When is it time to find another place to work?

[whatevergirl]

Thought I'd ask this here..I asked it in female misc chat...

How do you know when it's time to maybe look for a new job? I have been w/my company for nearly 7 years...I make great money, that's not it. But, I don't feel I can go any further, and the people who relocated me to Florida, left the company recently...so, I feel kind of like...hmmm...what's keeping me here? The comfort? The familiarity of it...I guess. I am having lunch with one of the guys who left, next week...and is now a huge wig at one of my competitors...so, would it be wrong to discuss openings there? I am not sure why he called the lunch...but we've been friends for a while, so not sure if it's just a friendly thing...and if it would be wrong for me to bring up the fact that I'm open to possibilities if the deal was right...

what do you think? (my company stopped matching our 401k since the recession started, and no more pension contributions...AND globally, no company raises in THREE years) So...I don't feel the sense of loyalty I once did.

Thanks in advance for any input you might have. I guess if the economy were better, I wouldn't ask the question...but, is it unwise to leave a ''secure'' job when the economy is still in flux? I guess they can lay you off anytime...so are any of us really that ''secure?'' I dunno.

[-=FLEX=-]

How do you know when it's time to maybe look for a new job?

Right after your boss sees your internet browsing history and finds this post.

-=FLEX=-

[whatevergirl]

Right after your boss sees your internet browsing history and finds this post.

-=FLEX=-

hmmm. Good point.

I guess my question, and someone answered it in female misc...is should I wait for the guy who asked me to lunch, to bring it up...and if he does not (brings up possible openings at the company) should I? If he doesn't...then, should I just let it go?

[LisaSkinnoble]

Right after your boss sees your internet browsing history and finds this post.

-=FLEX=-

LOL!

When will people learn?

[taf1968]

Thought I'd ask this here..I asked it in female misc chat...

How do you know when it's time to maybe look for a new job? I have been w/my company for nearly 7 years...I make great money, that's not it. But, I don't feel I can go any further, and the people who relocated me to Florida, left the company recently...so, I feel kind of like...hmmm...what's keeping me here? The comfort? The familiarity of it...I guess. I am having lunch with one of the guys who left, next week...and is now a huge wig at one of my competitors...so, would it be wrong to discuss openings there? I am not sure why he called the lunch...but we've been friends for a while, so not sure if it's just a friendly thing...and if it would be wrong for me to bring up the fact that I'm open to possibilities if the deal was right...

what do you think? (my company stopped matching our 401k since the recession started, and no more pension contributions...AND globally, no company raises in THREE years) So...I don't feel the sense of loyalty I once did.

Thanks in advance for any input you might have. I guess if the economy were better, I wouldn't ask the question...but, is it unwise to leave a ''secure'' job when the economy is still in flux? I guess they can lay you off anytime...so are any of us really that ''secure?'' I dunno.

The fact that you make great money and that you at least have some form of pension there might be pretty hard to top in the current market. Not sure what you do for a living, but in general salaries have not been going up for the last couple years . . . lots of companies have suspended raises/bonuses and are not hiring at nearly the salaries they were before the recession started. So if you are not happy, I would say to look around. But you may not find that the grass is a whole lot greener elsewhere. There may not even be any grass.

Unless you are miserable, I would probably stick it out and wait to move until the market improves--unless you are in one of those rare positions that is always in demand and where there is still growth. There are tons of professionals out there looking for work and many would kill for a decent salary and even some limited benefits. Looking around never hurts, but this is a pretty crummy job market to go hunting in.

[cozener]

I would think that a good time to find another place to work is when you start asking when it's a good time to find another place to work...

[whatevergirl]

It's a pretty big company, but you're right...good point. I guess I don't give enough thought before posting something, in general. lol

I wonder though if anyone here has made the leap to another job, during a down economy...and if it was a good/bad move? My sister is warning me to stay where I am...but she has always lived her life afraid of everything dealing with change...so....I don't know.

[whatevergirl]

I would think that a good time to find another place to work is when you start asking when it's a good time to find another place to work...

ha, yep!

[whatevergirl]

The fact that you make great money and that you at least have some form of pension there might be pretty hard to top in the current market. Not sure what you do for a living, but in general salaries have not been going up for the last couple years . . . lots of companies have suspended raises/bonuses and are not hiring at nearly the salaries they were before the recession started. So if you are not happy, I would say to look around. But you may not find that the grass is a whole lot greener elsewhere. There may not even be any grass.

Unless you are miserable, I would probably stick it out and wait to move until the market improves--unless you are in one of those rare positions that is always in demand and where there is still growth. There are tons of professionals out there looking for work and many would kill for a decent salary and even some limited benefits. Looking around never hurts, but this is a pretty crummy job market to go hunting in.

