Settling for a lateral career move to leave a failing company??
November 6, 2014 12:52 AM   Subscribe

I've been working at a medical supply company since May of 2013. Since the middle of this year, the company has slowly deteriorated for the following reasons: High turnover rate as 17 people have left us within the past 2 months. HR manager and IT director were laid off. Our payroll manager and financial comptroller have left the company for greener pastures. We have lost more than 50% of the contracts with facilities that used to refer patients to us. There's lots of talk that the company may close down going into 2015. The high turnover is demoralizing thus I went job hunting everyday. I recently got a job interview at a place that is 3.3 miles away from home rather than 15 miles for my current work place. I did not get the position that I interviewed for. The vice president picked someone else despite the manager's recommendation for me. However, the manager offered me another position available and took the offer. It's an entry-level position that's only a dollar more than what I currently make. I was hoping to get the other position that paid 3-7 dollars more since I had relevant experience and a recent Bachelor's degree in Health Admin. Did I make the correct decision in accepting the first job offer after multiple applications? I really wanted to get into a hospital, but the competition is very fierce and hiring process takes awhile. I was afraid to go down with a sinking ship therefore I had to take a quick bite on the opportunity.
posted by tnar23 to Work & Money (13 answers total) 3 users marked this as a favorite
 
Closer to home, extra $40 a week, everything else equal? No brainer.

There's this weird thing in people's heads - they value what they have more than what they are offered. Like... give a bunch of people $100. A week later offer to sell them something - say, a concert ticket - for $100. Most people will keep the cash. Now take a bunch of people and give them a concert ticket. A week later, offer to buy it back for $100. Most people will keep the ticket.

Jobs are a bit like that - we sit in jobs until long after it's good for us, just because of this weird mental inertia.

Don't forget to keep looking for the job you really want.
posted by Leon at 1:16 AM on November 6, 2014 [11 favorites]


It may not be a perfect move but its a positive step for you - closer to home, manager recommended you for a higher position, gets you out of a failing company. If you want to look for another job, you now have options at the new place, or you can keep looking without the worry that the company is going to fold. I think you made a good call.
posted by crocomancer at 1:27 AM on November 6, 2014 [10 favorites]


Agreed with the above. I speak from the other end - as someone who was in a failing company and turned down an offer that was the same. I ended up regretting it, went back to them, and now have the job. You did the right thing :)
posted by pando11 at 1:41 AM on November 6, 2014


Even if you'd found a new job with the exact same pay and commute as your old job, you'd STILL be ahead of the game just by getting off that sinking ship. Yes, the one with $3 more would have been even better, but what the heck: you ARE effectively getting a raise, an 80% cut in your daily commute AND avoiding the coming disaster!

Oh, and make sure to get your final paycheck on time: don't let them delay it past the normal payday, because it sounds like there's a good chance that would mean you NEVER see it --- and good luck!
posted by easily confused at 2:18 AM on November 6, 2014 [4 favorites]


In my experience when higher level managers with more work experience start leaving it's a good idea to follow suit. The new job might not be the ideal move you envisioned but it will be a fresh start and you will at least get out of a demoralizing situation. Make the move, catch your breath for a few months, and then continue looking for upward advancement.
posted by vignettist at 3:14 AM on November 6, 2014 [5 favorites]


The bird in the hand was better than the imaginary two in the bush that you didn't get anyway.
posted by tel3path at 5:18 AM on November 6, 2014 [1 favorite]


I've kind of "jumped ship" before, and I think you made the right decision. The reduced commute in itself is gold.
posted by Harald74 at 5:36 AM on November 6, 2014 [1 favorite]


Best answer: echoing vignettist, if the finance people leave, it's not good. and they got rid of HR? you haven't made a mistake.
posted by elle.jeezy at 5:45 AM on November 6, 2014


You did make the right decision. You can take your time now to strive for that hospital position you'd ultimately prefer, but at least you're employed, it's a tiny step up from the sinking ship, and you're safely off that sinking ship. Don't feel bad for leaving, it sounds pretty likely you'd be losing your job soon enough and it's common knowledge how much harder it is to find work when unemployed. Good luck and enjoy the savings in time & transportation costs with the new closer job!
posted by RichardHenryYarbo at 6:39 AM on November 6, 2014


It's not really a "lateral" move if you gain by it:

* Better commute
* Better money (not a lot, but some)
* Not at a dying company that might shut down entirely before too long

That might not be a big leap forward, but it's not like you're ditching a Known Good Thing for Unknown Maybe Worse. This is definitely a solid move.
posted by Tomorrowful at 6:50 AM on November 6, 2014 [5 favorites]


4-6 months into this job, assuming you're happy, make sure you have a check-in with your manager to assess how things are going; let him/her know that you were disappointed not to get the initial position you applied for, but are enjoying the work currently; then discuss your career aspirations and how you hope you can realize the next step at the company.

If you want to move ahead, you need to enlist allies.
posted by brookeb at 7:04 AM on November 6, 2014


I work for a medical oncology company that used to be combined with a raditation oncology company. 2 years ago, we parted ways. In those two years, we have basically eaten up their company and it's falling apart. People from their company have slowly but surely been dispanding and they are laying off people left and right.

You did the right thing. Its more pay and close to home. Though it may not be exactly what you wanted, it's a positive step in the right direction. Hell, you may even end up loving it. The last thing you want it to stay on a sinking ship.
posted by Sara_NOT_Sarah at 12:06 PM on November 6, 2014


Take the gig. Even if it's a lateral move. Sounds like the only argument against it is 'but pride!', which isn't really much of a thing.
posted by softlord at 9:18 PM on November 6, 2014


« Older Vintage poster copyright?   |   If a guy hugs and cuddles on the first date, is it... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.