Posted: 7/24/2007 5:53:33 AM EDT
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I apologize in advance about the length, I'm really looking for some experienced opinions on the subject. I'll take unexperienced opinions too though. Ok, first a little back ground on myself. I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with an electrical engineering degree in the summer of '05. I got a job immediately out of school as an installation/field engineer with a predominant manufacturer of equipment within the industry. I feel like I took to the job fairly well, and within about a year I had assumed a role that was not filled within the company. I worked primarily in the field environment closely with the customer. I feel like I have formed somewhat of a reputation amongst the relatively small group of people working and managing a group of related projects. By reputation, I mean I've met many people my senior from varying other companies that have heard good things about me previously. I worked within a group of people who I really enjoyed working with. The group with staffed and managed by a group of young and energetic people. I got along great with my bosses. Things changed when my company tried to push out a new product. I got involved and was slated to be the one to make the first installation and commissioning of the product. Well, it turns out that our product group suffered some major personnel losses and was generally over worked. The product launch was going pretty bad, so my management got me involved to assist with what I could. I fit pretty well and was able to provide some creative/necessary input and the overall launch went well. As it turns out, my company plans to push this new product aggressively. Management from the product group and my group came to the conclusion that I could add productivity in the product group. So, as of February this year I moved to the product group. I actually received a fairly substantial raise of 18% with a total raise percentage since I started about a year and a half ago of about 28%. However, the initial starting salary was less than the median for my industry/specialty and less than what I originally wanted. Fast forward six months. I really like the new people I work with and developing a novel product is definitely interesting, but my boss is a loser. Moral within the department is abysmal because the main boss is so inept at what he does. He is ultra demanding of his people, but provides no support and continually sells us up the river. We are completely overworked and he refuses to seriously consider bring in new talent despite the fact we have close to 20 million dollars worth of contracts within the last 6 months. While it might just be the situation, I've found I much preferred the aspects of project engineering to product engineering. To top it all off, I now feel like I have no upward mobility. I know that I'm young and need to be patient, but when I report to the boss of close to 80 people from an interdisciplinary team I don't think I have anywhere to go. I know my boss isn't getting promoted any time soon, and I wouldn't even WANT his job. Ok, then yesterday I get a call from a customer I worked with in my previous position and continue to support if possible in my new position. He really wants my specific support on the project, and my management refuses to give it to him due to my new responsibility. So he arranged for me to have an interview with a small (~40) engineering contracting firm staffed by several high profile engineers within the industry. Obliviously, he will gain my support for this company if I higher on. From how the customer has been talking, the interview is a formality. He has vouched for me personally and feels that I'll get offered a job. Now I obviously will have to deny that my customer contact ever got involved in the process if I take the job because the customer's company and my company have a semi-legal no talent poaching agreement. I say semi-legal because in Texas as a right to work state, companies can not officially take part in this behavior. Whew, there's the back ground. Now my questions, should I have loyalty to my current company? They did offer me a job right out of college, though I feel I was well qualified, and gave me a level of responsibility and experience I might not have gotten the chance to gain at another company. But then again, I have often felt that I was given that responsibility in a sink-or-swim manner out of managements desperation for talent. I've seen people leave the company. It seems standard fare to blame them for everything once they've left. Even as much as general bad talking by the managers about the people that left. I have never given notice at a professional company how does one go about doing so and what type of response should I expect? I don't intend to accept the offer for less what I feel is a somewhat substantial raise I will be losing some vested 401k savings and probably burning some bridges. I guess I'm just a loyal person by nature and feel the need to compensate my current company back. Is this foolish? I have worked hard for them and gave them what they paid for and more I feel, but should I let that affect my decision? |
Dear Boss, FU. Magnus357 ok, ok, here's the real one. Dear Boss, I am resigning from Company XYZ effective Friday, August xx, 2007. I have enjoyed working here and wish you nothing but the best in future endeavors. Sincerely, Magnus357 Just a note - some companies escort employees out immediately upon receiving a resignation letter. Make sure your desk is cleared out before you turn it in.
If you get a "substantial raise" when you change jobs then put half of it into your new company's 401k and you'll make up the difference quickly. That way your paycheck will still increase but you'll be saving more as well to offset any vesting losses.
There are very, very few companies these days that can afford to be loyal to their employees. Most aren't, and it sounds like you haven't been in the job market long enough to learn that. If you're not happy in your current job and don't see opportunities for advancement, then it's time to leave. |
EXACTLY. Also clear out your office slow but sure because you will get walked out when you tender your resignation. Be polite in your "FU I QUIT" letter, but don't send it until you have a written offer in hand from the new outfit. btw, when you leave, everything that goes wrong with their old project will be blamed on you (until the next person walks) Nothing worse than a bad boss, screw em. |
| In the engineering world, 80% of college new hires are gone within 18 months. That you are still around is unusual. Go for the money and career advancement. In your resignation letter, state "career advancement" (don't mention money) and how you enjoyed the opportunity to work for the old employer (don't burn bridges). |
I do not believe that I did I need to go back and look; however, I do know that in Texas, non-compete clauses are difficult to enforce if not drafted correctly. Additionally, I would not be competing with my current company. I would effectively become the customer as the company I'm interviewing at is directly contracted by the customer. I appreciate everyone's comments. I really have been feeling almost sick thinking about the steps I'll have to take. This whole thing is also moving VERY fast. I found out about this the day before yesterday, and I'm interviewing today. In fact, it'll even be a video conference interview because I'm currently on site and everyone (me too? I don't know) wants this to go down fast. I've decided on a number in my head that they'll need to hit. It may be slightly aggressive, but I figure that I hold the upper hand here as I already have a good job that I probably couldn't get fired from if I wanted to. |
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I have seen a lot of people leave companies and come back later for more pay. The fast way to get a raise is to leave for more money then return for even more money. Take the new job. Leave the old company on good terms. Don't talk bad about anyone. Try to kep the new company connected with the old company. Help out your old groups even after you leave. If you don't like the new company you should beable to return to your old company with a raise since you will now have contacts. |