I’m 24 years old and am ready for that “next step” in my career. I need to get out of entry-level work and believe I have an opportunity for a manager position and a 10k increase in pay if I make this move. The only problem is I work currently for a great company (not that the other one isn’t, just different) and will have to wait a year to get where I could go with this other company sooner. I have a lot of loyalty to the company I am with, but am not really that happy with my position. Should I go? or suck it up for year? Any advice is greatly appreciated.
If you have found a good company to work for that values you and that you like working for, stick with it. One year is nothing. Also, you might talk to your managers and express your concerns - if they really want you to stick around, they’ll work with you. Their reaction might make your decision for you.
Great advice. I’d say spot on. When I was about 23 or 24, I was in a similiar situation. I had a job that I liked, it payed pretty good and I enjoyed going to work everyday. But I knew that I wouldn’t advance with this company and that while this company was famous for offering hefty salaries to new hires, they were stingy about raises. So I left after a few years to a new company that offered a raise in position and about 10K in salary. I don’t know if that was a mistake, but I hated most of the people I worked with and it wasn’t fun to go to work anymore. Sure the extra 10k was nice, but I didn’t realize how nice it was to work with the great team that I left behind.
It’s a fine line between taking calculated risks and becoming stagnant. Best of luck!
I have several questions: Which company would you rather be with in 5 years? Either? Would your current company be willing to let you move laterally and be in a new position for a year and then let you move to a manager role? Will one year with your current employer help you out in the long run more than the immediate move? Are you capable/able to excel in the new position??? How important is the $10k? Is there any chance you can get that amount with your current company? Is there any chance your current company would be proded by you politely telling them you are looking elsewhere? (don’t do this unless you are willing to have the say “Bye bye”) Is there any reason to stay for vesting purposes of investments (401k etc)? Do you have a good and honest management chain above you? Do they currently look out for you? Do you know who’d be above you in the new company? Does your current employer know that you aren’t happy??? Do you have to move locations for the new job? Would you leave if your current company wasn’t as great? Will your current company ever repay you for the loyalty you have for them?
Several of the much much more experienced people I work with (I’m only 26, most of them are 50+) have said the one thing they have noticed about young workers today is that they are very motivated, but want to advance too quickly. They think some young workers would be better served slugging it out in the trenches for a while. Some have even said the younger folks have what borders on a sense of obligation for promotions. Now mind you, I’m not saying this applies to you at all, but I have noticed from my own experience that I want promotions right now, immediately, yet I’m right where I should be in my career (maybe 1-3 years ahead of schedule).
Any of the above answers might influence my opinion (a free one received online from someone you don’t know), but my guess is you should strongly consider leaving, and then feel it out if you believe your current employer will counter offer. If they’ll give you $5k and will bump the 1 year to 6 mo then I’d stay. Why? If you go to the new job they will expect results immediately, and that is very tough when you step into a new role (and one you are being promoted into). You can probably handle it easily, but sometimes their expectations can be tough. Also, any chance you’d ever want to get an MBA or an advanced degree? And who has better benefits? Does either company align better with your Tri-lifestyle?
Here is my situation:
I was at the corporate office but transferred recently because there was no movement in my office. I had expressed feelings of discontent and desire for more before the move and was told that I was a great asset to the company. So essentially I ended up making a lateral move so that I could advance within the company. The problem is not as much the money as it is my title and the day to day work. I’m bored, unchallenged and feel I could produce a lot more. Because of my age though, I wonder if I’m just being impatient.
As for each company, my company is more great for status and the perks. I think both would be able to work with my tri-lifestyle; especially if I was a manager in the new position I think I’d have a little more flexibility with hours. And benefits-wise, each provide exactly the same when it comes to 401(k), meals provided, etc. I feel like if I do a list of pros and cons the one huge pro is the status of my current company. Also, I defintely do no love coming to work with these people everyday.
That was all “scattered” I’m sure…sorry if it doesn’t make sense!!
Don’t be afraid to move or try new things. Used to be that the average person would try 3-4 different careers before finding/settling on the one that became their actual career. 10k is nothing in the scheme of things. Take some risks–find a startup or small company that is wanting to grow—you’ll get a better sense of business + more overall responsibilities/opportunities if you are a big fish in a small pond vs just another cog in the wheel. Also depends on where you want to be in 5/10/20 years: if you want security, a 401k, and a regular 9-5 type gig, than working for big corporations the rest of your life is probably for you. Want to be wealthy? Start your own gig or at your age, hitch your horse to a company that could take off. Find a mentor–someone in his 40s or 50s who has started their own company & is looking for someone to grow with the company. In my 20s I worked 70-80 hours a week regularly, and sacrificed tris + social life in doing so. However the experience + work ethic + rewards I gained in doing so allowed me to build my own company after 10+ years of building for others. At your age you need experience in all facets of business if you want to do your own thing someday, not an extra 10k a year.
Don’t worry about the 10k, that’s nothing much. But as far as your career is concerned, you got to keep on moving. If you can move into a management position early, that’s a fundamental step in your career, grab it and go. The main way to get ahead in any career these days is develop skills in one company that another company values more. Let me assure you that even if a company has the most enlightened employment and development policies, in the end they will pay you the minimum necessary to keep you, not what you are really worth. In fact, more likely they have a vested interest in you keeping on doing a great job without promoting you. If they promote you they in effect lose that great, inexpensive worker that you were. But be very sure that management position is in fact available. Get it in writing. Talk is cheap, and when you are in the interview process everyone gets into a very optimistic mood and can’t necessarily del;iver on their promises.