what's appropriate in this case?

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Sims

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I got called by a HH and was presented a really nice opportunity that I would definitely consider. I am so-so happy where I am now so a change would help and I would get a nice raise.
Now the context: in the city I am in these opportunities seldom come (specially when you have a few years workex under your belt) as I am somewhere where the fixed income asset management industry is pretty small (after a couple years you know almost everyone) so even more than usual, reputation is EVERYTHING. My boss is pregnant, again, and is leaving next month on maternity leave, her first leave was 1 year so I am expecting the same this time around. If I would leave in the next few months I would put my team in some tough times as half of it would be gone (we are 4) and on top of it some accounts I take care of, only my boss has the knowhow to do. This employer has been loyal to me in the last 5 years and I wouldn’t want to f* them over. Quitting would do that, a little at least.
I want to keep my reputation clean but it seems to me a little ridiculous that I would be chained to my desk for 12+ months (twice now) just because…
Any thoughts?
 
You gotta look out for yourself first ,mate. If these colleagues of yours are really your friends, they would be delighted that you found something bigger and better. If you get hired into the “really nice opportunity” and you take the offer, the rest is history.
 
1) 12 months maternity is ridiculous. How can they expect nothing to happen in a year?
2) You are probably not as important as you think.
3) It’s not unreasonable to leave for a better opportunity.
Do what is best for yourself. People will understand. If they don’t, there is something wrong with them…
 
ohai wrote:
1) 12 months maternity is ridiculous. How can they expect nothing to happen in a year?
2) You are probably not as important as you think.
3) It’s not unreasonable to leave for a better opportunity.
Do what is best for yourself. People will understand. If they don’t, there is something wrong with them…
Click to expand...
What ohai said.
At the risk of sounding urgh, I may have done worse. Got a really awesome offer by an MD who bent over backwards to get me on the team, nice sign on bonus and pay package (they promoted my manager just to meet my package, I found out later), covered my CFA in an industry where it’s not common at all to pursue it, and I ended up leaving really quick for an even more awesome opp. MD was quite understanding when I dropped the bomb though. I still feel bad but never regretted my decision.
Do what makes logical sense for yourself. The firm will always do the same for itself.
 
1. anything you know can be handed-over to the next eager guy. Yes you know a lot, but a months notice would suffice (probably).
2. if it was the other way around, let’s say, your company needed to lay off people and thought economically you would need to go, then they are not going to consider how nice and loyal you are before they make the decision. That’s life, you accept it and you move on.
3. it’s not the stuff you do that you regret in life, but the stuff you didn’t do. This sounds like one of those things where you’ll look back and thought what an idiot you were for not taking up this opportunity.
It seems like you are swaying this way but need validation from everyone. You have validation from me and the last few guys so go forth and resign!
 
I dont want to sound too rude or arrogant here. I read a recent posting “I work for money and appreciation, if you need loyalty hire a dog”! I think this statement works perfectly fine in the present day corporate world!
Would the company think twice about chucking people out? They have done it so many times and continue to do it as well!
So go ahead mate, resign and do what you want to do in your life! All the very best.
 
@Sims: I find your reasoning is sound and your sentiment is in the right place (especially as the FI community in which you work is soooo small).
If I were in your shoes I would give my employer loads of notice, as much as possible, and feel OK
 
Thanks for your imput, seems like there is a strong consensus here and this made me think it over some more.
A few things I’ll specify:
My boss is a little wack; when one person resigned this summer (with the reasonable delay) she bashed him to his new boss and other folks multiple times afterwards. This is what scares me most as he quit in perfectly good terms and got bashed, I can’t even imagine if he hadn’t quit that way.
I know I’m not as important as I think but again my reputation is probably more important than I think, too.
10 to 12 months maternity leave is actually quite common here, I will be really carefull not to leave any clues as to where this is because you never know, eh?
I’m really on the fence with this one but considering what I’ve heard I have decided to go forward and meet with these people (at this point I’m not 100% certain who it is yet) and that way I’ll have a better understanding of the opportunity. It just bugs me a little to go through this knowing I’ll probably have to bail for the know reasons unless it’s something exceptionnal (again maybe looking bad since I knew this all throughout).
 
any decent employer will understand that a better opportunity is a better opportunity
 
Look out for yourself. People in your life that actually matter won’t begrudge you for leaving and improving your career, and most people really won’t go out of their way to bash you unless they’re really that sinister.
I’ll give you an example. When I left sell-side research, my relationship with my senior analyst wasn’t as good as it once was. Luckily, when I was interviewing for my nex tjob in private equity, I was able to provide other references at the firm and everything was fine. Now, since that time, every once in a while someone I’m interviewing with will ask me who my senior analyst was, and whether they could call them. I always just say that I’d prefer they didn’t since my senior analyst had wanted me to stick around but an opportunity that was more in-line with my career goals came up and I simply couldn’t turn it down. I also point to the increase in pay I received at my new role, and mention that I have other references at the firm (other than my senior analyst) I can provide them with.
I have never gotten pushback on this, and people will understand if you explain your situation with clarity and honesty.
————
M&I Interview, Part I: Buy, Sell, or Hold: How to Break Into Equity Research and Pitch Stocks Like a Pro – http://www.mergersandinquisitions.com/equity-research-recruiting/
M&I Interview, Part II: Equity Research: A Day in the Life, Pay, and Exit Opportunities – Got Hedge Funds? – http://www.mergersandinquisitions.com/equity-research-on-the-job/
 
ER is tough, because the teams are very small, and there’s only 1 boss.
 
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