New Job

[TheVTCGuy]

Well, here it is, 5:00 in the morning....I haven't slept a wink all night.... TRFfamily, I am looking for your infinite wisdom and guidence (except for Jocke, hard to place the word "wisdom" and Jocke in the same sentence). Six months ago, I was offered a new position at a company I know extremely well, actually the owner and I have been close friends for almost 20 years. There were some aspects of it I just did not like so turned it down.... however he has "adjusted" the areas of the position I told him I was not comfortable with, and once again I am offered an excellent position. After 12 years as Director of Engineering of Sony, I have been working in aviation the last two years with unmanned aerial drones, in a company once owned by Sony. The owners leave me a lone, (as long as my responsabilities are met of course), I travel A LOT, it's a booming industry.... but I realized the last six months I am just not happy doing what I am doing. I won't go in to details to bore all of you but as an Engineer, I was constantly solving problems, meeting with people, always challenged, leading a group (tech support desk) to help people understand and operate their technical equipment. I loved it. Now, my biggest responsibility is baby-sitting 11 FAA 107 instructors that act like five year olds.... and that's an insult to five year olds. It gets downright depressing. Sooo.....

The bottom line is this, The money at the new job is better, MUCH better, but also I would be doing a lot more work (I have never been afraid of hard work BTW). And since it is back in Engineering I am 99% sure it would be more fulfilling, but how much do I value my autonomy, setting my own schedule, taking days off whenever I want, etc. versus working harder at something I would enjoy more and the financial rewards that would come with it.

I probably haven't explained it well, but one more thing I should mention is change is hard for me, always a difficult process (probably eplains why I hang on to bad girlfriends for too long ). The decision has been beating me up like a meat grinder for a while, and I have spoken extensively with friends and family.... but since it's keeping me up all night! And I trust a lot of you guys here on TRF.... what advice would you give me?

[Snow-Dweller]

IMHO the crucial line is how you "value your autonomy". I have worked for myself since the age of 19. The idea of somebody telling me what to do is completely foreign....

[Pix]

What do you see the future of each position, in the next 1-3-5 or longer years? Have you written down the pros & cons of each as a list?

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by Snow-Dweller

IMHO the crucial line is how you "value your autonomy". I have worked for myself since the age of 19. The idea of somebody telling me what to do is completely foreign....

You are absolutely correct Clive, that IS the question. My schedule is decided by me (within reason and of course meeting my responsabilities), and that is a big perk of my current situation. My new job I would still work out of my house, and still have BASIC command over my day to day activities, but not nearly as much. So, your question is the one that needs answering.

[The Joker]

I had the best job for 10 years, mobile engineer, left alone for much of it and super comfortable.

I was forced to move off into another role, and now have to work hard, and adjusting to change is very difficult. I do really appreciate the work though.

Do you not have a "length of service" with Sony, i.e. some security with Redundancy package?

You are older than me Paul, in your 50's? Don't give yourself a headache and grief if you don't have to.

[Rock]

Paul, just my reading of your post - you are ready to move on.
You are talented and hard working and I think you are up for it.
I am like you - tend to stay with something too long. Sometimes the signs are all there. Autonomy is good but it can be a relief to have a good clear external 'brief'.
Move on.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by Pix

What do you see the future of each position, in the next 1-3-5 or longer years? Have you written down the pros & cons of each as a list?

Oh yeah, probably about 50 times in both English and Spanish Pix Like I said, the decision is turning my brain to oatmeal. Financially, the new position has a MUCH higher oppurtunity for serious rewards. It's not like I will be starving with the old one, but my salary is much higher with the change and there are solid chances for large bonuses.

[sco]

Does the new position cover root canals?

I look at it as you only go around once, if you are willing to take the risk to change companies, I say go for it and give it a shot. Good luck

[daveathall]

If you are unhappy doing what you do now and you have an opportunity to work at something you enjoy while getting better pay, then I think it is a no brainer Paul.

I am sometimes too simplistic for my own good but it has served me well.

[TheVTCGuy]

Thanks Wes.


Rocky, can I move to Australia and be your assistant?

[Rock]

Shit yeah, Paul. Here we call it an "Off-sider".
Only problem is that I am retired and couldn't afford to pay you anything, but I could introduce you to lots of retired ladies that would love to meet a dashing ex-navy fighter pilot! Do you like ladies 65yrs plus?

