Should I take voluntary redundancy to be with my girlfriend???

LegacyUser

I'll try to keep this short. Basically, I live at one end of the country and my girlfriend lives at the other. We met in our mid twenties, were together for about two years, broke up for about 4 years and now have been back together again for 3 years. We have plenty of ups and downs (mainly due to the distance between us), but we definitely love each other very much.

Anyways, I've been working in the same company (IT) for about 13 years, in a job I don't really enjoy at all. I make ok money, not great (over €30k per year), and recently my team was told that there may be some redundancies coming up. Myself and my girlfriend have been talking about me moving up to her in Dublin for a while now, and I even applied for a couple of jobs, but didn't even get an interview

So now with the redundancies possibly (and very likely) on the horizon, we've been discussing that maybe I should volunteer for it (I probably wouldn't be selected for it otherwise as I had a very positive performance review this year). Going by the package that was offered in previous redundancies and given the amount of time I've been with the company, I would probably get about €45k if I left, which isn't too bad. The thing is, as much as I want to be with her, the thought of willingly making myself unemployed in the current financial environment scares the ****e out of me!

There's a number of reasons for this. First of all, I have no qualifications (but years of experience). I kind of fell into IT by accident really. I've never really had to do a proper interview in my whole life. I joined this company at the very bottom at the age of 19 and have only ever had very informal interviews (the kind where I knew I was actually getting the job) any time I've moved up the ladder here. The fact that I haven't even got an interview for any of the Dublin jobs I have applied for (even though it was only 2 or 3) also worries me. You hear so many people complaining that they cant get work and have been out of a job for months, even years now. I don't think I could live with myself if I ended up like that.

On the other hand, I've kinda grown to hate my job here. It's become one of those soul destroying things, where I come in, sit at a desk and surf the net for the day because there's so little to do or challenge me. Also, I really miss my girlfriend. I want to move in with her and start settling down. We're both early thirties now, and I think it's time. She won't move from Dublin to be with me, and I wouldn't blame her, she's been chasing a specific career for years and it's just now starting to come together for her, and there's no work for her here anyways.

I'm really torn about this, as you can probably tell. Any advise/insights are very much appreciated.

Hmm, that wasn't short at all

I am a friend

I really dont think you should. While you would have cash in your hand now, if you dont find a job for 5 years, what good it is for you. Thereis probably more chance of your gf finding work at some stage in Dublin than you finding it down the country.

I think you would only be swapping one set of problems for another here if you take it. Would ye go travelling?

LegacyUser

I am a friend wrote: »

I really dont think you should. While you would have cash in your hand now, if you dont find a job for 5 years, what good it is for you. Thereis probably more chance of your gf finding work at some stage in Dublin than you finding it down the country.

I think you would only be swapping one set of problems for another here if you take it. Would ye go travelling?

I think you've misunderstood something there.

It's my girlfriend that lives in Dublin, and she has a job. Come December/January she will no longer be a trainee in her chosen profession and will start to get paid what will probably be a decent enough salary.

Not sure if it's practical for two people in their early thirties to go off travelling for a year or two or whatever. Wouldn't that be more of a waste of my redundacy cheque than if I was here looking for work?

Midnight Sundance

In reality if you both want the relationship to work long term, one of you will have to compromise. If you see a future together than means choosing a place you both can live...together..
Why not seize this opportunity, upskill yourself and give it a go. You seem like a go getter and moving up the ranks in your job will stand to you, it shows you're willing to put in the long hard graft for what you want.
You will never know unless you try..

daenerysstormborn3

I have to agree with yvonne. I was in a long distance relationship myself up to around a year ago and I made the compromise and left my friends and work to move down the country to be with my boyfriend. It has worked out brilliantly for us and it's the best decision I ever made not just personally but also for my career but that obviously won't be the case for everyone. Long distance relationships either end or end up with one person moving to be with the other and you moving seems the most sensible option here. You will have money (that redundancy package you mentioned seems a huge amount of money, don't make any decisions until you have that in writing) to keep you going while you look for a job and there will more than likely be more employment opportunities in Dublin than in the rest of the country.

Magicmatilda

I was made redundant in Dec 2010. I have had several job offers and I am now working in a job in the same industry for more money. I know another friend who was in IT got made redundant and after 2 months looking got something ideal. So there are jobs out there it just depend on the industry you are looking at. Also if you dislike your industry you could take th opportunity to retrain. I think its a good idea. What does your girlfriend think?

Overheal

On the other hand, I've kinda grown to hate my job here. It's become one of those soul destroying things, where I come in, sit at a desk and surf the net for the day because there's so little to do or challenge me. Also, I really miss my girlfriend.

Sounds like you already made up your mind.

I say let them know you're interested in taking the redundancy and see if they can help you network with any of the companies in Dublin. Or at least write you up a nice letter of recommendation now so you can have something lined up before you have to part ways in a few weeks.

fghijkl

Op have you ever actually been unemployed? While i understand how soul destroying being in a job you hate is, being unemployed and unable to find work is a whole lot worse. Trust me.

Sure it sounds good, 45k to live off for a year, look for a job, get new job, happily ever after.

