Job dilemma

[Hidden_Mickey]

WWYD?

I have been working for a finance company for 15 years. I am an administrative assistant. I work in a suburb of NYC, and live in a nearby suburb. My commute is 20-25 minutes depending on traffic, but I'm going in the opposite direction of most traffic.

I have not been happy at this job for a while. I started to be asked to do more finance related tasks. I'm more of a planner / organizer type person. I manage, but, I can't balance my checkbook and they want me to do complex spreadsheets and analysis. It just doesn't come naturally to me, and I spend a lot of time being frustrated. Some tasks require a LOT of concentration, which I can only do for so long before I burn out. I ask my supervisor for help and he solves the problem with a click of the mouse, which does not help my self esteem. I would say I find 40% of my tasks to be simple organization and planning type tasks that come naturally to me. I am generally efficient and prompt. I usually like to do a task right away, but if I know I will struggle at something, I procrastinate. I have picked up bad procrastination habits. I surf the DIS when I need a brain break. BAD habit. It's a miracle that my supervisor hasn't picked up on it. A lot of people are busy, and many projects take forever, so my slow progress on some items does not raise red flags. I'm also not too friendly around the office, as I can be grumpy when frustrated. Not rude, but just not chatty, KWIM? I'm not a booty kisser or very talkative anyway, but I've clammed up more than usual.

I know any job has pros and cons. The pros for this one are the great commute, a boss who is a nice guy, who has a lot of patience, seniority, 4 weeks vacation, and good benefits. I haven't gotten a raise or bonus in 2 years, due to the division's lack of profits, but, in this economy, I felt lucky to have a job with a great commute and people. I have in the past worked for a guy who was a bear, so I know that working with someone you mesh with is a large part of job satisfaction. If I worked for a jerk, I probably would have bailed by now.

Well, I just found out that within a year the office will move to Manhattan. Lower Manhattan. I would have a 50 minute train ride, then a 15 minute subway ride, then a 10 minute walk, to get to an office tower. Then I assume it will take 10 minutes to get to my desk. I saw the building on a recent visit to the city. I've never worked in the city, or commuted so long. Never negotiated the subway on my own. After September 11, the prospect of working in an office tower in lower Manhattan gives me anxiety. My boss says he doesn't want to do it either, as he lives 20 minutes farther away than I do. He says he will most likely only do it until he can find something else, so there's a good chance I would end up working for someone else. Total crapshoot!

DH says I will have to suck it up and commute to a job I don't like. Great. He's thinking of benefits, vacation and seniority only. I really would like to look elsewhere, but, I'm scared! It's been 15 years since I interviewed. And I've developed a bad attitude and habits. I'm shy and a creature of habit, with some anxiety around change. I'm afraid if I start over somewhere else, my anxiety and bad habits will sabatoge my chances of success. I will lose my seniority. I would be the last hired and first fired.

I'm afraid to take a chance, but I really don't want to commute. If I made 6 figures it might be worth it. I can do what I do anywhere, for almost any firm. I feel like I should at least see what is out there. I don't know if I can find something closer with comparable benefits, but I won't know if I don't look, right?

There is a company in the building where I work that is in a creative field. Their website has an assistant project manager opening. I don't have some of the software qualifications they want, but the rest of the job sounds like something I could do. Part of me wants to apply, but part of me is terrified.

I suppose I could try the commute and see if it's really that bad, then make a change. I might be totally traumatized and clinically depressed by then

Any advice is appreciated. Change is coming, either way, and I'm freaking out. I'm really just venting because my stomach is knots, so thanks for reading.

 

[kwelch10377]

I say apply for the job that you found and see what happens. It could turn out that it would be perfect for you and the benefits could be comparable. If nothing else you will hopefully get some interviews under your belt. Any change is hard but many times a change can work out for the better.

 

[cornflake]

I say apply, can't hurt - and you can see what they offer in terms of benefits/vacation/etc., if they're interested. However, do that WHILE planning to commute.

Keep your options open. You might find new connections and opportunities in the City.

Also, not for nothing, but I think your estimations are off - by a bunch. Maybe because you're thinking it'll be "a commute" as if you don't commute now; you do commute now, it's just a shorter commute. You seem to be thinking it'll ALL be a giant pain but now you're subject to traffic, gas prices, having to dig the car out of the snow, etc.

If you get into Grand Central, and take the train downtown, it'd likely be in the 10-15 min. range, but I don't know where in the heck you're walking that'd be a 10-minute walk. I obviously actually don't know where you'd be working but there's very little that's a half mile from a train stop - are you sure you figured that correctly?

