Should I Take The New Job? or Stay Still?

Lamaz1nggreat on 26/06/2021 - 08:24
Last edited 26/06/2021 - 09:29

Hi all,
I am new here.
I would like to get opinion from you in regard to my job current situation (abit complicated to me)

I just tendered my resignation to my current job for 15 years as IT consultant.
I am in my mid 40s.
The main reason that I dont feel at the current situation, I can grow anymore in term of technology that I want to persue however I am very comfortable in there and I will be able to stay as long as I like (possibly). But again the situation might change. Everyone get along with me, a lot people very sad to see me go.
I am a high performing employee based in my annual reviews.
The company was prepared to match my new salary.

On the other hand, the new company is growing, project based and I will learn a lot but might be super busy, but of course it is a new place, new people, new environment etc. A lot of uncertainty.

Old company vs New Company (at the moment)
Very comfortable vs Challanging
Stegnant vs Learning
Large company vs Smaller company
Survived vs unknown
No project at the moment ( presales, offering, doco) vs project based - cloud.
Safe vs Risky

In your opinion, should I stay in the current job or leave to the new job?

I can always withdraw my resignation and tell the new company that I am not joining, but again I am so confused…

I hope this community can help me to enlighten me as what I should do…
I dont want to regret my decision :(
Much appreciate if you can give your two cents.

Please advise.

Thank you.

Poll Options

  • 18
    Stay as I am very comfortable
  • 69
    Leave for the better learning
  • 7
    Not too sure
Education & Work

Comments

  • oscargamer on 26/06/2021 - 08:38
    +2

    Take the new job. Give it a year or two and go from there.

    • amaz1nggreat on 26/06/2021 - 08:49

      Thanks for the advice. Much appreciate it.

      • Icecold5000 on 26/06/2021 - 17:50
        +1

        Take the new job, learn all that you can in 18 month especially on the sales side. Go back to your old company and offer to head up the near cloud services line in return for equity participation.

      • Vagon on 27/06/2021 - 07:28
        +1

        Don't want to be a grammar nazi, but you seem to use this line a lot. It's "much appreciated" - hope that helps. Also I fully expect someone replies to me with "much appreciate it"

        • amaz1nggreat on 27/06/2021 - 09:56

          Thanks for the suggestion.
          I am just too lazy to include "I' in front of the sentence 😀. I mean (in the full sentence):
          "I very much appreciate it"
          but your suggestion is also correct as the full sentence below:
          "it is much appreciated'

          Hope this clarifies… 😁😁

  • Xyzzy on 26/06/2021 - 08:59
    +4

    One of the never-ending challenges in working in IT is staying up-to-date with the latest technology. You don't want to find yourself an expert in software that went out of fashion 10 years ago. So if the new position helps you keep up to date, particularly with cloud technologies I'd for it.

    • amaz1nggreat on 26/06/2021 - 09:07

      Thanks for the advice. Much appreciate it.
      The new company focuses on AWS cloud which I am certified (prof cert) but a little real life experience.
      The current company is not as strong and they struggle to get cloud projects as not competitive enough. But again it may change.

  • barge-in hunter on 26/06/2021 - 09:15
    +1

    Cloud isn't the future, it's been the present for many years (in a lot of large orgs). Best to jump ship before they sink if I'm honest.

    • amaz1nggreat on 26/06/2021 - 09:22

      Thanks for the advice. Much appreciate it.
      The current company focuses mainly on traditional manged services, End User Computing (EUC), etc.
      In the current situation, they are trying to get cloud projects but somehow it is too difficult so I ended up doing internal work and documentation, etc and of course, they cannot guarantee to give me cloud projects. So I need to look for cloud projects (going after customers) myself if I stay in the same company.
      But again, for the new company, new plaxe, new people, uncertainty…
      Hahaha I am so confused :(

    • snooksy on 27/06/2021 - 10:24

      I know of a company that still has 80 devs doing Delphi with about 20 of them doing Java. The company is financially secure and making a bigger profit year after year. Don’t assume old technology means a sinking ship. Companies jumping on a bandwagon can also sink quickly. This company does no cloud, no micro services, and still monolithic development. The chosen technology stack isn’t really linked to financial sustainability. Providing a good product is what matters and a good product or service doesn’t need to be running on cloud to be a good product or service. It certainly hasn’t helped Australian banks. Every few weeks or months one of the local banks have issues where ATMs or Eftpos machines don’t work. Funny I don’t remember this happening 20 years ago on such a regular occurrence. Some group of people are making bad decisions because things keep going wrong. Be careful saying this technology is better than that one for a company to be profitable and reliable. It’s often more about having the right people to make the right decisions.