The possible reality? 45k? so about a year and a couple of months salary to live off, 10 months down the line still no job, the novelty of having nothing to do all day ( and not being able to afford to do anything ) wears off, utter utter mind numbing boredom sets in, you start thinking will you ever actually find work or be able to work again it's been so long, you move in with the gf what happens when the rent money runs out and you've no job? relationships starts to strain because you're under stress and under your gf's feet constantly, not so happy ending.

You say you want to move in with her and settle down, OP you're not going to be able to do that on 45k.

Surely the blindingly obvious solution is to stick at the job and look for work in Dublin, and then move up to dublin when you get a job? If you can't get a job while you're employed then you're sure as hell not going to get one when unemployed.

OP i'm all for love and romance and settling down, but it just seems utter madness to leave a job without having another to go to. At the very very least test the waters, try applying for jobs for 3/4 months and see if you can even get a few interviews? I mean ye've been together 3 years whats another 4 months in the grand scheme of things? If you have/haven't even gotten a few interviews by then you'll have a good idea of what the job hunting scene in your industry is like.

gerryk

If the redundancy package is attractive, take it. The jobs market in Dublin is substantial compared to the rest of the country. I work in the same sector as you do, and share similar circumstances in not having third level education, so can throw some light on what you may expect. If you have 13 years of experience, and you can pitch yourself well, the lack of a degree isn't going to matter a bit. Believe me, there are hundreds out there with CS degrees that are completely hopeless with regard to real world skills.
Feel free to PM me if you would like to dicuss your situation off-list.

solovely

I can't understand why you wouldn't do it!!

€45k is great redundancy!! Would you use it to train up? €30k is a very low salary these days and not much to build a life on. Move to Dublin, go back to college (even for a year), then you'll be well trained to move into a €50-60k job, settle down and start a family or whatever you and your girlfriend want to do.

Stay in your current job, hate every day, miss your girlfriend, have no real prospects of moving up money or career wise, and so leave your life on hold and watch your 30s pass you by??!!

I can't really see the dilemma!!!

Plus, there is a recession on, but with a qualification and 13 years experience on your hand, living in Dublin, you won't be unemployed that long!

Cuddlesworth

What type of IT job? Support or development? I'm support and L2(desktop and basic admin) with a host of qualifications and have struggled to get past HR for most jobs advertised. I would say your options would be limited by the lack of certs and willingness to up skill.

Chuchoter

I'd say go with it and move to Dublin, because there will come a point where you're going to have to choose between her and the job, so you might as well do it now that you'll have a 45k safety net. Long distance things don't work long term.

Wompa1

I'd go for it. There's a lot of IT jobs anyway. I'd take the money and run

Huawei Gallagher

I am in the same boat, I am trying to decide whether to go live with your girlfriend in Dublin !! But seriously, life is much more important than work, the only things in this world of real value are friends and family, and you seem to have a good relationship that has lasted even at a long distance. Consider what could happen, your girlfriend meets someone new during those long periods apart, and you end up losing your job anyway and have to move to Dublin because all the Jobs are there anyway! Theres a certain element of laziness in staying put, its easy. No Risk=No Reward! Do it! I am enquiring tomorrow about a similar redundancy offer, i hate my job so much its causing me to be depressed and narky. P.S. the Irish Computer Society values years of experience at around the same as years of study, I have a IT degree and have not started looking for a job yet as they all seem to want experience! Do a course in a very new up to date technology and it shows you are willing to keep your skills current, thus make you more employable. Good luck, I never regretted leaving any job yet. P.S. when you get a Job in Dublin, put in a word for me, a Software developer with no experience of Software Development(but a degree)!

Blackpitts

i think the decision should be very easy.
Take the money, move to Dublin, stay with your gf, spend part of your money for a qualified IT course (with a cert), update your CV and keep applying for a job.
I've heard of people out of work for months, but only in the construction sector, IT is still doing great in DUb.

gerryk

I missed the bit about the 45k. Based on that, you'd be mad not to take it.
You don't mention in what area in IT you work, so it's difficult to make any projections, but there are areas in which you can, based on experience, easily pull 50k+, and much higher, assuming the right skillset. Positions that pay this much are common, rather than edge cases too. The edge cases are the consultancy jobs that pay >€500/day... and even they are not totally uncommon.
I have been involved in the selection process for my most recent few employers, and the skills pool in Ireland is shallow and small. If you were to spend the next year and 10k or so getting the right certifications, you could easily be looking at a 50k+ position in a year or so.

LegacyUser

Thanks for all the replies

I'm level 2 support (or Senior Analyst) at the moment. Most of the guys on my team were hired in externally and are on over €40k. This is essentially what I should be earning also, and have been trying to get this rectified for quite a while but the company I work for are pretty stingy towards people who are promoted internally. It really is one of the most ridiculous ways of doing things I've ever seen, and this has also contributed to my hatred of the place. There's a lot of nepotism and mutual back scratching going on as well. This company is essentially a house hold name here in Ireland. I'm not gonna name them, but rest assured it's a ****e place to work.

