.

Finally how old are kids — our kids are teens and we are busy almost every afternoon into the evening we are running the kids around. Maybe they more capable of doing laundry and chores but we found 9-16 actually needing even more flexibility then the daycare years for instance.

Total comp now is about $315k. New total comp would be $375-400k.

Benefit changes would be more expensive health care, less vacation time, less retirement match. Flexibility changes would be most extreme - right now I mostly work from home and set my own schedule, although I do work some nights and travel a fair amount. Nights and travel would be the same - but I would be in the office four days a week with set hours. I think I could push for a bit of flex on the hours, especially because my work involves a lot of outside events and meetings.

Spouse works but could switch to a very flexible schedule. Involved parent, but I have been responsible for all the kid chauffeuring and such given my job now. Kids are late ES and have tons of activities but we live in a great, engaged community.

That is a good comp bump, but you have to accept you would be more absent from children’s life going forward.

Are you the DW? Though a DH can step up and do a lot of kid wrangling, there will be some exclusion from other parents if he is primary, but that ages out in middle school when kids call the shots so should be manageable.

Seems pretty worth it with that caveat — and could you speak to how much vacation you lose and why job security is so much riskier?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have this exact dilemma but my kids are 2 and 5 so I’m keeping the flexible job for now. But in a few years I’d definitely go for option 2.

What is key I think, is knowing how much time is left in your career, and knowing you have to do something that will open up other opportunities at some point - opportunities may disappear if you stay comfortable too long and age out. (No clue your age but just general advice)

It really doesn’t get much better with older kids unless you subject them to an 80s style latch key childhood.