      • barge-in hunter on 27/06/2021 - 10:37
        +1

        Understand where you're coming from, however from the perspective of contacting/consulting firms (eg, OPs case), I have to disagree.

        Yes, some orgs still maintain older style tech stacks and remain quite profitable - no question there.
        The majority of the market however, is moving to single or multi colour environments.

        A consultancy/contract dev firm that does not meet the requirements of the broader target market has a very uphill battle ahead of them.

  • this is us on 26/06/2021 - 09:36
    +1

    I'd go for the new job as it's challenging and better prepare you for the future.

    Having said that, you seem to have a good relationship with your employer, so it is a good idea to explain why you are leaving (i.e., lack of innovation and challenge). If you have autonomy and are in a position where you can influence decisions, is there any chance you could suggest some changes so you could be the one leading the company to cloud technologies and make the company more competitive in this field? Can you convince your current company to think outside the box, including showing the risks for the company if they don't do so?

    • amaz1nggreat on 26/06/2021 - 09:41

      Thanks for the advice. Much appreciate it.
      The company knows thier position from long time ago that they need to win cloud deals but somehow it is difficult as they are not competitive enough.
      They have tried many things, marketing campaigns etc.
      In the current situation, I dont think they are competitive adventages and have expertise to do so. But again, it may change in the future.

  • Ocker on 26/06/2021 - 09:46
    +2

    Would also depend on the value you place on income stability and security.
    For example do you have much in the way of financial liabilities - mortgage, credit cards, etc.
    The new job may sound appealing but what if it doesn't work out (for whatever reason)

    • amaz1nggreat on 26/06/2021 - 09:52

      Thank you for your advice. It is a very good point. Thats why I think ozbargain community is great!
      In term of financial position, i dont have a mortgage apart from my investment property.
      I have enough savings for maybe 1 year without a job.
      My back up plan if I change my job is either:
      - look another job possibly lower pay
      Or
      - if the current company wants me back.. again this is the last resort.

      As for job security, I am not sure with the new company, but the current company is more stable for now.

      • brendanm on 26/06/2021 - 12:39
        +1

        You sound like you are in a good position to try the new job.

        • amaz1nggreat on 27/06/2021 - 10:00

          Yeah, I agree.. just that I am worried whether I made a right decision. If I dont like the company or the company does not like me, so… What's next 😐😐

          • brendanm on 27/06/2021 - 10:52
            +1

            @amaz1nggreat: Sounds like you could go back to your old company if you had to, or with your experience, get a job somewhere else.

  • he11bent on 26/06/2021 - 09:49
    +2

    Go for the new job. As others have said above. Plenty of reasons to take the plung.
    You don't want to be regretting 2,5,10 years from now, going "where would I be had I taken the new job".

    I've left my current company twice to go try new business on my own. Failed both times, but at least I went for it, learned a lot during those two experiences, and I'm still willing to give it a few more shots.

    Never be married to your work/job.

    • amaz1nggreat on 26/06/2021 - 09:56
      +1

      Thank you for your advice. Much appreciate it.
      Wow…. I am amazed with your entrepreneurial spirit, I dont have that courage…
      I am really sure someday you will ve successful with your business adventure.
      It has to have a great courage to do that. 👍👍👍

  • rektrading on 26/06/2021 - 10:13
    +2

    Skip AWS and go for the next step in storage. Web 3.0 storage like IPFS and Blockweave will take over from here.

  • amaz1nggreat on 26/06/2021 - 10:15

    Thank you for the advice. Much appreciate it.

  • Payne on 26/06/2021 - 10:21
    +3

    One more thing to consider is your current team. If you really like them and get along well with everyone, that's a big plus.