Morale in my team is rock bottom, and it has been for years. We seem to be constantly up for the chop. Some of the guys are kinda in the same boat as me with regards to education, but they're older with children and mortgages (none of which I have). They're options are more limited than mine. Which is also something I think about. I consider these guys good friends, I'm not sure how I'd feel if one of them got the chop instead of me.

I've tried numourous times to upskill. I've applied for courses in VMware, Linux, Oracle, all the MS stuff. Every time I was turned down due to cost cutting. So I would defo be interested in getting some sort of technical certification if it came down to it.

LegacyUser

gerryk wrote: »

If the redundancy package is attractive, take it. The jobs market in Dublin is substantial compared to the rest of the country. I work in the same sector as you do, and share similar circumstances in not having third level education, so can throw some light on what you may expect. If you have 13 years of experience, and you can pitch yourself well, the lack of a degree isn't going to matter a bit. Believe me, there are hundreds out there with CS degrees that are completely hopeless with regard to real world skills.
Feel free to PM me if you would like to dicuss your situation off-list.

Thanks, I may just do that once I know if this redundancy is even an option.

Oryx

redundant guy wrote: »

Thanks, I may just do that once I know if this redundancy is even an option.

FYI it is against forum rules to request off thread communication.

gerryk

redundant guy wrote: »

I've tried numourous times to upskill. I've applied for courses in VMware, Linux, Oracle, all the MS stuff. Every time I was turned down due to cost cutting. So I would defo be interested in getting some sort of technical certification if it came down to it.

If it comes to it... i.e. you get your redundancy package, I would recommend steering clear of a 'carpet bombing' approach to certification. Figure out a track you wish to pursue and follow that, otherwise you run the risk of the 'jack of all trades, master of none' trap.
I would avoid Oracle, unless you plan to devote a lot of time and money to it. If you are, you could easily be one of the $500/day guys in 5 or so years, but it will have cost you 50k to get there.
Since you are currently in support, a migration to system administration is probably feasible. The payscales are about 1.25:1 or even greater for Linux:Windows, so if you have the desire and opportunity, getting skilled in Linux, particularly Red Had would be of benefit. Further certification that will support this would be, as you mentioned, VMWare. RHEL certification to Certified Engineer status will set you back ~5k, possibly less, add another 3 for Certified Architect. CCNA/CCNP would stand to you also.

gerryk

Oryx wrote: »

FYI it is against forum rules to request off thread communication.

Apologies.

Stheno

Blackpitts wrote: »

i think the decision should be very easy.
Take the money, move to Dublin, stay with your gf, spend part of your money for a qualified IT course (with a cert), update your CV and keep applying for a job.
I've heard of people out of work for months, but only in the construction sector, IT is still doing great in DUb.

agree 100% with this, I work in IT and there is a serious shortage. I lost my job in Nov last year and invested in certs relevant to my area and had a choice of new jobs within two months.

There are a lot of IT bods out there who have no certifications and given the situation now they do make a difference, but only when combined with experience.

Good luck!

amen

Take the 45K redundancy. Go to Dublin.

You will need to check this but as you have been made redundant you should be able to sign on immediately. Once you have been unemployed for 6 months you can apply to go to college (IT, University). You should see if you could study for an IT degree. This would give you the degree to get past HR and with your experience you may then have an advantage over other candidates.

Cuddlesworth

redundant guy wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies

I'm level 2 support (or Senior Analyst) at the moment. Most of the guys on my team were hired in externally and are on over €40k. This is essentially what I should be earning also, and have been trying to get this rectified for quite a while but the company I work for are pretty stingy towards people who are promoted internally. It really is one of the most ridiculous ways of doing things I've ever seen, and this has also contributed to my hatred of the place. There's a lot of nepotism and mutual back scratching going on as well. This company is essentially a house hold name here in Ireland. I'm not gonna name them, but rest assured it's a ****e place to work.

Morale in my team is rock bottom, and it has been for years. We seem to be constantly up for the chop. Some of the guys are kinda in the same boat as me with regards to education, but they're older with children and mortgages (none of which I have). They're options are more limited than mine. Which is also something I think about. I consider these guys good friends, I'm not sure how I'd feel if one of them got the chop instead of me.

I've tried numourous times to upskill. I've applied for courses in VMware, Linux, Oracle, all the MS stuff. Every time I was turned down due to cost cutting. So I would defo be interested in getting some sort of technical certification if it came down to it.

All I'm going to say is this. I'm five years level two, experienced pay scale is about 32-35k from what I am looking at, not 40k. I have the usual A+, N+, MCDST, MCSE, three MCITP's, a CCENT and a CCNA at the end of next month. I'm hoping to achieve a Enterprise admin before the end of the year. I've been looking for two months, have seen a possible six jobs and got interviews for three. The last one was yesterday and I was the last of thirty people to be interviewed for the role. My wish list is a VCP(waiting on approval), some ITIL and a project management course/cert.

Self study is both important and possible in this field. Even good company's will only send you on one, maybe two courses in a year due to the stupidly high cost involved. This is what you are going to be up against and any HR person looking at your CV is going to ask the question as to why you have nothing relevant to any job role you are applying for.

I say quit, take the money and get the Certs. Your screwed otherwise if anything ever happens to your job.