Great forum. I’ve been reading for years. Now I need your advice.

I got made redundant, then picked up a good, permanent role, package OK. Been there 2 weeks.

But! Very unexpectedly I was offered my dream job on a bit better package. It’s my dream job, almost a unique role. This opportunity WILL NOT come round again. How can I move on after just a few weeks? It's seems very unprofessional to leave, but if I don't put myself first no one else will. It's not about the package. It's job vs. career.

What should I do?

Congratulations. But first things first, I assume you have actually received a contract offer rather than just a verbal offer? Do not do anything until that's the case.

I'd agree with your assessment that you need to look out for yourself. If your current employers suddenly got hit with some bad news, they wouldn't think twice about making you redundant. So the fact that they offered you a job when you'd been made redundant is no reason for misplaced loyalty IMHO.

The key things are to leave without burning bridges and to do so in a way that's as professional and constructive as possible. Try to give them as much notice as you can. Try to help them line up a replacement if you can. Meet with the people who hired you and ensure you leave on good terms. You never know when your paths might cross again.

Hope that helps and good luck

Tony

Congratulations. But first things first, I assume you have actually received a contract offer rather than just a verbal offer? Do not do anything until that's the case.

I'd agree with your assessment that you need to look out for yourself. If your current employers suddenly got hit with some bad news, they wouldn't think twice about making you redundant. So the fact that they offered you a job when you'd been made redundant is no reason for misplaced loyalty IMHO.

The key things are to leave without burning bridges and to do so in a way that's as professional and constructive as possible. Try to give them as much notice as you can. Try to help them line up a replacement if you can. Meet with the people who hired you and ensure you leave on good terms. You never know when your paths might cross again.

Hope that helps and good luck

Tony

Need I say more? Just follow Tony's advice. Also I would suggest you meet them privately, (e.g one on one in their offices) not in the pool.

The key here is trying to help with replacement.

Good luck and congrats

Hi Forum

Me again with an update and a lesson learned.

I had to choose between my dream job and the job I just started. Dream job was a new role in a new industry and (in my view) a risk, whereas job just started I was well suited and knew I could do well. Having just gone though redundancy I was risk adverse and the dream job would have required a house move to a new area (and changing kids schools etc). I spent a month reviewing options and then, basically, bottled it and stuck with what I had.

Tony's advise at the time "If your current employers suddenly got hit with some bad news, they wouldn't think twice about making you redundant. "

well, THEY GOT HIT, THEY DIDN'T THINK TWICE.

So today is day one of gardening leave. Checking LinkedIn I can see the dream job is thriving, but that door is closed.

Lesson Learned: Follow your dreams.

Jeez - what a mess. My parent's generation had it good. My father had one job, fat pension and golden parachute to exit mid 50s. My eldest is just graduating as an engineer. He's smart and street-savvy, he fully expects to be shafted many times in his career and sees it as part of the process.

I'm fit, healthy, have a great family and the mortgage is paid off, so I'm good. Next steps: Double-espresso and hit the job hunt - again.

Sorry to hear my advice proved to be so prescient jimbob...

My advice now would be to polish your LinkedIn profile, get proactively networking and check the jobs boards. If you need any help, feel free to make contact on LinkedIn...

All the best, Tony