    Joining a new team in a new organisation is more than just the work. If your new boss and/or team are a pain, that'll have a big impact on how happy you are at work.

    In terms of challenges, you don't always need to look for those at work either. You could take some on it your personal life and that might give you a bit more satisfaction.

    Anyway, just some things to consider. Hope that helps.

  • amaz1nggreat on 26/06/2021 - 10:25

    Thank you for your advice. Much appreciate it.
    I am quite comfortable with my current company but at the same time I am worried about not keeping up with the learning.
    For the new company, I am not sure..it is a risk.

  • mskeggs on 26/06/2021 - 11:05
    +1

    I made a move from telco to software 3 years ago at your age, after 16 years at the company. Big company to small.
    I had stayed longer than ideal because I had kids growing up, was sole income earner for some years etc.

    While it is sensible to consider things carefully, the thing that resonates for me was "if you don't move, would you be happy here forever?".
    I felt well due for something more interesting and challenging, and I think having a range of roles is desirable when you are approaching an age when ageism creeps in. You don't want to be perceived as someone who couldn't change and adapt should your role ever get made redundant etc.

    I am working harder, but I still am glad I made the move.

    • amaz1nggreat on 26/06/2021 - 11:10

      Thank you for your advice and much appreciate it.
      I have not been learning much in the past few years as they dont have projects with my skillset, I continue working internal work, offerings and anything else they want me to do. If I stay I am worried that they give me some boring jobs just to keep me as I am quite a good and efficient resource.
      On the other hand I am afraid what the future will hold in the new company. A lot of what ifs.

  • moo on 26/06/2021 - 11:05
    +1

    No risk no gain. From my experience, if the thought of leaving has ever crossed your mind, it will come back over and over again. The salary matching will only be a temporary boost. Just make sure you don’t burn any bridges and make it clear that you’re leaving to professionally diversify and develop your career, which I am sure they will understand. As a fallback, you could probably return to ya old job. All the best with your decision.

    • amaz1nggreat on 26/06/2021 - 11:12
      +1

      Thank you for your advice, much appreciate it.
      Yeah I told my current employer that I want to learn by doing on cloud projects and it is a waste if I have the skills but not in using it eventhough I am no way an expert.
      .

  • rollin on 26/06/2021 - 11:46
    +1

    IMO, you have plenty of good IT experience by the sounds if it. Much of consultancy and architecture is about the soft skills as well as the technical skillset which can transpire to other roles and tech's. If you feel you are getting stuck in legacy technology then you can easily make the move, skill up and go from there. There is big demand and wages for cloud architects. I agree with another comment, cloud isnt the future, its been here many years already and is a staple of IT for many orgs already.

    I would make the move and skill up in cloud over the next 12-24 months and re-evaluate from there. Leave your current employer on good terms. IT in australia is a small place so you may end up back there or encounter past colleagues in future roles.

    • amaz1nggreat on 26/06/2021 - 12:18

      Thank you for your advice. Much appreciate it.
      I have a good consulting, team and technical leading experience. I hope the new job give me exposure to do cloud implementation. I have good reputation in the current company if I can talk highly on myself.

  • brad1-8tsi on 26/06/2021 - 11:53

    Too late anyway. You've resigned already. No turning back

    • amaz1nggreat on 26/06/2021 - 12:45

      Thanks. Just put my resignation on friday to management I believe it ss reversible as long as we talk nicely eventhough I might embarrassed myself and looked unprofessional but again it is an option…😀

      • Quantumcat on 26/06/2021 - 23:23
        +1

        If you go back you may be worse off, as they know you want to leave and may not bother to give you good projects and instead pile on the stuff no one else wants to do because they figure you're going to leave anyway so best make use out of you while they have you

  • SF3 on 26/06/2021 - 12:58
    +1

    Go for new if your personal situation allows it (eg. family, financials). It helps give you a new perspective, and if it is not what you want maybe you could go back to current company.

    • amaz1nggreat on 26/06/2021 - 13:12

      Thank you for the advice and much appreciate it. If I leave, it has to be on good term and the management knows my intention and interest.

