Should I Stay or Should I Go?

“This indecision's bugging me…” (excerpt from the lyrics from 1981 hit from the Clash)

Hmmm…my horoscope for today is right on the money:

“Working on an elusive answer to a complicated question? Don't give up, it looks like you'll find it pretty soon. You may have even passed over it a couple of times.”

A few months ago, I was approached, out of the blue by on old acquaintance that has asked me to join his legal team. I was able to postpone a commitment to him at that time by simply telling him I was interested at the moment, but who knows where I would be in 6 months time. Boy, does time fly as six months is now upon me and I received the phone call from him again. I’m a firm believer that you should not close a door or burn any bridges, so I agreed to meet him to see what he had to offer.

Stupid me…I’m now faced with a decision – should I stay or should I go? Although, I’m not totally miserable where I currently am, I’m not totally happy either.

Pros of Going:

More Responsibility. Right now, I’m not much more than a glorified babysitter. I shouldn’t complain – I’m paid fairly well, but it bugs me to no end that I have to repeat the same things to the same people two and three times a day and have been doing so for over a year now. If I wanted the responsibility of more children, I would adopt them.


More Work. I cannot stand to be bored. I need to be busy. I don’t need drama, but I need excitement and this place isn’t doing it for me. Currently, my days are filled with reading e-books and blogs. I know, life is tough and most people would relish in the fact that they are paid well to twiddle their thumbs. I am not one of those people. I am living proof of the saying “idle hands are the devil’s workshop”. When not challenged with daily tasks, I become self-destructive. Once I have time to focus on my co-workers faults, they are doomed. I will manage to find fault in every one of the people around me - anything from the sound they make when they drink their coffee, to how much noise they make when typing on the keyboard or it could simply be because it’s the second Tuesday of the month.


Closer to Home. I could spare myself over one hour of commuting time each day. That’s 5 extra hours per week or 245 hours a year (10 extra days) or if I look at it in a monetary sense, I could be saving approximately an extra $30 per week in gas money or $1,470 per year. OMG – that’s enough time and money for another vacation!

An Office: I might get an office. You know those things – a room with a door! Although, I certainly will miss my life in the cubicle, stationed outside of the men’s washroom. Good times!


Opportunity for Advancement: I’m not going anywhere here – except out to lunch, so any opportunity for advancement shouldn’t be passed up lightly.



Cons of Going:

My Boss: I like my current boss a lot. He is a mentor, provides respect and is guaranteed to have my back should the need arise. I know I’m replaceable – everyone is, but I would hate to see my departure as an inconvenience to him.



Work Environment: I would be going from a cutting edge publicly traded software technology firm to a privately owned medical/pharmaceutical company. Instead of working with World of Warcraft nerds, I’d be working with Doctors and medical engineers. Hmmm – I think Doctors and medical engineers may be more socially evolved than the WOW fanatics, but not likely by much.



Dress Code: The new place doesn’t understand the concept of business casual – even on Fridays. I would have to “suit up” every day, which means I would have to go shopping for a new wardrobe. So much for my gasoline savings…



More Work: What if I have too much work? What will happen if work gets in the way of my life?



The Neutral

Job Security: Both companies offer the same amount of job security and recession survivability. There will always be a need for medical/pharmaceuticals and contrary to popular belief, the internet isn't a passing trend, so it's a win win.



Show Me the Money: Although exact $$ have not been discussed, I suspect I will be offered the same amount I am currently earning. Obviously, if they are stupid enough to come to the table with anything less than that and especially when they approached me, the decision will be an easy one. Similarly, if they show up with a boat load more, the decision would also be a lot easier to make, but I don’t suspect that will happen, so my dilemma continues.



This is the first time in my life that the answer isn’t crystal clear to me. Although I’m ultimately the one in control of my destiny, I should mention that I my career moral compass doesn’t always function properly, so I’m fearful that I may be making a move which could turn out to be the “worst one of all”.

Comments

Beatriz said…
I know how you feel. I have to admit I think and feel the pros outweigh the cons. Go have a free lunch and ask to see the facilities maybe meet some of the staff you'll be working with. Ask for more money, they're recruiting. It never hurts to test the waters :)
CrazyCris said…
Between the time saved and opportunities for advancement... I too think the pros outweigh the cons! Especially since your biggest con is you like your current boss, but who's to say he'll always be you boss? Some jerk might replacement and then... oops!

But yeah, definitely hold out for a higher salary, even if just a little! ;o)
Brian Miller said…
i say check it out. see if the chemistry is there with the staff. ask questions that will help move cons to pros or vice versa. if you really have the brass, ask your boss. if they are a mentor they may steer you in the right direction.
f8hasit said…
Looks to me the way you spelled it out that the PROS of going Outweigh the Cons.

Since you are not formally job seeking, it doesn't hurt to hear their offer. AND thus giving you leverage to get the money needed to actually sway in the new position.

I wouldn't do it if it were a lateral move, but with the time saved on commuting and the possibility for advancement, plus the stimulus of productive work (rahter than babysitting co-workers) I think it justifies new wardrobe money!

Check it out! See what their numbers are!

THEN let us all know so we can guide your life....
:-)
Sylvia said…
I would say... If you don't give it a try you'll always wonder. But it depends on your own feelings about it. The answers will come. They always do!
Bobby Allan said…
I think we're all on the same page as far as thinking that the pros outway the cons. I know you like your current boss but that shouldn't even play into the mix. You need to do what's best for YOU.

That being said, doctors are a challenging lot. I went from working with attorneys to working with docs. Pro: Free medical advice and samples. You know you aren't getting that from an attorney!

Meditate on it. It'll come to you.

Hugs~
SA - I know you know how I feel - I remember a similar post from you. You make a good point about the free lunch...

Cris - Funny you should mention this boss not always being my boss. My current boss used to be my boss at another company and he left me to come here and I was left with an o.k. boss, who then hired a moron and the moron was the reason I left the other job.

Brian - Thanks for the advice. I might just speak to my boss to let him know what's going on. I think he'll appreciate the honesty.

f8hasit - I certainly don't see it as being a lateral move. The new job is one of those things I could create and call my own since there hasn't been anyone before me. I look forward to you guiding my life... :)

Sylvia - Thanks for stopping by. You are absolutely right, I will be left wondering what could have been.

Chrissy - Great advice! I need to do what's right for me and I thought I was doing that until this opportunity came along and now I'm not so sure.

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