SER Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Background: I've been in my current position for almost 4 years. I've received 2 promotions in that time, the most recent in November of 2011. I've also received a bonus last year for the maximum percentage of salary allowed. My supervisor has been very good to me and I really enjoy working with him and my coworkers. Yesterday, I got a phone call from the chair of another department who I helped occasionally just out of kindness. He said that his assistant is changing positions to assist the Dean and that the assistant to the chair position is now available and he would really like for me to apply. Based on his experience with me and how highly I'm regarded by my supervisor, he believes I would be a true asset and invited me to apply. My supervisor does not like this guy very much in general. I have been in a dual master's program for a year and will graduate Spring of 2014. I anticipated leaving my current position at that time for another position that is much higher paying and desirably with a large corporation. Here is what has been going through my mind: Do I inform my current supervisor of this new opening and let him know that I am applying? I believe that it would look great on my resume as well as provide a great opportunity for me to grow. I fear that he would take it personally - but as much as I enjoy working with him and within my position now, it is that experience and jump in title that would help my resume stand out for future opportunities. The pay jump would be substantial and is also a part of my decision. I am uncertain as to whether they would attempt to match the pay increase, but even if they did, my title would remain the same... Additionally, I am uncertain as to whether or not I want to dedicate more than another year and a half here. I had planned to leave this institution after graduating, but if given this new opportunity, I would feel obligated to stay for a few years. I have dreams of working and living overseas if given the opportunity and would still like to seek that out. I feel that if I ended up leaving after working in the new position for 2 years, that I would be letting the chair of that department down. I don't want my supervisor to feel like I want to apply just for the pay jump, it really is for the title. But if they do offer the increase to keep me in my current position, I would also feel like they would think that I did it just for the increase. And I would still not have that title to place on my resume. Thoughts? Link to post Share on other sites
Ladybugz Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 when tey want to fired you they will do it. so why do you spent time thinking about what they want. go for your own growth. and in your contract you can find information about how many weeks before you ;leave you have to inform your boss. so they can look for a new person. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Balzac Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 "I have been in a dual master's program for a year and will graduate Spring of 2014. It sounds as if your "job" is unrelated to your dual degree. Not sure about that. The gain of the job title seems meaningless in the grand scheme, especially as your post degrees job search will begin within 6 months. In my experience "dual" means two distinct degrees. "Joint" degree masters program means a different thing. Care to fill in a few details? Link to post Share on other sites
Author SER Posted February 1, 2013 Author Share Posted February 1, 2013 Well, the job will be in many ways related to the dual degrees. The first degree is an MBA and the second is MSHRM (Master of Science in Human Resources). This new position would put me in a supervisory role (good for HR experience) as well as the direct line for hiring new employees within the department. The MBA experience applies to all other aspects of the position (grant management, accounting, project management, etc.). I wasn't planning on look for jobs until March 2014, 6 months from now seems a bit soon to be looking for jobs... Link to post Share on other sites
Krytie TV Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 Nothing is certain. I would take the job in the current place that you see as most beneficial. You may find that after you graduate, it's another year before you find a better job. Wouldn't you rather spend that year in a better position than you're in now? 1 Link to post Share on other sites
TaraMaiden Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 You're thinking about all of this, all wrong. You're basing your thought processes on emotional reasoning. When in fact, you should just be thinking about things from a business/career angle. You think your current supervisor has been in his job all his life? You think if he had the opportunity to advance his career, accept promotion, a pay rise and a move, he'd stop to think about how you might feel? And yes, Ladybugz is right. if the company wanted to make you redundant, it wouldn't be anything 'personal' it would be a corporate business decision. And they wouldn't hesitate to do what's best for the company. Trust me - been there, done that. So insofar as your career is concerned, do what you feel would be more beneficial. it's not about what others may think, or the offence they might take.... Please.....! 2 Link to post Share on other sites
