Some questions about switching jobs/companies

[secretness87]

So just a little backstory: I’ve been working at my current company for 8 years. It’s the first company that has hired me as a permanent employee. The other places I worked at before this, I was only a temp for several months. Anyway, in these 8 years, I’ve worked in 2 different departments (first department for 5 years, then transferred to my current department and going on 3 years at the end of this month).

Anyways, in these 8 years I feel like I have really grown. I’ve made great relationships with the people I work with. The ONLY thing I really dislike is my commute. I live 1.5 hours away from work and when traffic gets really bad, it can be an upward of 2 hours to get home. I don’t really have time to do much after work- I don’t have time to take my daughter out to do her extracurricular activities if she has any, etc 

So about a week ago, one of my work colleagues pulls me to the side in private and tells me that she knows someone from a different company that is looking for someone in the same field as I am. My colleague mentioned my name to that person and thinks I’d be a great fit in their company. My colleague also thinks this that this new company would treat me better than my current company (again, I have no issues with my current company other than a long commute.. and maybe sometimes my supervisor can be kinda snooty but let’s not get into that!)

So my colleague asks me if if I’m interested in the job! I was really caught off guard since I was not technically looking for a new job.. but of course I’m always a little curious of everything, so I ask her what city the job is located in. Turns out, this new company is only 30 min from my house! So now I’m more intrigued because the commute is already shorter.

So, my colleague gives me the name and # to call this person to get more info about the job. I call this person the next day and we chat for about 30 min. I ask her what the typical day is like, how big is the company etc etc to get an idea of what it’s like since my only real experience of being with a company is the one I’m currently at. I also let her know what I do at my current job and she seemed to like what I said and that I would most likely be doing similar things at the new job. I was not going to bring up wage questions but since she was the one who brought it up, that’s when we talked about it. Well, turns out if I get this new job, I would be making about $5 more than my current job. $5 raise and shorter commute!! Sounds so good right?

So anyways, we scheduled a time for me to come in for an interview which is next week where I get to meet her and a second person who I believe would be my actual boss. Based on the previous phone convo, I am led to believe that she is interested in me. She looped me into a text chain between her and the other person that would be interviewing me and in his text, he said he would introduce me to the company, staff, and company culture. Does this sound like I got the job already? I mean, most likely not since I still have to do the interview but I know there’s some places that do interviews but deep down they know already whether they want to work with you or not. Just wondering what you guys think of that text??

Also, if i do get this new position, I am already nervous of how to bring it up to my supervisor that I want to quit! I feel so guilty since I’ve only been at this position for 3 years and these 3 years is the only experience I have in this position! What’s the best way to break up with a company? I have not done this before. I also dread confrontation. I don’t even know what my opening words would be.

Should I even go for this new job? Is it better to stay in a familiar company or go to a new one? This new company, if I decide to go there, is a lot smaller than my current company… smaller in terms of people who work there. Anyways.. (I think I’m babbling)

Any advice is appreciated..thank you in advance!

[indea08]

The number one way to advance your career and salary is to change companies every 1-2 years. There are many articles on this from reputable sources, including Forbes.

Based on what you’ve said here, this is a no brainer. YES you want the new job. It is not a sure thing until you’ve signed an offer letter, so keep it professional and know there may be other potential candidates.

Your loyalty is commendable, but I must warn you to be careful of hindering your own professional growth by prioritizing the company you work for over yourself. They would not prioritize your interests over their own, so if you don’t put yourself first, no one else will.

Congratulations, options are always good! You should ALWAYS keep an eye on the job market in your field, even if you are happy in your role.

[Rose Mosse]

No, you haven't got the job. You haven't even met the person who is going to interview you. While I do think that you've come across a potential opportunity, there are a lot of question marks.

This colleague seems strangely overinvolved in moving you onto a different company. What does he/she get out of this? How does she know the person in the other company? And why isn't your colleague taking the job herself? Are the tasks misrepresented? Have you read reviews online about this new company or checked the credentials and background of the individual you spoke to on the phone and the person you are going to interview for? I suggest you do and find out what their work history and experience is like or what their background is. Find out more information about the new company.

While the wage increase and lesser commute seems tempting I would have a lot of questions and do more background checks.

[secretness87]

1 hour ago, Rose Mosse said:

No, you haven't got the job. You haven't even met the person who is going to interview you. While I do think that you've come across a potential opportunity, there are a lot of question marks.

