Considering accepting a new offer, but I have questions

[StatGuy2000]

Hi everyone!

As I have noted before, I have been very fortunate in that I have a relatively secure position with a consulting firm (within the pharma/biotech sector) during the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, I have noticed somewhat of a slowdown in the work I'm getting, and so I had responded back to a call from a recruiter a few weeks ago for another company to "test the waters", so to speak.

Fast forward, and I have just got a call yesterday from the recruiter that the company I interviewed for made an offer. I'm seriously considering accepting the offer (better pay, similar benefits, promotion from present position), but I have some questions below:

1. After an initial slowdown, I'm starting to get new projects. Given that situation, should I even be accepting this position? I'm concerned about burning bridges if I leave at this junction.

2. Related to #1, if I do accept the offer, I want to do it in a way so that I don't antagonize my current employer or client, who I've developed a very good working relationship with. What would be your advice on how I should proceed?

I appreciate any insight that any of you can offer on my situation. Thanks!

 

[Vanadium 50]

In my profession, it is common to give a copy of the written offer to the chair and see if they counter.

 

[Choppy]

It can certainly be a tough, but fortunate spot to be in when you have an opportunity to give up a decent, stable position for something that looks like it's going to be better. With respect to question 1, I think the key point is that particularly in the current state of the economy, you to make sure that you're as certain as you can be that you're getting something better. And not just incrementally better, but very clearly this would be a step up. The fact that you're getting increased pay and a promotion certainly seems like that would be the case, but is that going to compensate for things like giving up the people you currently work with for a new set of co-workers, and climbing a bunch of new learning curves? Obviously these aren't factors that are easily quantifiable, but if it was me, I'd need to be pretty certain that the move is a net positive gain.

As to question 2, keeping from burning bridges, those kinds of conversations may not be easy to have, but I think this is a care where being open, honest, and transparent are all going to help you. Your manager(s) should already be aware that employees are going to seek and accept better offers if and when they come around. Figure out who needs to know about this and book some time to talk to them directly about it. You can even explain that you really want to maintain a good relationship moving forward. I think most managers will understand. And the more advance notice they have, the better position they'll be in for finding your replacement.

Either way, I hope it works out for you.

 

[berkeman]

if I do accept the offer, I want to do it in a way so that I don't antagonize my current employer or client, who I've developed a very good working relationship with.

Will your leaving right now cause a problem in the deliverables for the client(s)? Can others fairly easily fill in and cover the work, or will a new person need to be hired and trained before the client's needs can be satisfied? Will your leaving cause a temporary (or permanent) increase in the workload for others in the office?

We recently had a key person leave our company, and it's been tough to try to fill in for the work he was doing. It was a pretty unique skillset that we lost with him leaving, and about 4 of us have been doing our best to try to cover it all now, but it has definitely increased our workload (management isn't going to hire into that position for a while). I'm pretty good friends with the employee that left, and we all wished him well in the job change, but it's been tough trying to fill in for him.

I also have a pretty unique skillset at our company, with many years of experience with our older products that still sell in high volume. If I left, it would be extremely hard to fill in for all of the different work that I do (not bragging, just realistic). Fortunately the company takes pretty good care of me. Well, except for all of the extra work...

 

[Joshy]

I gave my last place a one month notice.

 

[StatGuy2000]

Hi everyone! I wanted to thank all of you for providing me with great feedback and advice.

I have ultimately decided to accept the new offer and have informed my managers (having the open, honest, and transparent conversation that is required), giving them 1 month notice (my last day on the job on July 3), even though I am only required to give the company 2 weeks. I am very fortunate that both of my managers have taken the news well, and have assured me that they will be more than happy to provide great references when requested.