Help. Promotion possibility... but not... UPDATE post 26

[SDSorority]

Hi everyone. There is another job at work that I am being "recruited" for. It's in a different department than I'm in now and here are the specs. What would you do in my situation??

1- The new job would be almost a $10k a year increase
2- The new job would be a lateral job move
3- The new job would be mainly supporting an Executive, but helping out with the rest of the department
4- My mother-in-law works in the above mentioned "rest of the department"
5- I would be guaranteed to get this job, as I am being recruited for it
6- The daily tasks aren't really INTERESTING or EXCITING, but the ladies that work in the department (all ladies) are nice
7- The new building is OLD and run down, much less attractive than my current office
8- The job hours would be exactly the same, as are the benefits


I am really going back and forth about this new job.... looking from the outside in, what do you guys think?

 

[clanmcculloch]

With it being a lateral move, my question would be how does it fit into future career plans? Does this move help, hinder or make no difference for future career advancement? If it's the same or better then take the extra money. If it'll hinder future advancement then think long and hard before accepting.

Can you handle being in a support position for your MIL?

Is your current job interesting or exciting? How do the tasks compare in this regard?

 

[SDSorority]

With it being a lateral move, my question would be how does it fit into future career plans? Does this move help, hinder or make no difference for future career advancement? If it's the same or better then take the extra money. If it'll hinder future advancement then think long and hard before accepting.

Can you handle being in a support position for your MIL?

Is your current job interesting or exciting? How do the tasks compare in this regard?

This is exactly why I'm going back and forth. I have no idea what my career path should be. I work at a college in admission, and this would be in an academic department. I went to college to be a music teacher, which is what I do on the side. So my "9-5" career path is all still up in the air.

I don't know if I can handle being a support staff to my MIL. She makes me crazy. Nice lady, but I think it would be weird. Luckily the position would be 85% supporting the executive of her department... but there would be times that I would have to run copies or whatever else for MIL.

In my current role, I am a ''receptionist'' kind of (it's not in my job title, but it's something that I also do) as well as an event planner for the students that visit the college. I like interacting with my own students and the prospective students, but it's not a GREAT job, you know? I have to deal with a lot of crazy people...

 

[dzneprincess]

IMHO anytime u can move up without disrupting your life you should go for it. It might lead to more opportunities.

 

[tinker&belle]

I guess it really would come down to how professional you MIL is. If she is a super professional person and you maybe you can have a conversation up front about both your expectations of working together are, then it would be worth it. I could see it become drama if there is already drama there.

 

[DVCLiz]

I would definitely take the job that pays more money. That extra 10K a year could do so much more for you down the road if you can save and invest some of it. You sound bored in your other job and you have applied for changes in the past so I would take this offer and run.

 

[SDSorority]

I would definitely take the job that pays more money. That extra 10K a year could do so much more for you down the road if you can save and invest some of it. You sound bored in your other job and you have applied for changes in the past so I would take this offer and run.

That idea keeps bouncing around in my head. DH said take the 'promotion' or whatever it would be, then keep looking for another job.

 

[Cruise]

Keep in mind too that even though it's a "lateral move," you'll often be asked your salary history when applying for another job. Believe me, any recruiter is going to see a $10k salary jump as a promotion, not a lateral move. It would also give more validity to requesting a higher salary if you do decide to apply for other positions.

Now, personally, I still wouldn't take it....but you haven't met my mother-in-law. You couldn't pay me enough.... But if she were normal, I probably would.

 

[SDSorority]

Keep in mind too that even though it's a "lateral move," you'll often be asked your salary history when applying for another job. Believe me, any recruiter is going to see a $10k salary jump as a promotion, not a lateral move. It would also give more validity to requesting a higher salary if you do decide to apply for other positions.

Now, personally, I still wouldn't take it....but you haven't met my mother-in-law. You couldn't pay me enough.... But if she were normal, I probably would.

I know, mine makes me crazy sometimes, but she really IS a very nice lady. Just very.... helicopter-ish. DH went from one mommy (her), to another mommy (me) , so she likes to tell me what he does and doesn't like and yaddy yaddy yaddy. OYE. But she is really very nice and I think it would be ok. She doesn't hang out in her office because she's either teaching classes or working on her PH.D at home.

