Internal Promotion Relocation Situation 7

[Mechwood]

I work for a stable, successful company. My degree is in Mechanical Engineering, and my current role is very flexible. I work on projects in the areas of design, fabrication, commissioning, maintenance, quality control, and operations. I really enjoy the work that I do and the people I work with. Also I really like the area where I currently live as well.

I've been offered the opportunity to move into a new position that would require a relocation. I've visited the new location and facility and discussed the specifics of the job with the person I would be reporting to. Basically the new role would be a step closer to management. I would be more involved with personnel decisions and operations and less involved with daily engineering tasks.

The job would come with a substantial raise, but would require my family to move away from an area we really like and also further away from other family members.

I figured I would refrain from sharing super specific details and leave it open instead. Ultimately the decision is one for my family and I to make so I certainly don't expect anyone here to be able to tell me what to do. For others who have been faced with a similar situation in your careers, please share your experience and what led to your final decision. I'm really most interested in hearing stories from others who have been in "my shoes" before.

 

[Mr168]

It once took me a while to undo the career repercussions which stemmed from a miscommunication over "I can't pick up and move today for X reasons" that was perceived as "I am unwilling to ever relocate."

I can't say the same is true of everyone, but for low to mid level positions within an organization (at least the large, private sector ones as has been my experience,) every offer for promotion that gets turned down exponentially increases the risk that you won't be offered another within that same organization. Then again, this isn't always a bad thing, either, depending on what your career aspirations are and what makes you happy.

I will caution that when it comes to dealing with personnel decisions (and ultimately the evil HR folks), unless your title is manager and you have direct reports, I would do everything in my power to stay out of it. If someone wants you to be the babysitter, the least they could do is leave you the keys to the house and the pizza money to go with it.

 

[IRstuff]

I think that these sorts of decisions are often over analyzed, and too much consternation is generated. I turned down an offer to move with my company to Chicago, which broke my seniority with them, but I wound up with another job that was every bit as good as the original, and I now have over 20 years with the new company. My decision was simply based on it being too far from family. Small amount of consternation wondering if I could find as good a job, but it turned out fine.

TTFN
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[KENAT]

I've turned down "promotions", though not ones correlated with relocation. In at least one case it probably improved my standing in the company but that may not be typical.

Is management your ultimate goal? You don't make that clear from your OP. This would obviously drive the decision somewhat, I've actively avoided certain types of management duties but that may not apply to you.

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[Maui]

I would provide a word of caution here for your consideration. Do NOT allow the salary increase to be the primary motivating factor in your decision to move. Your family situation should be your first consideration, the nature of the opportunity second, and the salary a distant third or forth. If you or your family are not happy in the new area or with the new job responsibilities, no amount of money can compensate for it.

Keep in mind that the risks you are taking may not be completely obvious to you at this point. Why is there an opening? Did the previous employee retire, or was there a toxic work environment that he could no longer tolerate? Ask a lot of questions and keep your eyes open.

Maui

 

[rotw]

Mechwood,

My experience is that we human being are sort of naturally "prepared" to climb like hell when it comes to pursue hapiness and get a better life, including starting from square one.

But when it come to keep what we have been gifted, then we human becomes blind, unprepared and weak.

Point I try to make is that it takes courage to 1/ acknowledge the gifts we have in our hands, 2/ choose to live instead of following some instinct of "self destruction" built-in our brain. Surprisingly it is when everything is "okay" in our lifes that said the process is activated.

This is a bit philosophical, I know; no offense here, it is a personal take on the subject with all due respect to your legitimate aspirations. Its just that the below quote (especially the bold part) set me back years ago, when in same situation as yours I started methodically to screw up everything ...

Quoted
"I work for a stable, successful company. My degree is in Mechanical Engineering, and my current role is very flexible. I work on projects in the areas of design, fabrication, commissioning, maintenance, quality control, and operations. I really enjoy the work that I do and the people I work with. Also I really like the area where I currently live as well."
Unquot

"If you want to acquire a knowledge or skill, read a book and practice the skill".

 

[truckandbus]

I have had it explained to me that if you want big changes you have to make big changes. Staying in a comfortable position likely means nominal wage increases and advancing when someone retires or dies. If you want to advance quickly you need to go where the positions are.

 

[KENAT]

Or, you might be able to get a 20% raise by doing a good job, and not following when the technical director who hired you leaves the company (supposedly the latter point was not related but I'm not so sure).

Or maybe a 10% raise followed by 8% the next year by doing a good job and impressing your new manager/director who realizes you're paid less then some peers from different backgrounds but doing similar work.

Just saying, while truckandbus states the general perceived wisdom it's not universal.

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[MikeHalloran]

>>> I really enjoy the work that I do and the people I work with. Also I really like the area where I currently live as well.<<<

... end of discussion, for me.

... provided that your current position doesn't, uh, 'just happen' to disappear, 'nothing personal', etc.

You might be able to glean some information about likely repercussions from your current supervisor.
Be especially careful/suspicious about what he >won't< say.

I tried a low-level management position for a year, and hated it, mostly because of the ugly stuff that I was expected to conceal from my friends, while being ordered to lie to them about what was really going on.

Your mileage may vary.


Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[GregLocock]

I managed eighteen months as a team leader. Bleagh.

Cheers

Greg Locock


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[Mechwood]

Thanks everyone for the thoughts and comments.

KENAT asked if management is my ultimate goal. I've certainly always envisioned myself in a management role at some point in my career. The company I work for was actually started by a few engineers and the longstanding trend has been to move engineers into mid and upper level management positions. (Those engineers who have "climbed the ladder" have largely been successful because of their experience with operations.) The company tends to want to see future leaders first start in an engineering role and then move into a more operations-focused (supervisory) role before promoting to area manager positions.

One other point I neglected to mention: The potential opportunity here is one that I did not apply for when it came available. I was sought out specifically by the area manager for the position as he wants someone with my particular skill set for the job. Maui asked why the position came open. The short answer is due to restructuring within the company. The previous employee was moved into a slightly different role where his skills could better be utilized.

 

[lacajun]

Operations experience is always a plus, to me. That is where the rubber meets the road.

Pamela K. Quillin, P.E.
Quillin Engineering, LLC

 

[Mechwood]

I just thought I would post an update on my job situation. I decided to turn down the job offer for the new position that would have required a significant relocation. The offer was excellent (~60% increase in salary) but aside from the money, there were not enough compelling reasons to accept the new position.

Basically, if we ignored the financial side of the situation, it was a "no brainier" decision for our family. We would have been sacrificing proximity to family and friends, work-life balance, location, and general work and life stability if I had elected to accept the position offered.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts on the situation!

 

[GregLocock]

wow I bet turning down a 60% pay rise felt odd. Well done.

Cheers

Greg Locock


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[TheTick]

You'll never regret doing what is best for your family.