Switching jobs advice

[quanb]

I already have a pretty good "job." I work full-time; it's just that it's not usually very busy, so I have a lot of down time there, which is great. I like my odd schedule, too.


But I have an offer for a different job somewhere else. I would have a normal, day schedule, and the pay would be better. The thing is there is a possibility I could work for the company that I really want to work for later on this year.


Yes, I definitely want to switch jobs. The question is when? I don't really want to switch now if I might get this other job later on in the year. Am I crazy for not wanting to have to get hired at a new company knowing that I may only work there for 4 or 5 months? I don't want to be a job hopper, but at the same time, I hate to base decisions on a future that may not even be there. I feel very blessed to even have these options. I'm just not really certain as to what to do about them. I've gone back and forth with my decision, but I have to officially let them know by the end of this week.


What would you do in this situation and why? Any advice and extra insight is so greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Joubert[$]]

Hi, Quanb. Don't think we've run across each other, so welcome.

Some jobs (thinking sales and certain types of sciences) are okay for short-term roles.

What I hear you saying is: more enjoyable job with better schedule and more money now vs. "the possibility" that you could work for your dream company later.

If it were me, I would work on how confident I was in that possibility. If it was only a chance and the job isn't even posted, I don't know if you can sit back and wait. What happens if the job never opens up? What happens if it opens and you're not the one hired for it?

Without giving away detail, how do you know about this possible job at the dream company? Have they told you they want to bring you on and are only waiting for funding or something or is it just, "Hey, Quan, we may be expanding that group in October."

If it is the latter, only you can decide how much of your lower-paying, less enjoyable job you're willing to endure for the chance.

Tough call.

[meagan[$]]

It is a tough call, particularly because my advice would probably vary by industry and the specifics. For me, it comes down the mission, possiblity of new challenges/responsibility, and the people. It sounds like you're feeling restless at your current job and have enough down time to dream about what you could do with that down time if you were paid more money.

If it were me, I'd wait until I was making a more long-term move unless I was completely and utterly miserable at my current job. I wouldn't want to "prove myself" for a year at 2 different places. It takes a lot of energy!

Just my opinion. Feel free to post a few more details here. There's lots of open minds and ears.