I need career advice...
UsedToBeHusky
Posts: 15,228 Member
in Chit-Chat
So... 3 years ago, I was working in a different department. I had to get out. The manager is a kiss-*kitten*, and the division director is a back-stabbing snake. I applied to several positions, but the division director (desperate not to lose me as she recognized my talents and skills) had me trained under another one of her kiss-*kitten* managers so that I could get promoted and a payraise. The only problem was she kept promising me the job, but the offer never came. Then one day, an offer in another office under a different manager came. It was less money, but it was under completely new management. Suddenly, the offer for the position I trained for came down. Well, I was in a good place financially then, and I decided to take the job for less money just because I didn't want to work for her anymore.
I've been happy in my current position. I love my manager! He is amazing! But my financial situation is different now. My other source of income has gone away, and things are looking bad. I started applying to positions again. Little did I know, the position that I was trained for is apparently open again, and I got an interview. I only found out this morning who I'll be interviewing with. I still don't want to work for her. Odds are, if I smile sweetly enough, she will offer me the job again. It's only $2,000 more a year.
I am in school. I'll finish the MBA at the end of the year. I have some student loans in stipend that could get me through to the end of the year.
What would you do? Skip the interview? Go to the interview? If I get the offer, take the job or leave it? If I take the job, I can still apply for other things, but it took me years to get out from under her the first time. I do not trust her at all to look out for my best interests as her employee.
I've been happy in my current position. I love my manager! He is amazing! But my financial situation is different now. My other source of income has gone away, and things are looking bad. I started applying to positions again. Little did I know, the position that I was trained for is apparently open again, and I got an interview. I only found out this morning who I'll be interviewing with. I still don't want to work for her. Odds are, if I smile sweetly enough, she will offer me the job again. It's only $2,000 more a year.
I am in school. I'll finish the MBA at the end of the year. I have some student loans in stipend that could get me through to the end of the year.
What would you do? Skip the interview? Go to the interview? If I get the offer, take the job or leave it? If I take the job, I can still apply for other things, but it took me years to get out from under her the first time. I do not trust her at all to look out for my best interests as her employee.
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Replies
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you said you want to move because of the money, which you then say is 'only $2000 more'... so is it worth the $2k?0
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you said you want to move because of the money, which you then say is 'only $2000 more'... so is it worth the $2k?
Kinda what I was thinking...is $2k worth the added headache of working for her? Honestly, if it's gonna add stress, I'd say nope. Not worth it. I know financial stress can also be difficult, but if you can get by through the end of the year, might be worth it to not deal with her.0 -
Yeah, the 2k wasn't worth it a few years ago.0
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I would not choose money over happiness. Especially for as little as $2,000 before tax. I would cancel the interview and talk to your current manager. Perhaps a pay raise can be negotiated in your current position.0
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After taxes, $2,000 isn't that much more. The only argument I'd make for it is that it may help you bump up your salary at a new position.
I've worked for horrible managers and I know that feeling of dread. You couldn't pay me enough to go back (I have a specific manager in mind).
My advice? You almost have your MBA and that should open up some doors for you. Skip the interview, keep plugging away. If money is really that tight, you can waitress for one or two nights a week and you will net the same amount, if not more, as the $2,000 raise.
As an aside, it's rare that anyone is really going to look out for your best interest as an employee. If it happens, great. But, in reality, you just need to look out for yourself and network beyond your department, direct managers, etc. to get the exposure you need with a number of people to move up. Never give one person that much control over your path. Always have something they need in your back pocket.0 -
I wouldn't go backwards ...... even for more money ..... just saying :drinker:
Good luck !0 -
go to the interview to hone in on your interviewing skills but if offered the job, refuse it. $2,000 / year is NOT worth the move! IMHO0
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I think you already know your answer and you just need to go with it and not look back. Follow your gut instinct and you will be okay!
BTW....thanks for posting this, this morning. Best wishes to you!0 -
Happiness versus an extra $1.00/hour(minus taxes)....0
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No. It's not worth it. Stay in a place where you can be your best self. Get your MBA. This is the dark before the dawn. You are almost there. GOOD FOR YOU!0
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As an aside, it's rare that anyone is really going to look out for your best interest as an employee. If it happens, great. But, in reality, you just need to look out for yourself and network beyond your department, direct managers, etc. to get the exposure you need with a number of people to move up. Never give one person that much control over your path. Always have something they need in your back pocket.
