Posting this Career thing here because it’s partly a result of my surgery

I feel so much better and more confident after my surgery that I’m on verge of another big change but am torn.

20 years in an exec level position In a profession that has seen many changes and as a result I really enjoy about only 25 percent of it. I pretty much hate The rest of it.

I am just beneath the boss rank wise. She plans to retire within 5 years, and she and a few (not all) influentials would like to see me ascend to her position. I am well known and respected within my field. She and I get along great but she’s a real micromanager. We are truly like sisters are in real life (not all rosy but like sisters).

The thing is that I don’t know if I WANT her job in 5 years. Industry trends are not good . But if I wait to make a move in 5 years I might have a hard time finding similar paying positions in my mid 50s. (In my field, young = appealing).
I still really believe in what I do but not how we are going about our objectives. I’ve tried faking it, and I’m good at faking it.
Money is more and more of an issue at my job because recent sales are not good, so it is a constant pressure point of everyone at work, even those who were hired for their expertise unrelated to sales..
An opportunity has come up with a slightly better salary, with much better 401K match. I know the owners and most of the senior staff well as I had a job there when I was a few years out of college and they were a poor startup. I left for more money and opportunities on good terms and this company with this opportunity has grown to a point of financial comfort and security through lucrative long term contracts and partnerships. My job would related to but not exactly my current field. It would be much more focused on one function and one product.
HOWEVER, it would be less high ranking. My new title would look like I took a step down. I would not be joined at the hip with the boss. Now, I have the inside on everything, good and bad.
It would hit like a ton of bricks both inside and outside my company if I left. It would especially hit my boss like a ton of bricks. Im worried I would lose my relationship and mentor ship. I’m also worried ppl will think I’m a failure for going back to my old bosses and with less supervisory responsibility.
But I’m 50 and I worry about my ability to compete down the line if I don’t take .
Do I stay as the captains first mate in a leaky but fancy ship on turbulent seas where fish are becoming more scarce or go back to be an ordinary But senior sailor on the smaller fishing boat on calm seas that now brings in a big catch every day almost guaranteed?

Hi there,

Your choice could depend on where you are in your home life. The various stages of life could be thought of as…the sunrise, high noon, and the sunset. You wrote that you are in your 50’s. What stage do you consider yourself in? Are you still at high noon or are you approaching the sunset? Which job choice could bring you more peace and comfort at home?

Good day to you, Moon and stars

HI there!

Do you feel like the new position will be as rewarding even though its a "step down" ? Also, when you say it will look like a step down, are you worried about the next move after this one? If you have a good reason for taking a step back then it shouldn't matter.. the fact that your current industry isn't growing sounds like a good reason to make a small shift.

I am a sales recruiter at a massive company that often asks candidates to take a step into a lower level role in order to get their foot in the door. I have had this conversation with prospective employees many times. If you have a good "why" and makes sense to you then that is a good reason and shows you are not just running away from your current role.

If your current boss (and mentor) is truly a friend she will want the best for you. She may be honkerblonked off at first to learn you are leaving her but if it's for the best for you she will understand.

I think a new role with less responsibility and more money sounds like a good move.

Good luck with your decision and keep us posted!

Take care,
Mel

	Quote:
Originally Posted by BlossomEndRot I feel so much better and more confident after my surgery that I’m on verge of another big change but am torn. 20 years in an exec level position In a profession that has seen many changes and as a result I really enjoy about only 25 percent of it. I pretty much hate The rest of it. I am just beneath the boss rank wise. She plans to retire within 5 years, and she and a few (not all) influentials would like to see me ascend to her position. I am well known and respected within my field. She and I get along great but she’s a real micromanager. We are truly like sisters are in real life (not all rosy but like sisters). The thing is that I don’t know if I WANT her job in 5 years. Industry trends are not good . But if I wait to make a move in 5 years I might have a hard time finding similar paying positions in my mid 50s. (In my field, young = appealing). I still really believe in what I do but not how we are going about our objectives. I’ve tried faking it, and I’m good at faking it. Money is more and more of an issue at my job because recent sales are not good, so it is a constant pressure point of everyone at work, even those who were hired for their expertise unrelated to sales.. An opportunity has come up with a slightly better salary, with much better 401K match. I know the owners and most of the senior staff well as I had a job there when I was a few years out of college and they were a poor startup. I left for more money and opportunities on good terms and this company with this opportunity has grown to a point of financial comfort and security through lucrative long term contracts and partnerships. My job would related to but not exactly my current field. It would be much more focused on one function and one product. HOWEVER, it would be less high ranking. My new title would look like I took a step down. I would not be joined at the hip with the boss. Now, I have the inside on everything, good and bad. It would hit like a ton of bricks both inside and outside my company if I left. It would especially hit my boss like a ton of bricks. Im worried I would lose my relationship and mentor ship. I’m also worried ppl will think I’m a failure for going back to my old bosses and with less supervisory responsibility. But I’m 50 and I worry about my ability to compete down the line if I don’t take . Do I stay as the captains first mate in a leaky but fancy ship on turbulent seas where fish are becoming more scarce or go back to be an ordinary But senior sailor on the smaller fishing boat on calm seas that now brings in a big catch every day almost guaranteed?

Thanks to you both. I also learned a new word, honkerblonked?

	Quote:
Originally Posted by BlossomEndRot Thanks to you both. I also learned a new word, honkerblonked?

Certain words aren't allowed, and the site has a website censor. Those words automatically replaced with **** or with a silly word, in this case "honkerblonked". Over the years I've sort of grown fond of the word honkerblonked.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Catherine Certain words aren't allowed, and the site has a website censor. Those words automatically replaced with **** or with a silly word, in this case "honkerblonked". Over the years I've sort of grown fond of the word honkerblonked.

I didn't think my original word was anything offensive but I literally burst out laughing when I read the replacement, ha!

Maybe I will start using honkerblonked! lol