Tell me about a time when you job-hopped and regretted it...

[Anonymous]

I'm struggling with taking a job opportunity and don't know if all the fear I feel about taking the job is justified. It's a weird question to ask -- but have you ever switched jobs or careers and regretted it? Alternatively, have you ever made a job change, maybe that was a big risk and are really happy with your decision?

Thanks

[Anonymous]

Sought a promotion and got it. Moved across the country. New boss seems to see value in everyone except me. Looking at the very real possibility of a step backwards in my career.

[Anonymous]

Yes. I left a small consulting company after 8 years when I felt like I wanted to work with more people on bigger projects. Three months later they were acquired by my dream employer.

[Anonymous]

Got out of a HORRIBLE fed job. I got a small raise (10k). Two months after I left, there was a big firing and my boss and several coworkers got fired. Since then the whole office has rebounded. I miss it desperately. They tried to hire me back but HR wouldn't approve it because I jumped into a different program area.

It was the stupidest thing I've ever done. If only I could have taken the abuse for a few more months. I miss the work I used to do, the travel, my own office... and I can't get out of the niche area I'm currently in. I'm debating going back to school for a different Masters so that I can get out.

[Anonymous]

Switched from a job in print journalism to TV news and hated it to death. Didn't realize how shallow and ego-driven people in TV are (duh) and how much I'd miss the rituals of writing. In the end I switched back but it took three hard years and a pay cut.

[Anonymous]

Four years ago I was on the cusp of a promotion. I didn't get it, but figured it was just another year. I got bored and job searched. Found a job with a company cross the street with a title bump but no pay bump. Turned it down thinking it wasn't worth it.

Another year passed, got passed over again but as a consolation prize they gave me a special bonus and pay bump. I job hunted a bit and got two offers: one for a company I loved - but the pay was lateral - so I passed. One for a super hot company that everyone wanted, but the hours we're going to be nuts. I got cold feet and turned it down. I figured surely this year was my year.

Then I got passed over again. Fed up, I job hunted, got another offer quickly for more money and walked into my boss office (who had just started two weeks prior). I resigned. She implored me to stay, promised me the promotion and gave me a fat bump in salary. I decided that with the promo, I could suck up some boring work and then transfer internally.

Promo cycle came and went. I was passed over again and "next in line" they promised. I immediately hit the market and within a week had an offer at double my salary for a job I would love. I resigned - again. My boss said it was a total shock (how the hell it was I don't know - I had already quit once for not being promoted!).

Now I'm loving every minute of what I'm doing and I'm making much more too.

The truth is almost any of these jobs over the years would have been good moves. The gig across the street may have been less pay but it was a solid company and would have looked good on my resume. The hot company would have looked amazing, I was just scared. The other lateral offer for a job I loved would have been hard work but hugely satisfying. Fear made me stay at my old job for years. I should have left when I was first passed over.

Leap. You can almost certainly always go back.

[Anonymous]

I was in a job I loved but a new boss came and upped the hours and stress. I decided I didn't like her so I took a lateral move in the same organization to a slow 9-5 job. I was really bored and unengaged, went from outstanding reviews to mediocre ones and stared at the clock half the day. I wish I had just sat down with the new boss and tried to make it work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Switched from a job in print journalism to TV news and hated it to death. Didn't realize how shallow and ego-driven people in TV are (duh) and how much I'd miss the rituals of writing. In the end I switched back but it took three hard years and a pay cut.

TV is seriously the worst industry ever. I got out through a stroke of dumb luck and everyone I know still in it is desperately trying to get out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm struggling with taking a job opportunity and don't know if all the fear I feel about taking the job is justified. It's a weird question to ask -- but have you ever switched jobs or careers and regretted it? Alternatively, have you ever made a job change, maybe that was a big risk and are really happy with your decision?

Thanks

I am struggling w same question right now.
Leave a larger sophisticated player where ppl are backstabbing and go to a smaller govt type one w nice ppl but very unsophisticated program that needs restructuring yet may not heed advice.

[Anonymous]

Pp are you me? Same - left big company with internal politic issue to small start up type with nice but delusional mgt, terrible organization and a step backward in title/role (was not as sold in interview)..,and turns out none of the equity promised. The worst part was the title knock as now recruiters think I'm less qualified than a year ago.

I'm not unhappy day to day --- just the hop wasn't good for my career. I'm talking to old company about going back...at my old title. (I'll deal with politics to clean up my resume).

[Anonymous]

Left lucrative private law firm job for fed (non-law) job because I wanted to do something meaningful with my life. So, now I have terrible pay in a workplace with awful morale (likely to get worse) and horrible hours (i.e., not significantly less than private sector). And the DB pension will be nice, but I probably could have have just socked away more in a 401k, and then turned it into an annuity and done better. Plus - I would have had paid maternity leave!

[Anonymous]

i was about to make partner at a "midlaw" firm (one of the national L&E outfits) and left for biglaw.

i regretted it immensely at first. i went from being the golden child of the office to being told everything i did was shit, etc. turns out the partner who hired me is just like that - you do a good job and he lets you know, and he certainly lets you know when something isn't perfect. it took a year, but i feel like i am turning a corner and things are getting better.

if you'd asked me just 3 months ago, though, i would have said i made a horrible mistake and shouldn't have left. now i think i made the right move.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm struggling with taking a job opportunity and don't know if all the fear I feel about taking the job is justified. It's a weird question to ask -- but have you ever switched jobs or careers and regretted it? Alternatively, have you ever made a job change, maybe that was a big risk and are really happy with your decision?

Thanks

Broadly speaking, left a very cushy job for a much stressful job (0-100 real quick). The first year was stressful and had many weeks in tears. Thinking big mistake for moving family out of state and working 10x harder +stress for the same amount of pay. Only after a few years did it take for me to say to myself, I am in a MUCH better position now. Pay is almost doubled, job security, and ok work/life flexibility.

[Anonymous]

I left a place I had been 8 years and while I loved the industry it was just getting a bit boring. Plus no promotions for anyone on the horizon.
Went to new place and a year in they restricted and promoted ppl based in tenure at the firm so now I'm totally worse off, and pissed. But my resume and reputation are good so back to the job search.

[Anonymous]

My first series of jobs were promotion based, so no regrets. but then at some point in mid/senior level there is more at stake and the chance to F up is apparent. For me I had to decide to take or not take a job coming in to restructure a program. Only I strongly sensed the 12 person team and bureaucratic large parent was just blowing smoke and would shoot down any suggestions or proposals.

I passed and found a no-Brainer better opp a year later. Hard to find but my point is to ask tough questions once you have the job offer. Ask for P&L statements, an org chart, the years performance, do references of the group from deportees, customers, agents, equity etc. Take things with a grain of salt as everyone is biased but you don't want to be sold one thing only to find out if was never true.