QFT. I learned this several years ago the hard way. Thought my manager was looking out for me as we talked about my career goals a few times and I foolishly thought she'd make sure I was bumped in title/pay wise when the time came. Not so much. That kind of stuff can snowball too. Won't go into details but I could've been supervisor by now if I'd been more assertive.
OP, sounds like you've already figured out that the slight salary increase wouldn't be worth it. In my estimation, after taxes, that'd be like 50 cents per hour. Definitely not worth the added stress. Let them know you gave it some throught and changed your mind and apologize for the inconvenience...something like that. And seriously think about talking to your curent manager about a raise and/or next steps.0 -
Coming from someone stuck in a job that doesn't pay enough and also so close to graduating (I get my associates next year), I say stick with where you are now. There will be more opportunities for you once you graduate.
Another option... does your school have a career services program? I would reach out to them and see what they have for openings.0 -
Okay... so we all agree it's not worth it.
But what do I do about this interview? I obviously haven't burned my bridge with her, and as little trust as I have in her, I don't want to burn any bridges.
Should I cancel the interview? Should I go and just not put in 100% effort? Or should I go, show her what she's missing, and then turn her down when/if she gives me the offer?
I wouldn't be communicating with her directly except for in the interview. I'm really worried about how she would take "burning" her twice on the same opportunity.0 -
As an aside, it's rare that anyone is really going to look out for your best interest as an employee. If it happens, great. But, in reality, you just need to look out for yourself and network beyond your department, direct managers, etc. to get the exposure you need with a number of people to move up. Never give one person that much control over your path. Always have something they need in your back pocket.
Agreed. My current manager is a rarity which is why my only motivation to leave is money!0 -
Okay... so we all agree it's not worth it.
But what do I do about this interview? I obviously haven't burned my bridge with her, and as little trust as I have in her, I don't want to burn any bridges.
Should I cancel the interview? Should I go and just not put in 100% effort? Or should I go, show her what she's missing, and then turn her down when/if she gives me the offer?
I wouldn't be communicating with her directly except for in the interview. I'm really worried about how she would take "burning" her twice on the same opportunity.
Apologize and cancel the interview. Don't waste her time. If you get an offer and don't accept it, she may need to start the whole hiring process over, looking for new candidates. It's best that she focus on other people from the start if you are 100% sure you don't want it.0 -
Okay... so we all agree it's not worth it.
But what do I do about this interview? I obviously haven't burned my bridge with her, and as little trust as I have in her, I don't want to burn any bridges.
Should I cancel the interview? Should I go and just not put in 100% effort? Or should I go, show her what she's missing, and then turn her down when/if she gives me the offer?
I wouldn't be communicating with her directly except for in the interview. I'm really worried about how she would take "burning" her twice on the same opportunity.
i would go for the interview, its really good experience... but then if you have to turn it down make sure you speak to her in person to tell her why (obviously making up a reason other than she is a ***** troll from hell) that way you arent 'burning' her.0 -
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Okay... so we all agree it's not worth it.
But what do I do about this interview? I obviously haven't burned my bridge with her, and as little trust as I have in her, I don't want to burn any bridges.
Should I cancel the interview? Should I go and just not put in 100% effort? Or should I go, show her what she's missing, and then turn her down when/if she gives me the offer?
I wouldn't be communicating with her directly except for in the interview. I'm really worried about how she would take "burning" her twice on the same opportunity.
I think you can back out of the interview without burning a bridge. It's really worse to waste someone's time.
I would say, "Thank you so much for the opportunity to interview for this position. I gave it great consideration as I know I'm trained to do the work and the work is interesting. That said, as you may know, I'm in the home stretch for finishing my MBA and need to maintain my focus. So, while I enjoy working with you and would certainly love to be considered for this position in the future, it's in my best interest to stay put for the next few months."0 -
Also, thank you for all the replies and suggestions. At present, I work for state government. No one has had raises in 8 years and asking my manager for one is an exercise in futility as he can't even get one himself. I want to stay with the state because of seniority and loan forgiveness so I won't be leaving either. It's just a matter of moving around within my own agency or working for another agency.0
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I agree, the money isn't worth the stress you already feel.
And I think you should still do the interview 100% to keep yourself "practiced" and with the option of turning down the offer.
You should also always be interviewing if you plan to get out
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I'm just saying the same as almost everyone else...but $2k does NOT sound like enough money to put up with a supervisor you already know you don't want to work under!
