I can't decide!!!

Anonymous

March 29,2022 at 11:10PM UTC

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I can't decide!!!

I recently accepted a job offer for my dream job at a great company (ABC) with a big bump in salary.

Background — When I started at my current company (XYZ - also a great company) 9 years ago, I was in PR. I worked in PR for 20 years prior to joining XYZ and loved it.

About 5 years ago, for a number of reasons I transitioned to HR, but don’t really love it. There haven’t been and aren’t currently any opportunities to do PR at XYZ. I've also been working 14-15 hours a day for a couple of years with little support. I've vented to my manager several times - nothing changed, so I was frustrated enough that I accepted the PR role at ABC.

A few days later, my venting apparently finally worked, and I just received a large raise and headcount from XYZ because I'm "so valuable in my role".

ABC was kind enough to give me plenty of time before my start date, so I still haven’t given my notice yet.

Last piece of the puzzle - I’m hoping to retire in 5 years.

Dilemma — now that I have this olive branch from XYZ, do I leave to do PR instead of HR for a maximum of 5 years? Or do I stick it out, accept the fact that the PR ship has sailed, and keep doing HR until I retire?

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AnonymousMarch 29,2022 at 11:45PM UTC
If youre financially stable, why not follow your dream?
AnonymousMarch 30,2022 at 1:41AM UTC
Whatever gets you out of bed in the morning. If money good at both then go where the work in in alignment to your dreams.
This is always the way of "Dream jobs"........as soon as we get the offer it's no longer dreamy.
TK ParksMarch 30,2022 at 1:59AM UTC
Pursue what sets your soul on FIRE!
:-)
Kelly HammerMarch 30,2022 at 2:00PM UTC
YES! This!
Anne KrookMarch 30,2022 at 3:16AM UTC
If you accepted the role (signed an offer letter), I'd take that job, as your word has to be good, especially in both PR and HR.
AnonymousMarch 30,2022 at 3:44AM UTC
The PR ship hasn’t sailed…it sounds like it’s something you enjoy. Follow what started you looking in the first place. Staying in your current position might keep you unhappy
Yvonne LoorijMarch 30,2022 at 12:26PM UTC
Five years is a long time in a job you don't really like. Why not spend the last 5 years of your career doing what you LOVE?
It sounds like salary-wise you now have comparable offers on the table.
Maybe you feel some kind of loyalty towards your current company, but is that really justified? The raise they gave you seems nice, but does it make up for all those years you put in double hours?
AnonymousMarch 30,2022 at 12:50PM UTC
If you just want to be comfortable then stay. But don't have dreams or dream jobs if you don't want to grow.
KatMarch 30,2022 at 1:39PM UTC
Go with the PR job. That's what you really want to do. You might enjoy it enough that you'll delay your retirement. I don't see any reason to stay in a job where you're overworked and under supported. The raise is nice, but it took 3 years for them to compensate you more fairly. You also didn't say anything about them hiring more people to ease your work load, which you also need. Is it possible that they found out about the other offer and are trying to find a way to get you to stay? The timing of it makes me wonder about that. Even if that's not the case, I'd rather spend my last working years doing something I really like and am engaged in.
Kelly HammerMarch 30,2022 at 1:58PM UTC
Here's my take having been in similar spots. XYZ has shown you what their culture is and what they expect. Will the hours and support change in your current role, or did they just throw you a bone with more responsibility and money? It sounds like PR is your passion. You mentioned it was your dream job. I think what most of us have learned in the past two years is that some things in life are more important. Why settle if you have the opportunity to do what you really love doing?
AnonymousMarch 30,2022 at 2:15PM UTC
9 years in one company? If you see yourself as one of those people who sits at one company for her entire career then this company is home for you and I wouldn't leave. They will make you secure and happy.
Career trajectory is not for everyone. Especially when you are raising a family and have many other personal priorities.
No reason to upset things for money and a career.
AnonymousMarch 30,2022 at 8:13PM UTC
Wow, not much of a dream job if they hand it to you tied up in a bow and you want to hunker down and stick with the dismal job offering less comp. More hours in a role that you're stuck in.
Alexis GladstoneMarch 31,2022 at 12:41PM UTC
What an interesting situation that you have, and you're in complete control!
One of the things I would consider is if 5 years of working in a role you don't really enjoy vs. ending your career doing what you love is important. You certainly know more about XYZ and it's culture than you do ABC so that could also come into play.
As others usually suggest, I list everything that's important to you and then see which role matches up the best.
Good luck.