This colleague seems strangely overinvolved in moving you onto a different company. What does he/she get out of this? How does she know the person in the other company? And why isn't your colleague taking the job herself? Are the tasks misrepresented? Have you read reviews online about this new company or checked the credentials and background of the individual you spoke to on the phone and the person you are going to interview for? I suggest you do and find out what their work history and experience is like or what their background is. Find out more information about the new company.

While the wage increase and lesser commute seems tempting I would have a lot of questions and do more background checks.

My colleague is actually sisters with the person from the new company. My colleague told me she’s going to retire in about two years and she thinks that this new company would be a great opportunity for me. And she thinks the new company would treat me better than my current company.

She’s not taking the job herself because it is not her field. My colleague and I are in two different departments. Also my colleague is retiring soon and in the new company they are looking for younger people. IE: me

I did Google this company and their website is under construction. But when I spoke to the lady last week she let me know approximately the number of people who work at this company. Comparing to my current company this new company is a bit smaller. There were other websites that spoke of this company and it appears That they Work on a lot of projects for a lot of big name brands

[Kwothe28]

Sounds too good to be true. Which in most cases when it sounds like that, it is. I would suggest that you do more research before you change jobs. They dont even have a website and are suppose to be a serious company with big projects. So, try any means you have in investigating. Check them up if they are registered. Who is the owner and all other stuff. Lots of those informations are available for free. 

Other than that, its fine to change companies if financially or even logistically better offer comes around. If you decide on changing, feel free to inform your old Bosses so you can enter the process of quitting the company. Depending what they require, you may have 2 weeks notice or something else.

[Rose Mosse]

1 hour ago, secretness87 said:

My colleague is actually sisters with the person from the new company. My colleague told me she’s going to retire in about two years and she thinks that this new company would be a great opportunity for me. And she thinks the new company would treat me better than my current company.

She’s not taking the job herself because it is not her field. My colleague and I are in two different departments. Also my colleague is retiring soon and in the new company they are looking for younger people. IE: me

I did Google this company and their website is under construction. But when I spoke to the lady last week she let me know approximately the number of people who work at this company. Comparing to my current company this new company is a bit smaller. There were other websites that spoke of this company and it appears That they Work on a lot of projects for a lot of big name brands

Should you decide to leave, give at least two weeks' notice to your current employer. You don't need to tell them where you're going or what your future plans are. When you resign, leave your relationships with your bosses or anyone you work with as cordial as possible. Adjust any settings on your social media for privacy. The less material anyone has to talk about after you leave and less gossip the better. You also don't know whether you may need a job at this company again should things fall through with the new company so keep things even wherever you go.

[secretness87]

3 hours ago, Rose Mosse said:

Should you decide to leave, give at least two weeks' notice to your current employer. You don't need to tell them where you're going or what your future plans are. When you resign, leave your relationships with your bosses or anyone you work with as cordial as possible. Adjust any settings on your social media for privacy. The less material anyone has to talk about after you leave and less gossip the better. You also don't know whether you may need a job at this company again should things fall through with the new company so keep things even wherever you go.

If I get this new job, would you have any advice for how I should approach my supervisor that I am planning to leave? It just sounds so sudden and I know they will be caught off guard. I am lost at how to even bring it up. My supervisor knows I live far so I could maybe say that I found a job that is closer to me but I have no idea what to say to her. 

[Rose Mosse]

4 hours ago, secretness87 said:

If I get this new job, would you have any advice for how I should approach my supervisor that I am planning to leave? It just sounds so sudden and I know they will be caught off guard. I am lost at how to even bring it up. My supervisor knows I live far so I could maybe say that I found a job that is closer to me but I have no idea what to say to her. 

You can just say you’re taking a position closer to you as you mentioned and if they ask for details mention you’re not able to disclose that or just say it’s a company in a different industry. Change the subject and thank them for the opportunity to work at the current company. You’re deflecting direct questions and defining/emphasizing that your time at this company has been rewarding and you’ve learned a lot. It’s not about the new company. It’s about saying thanks in a professional way and moving on. 

You may be asked to submit written notice after you meet with your supervisor and you can keep it brief in one or two sentences. This goes in your file and your official resignation. Your boss will tell you if anything else is required of you before you leave.

[Wiseman2]

6 hours ago, secretness87 said:

 how I should approach my supervisor that I am planning to leave? 

First research this more and see what happens with the interview and make sure you read the fine print with regard to remuneration, benefits,etc.

If you are offered the position and you want it, you don't tell your supervisor verbally, you write a formal resignation letter, giving the company the required time.