Monday, February 13, 2006

the world of hypotheticals

Okay, so what would you do?

A job is listed with a company you have felt from the moment you "met" it would be an amazing place to work. The job sound PERFECT for you, according to everyone who knows you and who sees the listing.

The thing holding you back, the deep feeling of fear. Fear that you will hurt your current employer because they are quite possibly the kindest employer EVER. They have been exceptional to you, really above and beyond. However, you are feeling stifled and not challenged at work.

I think I know what I would do, but I'm wondering what the eyes think...

6 comments:

bronxbt said...

shanny,
i'm stuck in that same boat right now. at times i feel like i've got only one oar and i'm slowly jes' circuling around and getting nowhere.

my current employer was one i had for 2 years prior to my 3 year stint at microsoft. he called me and said 'what would it take to come back?' -- i told him,'this phone call!'

after close to 18 months now - i have little to no feedback, constructive criticism, or guidance how to do my job better. (small company, and i'm an army of one as a marketing manager/designer/trade show dude/website designer/literature creator and so much more)

i'm right there with you.

you have to do what's right for you. what takes care of you, your future, your zillion pets, and more. you've got to stay challenged, focused and happy.

if you answer 'no' to any of those things... then rethink, re-evaluate and decide if jumping ship is better. any employer, no matter how good they are, can't hold it against you if you leave to GROW, not leave out of anger or other negative issues.

tink' on it dear....
we can talk on this too more if you'd like. you have my E-addy.

Jack K. said...

bronxbt is right on track. You have to measure the plusses and minuses for both positions. Emotional attachments can be a part of the assessment.

You might want to consider for what you have a passion to do. In our present situation at least you don't have a passion to get away from it. And that is a positive. It is more important to find out more about your passion to go to something else before you make the move. I ask my real estate students to think about their passion to do the job for which they are training. It might just be helpful for you.

As for bronxbt, you have a unique situation. It appears as though your boss trusts you implicitly. As long as you keep him in the loop about what you are doing you should be OK. I admit it can be very scary not getting any feedback whatsoever. My guess is that you do one damn fine job. You might have to ask for feedback from time to time.

Good luck to you both.

Persico said...

I think it was Napoleon Bonaparte who said "Only two forces unite men... Fear and interest."

You are human apparently. You know what to do.

Or you can just adopt a Napoleon complex in slow hours at work if you choose to not take the longed for job.

bronxbt said...

shanny, you have the coolest damned father in the world.

jack? i'm still up for adoption if you're interested in one damned fine graphic designer and experienced marketing manager.

my only issue? capitalized letters... they scare me.

giggle. :)

i've asked for feedback at times, and found it to be more "overly positive" to the point where i wonder if my measly salary is just a tax write-off and i'm being kept as some pity role.

but then, i stand back and recall what i've done in the past 18 months:
* created an entire corp. identity overhaul
* created standardizations for internal and external usage
* gained more than a 50% increase in federal space mindshare and business
* created literature, flyers, new webby site, line cards, biz cards, and more for a company that's had nothing of the sort for over 13 years...

why the hell would I wanna leave then?

hrumpf.
Shanny? do you have some shoes in size 13? i needa drink.

k said...

Shanny, the harsh truth is that you have to be a little bit selfish sometimes. Everyone around you will be the better for it if you take care of your own needs. When you are happy and fulfilled, you make the world around you glow! Ahmed would surely be sorry to lose you, but would also be thrilled to see you get such an opportunity. Go for it!

Adrianne said...

You have to at least try, especially since it seems so perfect for you. All you can do is try.