TheFinalWord Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 Background: I've been in my current position for almost 4 years. I've received 2 promotions in that time, the most recent in November of 2011. I've also received a bonus last year for the maximum percentage of salary allowed. My supervisor has been very good to me and I really enjoy working with him and my coworkers. Yesterday, I got a phone call from the chair of another department who I helped occasionally just out of kindness. He said that his assistant is changing positions to assist the Dean and that the assistant to the chair position is now available and he would really like for me to apply. Based on his experience with me and how highly I'm regarded by my supervisor, he believes I would be a true asset and invited me to apply. My supervisor does not like this guy very much in general. I have been in a dual master's program for a year and will graduate Spring of 2014. I anticipated leaving my current position at that time for another position that is much higher paying and desirably with a large corporation. Here is what has been going through my mind: Do I inform my current supervisor of this new opening and let him know that I am applying? I believe that it would look great on my resume as well as provide a great opportunity for me to grow. I fear that he would take it personally - but as much as I enjoy working with him and within my position now, it is that experience and jump in title that would help my resume stand out for future opportunities. The pay jump would be substantial and is also a part of my decision. I am uncertain as to whether they would attempt to match the pay increase, but even if they did, my title would remain the same... Additionally, I am uncertain as to whether or not I want to dedicate more than another year and a half here. I had planned to leave this institution after graduating, but if given this new opportunity, I would feel obligated to stay for a few years. I have dreams of working and living overseas if given the opportunity and would still like to seek that out. I feel that if I ended up leaving after working in the new position for 2 years, that I would be letting the chair of that department down. I don't want my supervisor to feel like I want to apply just for the pay jump, it really is for the title. But if they do offer the increase to keep me in my current position, I would also feel like they would think that I did it just for the increase. And I would still not have that title to place on my resume. Thoughts? Could you try negotiating? That's what I would do, especially if your work is stellar. Tell your current boss, that you really enjoy working there but have been given an opportunity that would advance your career (no need to tell him who it is, don't show all of your cards). That you would prefer to stay there if they could change your title to: xxx whatever it is there. Changing jobs is a hassle: all new learning curve, etc. To me, I would not want to take on an entirely new position at a different organization if I knew I was only going to be there a year. I know what you mean about using the other guy too. I had a similar predicament at one time. But at the same time no one will blame you for optimizing your growth potential. Good organizations will want you to grow and if you frame it correctly no boss is going to perceive you maximizing your opportunities as strong-arming. I would exhaust your current potential before considering moving on. Link to post Share on other sites
pink_sugar Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 Don't hold back your happiness based on what an employer may feel. I usually prefer my present employers don't know that I am looking for work. Maybe I'm paranoid...sometimes employers will take the opportunity to let you go early if they know you may be quitting anytime soon. Instead, you can give your present employer plenty of notice (once you are given an offer) before you move to another position and make it as amicable as possible. For example "I have really enjoyed my time working here and this has been a very difficult decision to make, but I feel it is best for me to accept other opportunities/employment at this time." 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Author SER Posted March 1, 2013 Author Share Posted March 1, 2013 Just a quick update - thanks so much to all of you for your support! It really helped give me the guts to do what is best for me rather than getting caught up in how my boss would feel. TFW - I had considered negotiating, but the money wasn't the main thing that I'm after - it is the supervisory experience that I want that comes along with that title (I would have one assistant and possibly more as the department grows). I told my boss that I was applying for the position and he was sad, but completely understood that it was in my best interest. This was a great relief and he said there were absolutely no hard feelings - he said he knew it would happen at some point, just didn't know that it would be so soon (as he figured I would leave when I finish school next May). He wished me good luck (reluctantly) and I told him I would make sure that everything would be good to go and that I would more than happy to help train the next person that comes in. As far as the position goes, I had my initial interview on 2/27 and have a second interview with the chair of the department/potential new supervisor on 3/6. I'm really hoping I get this position, but if not, at least I know that I did right by letting my boss know my intentions. Link to post Share on other sites
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