Help Sorting Job Change 1

[Polymathic]

I’ve been a lurker to these forums for a long time, and always find the advice and solutions given by its members to be of great value.

I am at a crossroads at the moment and need a sounding board. Currently I am a middle manager at my company, and have realized that I do not have the credentials or desire to move up in my present company. While I find managing people under me to be easy, I am uncomfortable with the corporate politics or the need to choose sides to be in a certain clique. About the only position left to me would be the level of Director, but it would require me to pursue an MBA. My company is in a position to be bought out by an equity firm, and this will be the second time in about 6 years (I’ve been with the company for 8yrs).

I know that I am probably shooting myself in the foot for not continuing with the management aspects of engineering, but I feel much more at ease down in the trenches doing the technical work. I feel that I still have a solid 10 years in my career before reaching a dead end on the technical front and will have to reconsider a management role for continued employment. While pay is not the real issue, there will be a substantial increase. I have told friends that if I was happy digging ditches I’d do that for minimum wage, I am just lucky that I presently get paid for something I enjoy doing.

I have recently been approached for employment within another unrelated field of engineering. The position I am considering would be as a designer of the mechanical interfaces for energetic materials (pyrotechnic devices) used in explosive bolts for commercial and military applications for a new R&D satellite office of a rather large national company. I am excited about this new terrain.

My problem is that I am neck-deep in two large projects, and am pretty sure I do not want to give more than a 2-week notice on my resignation letter. I feel that I am abandoning those that work for me, and am hurting the company even though I know they were here long before I was employed and will be here long after I leave. I am considering having talks with some of the executives (after I confirm my new employment) prior to my resignation, but am not sure if that would be productive.

Should I tell those that work for me what’s on the horizon to prepare them, or am I asking for rampant rumors to spread? How do I reject a longer notice of termination (2wks vs. 3 or 4wks) without burning bridges? I can’t seem to remove the emotional aspects from this move.

Thanks in advance for all your replies.

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[debodine]

To look at the dark side, you might want to consider that your current company values you greatly...but only UNTIL whatever really urgent/important/expensive project you are currently managing gets finished. I am NOT saying that is the case, but you should consider the possibility in your decision making.

debodine

 

[jpankask]

If you told the new company what you would take to make the move and they agreed and are sending you the offer letter, I would definitely NOT consider calling them back and saying your company counter-offered again and you want more. They may rethink offering you a job, I know I would. I would say either stick with your choice to leave or turn down the new company now. If you have already decided to leave, do you think you will be happy just because you got more money and a vehicle allowance? And, as debodine said, what happens when your projects complete and you are being paid a lot more than other people in the same position? It's nice that you have two companies who want you that bad, but it does put you in an unenviable position. Good luck.

 

[GregLocock]

It'd be fun to drive a hard bargain, but I think jpankask has it right. You said you wanted to join the new company, you've done that, and scored a decent pay rise, just chalk one up to the good guys.



Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[MikeHalloran]

Accepting the counteroffer would guarantee that you will be leaving when it is convenient for your current employer, and likely very inconvenient for you.

Their chances of continued survival are the same with or without you.

The counteroffer is a _short_term_ cost that could reduce the extra costs associated with replacing you on short notice. They would gladly endure it for as long as it takes to acquire and train your replacement. In today's job market, that's not a long time.

Say goodbye. Be nice. Be gone. Enjoy the new job.







Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA