More workplace advice?

[AliciaD496]

So an update from my previous December/January post I got one of the jobs I interviewed for at the university. I’m feeling very conflicted and confused right now though. I’ve been at my new job since February 13th (exactly three months this weekend). I’m technically on probation for my first six months. Just to cover my bases I’ve still been applying to other positions at the university where I work. Just today I was offered an interview for another position on Monday. The pay would be the same (I could potentially get a little more if I negotiated, but the range is the same), the benefits the same, the tasks would be more public oriented (greeting visitors, answering phones) and less internal administrative support. It feels like I’d be happier at this new job, but I don’t want to let down the people that FINALLY took a chance and hired me full time after years of job searching and temporary jobs at the university.

Am I crazy for even taking this interview? I can’t even be sure I’ll get a chance at a second interview (if they do one) let alone get an offer. I’m also not sure how being on probation affects my ability to laterally shift positions if I were to get an offer. I’m not even broaching the subject with my current department until I have an actual offer.

Any advice anyone can give me?

 

[Marynator]

Oh dear I wouldn't worry! No one's going to be upset with you for doing what's best for you, all you'd have to say is that position would make you happier, right?

I've had your same conversation with my father, he does legal work for this company but he also does like sort of odd things, and he's kind of their HR department too, and he said like no one ever gets upset if someone leaves. He said he'd have a new employee who seemed like he'd be really great, then one day he just wouldn't be at a meeting, and he'd ask "Where's Tom?" or something, and people'd say "Oh he found a job that works better for him closer to him", and my dad would just think "Good for Tom!". Just in case maybe like an employer perspective helps you at all?

I think maybe if you're like a super star employee they might be sad for you to go, because like you know maybe they have high hopes and are like "I hit the jackpot hiring her!", but I'm sure no one's going to begrudge you for doing what's best for you. Plus doesn't like a probation period work both ways? If they thought you're not their best fit, they'd probably just let you go, right? So can't you do the same? I don't feel like they'd have any right to think they own you now or something just for giving you a job.

I know my company doesn't let people apply internally for one year after starting a position, unless you've got special permission from your manager, but that's like just my company, I think it's because they spend a lot of time and money investing in a new employee it's just sort of a cost thing?

Maybe you'll get your offer (I hope you do!) but if not, you never need to even tell them right? And that way you won't regret not trying, and if you do get your job then I don't feel you really need to worry.

Oh I wish you good luck!

 

[Caleuche]

Given that your interview is with the same employer - is there any chance that your current job could find out that you have gone for it before you tell them?

This is a difficult one, nothing looks worse on a CV than jumping from job to job, but at the same time you have a right to be happy in your life. There's also the fact that you don't want to get twenty years down the road and regret not taking an opportunity that you had. Difficult one.

 

[AliciaD496]

Given that your interview is with the same employer - is there any chance that your current job could find out that you have gone for it before you tell them?

This is a difficult one, nothing looks worse on a CV than jumping from job to job, but at the same time you have a right to be happy in your life. There's also the fact that you don't want to get twenty years down the road and regret not taking an opportunity that you had. Difficult one.

Yeah, it is difficult. Being a job hopper doesn’t look good. I don’t think taking the interview will do any harm. I have certainly interviewed for enough positions that I didn’t get that at this point that I’m not counting on really getting an offer.

Your first point is a fair one. My current department is with a program within the school of medicine while the job I’m interviewing for would be at the school of medicine’s Deans office. The school of medicine is large enough and everyone is busy enough I doubt my current supervisor would have time to talk with the people I’m interviewing with. I don’t think they would pursuit that unless I gave them her as a reference, which I will not. I don’t think there would be communication between them until the hiring process was truly initiated, and then it would be the respective department’s HR reps.

 

[Spot's Meow]

I work at a university myself, and I can tell you that staff move around a LOT. It's a very common thing that people don't take too much notice of. We have had employees leave after just a few months. People are slightly more likely to care if your new job is outside the university, but if it's at the same university then people are typically not upset.