 

[crisi]

I'd go for it. But I'd mention your concerns to your mother in law before you took the job and make sure she is on board for it and understands you don't need an "extra" boss just because she's your mother in law - nor extra "help."

 

[SDSorority]

I'd go for it. But I'd mention your concerns to your mother in law before you took the job and make sure she is on board for it and understands you don't need an "extra" boss just because she's your mother in law - nor extra "help."

yeah definitely.

 

[Bren's Mom]

I just read an article about lateral moves being a GOOD idea within a company because it makes you more valuable, you are able to work in more areas within the company.

I would take it IF I had a good relationship with my MIL.

 

[SDSorority]

I just read an article about lateral moves being a GOOD idea within a company because it makes you more valuable, you are able to work in more areas within the company.

I would take it IF I had a good relationship with my MIL.

This is what my MIL just emailed to me:

"And selfishly, I would certainly enjoy working with you! We would do some things together when I have Academic Affairs!"


....ok just as long as she doesn't like... want to go to lunch every day or something.

 

[EeyoreEma]

I'd go for it. I would think that the extra money would be a great thing, and who knows - maybe working with your mother-in-law would foster a better relationship. Perhaps by interacting with each other in a professional environment she'd realize that she doesn't need to tell you what to do in regards to your husband!

 

[Disneychix]

I would go for it because there's no way a 10K annual increase in pay can be seen as a lateral move- and if it truly is, I would jump at the chance to do basically the same thing as I do today for 10K more! Obvisouly you work at the same college as MIL now so it's not too much different. Does the college know about your relationship? Will it matter at all as far as your reviews/promotions in the future.

 

[GoofyBaseballMom26]

As someone who has worked for Universities for 20+ years, I would go for it if it meant that big of a raise IF you think you would like the work. I have worked in central Admin and on a departmental level and they are very different. I guess I am interested in knowing how a lateral move will
generate a $10k raise?? At both Universities I've worked for, a lateral move is just that... no raise involved. I'm sure you will make the right decision.

 

[SDSorority]

I would go for it because there's no way a 10K annual increase in pay can be seen as a lateral move- and if it truly is, I would jump at the chance to do basically the same thing as I do today for 10K more! Obvisouly you work at the same college as MIL now so it's not too much different. Does the college know about your relationship? Will it matter at all as far as your reviews/promotions in the future.

Luckily I wouldn't ever 'report' to her, so I wouldn't imagine that our relationship would prevent or hurt any reviews or promotions.

 

[SDSorority]

As someone who has worked for Universities for 20+ years, I would go for it if it meant that big of a raise IF you think you would like the work. I have worked in central Admin and on a departmental level and they are very different. I guess I am interested in knowing how a lateral move will
generate a $10k raise?? At both Universities I've worked for, a lateral move is just that... no raise involved. I'm sure you will make the right decision.

THANKS! I work as the visit coordinator in the admission office at my college, and this is a move to an exec secretary in the nursing department. Job title wise, it's still support staff in the same class that I am, but I make much less than this new role makes... so I guess it IS a promotion money-wise, but not job title-wise.

 

[StephMK]

That's a nice bump in pay! If you think you could potentially like the work, I'd take it. Would they let you shadow for a day so you could get a sense of the duties?

Take it as a nice compliment that MIL probably gave her ok for them to recruit you to her dept & sent you that email! I had a to giggle, your DH sounds a lot like mine in terms of being babied. We went through several years before he learned not that I am not his new mom and not to say "my mom does it like this". She has eased up a lot on offering opinions also. Just hold your ground when you need to & she will learn to respect your own ideas & opinions regarding her baby.

 

[Fyrefly]

It sounds to me like neither one is your dream job, or is going to put you on a track to your dream job, beyond some networking opportunities that won't change since you'll still be in the university.

I think if you can work with MIL in a professional setting and the job seems like its a stable one that isn't going to be cut from the university budget, you should change. 10K more a year is always a good plus, and since it seems like both are equally OK for you, why not make some more $$$ and get a change in scenery while you look for options elsewhere in your field?

Good luck in whatever you choose!