I’m on the horns of a dilemma concerning work and thought I’d put it up to the great citizens of Slowtwitch for a vote.
I’ve been with my current company for a year. I am a brand/product manager, with an extremely successful product launch under my belt (great feedback from senior management). That’s the good news. The bad news is I took a step back in compensation to make the move and for the first 90 days my boss and I didn’t see eye to eye about my work. Based on my most recent review, that seems to be covered (shipping the full year projection in the first 5 weeks always helps, along with better communication) but it is still “out there.” This wouldn’t be too big of a deal except that I just received an offer from another company for a big sales role calling on key accounts throughout the country. There is a significant boost in comp, along with a more flexible work arrangement, but I feel like I might be moving too soon after only 12 months. Plus, the role would move me out of a more general management type role back into sales. I wasn’t aggressively pursuing the opportunity, in fact a friend at the company talked me into it, but nevertheless it is here. What is interesting is that the process has taken about 9 months and I have not had a single in person interview … all were over the phone.
Prior to this move, I was at a much smaller company in a similar marketing role. I had good success also, but left when they were acquired by a larger competitor that had a history of closing up shop and moving everyone to Dallas (not that there is anything wrong with that, but it isn’t the Rockies). 20-20 hindsight shows I should have stayed since I’d probably be the Mktg Dir, but that is the past.
Before all of this, I spent 6 years at a very large consumer products company in both sales and marketing roles. I left to move back to the Rockies.
Basically, the resume shows continued growth in both responsibility and results, with three companies in the past 7 years, but if I jump, that would be three in the past three and four in the past seven.
So the question is … take the money and run (Steve Miller style) or gut it out a bit longer in my current job.
Typical situation…you’re not getting the proper recognition at your current job and you’re being lured away with money. Neither of these are the best scenario.
Depends how much money you’re talking about and your current financial situation
Depends upon your career goals
Depends upon your personal goals
If you’ve made the effort to interview/get an offer, chances are either that you’ve already over-stayed your welcome or perhap haven’t thought too clearly about your career path. I’d encourage you to think longer term about your career and the implications. Chose your battles wisely…so it’s an obvious change for well-thought reasons.
It does concern me that you said “big sales role - throughout the country - flexible work arrangement” all in the same sentence…sounds like BS to me. Don’t wait for the 1st day to figure out you made a mistake.
Situation is okay, but 20+% is enough that I am considering the move
2, 3) Tough call here. I’ve enjoyed both selling and marketing. I feel there may be more security in marketing, but you never know. Long-term, career and life goal is to stay where I am and try to spend more time with the little ones. Current company is a market leader, but the new company is also. Both are $2+ Billion in sales with mostly North American operations but in completely different industries. New company is in the industry I was in with my first roles.
I agree with chosing the battles. I’ve thought about the career path before, but maybe not as pointedly as I could.
The role is calling on several key customers. The main customer is here in town with multiple distribution locations throughout the US. Other customers are located outside the state. Basic home office type of arrangement, which I am familiar with.
Listen to your guts (that little voice that sounds a warning). Seems it’s giving the more $$, more responsiblity, more flexibility (?? for whom) the big thumbs down.
If you’re serious about your career then take the offer. The days of job loyalty are over. The best way to make it to higher levels is to follow the opportunity.
I say use the opportunity and increased salary offer to go back to your boss and get a raise. The downside of this is you have to be willing to take the other jb is your current one decides to not match the offer - the good news is tat you will then know how much your current company valued you.
I don’t think tht you have to worry too much about moving jobs too much now, as long as you are leaving to get a better job, and not being fired or quitting for nothing new.
People don’t quit companies, they quit bosses. If you chose to stick around, I’d make sure your boss is aware of your “career map” and helps you attain it. Otherwise, you need to find another mentor within the company to help provide direction and feedback. Same holds true at the new company if you move over.
