Ask HN: Job I love but with poor career progression vs. new job with higher pay?
I work at a company where I feel stuck in terms of career progression. I feel like I'm under my level, and my manager doesn't seem to care about helping me get promoted. He also doesn't seem to trust me very much, for whatever reason (I really can't figure out why). Also, my current company doesn't pay as much as other companies in the area, but the benefits are superior.
However, I love the work I've been doing there lately. I haven't felt this excited about the code I write in almost a decade. I get into that flow state when working on it, and I feel engaged with it to the point that I go to bed thinking about it.
On top of that, my current job is just comfortable. Crunch is unheard of. I have lots of vacation time and the company is very generous about paid holidays. I can work at home whenever I feel like it. You get the idea.
I wasn't feeling this excited about work until recently though, so I went looking for a new job elsewhere. And now I got feedback from one of my interviews, and I am being offered a crazy amount of money plus a position at a higher level. I know someone at the company and they like working there. It would be a great opportunity to learn new things.
But I don't know what to do. It comes down to deciding between staying at a subpar job where I'm comfortable and in love with my code vs. moving to a new place that pays way more and has better career progression, but where I have no idea what it's going to be like in terms of stress, hours, etc.
If anyone has been in a similar situation, I'd love to hear what you decided to do.
14 comments
[ 0.37 ms ] story [ 28.5 ms ] threadThere are no perfect jobs, so you have to find one where you'll be able to live with the downsides. Is having no career progression a downside you can live with or not? How about having to do lot's of overtime? Or being underpaid? They are all questions only you can answer.
In your case, it sounds like you're comfortable yet unhappy. Sure you're excited about your current work, but you probably wouldn't be posting on here if you were really happy at that job. It sounds like you have a new opportunity. I would jump on it, but that's just me. Maybe you can learn more about the company you mentioned by talking to your contact there?
Either way I wish you luck!
If you get a manger that expects you butt in seat till 5 when you're used to leaving early, or going to a noisy open floor plan surrounded by extroverts when you are used to a library like office can truly suck and make no amount of money worth it.
If you can figure these things out and talk to your potential new manager before accepting the offer, could really help with your decision.
Be brave.
Good luck bro!
Compare pay + benefits - cost-of-living.
1. Do I like the people I’m working for and with?
2. Do I like the work?
3. Am I making enough money?
You need to figure out what your most important factors are. I don’t need to be making the maximum amount of money I can, but you might not feel the same way.
For me, if I were in your position, the satisfaction from the work itself would most likely not overcome the fact that my boss wouldn’t seem to trust me. Your situation would violate my #1 item above. So, in that case I would be more inclined to move.
But you are not me, and I am not you. You need to figure out what is most important for you, and then move forward from that position.
Stay at this job for a time, and use it as an opportunity to explore side work, and other ways to make money. Multiple streams of income is always a good idea.
It was a similar situation for me that led to one of my side gigs turning into full-time freelancing and leaving my job of 9 years.
The new work is challenging, I'm making great money, and things are growing.
Being in a situation like yours could be made to work to your advantage, and it could be a blessing in disguise!
Good luck.
I value a lot a healthy, enjoyable work environment, but I don't trade good longterm prospects for a short time only, temporary benefit.
Not only for the money, but a carreer progression is very satisfying for itself. And if you have good references for this new company, this is something.
And, if you don't enjoy the next work environment, you can change again.
Do it. Your future self will thank you
Professional growth is a pain point you have complete control over. It's not your managers responsibility. That job offer is market validation, your expertise is in demand.
Suggest getting some clarity about what you want to accomplish/achieve > https://hbr.org/2016/12/think-strategically-about-your-caree...
your current environment might change tomorrow and you'll regret not making the choice
whenever you have a choice which would leave in regret, you need to make it in favor of what wouldn't.