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I am now a manager but have been offered a job that will pay more without the management duties. Will this be taking a step backward professionally and would this be a mistake? Should I stay in management and wait for a better paying management position?

juliahhavener's picture
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What do you want to do? Be a manager? Or do the work in this new position? Is money the bottom line? For some folks it is, and that's fine, but where do you want to be in 2 years? 5? Does this job move you towards or away from that goal?

If you want to be a manager, wait. Stay where you are, continue adding accomplishments to your resume. The right position moving the direction you want to go in will come along.

If you want to be [insert job title here], then take the job, and enjoy the raise. Congratulations on doing exactly what you want to do!

If it's more complicated than that, be sure to keep those factors in mind. Is the new job is in a different industry, one you want to move into? Is there room for growth? Are you unlikely to be able to move into management there without specific industry knowledge? It still goes to the 'what do you want to do' question.

Mark's picture
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It's a good question, but you gotta help us out here.

I'm reminded of the guy who goes to the doctor and says, "my head hurts. Do I need brain surgery?"

Well, I don't know just yet.

What level management are you at? What industry? What is your field/specialty? What is the management job's scope? What is the other job's scope? How do they fit into typical career paths in your industry? how big is your company? How well do you know each boss?

Mark

jmartinez's picture

Mark,
I am currently the Manager over the Graphic Arts area in a city government, promited from Graphic Artist about three years ago. I have three direct reports. The position I applied for is not supervisory but is a 12-15% pay raise. I would like to continue my career in the Graphic Arts industry continually moving up.

My dilema comes from the fact that I, and my family would like the extra cash the new job would bring, but I really enjoy the management aspects of where I am now (in no small way, thanks to your podcast!)

Mark's picture
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Never take a job for more money.

That's one of my core beliefs.

Mark