Should I look for a new job?

Question

Ok, I've been working with this company for about 3 years now. I've grown to be one of the best employees in our department. However, the culture is too "highschool" and there is not a whole lot of room for growth and movement around the company. Also, its a long commute. Plus I'm getting bored with my job. I've had recruiters contact me and I've had opportunities to apply to other companies that seem interesting and close to home. However, I have not formally applied for them because I feel obligated to stay with the company I am currently working for. I feel obligated because we are in the beginning process of budget season and I am one of three people that can do this job good. I also feel scared because I'm afraid my boss would get mad and therefore give me a bad reference. I don't want to leave the company in the middle of an important job assignment. On the other hand, there are opportunities out there I don't want to miss out on. I'm so undecided right now its killing me. What do you all think I should do?

Answer 1

below 5 years experience you just a beginner

below 10 years your are expert

above 15 years your are master... not monster

there are so many difference in culture for both company. my opinion if i want to jump in new company the most importance things that i should figure out is am i happy now?. happy with my officemate, my boss, my supervisor and all people around me and my work i'm working on. if yes. so there is no reason for me to leave. Money? The importance is how you manage not how you spent.

Answer 2

I just wanted to comment on your worry about a bad reference, since your other questions seem to have been answered.

I just finished a Business Law class for school, and there was a discussion on references.

Many companies now refuse to provide references due to the fact that they can be held liable for what is said.  If a company gives a bad reference that includes exaggeration or is any bit unture it can be considered libel/slander.  So if your current manager gives a bad reference to take revenge on you, you have a case in civil court.

On the flip side, companies may also not like to provide good references even though they know the employee was terrible (afraid of being sued for libel) because if something happens with that new employee's company, that company can sue the previous company for withholding valuable information that was pertinent to employee hiring.

So many companies now will just verify that the employee worked for that company, and the dates they were their, and that's it.

So don't fear about getting a bad reference, you have recourse if it is untrue and just out of spite.

Answer 3

You owe it to YOURSELF to take the opportunity to find a better job closer to home.  About all your current boss will be asked by a prospective employer is what your salary was, how long you worked there and that is about it.

Give yourself better opportunities, you deserve it!

Answer 4

You shouldn't have to think twice about looking for a new job.  Remember that if your company had a downturn they wouldn't think twice about laying you off.  Professional ethics is a good thing but you should not have a misplaced sense of loyalty.  If your employer seems to go out of their way to make your work environment profitable and rewarding then loyalty makes sense.  But it really appears that you have hit a dead end.

If you are concerned about references make it clear to potential employer you talk to that it is not permissible for them to talk to your current employer before they have made you an offer - they will definitely understand that they cannot endanger your current job.  That is not an unusual situation by any means and they probably encounter it all the time.  If you can provide them someone else like a former boss or coworker to talk to tell them that.  I suppose they could turn you down but that is no different than not even applying for a job.

Go for it.