Initially I wrote a lengthy story. Yet it can all be cut down to essentials and maybe it is a good idea to leave the abridged version here. Written by myself in a calm state of mind.
I had a front-office role in decent, pretty large corporate. But, alas, its nature was everything but stable due to the specifics of the organisation. I saw it pretty much from the day I had the first long look around from inside the firm but job search was not an option. I stayed with a company for a reasonable period of time during which me and my colleagues were offered alternative roles within a firm. So here I was, in a role miles away from my career goals. It is a mid-office position, not too bad but I just see that staying there is not an option. If I were to settle in that position, I would basically recognise that the past years of my working life as well as the CFA were the waste of effort. My ex-boss told me to get out within a year in that role.
I dare say I have succeeded in following his advice. I found an alternative and submitted my notice.
However, there are details of the new organisation which are scaring the hell out of me. They are very small in size and seem somewhat disorganised. Besides, the seem to document all legal issues as if every single dime is uncertain. I ignored it for the sake of finally getting back to doing what I love doing. Plus, the managing directors do know how to make money.
But recently new details started to emerge. I had some interesting conversations. Of course, people talking like that about their ex-employers are probably special but some details added up.Strange truncated communication that suprised me was not unusual. If I were to believe the feedback, the job is interesting, yet the place runs on a project-basis, employees are disposable, variable compensation is a dream on paper. The word I clearly remember is “an emergency job”. Of course, I am filtering the imformation, comparing backgrounds. But even so I can not let go of the fear that this job might not have medium-term prospects and this could ruin my resume just as badly as the longer time in a current job.
There is still some time for me to think it all over. Function-wise there is hope but the insecurity nullifies it all. Maybe it is the contrast to my current position where I see how easy it is to stay mediocre in a stability of good contract vs. finding an interesting role. I wish I knew there is a bonus for the risk at the end but I simply am not so sure.
Is staying at your current job an option after you provided notice? Given your anxiety about the new company this might be the better role until you find a better fit for you.
My anxiety is not a fantasy. I made some inquiries (actually talked to people!) - it all sounds like a sweatshop, living from contract to contract, little or no concern for staff who hurries to run out of the door at every opportunity. Obviously the willingness of ex-staff to talk bad says it all.
About the current employer.
Hard to say. There is a hope that the person who revives the department I was originally assigned to might do well and will start hiring. There is no internal competition at this moment so there is a slight chance there, yes.
Not so sure about my current role. They basically taught me the ropes in this new role and I do not think they want me back, the trust is gone.
Keep your nerves about you and make rational, thought out choices from here-on-in. Get out and do some exercise or stress relief, you are super high strung and that gets costly. Getting all flustered like that last thread is just going to get you in more trouble.
Since you can’t really go back to your old job - take the new job on their terms and be patient. Work there for a few months and feel it out, then start looking for a new job. It won’t be as hard to explain why you’re leaving if you’re tactful. Lesson learned… and RELAX. you’re going to give yourself a heart attack, from one formerly high strung person to another.
Ok, looks like the thread is reposted. Anyway, yeah you are right in looking at this in terms of “risk premium”. Small disorganized shop might get their act together and people who will benefit if they are on the ground floor. In this case, it does not seem like you think the risk premium is sufficient. So maybe that is your answer.
Yeah I think relax is good advice. Stop worrying about all the things that might go wrong. Start the new job and give it your best shot. It might turn out great! If it doesn’t, then you are back in the job hunting market sooner than you thought. No biggie.
I believe that the right experience is worth every risk and every pay. In fact, I have proven it more than once by making some choices where either the pay, or location, or something else was not optimal. Not acting and staying as is in a current role has a stability, but it comes at a price of losing time, opportunity and using only part of my skills. I have no doubts here.
But at some point of your career you realise that you have deserved the whole package, you want a solid continuation of your career, finally arriving somewhere.
Actually, it is a biggie. Many people who looked at my resume told me that the next step should be the right one, that is, a place where I will stay for a medium-term at the very least.