As well, the 10 minutes to get to your desk thing seems both inflated and missing stuff like how long it takes you to get to your desk now. Even if you say I just walk in and don't have to wait for an elevator (does not take 10 minutes, heh), you park, walk from the lot, go in, say hi, put your stuff down, etc. It's not much different just because it's a big building, honestly. Even ones with security - you'll have a pass, you wave it or swipe it and it doesn't slow you down any. It's an extra minute in the elevator.

I mean... now your commute is like 25 minutes. So the train would be 50 (is that the am train? Many routes do skip stop.), so it's 25 more, plus the outside 15 to take the train down. So it's actually 40 minutes more - BUT you also save on gas, get to relax on the train, read, etc. There are tradeoffs.

I'd really figure out the distance from the train to the office, as that seems strange to me (not impossible, just unlikely).

 

[mom2boys]

Apply for new jobs. You don't have to accept any of them. You will never know what's out there if you don't look. The office move will add over 2 hours to your daily commute. It is also going to cost more than your current commute.
It will be a lot easier to find a new job while you are working closer to home.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I definitely think you should start applying for new jobs, starting with the one in your building. If you loved your current job, then your only decision would be whether you want to take on a longer commute. Since you're already unhappy with the tasks you're being assigned, I think this would be a good time to see what else is out there and what jobs you might qualify for. The good news is that you have a year or so to look around. You might find something really awesome. Or, you might find that your current job is the best place for you, and perhaps you'll feel better about the commute. I know it's scary, but I think it would be a good time to test the waters and see what's out there. Good luck!

 

[bballmom56]

Don't forget you will have the added cost of commuting - the cost for the train and the subway twice daily. Plus you get delays, cancelled trains, etc. How far is the train station from your house?

My DS was hoping to work in the city, but after negotiating mass transit just for interviews, he decided the time, cost and stress were too great. He would only consider it if he lived in the city. And since he is young and less experienced at this point, the salary would not be enough to cover living arrangements right now. He has a job on this side of the river, but in morning commuter traffic, it is still a 1 1/4 hr. to 1 3/4 hr commute (yes, it varies that much) one way. I can't tell you how beneficial it is to be going in the opposite direction of traffic - I have done that as well.

Apply for jobs that look interesting to you and for which you are qualified. See if you get invited for interviews. There is nothing that says you have to accept the job if it is offered to you. Go, talk, find out what else is out there. You won't know if you don't apply. Good luck!

 

[Bob NC]

I would say apply for the new job.

Even if it doesn't work out you will have your resume polished up and get some needed interviewing experience.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Don't work somewhere you don't like. Apply for the other job.

 

[charming23]

Life is too short to be miserable. I say apply for the other job. Even if it just gets you an interview, it will give you experience.

 

[YoYoAurora]

Apply for the other job. And look around to see what other jobs are available in your area that would be a good match for you.

It's awful to feel like you're stuck in a job you don't like. Add in the longer commute and it just gives you more time to dread going to work. I've been there, and it just isn't worth the added stress.

I moved and my commute to my job increased by 55 minutes each way. I stuck it out because jobs were scarce in my field of expertise. I looked around, but there wasn't anything in my field closer to me. Then my company downsized and laid me off. I had the choice to accept a much lower paying job or be laid off. I chose to be laid off. The best thing that could have happened! I'm in a new field and loving it! I'm challenged, energized and supported daily, which I wasn't in my old job.

You never know what will happen when you take a chance. You may surprise yourself!

 

[Darcy03231]

I'd apply for other jobs.

Two years ago a changed jobs. I had been working for a very busy trial attoreny for 13 years doing a number of things within the office (very small office - 8 employees). It was less than a mile from my house, I had seniority, 4 weeks vacation, etc. My boss was very difficult to work for (since I left he's been through 4 people). When the economy tanked, everyone was put on a 4 day work week and our pay was reduced by 20%. He always wanted me to work extra hours, but because he said I was salaried employee, he didn't want to pay for the extra hours I put in.

I now work in a much larger office (there's 54 employees) about 25 minutes from home. I couldn't be happier. I had to give up 2 weeks vacation, but the benefits are much better as is the working environment, which to me, is priceless.

 

[debster812]

Certainly apply for the other job that you saw. When I was laid off in 2008 (after 17 years at the same company) a very good friend of mine who is a career counselor told me that every interview I went on, was experience for the interview I was going to go on that got me my next job.

If you do get an offer, and you are not ready to leave where you are currently working, you don't have to take it.

Like I said, I worked somewhere for 17 years, and had lots of flexibility, seniority, vacation time etc. It took me a while, and 2 other horrible jobs first, but I found a position that is perfect for me. I'm now a Marketing Assistant/Office Admin for a small family owned seasonal construction company. I work 30 hours per week, can leave when I need to for DS's soccer games and track meets, and have lots of flexibility. It's also only 25 minutes from home

GOOD LUCK with whatever you decide to do.