Career advice?

I am not really sure what I am asking for here. Maybe reassurance? Maybe a shove in the right direction? Maybe nothing.

Okay, it's no secret what I do for a living. To most people I know, it isn't a secret that I don't really like it. (I love the job, and my customers, just not the circumstances surrounding it. I'll leave it at that for now, if you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all.)

I like Atlanta, and I like being here. Plenty of exciting stuff to do, and Road Atlanta is right here. My girlfriend has a decent job here. We get by fairly comfortably.

I have an interview next week that is 700 miles away. The job is PERFECT and I really hope I get it. Better pay, better benefits (ie. not non-existant), and some interesting perks. I am also intrigued by the prospect of what the job entails as there is a TON of potential growth. I could also see myself working there for multiple years. If I can stay in a job I hate for 2 years then I could certainly stay at a job I enjoy for longer.

The downside is that it's back in the frozen north, and I REALLY hate snow. On the plus side, the company has much less of a PRoblem (capitalization intentional)

Tell me what you think. Ask me anything. advice?

Mostly, I just want out... is that enough of a reason to take it?

My mind is in a million places right now, so if none of this makes sense, disregard.

If you don't work outside, snow is a minor annoyance. Miss the year round autocross? There are solutions for that, too:

My only concern is that in this economy you may want to hold onto any job you have.

I think the most important thing is the girlfriend... what happens there?

She is moving with me if I get the job, we've discussed it. She just isn't stoked about being unemployed.

I used to live in Michigan, and I REALLY miss rallycross. Especially in the snow. I miss snowboarding, and iceskating, and sledding. I just don't miss the cold. I love being able to ride my motorcycle year round.

So...what do you do now again?

You spend more time at a job, getting ready, going to and from a job than home. Having a job you can't stand is soul crushing. No job is perfect, but if you're hating it - well you know it, your customers and people who know you will see it and if you don't have the power to change the job your at - do yourself the favor of moving on to better circumstances. Besides, Atlanta is hot and sticky - go get some seasons.

700 miles to where?

I agree... working a job you hate is just a quick way to hating life in general

I thought I was reasonably happy with my most recent job, teaching at a private school. I knew teaching was not the place for me, knew I wanted to become a brewer, and was ready to pursue a career change.

I didn't fully realize how much I needed to be out of that career until I got laid off. I'm not even looking at a step up in pay for a while, but it is still a huge relief and excitement.

Seems like moving into a job that really means something to you and brings better pay an benefits is win after win.

better to take the chance at 24 than say 40-ish w/ wife n kids in tow

what does your g/f do? this will either break you two up or bring you very close together

mad_machine wrote: 700 miles to where? I agree... working a job you hate is just a quick way to hating life in general

Yeah, it was pretty darn quick. My girlfriend and my dog are the only things I have to look forward to in my day. I don't know what I would do without them, and I tell them that every day.

I had a very positive outlook on life before I started my job, and now I am extremely depressed, overweight, irritable, achy and always tired. I just want it to end (my job, not my life).

The interview is next Friday in Ohio. It's for a company that currently sells parts for German cars, and is looking to branch out into the brand that I currently represent. I am hoping to bring my knowledge of the industry, my contacts, and my proven marketing and sales tactics to their facility. If I were to get the job, I would start out as the only person in this section of the business, and build it up from essentially nothing but a name. It's a good starting point because that name has value, and their order fulfillment and customer service is top notch (contrary to what I am used to).

Here's another question, what reasons are there for you not to take this job? Greater risk? An unknown area? Snow?

If those are going to prevent you from pursuing an opportunity to make yourself happy, you need to grow a pair.

If the issue is your relationship with your girlfriend, that's a tougher one. If this is a big enough dream, you need to follow it. If this really is a dream opportunity, and she's not set trying to cement a dream of her own, she'll follow you if she loves you.

She works for an elevator company. She just got the job about a month ago, but she is very happy doing what she is doing.