I don’t talk to my manager often, but its rarely about results (they speak for themselves and are buried in all the weekly reports. i.e. - you can’t hide). The discussion is around growth, opportunities and areas which I need help. She’s literally there to help me, guide me, morph me into a senior manager…not the other way around.
Ask the new boss how they are compensated to help you attain your goals…but monetarily and professionally.
As for the person above regarding being serious about your career (and changing). It depends upon whether this fits the plan. Don’t move for more money, move for situations which helps you get the knowledge, background and experience for the NEXT move down the road.
Think 2 positions ahead and how you can get the experience/resume you need to order to get there. It’s just like creating a Ironman plan with B and C races mid-season! ;o)
it seems you think marketing is sort of a higher calling than sales. it isn’t. sales trumps marketing. it’s more raw, and maybe it’s less highbrow for some people, but marketing is planning the war, sales you’re out there directly shooting the gun. there’s a reason salesman make more than marketing people. and no, there’s no more security in marketing, in a way there’s less, because you’re not directly in control of your own destiny.
sales, tho, means travel. you have to want to be a traveler. you could pay me $1 million a year and i wouldn’t take the job, because i’m not a traveler. to me, that’s the biggest question, but that’s because i’m not a traveler. sales mgr, that would be my bag. best of both worlds.
I say use the opportunity and increased salary offer to go back to your boss and get a raise. The downside of this is you have to be willing to take the other jb is your current one decides to not match the offer - the good news is tat you will then know how much your current company valued you.
…
Does anyone actually do this and has it ever worked. Aren’t you just telling your boss, I am all about the money, and match this or I am gone, oh by the way the next time an offer comes along I will be back asking for more money cause I have no loyalty to you. If I were a boss, and some one came in to my office and said this I would get a box, and tell them they have 15min to pack.
Going to the current job with a new offer from another company does happen all the time and sometimes it does work. Many employers will pay an employee as little as possible. Once they know they are leaving they then look at the value of the employee and will often match if possible. Just because an employee gets another offer does not make him a traitor and all about the benjamins. It is in any employees best interest to listen to outside offers when they come up to see how your skills are valued. Even if you don’t have any intention of moving you need to understand how your current employer values you. When a better offer comes up and you bring it to you current employer you are just giving them the chance to reset their value in you. You DO have to be ready to take the other job though. The key is to be ok with your BATNA (best alternative to a negotiated agreement).
Lots or great advise here. Absorb it, study it, dont be hasty. No matter what your decision(s) make sure they are right for you, and follow your bliss. Dont fall into a trap where YOU think you are indespensable.
Some good ideas here. The only thing I find odd is that you haven’t personally met anyone in this new company (except for your friend). Unless you plan to be a key account manager for the rest of your life, you’re going to have to navigate this new organization and its people. Think about where you want to go, who’s there right now, and how you’ll get there. How are you going to establish that you can manage a team? Will you be able to develop the right relationships with people who will help you get where you’re wanting to go?
Also, FWIW, I’d stay on the sales side if you’re good at it. The most valued people in any organization are the people that directly generate the bottom line profit. When others are zeroed out on their bonuses in hard times, the sales folks still manage to pull down some cash because they’re the bread and butter of the organization.
I agree … to a point. I left one company because of my boss, but I left another to get back to the mountains. This one would probably be because of my boss.
My relationship with my boss has improved significantly once we started having weekly meetings (my suggestion). It has greatly improved communications and understanding of expectations.
Thanks all for the input … and please be assured this is not my only source of advice
This has certainly been an interesting process. I’ve had the opportunity to interview with several people in the organization, including the hiring manager (Dir of Natl Accts), two of his team (including the current acct mgr), the Dir of HR, and the COO. I feel comfortable with all, and look forward to making the decision.
My hesitancy about sales is from my previous company. Marketing was the “be all/end all” of the organization, and virtually every General Manager and above spent some time in the function (if not their entire career).
drn92
PS … FWIW, virtually all of my mentors/friends/family feel the new job is the better choice.