[mfer]

Let me summarize
1. Current job unfulfilling babysitting
2. New job most likely fulfilling passion

That alone decides it for me. I know new is scary. I don't like change either but you can do it. The money is a big bonus to. Go for it Paul. Work isn't so bad if fulfilling. My current job is not. I don't like massive change either but I realize I need it. Good luck.

[Cru Jones]

The pluses seem to definitely outweigh the negatives....all that remains to answer is if you think a better opportunity could come soon?

[Psmith]

The real question is... what does Anna think?

[T4ME]

Consider how working for your friend may change y'all relationship. Expectations may change.
Does your friend need you to grow his business... will you have contributing decision making ability.. all things to consider.

[SemperFi]

Paul, from reading your thoughts, I think that the greater internal fulfillment you would receive in your new position (not to mention the extra bucks and potential bonuses) would more than offset any loss of autonomy you currently enjoy in your current job.
Change can often be difficult and unsettling but in your situation I would go for it. If you're happier with your job then it's no longer a job.

[Rolex addict]

I spent 20 years as an R&D chemist for global corporations. 8-5 in the lab, travel, working for the man. Now that I'm in sales, setting my own schedule, and having tons of freedom, it would be very hard for me to go back. There are positives and negatives to everything. Just weigh them carefully.

[JasoninDenver]

Sounds like the only thing holding you back is a fear of change. Everything else is a positive except a questionable issue of autonomy. Can you address that with your friend. Sounds like he has worked hard to address your concerns and bet he would do the same on this point as well.

[Rolex addict]

Originally Posted by Rock

Shit yeah, Paul. Here we call it an "Off-sider".
Only problem is that I am retired and couldn't afford to pay you anything, but I could introduce you to lots of retired ladies that would love to meet a dashing ex-navy fighter pilot! Do you like ladies 65yrs plus?

Hey, grandmas need loving too!!!!

[Maybelline]

I would go for it. You can always try it out for a year and if it's not a good fit leave on good terms.

[Flywheel]

People tend to regret the things they didn't do, and not what they did. Go for it.

[mjclark32]

More money, more personal fulfillment... sounds like a go

[Dr.Brian]

Originally Posted by mfer

Let me summarize
1. Current job unfulfilling babysitting
2. New job most likely fulfilling passion

That alone decides it for me. I know new is scary. I don't like change either but you can do it. The money is a big bonus to. Go for it Paul. Work isn't so bad if fulfilling. My current job is not. I don't like massive change either but I realize I need it. Good luck.

This was my read as well. The fact that it pays significantly better with bonus potential is the icing on the cake. You can console yourself with the extra money in your retirement account. You and Anna want a winter escape in Arizona like everyone else, right?
I've never been afraid of change, embrace the opportunity and go for it! If the guy altered the job to suit your request and offered it again 6 months later he's obviously committed to bringing you on and helping you succeed, not to mention pretty certain you're the guy for the job.
Good luck!

[bdex75]

I say go for it, and I am another one that hates change. I am in a similar spot where I have been with the same firm in a corporate job for quite a while. Have quite a bit of freedom and work from home but once a week or so I have to talk to the man and deal with the BS. I have a couple of friends that are out on their own. They assure me the money is better and there is no answering to the man as they are independent advisors.

Just the fear of leaving the known and the known money and the known benefits etc. but I need to make the jump as well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[superdog]

It sounds like you are in a great spot.

Let's be real, your resume is stellar. Your qualifications are excellent.

You can very easily give this a try and rebound if you are not happy. You are extremely marketable and will never lack opportunities.

If you are no longer happy, it's time to move on. Might as well give this a shot as it sounds like a great opportunity. And if you decide you don't like this new role, well then, the sky is the limit.

I say go for it.

[Jocke]

The bid question is: Can you have beard on your "new" job?

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by Jocke

The bid question is: Can you have beard on your "new" job?

jocke's right.

what about the beard?

[returntorolex]

If they let you star in any television commercials, infomercials or company videos it's a no brainer!

[rdmlondon]

"but I realized the last six months I am just not happy doing what I am doing".

Go for it. More fulfilling, better pay etc.

If not, are you planning on staying in your current job for the long term? How does that prospect grab you?

Try it for a year. You can always move on to bigger and better. Think you may regret it if you don't.

Good Luck!

[waQstar]

I say go for the new job, just manage working for a friend part and you will do great.