Career Decision Advice

wookiemonster

wookiemonster

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I’ve recently received a potential job offer from a fairly new company. They operate in the same field I originally worked in years ago, an industry I’ve only touched on occasionally in the last few years.

Here’s the dilemma: this company is actually a client of my current employer. Right now, we subcontract work to them for the exact role they want me to take on. The offer they’ve put forward is for a much more senior position, with greater responsibilities, and nearly double my current salary.

On paper, it’s a huge step forward. But I can’t shake the feeling that it might be a conflict of interest, or even a kind of betrayal. I know the owners of my current company personally, they’ve been good to me, and my job here is comfortable. The problem is, I don’t see any real growth opportunities where I am now.

An older colleague once told me something that stuck with me:
"Loyalty doesn’t lie with the company, it lies with where your next paycheque comes from."

For context, I tend to move around every few years. My longest stretch at a company was 5 years; I’ve been with my current employer for about 3 going on 4.

So, here I am, caught between career growth and personal loyalty. How do I approach this in an ethical and professional way, whichever path I choose?
 
Your older colleague is correct. Also don't think that your seniors/bosses/managers care TOO much about you as a person.
 
Some Q’s:
- Do you have any non-compete language in your contract?
- Will you be interacting with your current employer at your new role?
- Could this damage relations between your current and new employer?

Given what I know currently, I would be inclined to take the offer. A big career jump like this doesn’t come along that often. My concern would be that this ends up creating drama between the two companies that you end up in the middle of. The drama is more likely to be bigger if the two companies are small, than if they are big.
 
Maybe also seek the advice from a labour lawyer. In principal I don't have an issue with it. Consider also asking your company to double or more your salary.
 
wookiemonster said:
I’ve recently received a potential job offer from a fairly new company. They operate in the same field I originally worked in years ago, an industry I’ve only touched on occasionally in the last few years.

Here’s the dilemma: this company is actually a client of my current employer. Right now, we subcontract work to them for the exact role they want me to take on. The offer they’ve put forward is for a much more senior position, with greater responsibilities, and nearly double my current salary.

On paper, it’s a huge step forward. But I can’t shake the feeling that it might be a conflict of interest, or even a kind of betrayal. I know the owners of my current company personally, they’ve been good to me, and my job here is comfortable. The problem is, I don’t see any real growth opportunities where I am now.

An older colleague once told me something that stuck with me:
"Loyalty doesn’t lie with the company, it lies with where your next paycheque comes from."

For context, I tend to move around every few years. My longest stretch at a company was 5 years; I’ve been with my current employer for about 3 going on 4.

So, here I am, caught between career growth and personal loyalty. How do I approach this in an ethical and professional way, whichever path I choose?
Click to expand...
If your contract doesn’t rule it out, it’s not a betrayal. If your boss can see that you’re moving for growth and more money, they should be able to understand, unless they are actually a p***.
 
It will probably come down to money. If the current company losses a big chunk of business because of it they are more likely to take things further.

Personally I would also feel uncomfortable with that kind of move. Ask yourself if things go sideways at the new company and your future interviews ask for references from your current employer. If that bridge is totally burned where would you stand?
 
B-1 said:
It will probably come down to money. If the current company losses a big chunk of business because of it they are more likely to take things further.

Personally I would also feel uncomfortable with that kind of move. Ask yourself if things go sideways at the new company and your future interviews ask for references from your current employer. If that bridge is totally burned where would you stand?
Click to expand...
Fair post, but no boss should resent you for pursuing opportunities that he could not offer you.
 
cguy said:
Some Q’s:
- Do you have any non-compete language in your contract?
- Will you be interacting with your current employer at your new role?
- Could this damage relations between your current and new employer?
Click to expand...
1. Not in such direct words, it is a bit vague
2. Yes, as this would be a higher managerial position
3. I'm not sure about it

RedViking said:
Consider also asking your company to double or more your salary.
Click to expand...
From what I've seen thus far, this would not happen.
 
Your current company clearly has no loyalty to you…so why do you have such loyalty to them?

How do you reckon they’ve been good to you if it’s so easy to double your salary? No, they’ve been riding you all along.

Look after yourself first, more so it’s a great deal for moving knowing exactly what you are in for with familiar territory.
 
SauRoNZA said:
Your current company clearly has no loyalty to you…so why do you have such loyalty to them?

How do you reckon they’ve been good to you if it’s so easy to double your salary? No, they’ve been riding you all along.

Look after yourself first, more so it’s a great deal for moving knowing exactly what you are in for with familiar territory.
Click to expand...
You make an excellent point. Why the loyalty? Think it is because I know the director not just professionally but also personally. That makes it a bit of a catch-22

RedViking said:
That's already a warning sign. If no legal barriers , take the other job. But do try not to burn bridges.
Click to expand...
True, can't burn bridges, as I would most probably deal with my current company if I do make the move over.

Bliksis said:
One thing to consider, is how stable is your position at that company. If they stop doing business with your current employer, what is your future?
Click to expand...
That's one of the concerning things, the other company is fairly new, about 4 years of doing business.
 
How your company responds to you taking this job will ultimately paint you the full picture.

If they are happy for you, then they were the good guys you thought they were all along and won’t burn any bridges and be happy for your good fortune.

If they behave like a bunch of children, well good riddance there was nothing to lose there all along.

The show of a good employer is wanting to see your employees bettering themselves, even if that means them leaving. And it’s those very same employers that people come back to and work for again in the future.
 
wookiemonster said:
You make an excellent point. Why the loyalty? Think it is because I know the director not just professionally but also personally. That makes it a bit of a catch-22
Click to expand...

If you really “know” him personally you would have been having this discussion with him, not with us.

The fact that you don’t tells me there isn’t really that much to lose there.
 
Hi , is that other New company stable enough , should their be friction and i can guarantee their will be possibly
Scenario as explained above, what if the business relationship sour and don't get any more business as subcontractor, ,will the potential new company have more stable business as it is? Also don't burn your bridges everywhere
 
Bliksis said:
Indeed everyone is replaceable. That's a good point for everyone to remember.
Click to expand...
And that the purpose of any business/company is to make the shareholders wealthy, not the employees.
 
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