  • Transient on 26/06/2021 - 13:43
    +1

    Picture yourself 5 years from now in the new job and what you think you will be doing. Picture yourself 5 years from now in your current job and what you are doing. Where would you be happier? People leave jobs for new jobs for various reasons. Will this new job meet what you are looking for?

    • amaz1nggreat on 26/06/2021 - 16:16
      +1

      Thank you for your advice. Much appreciate it.
      At my current job, I feel I will be stagnant but a safe job, on the other hand the new job is challanging but learn a lot.
      Safe vs Risky

      • Transient on 26/06/2021 - 17:46
        +1

        Safe vs Risky
        Then it depends on your personality. Some people are more risk adverse for various reasons, eg, they may be close to retirement or they are in a phase of life where they don't need the risk and excitement / stress of a new job and responsibilities. Others are risk seekers or less risk adverse - they relish learning and experiencing new things or they may be career driven - they can't learn anything new in their current job so the only way to progress their career is to go somewhere else. In my early work days, I stayed in the same job for 3-5 years until I thought I couldn't learn anything else in my current role, then moved to a new company. Did that a few times. Low salary also prompted the moves. Good luck!

        • amaz1nggreat on 26/06/2021 - 18:13
          +1

          Thank you for the great insights.
          It is indeed different person to person.

          • mskeggs on 27/06/2021 - 16:39
            +1

            @amaz1nggreat: I don't really believe there are any safe jobs anymore.
            Almost everyone is just a change in organisation away from being relegated.
            I have watched extremely competent people being made redundant when head office decides this function or that function can be handled cheaper some other way.

            • amaz1nggreat on 27/06/2021 - 16:49

              @mskeggs: I agree with your comment.
              We need to take care ourselves….Dont rely on others including your employer.

  • asun88 on 26/06/2021 - 19:52
    +1

    Does your new company offer part equity as part of your salary package. I know someone that left the big 4 bank for Afterpay in its early days. Everything was uncertain in the FinTech space. She got 20% of her salary in equity. I think we all know what happened to Afterpays share price in the last 2 years. If you believe what this company is doing and willing to help them grow, I'd highly suggest asking for equity.

    • amaz1nggreat on 26/06/2021 - 19:59

      Thank you for the advice. Much appreciate it.

  • tabitha731 on 27/06/2021 - 08:06
    +1

    As a previous IT consultant… Congrats for lasting so long, but the grass is most definitely greener outside of IT consulting… And much more satisfying

    • amaz1nggreat on 27/06/2021 - 09:46

      Thank you for the compliment.

  • theguru1 on 27/06/2021 - 09:34
    +1

    You've already made the decision. Go for it.

    • amaz1nggreat on 27/06/2021 - 09:45

      Thank you for your advice. Much appreciate it.
      I am still worried whether I have made the right decision whatever reasons. 🥺🥺

  • snooksy on 27/06/2021 - 10:12
    +2

    You already made your decision when you looked elsewhere. Your current company could have paid you more originally but didn’t. You wanted to learn new things so go do so. 40 isn’t old but in a few years making such a move will be harder. You may not get another chance.

    • Sega on 27/06/2021 - 10:55

      This, and when your still unsure, This, and then This.

    • amaz1nggreat on 27/06/2021 - 11:46

      Thank you for your advice. I very much appreciate it.
      I totally agree with your comments. I have been asking for arise for a few years now. But now they said they prepared to match. 😣😣

  • OzHunterNSW on 27/06/2021 - 15:12

    An IT, and didn't think to Google

  • LFO on 27/06/2021 - 19:07
    +1

    The company was prepared to match my new salary.

    A paid job is just a way to earn money.

    If keen to learn more get involved (part time or "outside work" time) with research, university, tech groups.

    My two cents.

  • Brodo Faggins on 08/05/2022 - 18:46

    Bumping this thread after about a year as it is timeless - and may help someone right now going through the same thing.

    Which way did you go OP, and what are some things you have learned?

    I hope the choice was right and you are without any regrets :)

    Goes to show - no matter your age, and as long as you're okay with it, always consider to take a bit of calculated risk for the better!

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