I agree with others, if you truly need that additional money get a second job or start selling unwanted items on Craigslist or something like that. Are there any corners you can cut in your budget? Cutting back (or off) satellite, cable, data plan on your phone? Fewer entertainment/dining splurges? I know if you're already on a super tight budget that might sound nuts, so I apologize in advance.
One thing that may or may not apply to you - it sounds like you managed to get out of working for that lady before with your job and reputation intact. If you're anything like me, working for someone you dislike and/or do not respect can be a tricky and frustrating situation...so it may be even harder to get "out from beneath" her a second time. I'd probably run the risk of just quitting if she was truly bad, and that's not good!
Congrats on your upcoming MBA, by the way!0 -
I don't think the other position is a good fit for you.
Either your skills and interests lie in a different direction, or you don't see that it has the advancement opportunity you are looking for or you need more flexibility or structure or something.
It's up to you what excuse you use - are you dealing with the recruiter now? If so, I'd just tell them that you've considered the position a little more and it's not really in line with what you want to be doing for the future - just make sure you identify something about the job that isn't in line with what you want to be doing for the future.0 -
Okay... so we all agree it's not worth it.
But what do I do about this interview? I obviously haven't burned my bridge with her, and as little trust as I have in her, I don't want to burn any bridges.
Should I cancel the interview? Should I go and just not put in 100% effort? Or should I go, show her what she's missing, and then turn her down when/if she gives me the offer?
I wouldn't be communicating with her directly except for in the interview. I'm really worried about how she would take "burning" her twice on the same opportunity.
I think you can back out of the interview without burning a bridge. It's really worse to waste someone's time.
I would say, "Thank you so much for the opportunity to interview for this position. I gave it great consideration as I know I'm trained to do the work and the work is interesting. That said, as you may know, I'm in the home stretch for finishing my MBA and need to maintain my focus. So, while I enjoy working with you and would certainly love to be considered for this position in the future, it's in my best interest to stay put for the next few months."
^^^ I LOVE this one.0 -
Okay... so we all agree it's not worth it.
But what do I do about this interview? I obviously haven't burned my bridge with her, and as little trust as I have in her, I don't want to burn any bridges.
Should I cancel the interview? Should I go and just not put in 100% effort? Or should I go, show her what she's missing, and then turn her down when/if she gives me the offer?
I wouldn't be communicating with her directly except for in the interview. I'm really worried about how she would take "burning" her twice on the same opportunity.
As has been stated: the 2K a year might not be worth moving back to here and her cronnies, but there is an opportunity here.
If your current boss really likes you, he might be willing to boost your salery to keep you.
I would go to the interview. If the job is offered to you, use it as a negotitional point with your current boss. if neither happens then no foul no penalty. If you are offered the job, then the this offer can help in obtaining a pay raise in your current position. If your current boss does give a payraise to keep you, he looks like the bad guy not you. If a pay rasie does not happen and you stay with your current boss, then you look like a dedicated employee, which is a win win situation.
In either case, when you complete your MBA, you will be looking for a better position anyways. This will assign your current boss to the perciption that you are career and goal oriented (which is true).
Stay with your current boss but, leverage this opportuninty.0 -
I would stay where you are. $2000 isn't a huge increase and I wouldnt consider it worth the extra agro.0
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Having worked in HR I will tell you that your MBA should get you some extra $ even in your current position. Getting that degree allows you some negotiation room in your current spot and any other you apply for. So, if you can hang in there financially until you get your degree, do it. As for the interview, cancelling it looks a whole lot better obviously than blowing it off. No it won't burn bridges if your cancellation comes with a reason that is generic, such as "I changed my mind about moving" or something similar. There's nothing wrong with changing your mind.
Everyone has worked for those managers that they would never go back to. So unless you are drowning financially, don't go backwards.0 -
I feel you girl. Workin' for the state means no pay raises ever.
Everyone is suggesting to ask for one, but it'd be just as productive to ask a brick wall.0 -
It's not her manager's decision, it's legislated by the state government, so either everyone gets one or no one gets one.0
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It's not her manager's decision, it's legislated by the state government, so either everyone gets one or no one gets one.
They said it was up for discussion for this coming fiscal year, but that was awhile ago, and I haven't heard if a decision was made. Either way, it's not going to be enough to help me recover from my recent financial loss, but neither is 2k more a year. :ohwell:0 -
2K extra to work under toxic people? I took a 10K cut to escape 2 toxic bosses. If I were given a chance to go back I wouldn't do it.0
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