My bonuses are still decent...not like they used to be. I'm in sales and marketing..and they're performance driven. I'd say that this year has shown a positive turn in the markets, so I'm seeing better results. That said, I didn't know a lot of companies were in the same boat...it's good to hear other points of view like yours, because I guess I get tunnel visioned and think...yeah, the grass must be greener elsewhere. Ok...good to keep in mind.

Okay...if he doesn't bring it up during the lunch, should I?

Thanks very much for your input.

[paulb72]

I would think that a good time to find another place to work is when you start asking when it's a good time to find another place to work...

Absolutely.....

Now is not a good time for major changes given the current economic climate. However, being miserable and questioning what you are doing is another story. From experience, just before christmas last year, left a job of 10 years for much the same reasons. Things have a way of working out. Life is good again, it does work out .....

[whatevergirl]

Absolutely.....

Now is not a good time for major changes given the current economic climate. However, being miserable and questioning what you are doing is another story. From experience, just before christmas last year, left a job of 10 years for much the same reasons. Things have a way of working out. Life is good again, it does work out .....

hey, well there you go. Congrats on the new job. So...you're happier then, I take?

[paulb72]

hey, well there you go. Congrats on the new job. So...you're happier then, I take?

It's been a long and bumpy road. But, and this is a big but, happier and more fulfilled than ever. Yep, walked away from seriously good money, conditions and all that stuff. Don't regret it, and yes made some life changes, but it works out in the end. I am a better person for the change, so yeah Happier, and more balanced overall.

Take the gamble, it ain't for the faint hearted, but when doubt clouds all else something has to give

[Keltron]

Right after your boss sees your internet browsing history and finds this post.

-=FLEX=-

the lolz don't stop w/this guy!

[whatevergirl]

It's been a long and bumpy road. But, and this is a big but, happier and more fulfilled than ever. Yep, walked away from seriously good money, conditions and all that stuff. Don't regret it, and yes made some life changes, but it works out in the end. I am a better person for the change, so yeah Happier, and more balanced overall.

Take the gamble, it ain't for the faint hearted, but when doubt clouds all else something has to give

Agreed. Happy things worked out for you.

Interesting, you left for less money? Money's not everything, though.

[bamatank]

If you don't feel like your job is in jeopardy or that you are going to get "hurt" in some way then I would stay put. Do you have any major complaints about leadership (ethical, incompetent, etc.)?

IMO unless another company just offers you something way better than what you have now you should stay.

[paulb72]

Complacency and stagnation come to mind here.

[whatevergirl]

Complacency and stagnation come to mind here.

Yes...that's it, really. More stagnant than anything. I am grateful to have a job...one I do like, I know many are out of work, so I try to keep it all in perspective.

[Brackneyc]

Agreed. Happy things worked out for you.

Interesting, you left for less money? Money's not everything, though.

I switched jobs, where I am now earning 1/3 of what I was earning. I had (still have actually) a business where I was making nice money, but hated it. I still have a tiny piece of the business operating, but my main source of income comes from my new job (been there for a few years now).

It took me too many years of chasing happiness with money and toys before I realized it wasn't going to happen (being happy with the current job/money). My business has made a profit for 21 years in a row, and people always ask me how I could have left that much money on the table. I guess when you have little or no money, it seems like having more would make everything better. Wasn't the case with me at all.

My wife and I both went through this (she was majority owner on the company) and decided to pursue our "dream jobs." She is a high school math teacher, and I am a school counselor. I wake up everyday excited to go to work, and there is no price I can put on that.

[paulb72]

Yes...that's it, really. More stagnant than anything. I am grateful to have a job...one I do like, I know many are out of work, so I try to keep it all in perspective.

Uh huh, yup, yup. Know where you are coming from.

Question for you though, does perspective help your own personal situation, satisfaction and quality of life?

[whatevergirl]

Uh huh, yup, yup. Know where you are coming from.

Question for you though, does perspective help your own personal situation, satisfaction and quality of life?

Hmmm...NO!

I just hear stories of people who leave their jobs because they're passed over for a promotion...that's not the case. Or they are making sh*t for money...that's not the case, either. It's just like a personal growth, kind of a thing. Is it wrong to want to move to greener pastures for something like THAT? I can't say I'm unhappy...it's just not going anywhere. If I wanted to change roles ...I could move out of state...or the country. Italy would be a cool place to live...hmmmm...but then there's the whole language thing.

(the nice thing about working for this company, I will say...is we have offices in every country...so there's growth, you just gotta move to find it)

[paulb72]

I switched jobs, where I am now earning 1/3 of what I was earning. I had (still have actually) a business where I was making nice money, but hated it. I still have a tiny piece of the business operating, but my main source of income comes from my new job (been there for a few years now).

It took me too many years of chasing happiness with money and toys before I realized it wasn't going to happen (being happy with the current job/money). My business has made a profit for 21 years in a row, and people always ask me how I could have left that much money on the table. I guess when you have little or no money, it seems like having more would make everything better. Wasn't the case with me at all.

