Ever leave a good job for a "better" job that turned out awful?

fret_wimp2

I currently have a good job, in that it pays me relatively well, is secure and the folks i work with are for the most part quite amicable to deal with and the commute is not worth talking about.

At times the job bores me to tears though, as it does not pose much of a challenge. I have been told by managment that they are aware the team is quite bored and they are in the process of working out new, more interesting roles in the next 6 months or so.

I have the opportunity to go for another position in a new company that would mean much longer commute, possibly less money, and less benefits, but with new and interesting work, with new experience to add to my C.V. if the job turns out to be what they say it is.


I would like to take the jump but I am quite worried about a few things:

If I do not pass the probation period, I would have effectively given up a good stable well paying position, only to be let go from a new position.

In a recession period, if you have a well paying stable job where you are permanent, is it worth moving to a new company? I have heard horror stories of companies who hire people and let the go before the end of their probation for some silly reason, so they dont have to make any new staff permanent.

If the new company turns out to be a worse place to work, would you be kicking yourself for letting go of a cushy, yet boring stable position a few months previous?

In my place, would you sit it out for 6 months or move to another company?

AARRRGH

When I was younger (I'm 31 now) I would have taken a risk and tried the new job, but now that I'm older and I fully appreciate the pros of being a long-term employee and how it's difficult to find a nice company where the people are sound, I'd stay in the stable, good job.

About 10 years ago I left Microsoft to work in what I thought would be a nice company, but the ****ers lied to me in the interview so it was a horrible hole where I felt like I was back in school. That's one job change I regreted.

From what you've said in your post I would stay in your current job.

Vim Fuego

I would be wary of moving to a smaller, newer company. In my experience, the people who tend to do the hiring have probably been selling their services to potential clients or investors. As such, they're really good at selling the idea rather than the reality.

I would never take a cut in pay and a longer commute to take on a riskier job. If anything, you should be looking for extra money to take that risk imo.

I left a boring safe job about 3 years ago, but managed to boost my income. And I'm still not certain that I made the right decision.

Supercell

Work to live or live to work I suppose OP.
If you have a big mortgage its another factor.
No mortgage, then would take the risk.

BostonB

If it were me I'd try to shake up things where you are, yourself. Give that a go first.

The_Honeybadger

Couple of years ago I left a secure job with good enough pay and a nice company car. My salary went up 50% and was handed an extremely nice company car (BMW ) as part of my new job. Thought I was the bees knees, but the job was an absolute nightmare, working day & night to keep up with a completely unreasonable workload and nearly lost my marriage over it, left after a year as I simply couldn't take another day. The job was suited to a hungry young exec and not a devoted family man. Will never make that mistake again, the devil I knew certainly was better than the devil I didn't. Every case is different however, not saying don't go for your new job just sharing my experience with you.

shakencat

I know im young..

But..

when i came out of college i was offered two jobs one in the bank.. and then one in the gym..


course i took the bank...

for the money..
i HATED it...

luckily i got offered the same gym job again.. a year later..
money no where near as good :(sadly!
but I left the bank and here i am now

although i DO have my good an bad days,
I enjoy here, ALOT better :)

fret_wimp2

Thanks for all the advice guys. Has helped me gain perspective again. When you are stuck at the bottom of a problem like being completely sick of your current position, you can easily lose perspecive and want to grab the first new position that comes along.

I can see now what I should be doing. Im going to try to decrease the time taken to get a few new qualifications under my belt. only thing holding me back here is myself, and motivating myself to read the material.

I am also going to be patient and see what comes up in 6 months, as promised by my manager. When i take a minute to gain some perspective, I can see my job is quite good , relative to most jobs out there so as long as i remember this, putting in another 6 months should not be an issue. Thanks all.

doolox

I was in reasonable job at at reasonable money but the work was a challenge and the people were very demanding at all levels so I left.

I got another job after a year on a FAS course and was dumped after 6 months.

Now there are no jobs out there even for highly qualified people so very little hope for the likes of me.

Now is not the time to take chances.

Unless you are in a job or a sector which you have come to hate, which I was to the extent that it was affecting my relationships and my mental health, then I would stay put and work to improve things from the inside.

If you are talking about increasing your commute bear in mind that petrol is going to get dearer and long commutes are a head wrecker.