How to progress?

TheBrinch

I'm looking for a bit of advice on which way to progress in my life because I am really struggling with a decision.

So, Ive worked in a call center for the past 5 years doing basic 'entry level' work, I suppose you would call it. Recently Ive been approached by some higher-ups about the possibility of a promotion (and a decent one too I believe). Which would likely be a good idea.

On the other hand, I'm in a long distance relationship and my girlfriend wants me to go and live with her in Germany. I would like to do this but I don't speak any German, and the likelihood of getting a job would drop significantly without speaking the language. Also she cant move here due to personal stuff.

I have enough money that I guess would last at least 6 months (more if I was careful) if I moved there. My girlfriend has no issues with me staying there with no money if I ran out but it would be a huge burden on me (and her too probably) because I would want to contribute.

So I'm wondering which would be a better idea? The reason I ask is because the promotion will likely be offered in the next few weeks and I'm struggling which way to go. The promotion would be a decent job but I would have a lot of responsibilities and would feel crap if I quit after a few weeks/months and moved to Germany.

Anyone have any advise of similar experience?
Thanks!

Take the promotion.

Mrs OBumble

Unless you have a concrete plan to move to Germany in the next two months, then take the job.

The experience will help you get a job which works in English but is located in Germany.

Hollister11

Stay here and takes the job, but in the mean time, if you do want to move to Germany down the line start to learn German.

BreadnBuddha

If you're serious enough about moving to Germany, take the job, take language lessons, then move when you're good and ready for it.

Moving to a country where you can manage fine speaking English for most things is one thing. Being able to find work when you're competing with applicants who will have the local language AND English language skills is another thing entirely.

Unless you have a specialist skill that they can't hire locally and the employers internal business language is English, you're stuffed. Even if you think you'll settle for a low paid menial job just for some income, you're still on the back foot when you consider just how many immigrants from inside and outside the EU will have basic German language skills.

Don't take it lightly. If you up sticks and move there, you can expect your relationship to bear a serious impact from the stress you'll put yourself under (you've acknowledged as much already) and you'll kill your chance of progressing careerwise.

If you really are serious about it, take the job and invest the time and effort in learning the language. It will stand to you no matter where you end up in life.

TheBrinch

Wow that is a huge help! Thanks everyone! I really appreciate the feedback

Irish_Elect_Eng

Your work in a call centre, is pretty basic work.
Do you really want a career in that industry?
What is the nature of the promotion? Team Lead?

If you love your girlfriend and if you see a long term future in that relationship, then I would advise moving to Germany. Faint heart never won fair maiden.

(1) You will learn German, much faster in Germany.
(2) Job prospects in Germany are reasonably good.
(3) You will be happier living with you girlfriend rather than a LDR.

Work is only one part of our lives, balance swings between differnent elements all the time. Change for the better always comes with a element of risk, but believe me regret on opportunities missed is much more bitter than any sting of failure while reaching for success.

Best of Luck!

Irish_Elect_Eng

Irish_Elect_Eng wrote: »

Your work in a call centre, is pretty basic work.
Do you really want a career in that industry?
What is the nature of the promotion? Team Lead?

If you love your girlfriend and if you see a long term future in that relationship, then I would advise moving to Germany. Faint heart never won fair maiden.

(1) You will learn German, much faster in Germany.
(2) Job prospects in Germany are reasonably good.
(3) You will be happier living with you girlfriend rather than a LDR.

Work is only one part of our lives, balance swings between differnent elements all the time. Change for the better always comes with a element of risk, but believe me regret on opportunities missed is much more bitter than any sting of failure while reaching for success.

Best of Luck!

Romanticism vs practicality. When giving serious advice I always err to the latter.

Literally a million English speaking girls here in the country he already has a job in.

nikkibikki

Take the promotion. It'll be handy for the CV for when you move to Germany! Start learning German. Assuming your gf is German or at least speaks it so get her to help you, speak in German to you on the phone, Skype etc.

mahamageehad

I left my well paid Irish job after 3 years to move to Germany so I could live with my partner instead of continuing the LDR (It had been over 4 years long distance at that stage). That was almost a year ago now and I don't regret it for a moment. However, my biggest regret is not learning German before I left. Despite what you think, it's not easier to learn it here especially if you're in a big city as everyone speaks English. If you can get yourself on some sort of intensive course (something like the Integration course at the Volkshochschule) you'd be ok but I'd get a serious grounding in German at home first if I was you.

Depending on where your OH lives, getting a job here isn't so unlikely. The big cities have large English speaking communities and there are a lot of American companies here. And there's always Irish pubs!

I'd advise you to take the promotion, work at it for 6-9 months and put any pay rise towards language lessons. Continue saving and maybe reconsider everything at Christmas.

the_syco

TheBrinch wrote: »

So, Ive worked in a call center for the past 5 years doing basic 'entry level' work, I suppose you would call it. Recently Ive been approached by some higher-ups about the possibility of a promotion (and a decent one too I believe). Which would likely be a good idea.

No doubt there are many people that'll do "entry level" jobs in Germany; and you'll be in competition with them.
However, if you go over with experience at a decent level, I'd say your job prospects would be a lot better. Also, you could be going in at a level where mother-tongue German isn't needed as you'd be managing the staff as opposed to talking to the customers.

TheBrinch wrote: »

On the other hand, I'm in a long distance relationship and my girlfriend wants me to go and live with her in Germany. I would like to do this but I don't speak any German, and the likelihood of getting a job would drop significantly without speaking the language. Also she cant move here due to personal stuff.

Learn the language first. Even if not mother tongue, you'll want to be able to talk to your work colleagues when you do move to Germany.