I am desperate for work advice (long)

[Deleted]

So I have worked at the same small company for 8 years (straight out of college). I am the most experienced person here that is not part owner. There have been ups and downs but I am pretty happy right now. The pay is decent and it's easy-going. We are starting ttc this month and this place is family-friendly.

So during lunch I get this call from my old co-worker who was let go. He's now working for our competitor (bigger than us) who is building their business in the area. They are really interested in me and want to talk. Since they are just starting up, I will be one of a few, I guess, and their office is about 45 min. away from my house. I work 15 min away right now.

I have never looked for another job so this is all pretty overwhelming. On one hand, the job doesn't sound very appealing to me (I would want an even larger organization) but I have always hated change. I feel that I should be loyal to my boss because they have always met my raise requests, etc. I mean...my boss bought every single thing off my registry (almost 1K worth) when I got married.

Oh yes, here's another little twist. The guy kind of hinted that my company is looking to sell and they may get bought out by this new company. I have no idea if this is true or not.

So wwyd? Do I go talk to them and see what it's about? Do I disregard them and just stay here. I'm thinking that it would be dangerous to interview with them and try to get a salary match if we get bought out in the future. If I stay here, is there any benefit to telling my boss I was approached?

[mrssandro]

Sounds like you are happy where you are. So I think you probably need to discuss the possibility of the company selling with your boss. I would let him/her know you where approached. Gives you leverage.

[Deleted]

A 45 min commute to a job that does not sound interesting when you are treated very well where you are does not sound good to me at all.

Why was x-coworker let go? Is this person a bad apple who loves to fuel the rumor mill. Do you know if this person provides accurate info?

Also just b/c the company wants to buy your company does not mean that the deal will go through.

If you are not at all interested in the new job I would ask your boss about it saying something like hey "friends of mine in the industry have been saying we are about to get bought out"

[jenny1223]

It never hurts to hear them out, but I would probably stay put if I were you. Even if the bigger company buys out your company, you'll likely still have a job if they are that interested in you.

Depending on your relationship with your boss (sounds like a good one), I might try to get some info from him about the possibility of the company selling.

[Deleted]

Oh, I should also mention that I work in a specific industry (oil and gas) and there are not really any other jobs in this area. That's the main reason why I haven't looked for another jobs. This other job would be the only alternative unless I move or work in a more general engineering role.

[Pilsy]

Why was your former colleague let go? Layoffs? Poor performance?

[mbcdefg]

I would personally just say "thanks but no thanks," and keep my mouth shut about it at work.

[Deleted]

My former co-worker is pretty old and he got lazy. So they fired him to hire a cheap young guy who worked about a year and left. The management in that dept is different from my dept and they suck. My old co-worker wasn't given any warning or discipline to correct his behavior and was asked to leave the same day. The boss is sleeping with the admin (who he gave the title of project manager) and now there is only one guy who spends most of his time on fb and youtube anyways.

[Deleted]

Oct 9, 2012 15:15:31 GMT -5 @missy1 said:

My former co-worker is pretty old and he got lazy. So they fired him to hire a cheap young guy who worked about a year and left. The management in that dept is different from my dept and they suck. My old co-worker wasn't given any warning or discipline to correct his behavior and was asked to leave the same day. The boss is sleeping with the admin (who he gave the title of project manager) and now there is only one guy who spends most of his time on fb and youtube anyways.

Ok based on this new info. Don't tell your boss anything and tell your x-coworker thanks but you are not interested.

[Deleted]

There really seems to be no benefit of entertaining the possibility of a new job, especially bc you're getting ready to TTC. I would stay put.

[Pilsy]

Your boss - the one who bought out your entire wedding registry - is sleeping with one of his employees? This just became way more interesting. haha

Not sure you can trust your former colleague. Your boss sounds…interesting, at best. But if you are content (or maybe even happy!) and feel as though you're reasonably compensated, in your shoes, I would stay put and pat myself on the back for landing a good gig with a sweet commute.

[Deleted]

Oct 9, 2012 15:21:58 GMT -5 Pilsy said:

Your boss - the one who bought out your entire wedding registry - is sleeping with one of his employees? This just became way more interesting. haha

Not sure you can trust your former colleague. Your boss sounds…interesting, at best. But if you are content (or maybe even happy!) and feel as though you're reasonably compensated, in your shoes, I would stay put and pat myself on the back for landing a good gig with a sweet commute.

No, ex-coworker and I are in different depts. My boss and the boss of that dept are different people. The other guy's a total db and my boss actually hates him too. lol

[Pilsy]

Ahh. Okay, my bad.

I still believe that, were I in your shoes, I'd stay put.

Good luck.

[sprky79]

Go hear what they have to say. You can always say no later.

[MadamePresident]

Unless you just really want this new job or feel like it gives you much better opportunities, I don't' see any reason to make a change.