My wife and I both went through this (she was majority owner on the company) and decided to pursue our "dream jobs." She is a high school math teacher, and I am a school counselor. I wake up everyday excited to go to work, and there is no price I can put on that.

Thank you sir, very well put .

Enuff said

[whatevergirl]

I switched jobs, where I am now earning 1/3 of what I was earning. I had (still have actually) a business where I was making nice money, but hated it. I still have a tiny piece of the business operating, but my main source of income comes from my new job (been there for a few years now).

It took me too many years of chasing happiness with money and toys before I realized it wasn't going to happen (being happy with the current job/money). My business has made a profit for 21 years in a row, and people always ask me how I could have left that much money on the table. I guess when you have little or no money, it seems like having more would make everything better. Wasn't the case with me at all.

My wife and I both went through this (she was majority owner on the company) and decided to pursue our "dream jobs." She is a high school math teacher, and I am a school counselor. I wake up everyday excited to go to work, and there is no price I can put on that.

This IS a great story..I agree. I followed money and a title to come to Florida...and while it's been good, I can't (or shouldn't) complain...it has changed considerably from the original ''deal'' that it was intended to be...but things change. Life changes, and you gotta move with it...so, like you--maybe it's time to look at different things that I want. Thanks so much for sharing...I'm happy for you and your wife...not everyone can say what you both say...being excited to go to work is HUGE.

[paulb72]

Hmmm...NO!

I just hear stories of people who leave their jobs because they're passed over for a promotion...that's not the case. Or they are making sh*t for money...that's not the case, either. It's just like a personal growth, kind of a thing. Is it wrong to want to move to greener pastures for something like THAT? I can't say I'm unhappy...it's just not going anywhere. If I wanted to change roles ...I could move out of state...or the country. Italy would be a cool place to live...hmmmm...but then there's the whole language thing.

(the nice thing about working for this company, I will say...is we have offices in every country...so there's growth, you just gotta move to find it)

Personal growth is the whole point.

[whatevergirl]

Personal growth is the whole point.

ok. I'm really glad I decided to post this here...you've all helped me. Objective points of view, I needed these. Now, I should get back to work, or this whole thing will be a non issue for me. lol

[lsmo_guy]

I am currently in the same position ....
You have to ask yourself the following questions:
-Am I happy here?
-Am I challenged, daily?
-Do others respect me and depend on me?
-Is this my career path (do I see myself going further and being happy)?

I make a decent salary, live below my means, have extra money to mess with, etc, but I am no longer challenged, and in return, not really all that happy. I go home most days and do not feel productive. I have been doing what I do for a few years now, I have developed most of the processes, etc, but kind of hit that "wall". But, I can honestly answer "yes" to the other questions though.

[whatevergirl]

I am currently in the same position ....
You have to ask yourself the following questions:
-Am I happy here?
-Am I challenged, daily?
-Do others respect me and depend on me?
-Is this my career path (do I see myself going further and being happy)?

I make a decent salary, live below my means, have extra money to mess with, etc, but I am no longer challenged, and in return, not really all that happy. I go home most days and do not feel productive. I have been doing what I do for a few years now, I have developed most of the processes, etc, but kind of hit that "wall". But, I can honestly answer "yes" to the other questions though.

Do others respect and depend on me...hmmm...I hadn't thought of that. Yeah, they do. Not to say I couldn't be replaced...I know I could be. I like that list you came up with there. When I go home, I don't think about work...I've learned a long time ago...shut that switch off...the place will be there in the morning...and the problems with it. Strength training and running has totally helped me not let this situation become bigger than it really is in my life.

[paulb72]

i am currently in the same position ....
You have to ask yourself the following questions:
-am i happy here?
-am i challenged, daily?
-do others respect me and depend on me?
-is this my career path (do i see myself going further and being happy)?

I make a decent salary, live below my means, have extra money to mess with, etc, but i am no longer challenged, and in return, not really all that happy. I go home most days and do not feel productive. I have been doing what i do for a few years now, i have developed most of the processes, etc, but kind of hit that "wall". But, i can honestly answer "yes" to the other questions though.

my point exactly sir.

[whatevergirl]

You guys are smart, really helped me to think it all through.

Hopefully your employers all value YOU??

[Karl_Hungus]

Okay...if he doesn't bring it up during the lunch, should I?

It can't hurt to bring it up...can it? If your friend has some connections that could help you get a better job, then by all means ask him about it.

[whatevergirl]

It can't hurt to bring it up...can it? If your friend has some connections that could help you get a better job, then by all means ask him about it.

Yep, agree. Think I will...he is far from a stranger...so, I just might. It would be nice if he bridged the topic...first. We'll see. He runs four states now for this company, so...think he has some pull, indeed!

Whatever happens...happens.