Question

Topic: Career/Training

Should I Make This Career Move?

Posted by Anonymous on 12/24/2011 at 6:01 PM ET 250 Points
Dear marketing profs,

I need help deciding if I should take a new job if it is offered to me. I have been working as a marketing coordinator for 6 years now at a non-profit. My boss says if I complete my goals I could be a manager after my next review, which is another year. This has been my only real marketing job. Working at a small company has allowed me to run my own marketing plan, and work on projects from sponsorships to internet web blasts to print media.

I have been contacted by a recruiter for a national big box retailer for a marketing specialist position. They want to set up an interview. The position is in consumer marketing which will add to my marketing background... the pay is probably about 10k more than i am making now even though it is a lateral position. However, it is really kind of cookie-cutter... only trafficking print projects and communicating that medium/specials to cross-functional teams. So basically i'm not making major marketing decisions nor working on web projects.

My question is... should i stay at my current job... waiting on the opportunity to become a marketing manager next year, then stay another year as a manager and just have this type of 'service' marketing on my resume with the title.... or take the jump making more money, with a lateral title... with a big box retailer where i could possibly move into another marketing role later and stay there to gain the marketing manager title? I'm scared to pass the opportunity and more scared of i do! Is the title or the type/brand company more important in this situation? or the money? Or, are there specific questions i should ask in the interview to help me make the decision?
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RESPONSES

  • Posted on 12/24/2011 at 6:32 PM Author
    Also, the not-for-profit is nationally recognized/brand name... but the marketing manager there would pay the same as the big box retailer cookie cutter mktg specialist position...
  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 12/24/2011 at 6:49 PM Accepted
    Whatever you do is a risk. There's no guarantees in your existing job, your prospective job, nor your life. My suggestion is to do the interview, but only after you've done your homework about your prospective job first. At worst, practice your interview skills. At best, make some new connections, learn something new, and perhaps accept a new job offer. You may hear of opportunities that aren't on the formal job description and/or find out what you're doing now is a comfortable fit for your professional growth. Jobs/titles vary from job to job. What you learn and the quality of your in-office friendships/mentorships, ultimately matter more.
  • Posted on 12/24/2011 at 7:08 PM Accepted
    You are the only one who can make this decision. We don't know you well enough to offer meaningful input. You've identified the issues and you know YOU.

    Jay has given you the right advice for the next step: take the interview, and prepare for it as though you really want the job. If you ace the interview and get the offer, then you can go through the real agony of making a decision. Right now, the only decision is whether to learn more or to remain in your comfortable cocoon.
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