I recently got a corporate job as a manager at a F500 retail company.

14 Comments

1. AnonymousJune 12,2022 at 5:41PM UTC

   Leaving behind a secure and safe job always carries risk. But honestly I've never made my decisions based on fear of "what if". I work really hard on growing my skill set, amassing high level experience and moving around to expose myself to as much opportunity as possible. I continue to grow my network of contacts and make sure I give more than I take. I leave the rest to take care of itself.

2. AnonymousJune 12,2022 at 5:49PM UTC

   Research the longevity of the company and how well it performed during previous recessions I.e 2008 and 1993 as key indicators.

   Also, If the retail company scooped up the right marketing team to pivot to e-commerce and there is an international demand, your company should be in good shape. It’s mostly the small companies, mom and pops that have been wiped out and swallowed up by the Walmarts and targets and amazons. So if your company offers unique products that the heavy hitters cannot necessarily duplicate, your company should be in good shape. Congratulations and good luck

3. Heather BinghamJune 12,2022 at 10:31PM UTC

   I would say that the recession is here, so if they are hiring, they are probably doing well. The person below who suggests looking at the longevity of the business and their performance in previous recessions makes an excellent point. All recessions are different, with different industries suffering in different ways, but that is still an excellent indicator. As long as you don't make your decision purely on failing courage, then you will make the right choice. I too wish you good luck either way.

4. Mhairi DunnJune 13,2022 at 12:46PM UTC

   yes. good luck x

5. Crystal HowellJune 13,2022 at 12:57PM UTC

   Leave on great terms, if you had to return.

   Take the money and run. Live on your current income and bank the rest.

   We all need clothing.

6. AnonymousJune 13,2022 at 1:36PM UTC

   i don't know how to answer your question. it's really a toss up and you have to decide. There are no guarantees in life. Better money and change is good! If you're in a rut and no upward movement, that's a downer. I would probably take the risk and go for it...better money or not, your brain needs a new challenge. Good luck and God Bless!

7. Joanna PoeJune 13,2022 at 3:00PM UTC

   You cannot predict what will come; in February of 2020, I started a tech job at a travel agency. Oops. But the position I'd left was not sustainable from a mental health standpoint; the unemployment and anxiety of the next few months were tough, but, looking back, I would not have changed my decision.

   You're comfortable where you are, so you're not in the same boat, but you clearly want to stretch yourself, so I'd say go for it, but as others have said, leave in such a way that there's potentially still an open door at the old place, in case something doesn't work out.

8. Deb HornerJune 13,2022 at 5:30PM UTC

   You are in education - are you a teacher? Multitudes of teachers are leaving the profession this year due to stress, low pay, low advancement potential, and bad attitudes from administration. If you are one of the multitude, how badly has it affected your health? You often hear old people say "if you have your health you have everything" and it's very accurate. If you are healthy, you are spending less time off work recovering from your job. If you are healthy, you are spending less of your money on the pharmaceutical industry. If you are healthy, you are not drinking regularly or frequently to cope with the stress of your job. If you are healthy, you don't have to miss work to see a doctor. Now consider what you are currently doing to cope with the job you have RIGHT NOW. Is your blood pressure high? Do you have glaucoma? Do you have depression or an eating disorder? Are you drinking on a regular basis? What is your diet like? Is it balanced, or are you eating a plethora of fast food because you don't have the time or energy to cook? Do you have the time to explore your hobbies to enrich your own mind and restore your own energy level? For instance, I was transferred to a different school building six weeks before the pandemic shut America. I loved the kids and my co-workers, but I HATED my administrator, because she was a bully. The last week of school she phoned me (we were working remotely, so I was at home) and berated me for 90 minutes on the telephone about how worthless I was as an employee. My blood pressure escalated to the point I thought I was going to have a massive stroke. It's the height of the pandemic, so I can't even go to the ER for help. I took to my bed, and drank plenty of water to reduce my BP. Six weeks later, I went to see the building director and told him I wasn't coming back in the fall - I couldn't work with or for that woman again. He referred me to HR, and I'm STILL working in that organization, but I don't ever have to work with the bully again. Taking care of yourself is YOUR priority. That means dealing with stress in positive ways (I'm spending the summer preserving food and quilting), getting exercise, and eating a balanced diet of food that isn't going to expand your waistline. I asked a lot of questions that only you can answer, and to which I don't need to know the answers. If working in education isn't working for you right now, then go with grace. If your new job doesn't work, then you can always go back into the classroom as a sub - Goodness knows districts can't hire anyone to sub. Whatever your choose, best wishes.

9. AnonymousJune 13,2022 at 6:29PM UTC

   I work in higher education. As a program manager. So kind of different from K12 but I work with K12 schools sometimes. Thank you for your input. That gives me a lot to consider.

10. AnonymousJune 13,2022 at 9:16PM UTC

    Wow, this is exactly how I feel as I'm also in education, state employee. I've worked in the corporate world but there's a safety net in higher ed. When there's a recession, folks go back to school which helps those of us in higher ed. I have hoped for a new position, completely remote that pays more and grows my skills. I have decided I'm seeking a side hustle instead so I have the safety net of my full-time state role while increasing my skills on the side. Good luck!

11. AnonymousJune 14,2022 at 6:44PM UTC

    This is honestly what I should do. Everything just feels so uncertain and scary right now. And I don’t see it getting better soon. Would the pay increase be nice? Absolutely. But is it worth it if I get laid off in 6 months and lose all my security? I honestly don’t know.

12. AnonymousJune 14,2022 at 10:51PM UTC

    An idea is to negotiate a sign-on bonus then bank it,

    look at the company’s financial history and ask in the interview their financial future. Sometimes the questions can help put your mind at ease. I’ve jumped off a few cliffs in my recruiting career and wouldn’t change a thing. It was scary but it catapulted my skills that after the first contract ended it opened tons of doors.

13. AnonymousJune 15,2022 at 12:02PM UTC

    This is so helpful - I am facing some of the same decisions soon and I am torn between my safe position where I am still growing and learning versus going back to building level work. The only difference is in money and benefits and a shorter commute. Reading the comments gave me some perspective.

14. C AllenJune 17,2022 at 7:15PM UTC

    I recall an article I saw on FGB (I think) where it said organizations will put women into high-level positions (namely, CEO) when things are going south. The phenomenon is called the "Glass Cliff". Sometimes they are able to succeed and turn things around, but not all the time. It's almost always a "can't win" situation.

    Obviously, there's alot more to it then what I've stated thus far. I don't know if that's the case here, but be aware and do your research!