If I were to get the job, however, I would likely earn about what the two of us earn together now, so jumping at the chance would be a no-brainer. She is just not looking forward to being unemployed again (she was for a month before getting her current job.) However, I am confident that she will find something quickly because she is very employable.

If your job is dragging down your quality of life that drastically (BTDT) you NEED to get out of it. Life's too short, man.

Go up and ace the interview, let them make you an offer. See where it goes from there.

Salanis wrote: Here's another question, what reasons are there for you *not* to take this job? Greater risk? An unknown area? Snow?

Well, honestly, if the money is right, none of those are enough for me not to take it. I can get over snow, I lived in it for 22 years. I don't mind moving somewhere new (I did it when I moved to Atlanta). The risk is greater, but that's most of the fun. I really look forward to the challenge of heading a department by myself.

I am mostly trying to ease my fears about the interview process. I am going to beat myself up about it if I don't get an offer. I REALLY want to get that offer.

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, I just hope my tracks are headed toward the exit.

You've been more than pulling your weight while being shackled down by b.s. This is your opportunity to be cut free and put your skill and effort into driving something forward, not being pulled down.

Kick ass.

Take names.

I bet you will find things that you absolutely hate at your new job. If it gets you to a location you want to be and closer to people you want to be around do it.

It is all about the positive mental attitude.

bengro wrote: I bet you will find things that you absolutely hate at your new job. If it gets you to a location you want to be and closer to people you want to be around do it. It is all about the positive mental attitude.

I am sure I will find things I won't like. But seriously, there is NO job as bad as my job. I don't even mind the job, it's just the negativity associated with the work.

My boss treats me more like I am one of his illegitimate children than an employee. He demands respect, though gives none in return. He has said derogatory things about me TO my customers. He is extremely racist, sexist, and elitist. He makes me feel uncomfortable on a nearly daily basis. He is a classic case of narcissistic, paranoid, sociopathic, with just a dash of aspergers syndrome.

Maroon92 wrote: She works for an elevator company.

How's the elevator business??........you know, up and down. ta da boom.

(old vaudville joke - Henny Youngman?)

sorry

pete240z wrote:

Maroon92 wrote: She works for an elevator company.

How's the elevator business??........you know, up and down. ta da boom. (old vaudville joke - Henny Youngman?) sorry

She had to start at the ground floor, but she is working her way up in the company. She certainly rises to the occasion, and knows how to push all the right buttons. She can certainly lobby for her cause.

I'd go for it, at the very least, you've got more responsibility at the new job and a nice pay bump to make up for the move. That will play well on the resume and with the lady friend I'd think.

I'm starting a similar change myself, my job is miserable, so I'm putting all my eggs in one basket and taking 2 months off to get my CDL and just scrape by on a part-time job until class is over.

A bit of suffering for an easier life at the end of it? Sounds good to me.

My only advice is that this is a public forum. I see you have some issues about where you work but it may not be wise to air those issues out so openly. You may want to be sure you land the new job before you ruining the current job.

I wish you the best of luck in getting what you want but I recommend taking the high road until that happens.

Good advice in this thread so far.

I'd say if it's weighing on your that heavily, there really is no choice. Good luck in the interview.

JoeyM wrote: My only concern is that in this economy you may want to hold onto any job you have.

This is rubbish.

I'll elaborate in a few weeks.

My advice is this,

If it is what is good for your "family" unit then go, if not keep a looking.

Good Luck

The only think I can add is that after 22 years living here in MI, you should know that Ohio isn't nearly the same winters as Michigan.

The only thing that I regularly see more there than here is ice. They seem to have the same amount of crazy snow, nasty cold spells, etc- just not quite as bad being barely south.

Not sure where in Ohio, so...

Good luck with the decision!

As for the economy thing- I'm with Z31. It's not as bad as we think, but I would not be suprised that managers use it as an excuse to treat employees not so well- either with payment, benefits, or even face to face.