Harder changing jobs when you get older

DatabaseHead

Maybe this is just a mind set, but I find myself having a more difficult time moving jobs as I get older. I don't know if I am slowing down or what, but I just feel like my interest level for looking for new opportunities seems to wane. Even FTE positions served up on a plate seems to not be as interesting.

I'm still a technocrat in the data space and enjoy learning about the new technologies, but...... It seems the idea of not getting killed and chilling out or having a more relaxed work place is more inviting than learning new technologies or learning new business verticals.

One thing I failed to mention, the pay for these roles seems to be about the same as I am making now.... So the pay incentive isn't there.... You see some positions working with some new technologies, that's really the only net positive in most cases.

Every once in a while one will come through that seems worth it....

Anyone else experiencing this?

cyberguypr

For me it's the total opposite. As I get older I want more and more. Maslow's self-actualization. I am evaluating making a job move potentially next year. This year I started speaking at conferences, just got accepted for the third one. A couple of weeks ago I also got accepted as an adjunct (need to post about that). No Stoppin' That Rockin' for me.

scaredoftests

hmm, the pay that has been offered to me in the past year, WOW sometimes 12K more than the salary I have now. I have declined the offers. But, I do love where I am now and get to learn new technologies. Love my boss and my team. A job that I interviewed for a few weeks ago I got an offer for and I am kind of mulling it over..

networker050184

I've slowed down now that I'm at the senior level so moving jobs correlates more to current satisfaction level these days. Do I like what I'm doing? Is there room to advance? Work/life balance working for me? Lately work from home is a must for me so that's a big one.

shochan

Yup, I feel I have to continue learning in order to stay competitive - but I am debating getting into something totally different & outta IT eventually. I really enjoy learning though, keeps my brain young & away from dementia...heheh

DatabaseHead

cyberguypr wrote: »

For me it's the total opposite. As I get older I want more and more. Maslow's self-actualization. I am evaluating making a job move potentially next year. This year I started speaking at conferences, just got accepted for the third one. A couple of weeks ago I also got accepted as an adjunct (need to post about that). No Stoppin' That Rockin' for me.

How long have you been in your current position?

cyberguypr

Well, 4 years with the company. Got promoted 2 times. 7 months in this role.

DatabaseHead

networker050184 wrote: »

I've slowed down now that I'm at the senior level so moving jobs correlates more to current satisfaction level these days. Do I like what I'm doing? Is there room to advance? Work/life balance working for me? Lately work from home is a must for me so that's a big one.

Work from home is pretty huge. Unless I am getting at least 2 days the job is off the table. No thanks!

I think one of the big things is my pay is getting capped. Anything over a 100,000 base is becoming very challenging to obtain and my bonus structure 10% + 10% variable is about all I can get in this market.....

I'm thinking management might be the only path to get paid real money. (I think this is a big reason for me not interested in these other roles). Just learning new tech isn't enough for me to pursue......

EANx

DatabaseHead wrote: »

I'm thinking management might be the only path to get paid real money.

If you go this route, you don't get regular tele-work, you don't get days off. You're on-duty 24/7/365. When you get a call at 3am, you're on. You don't have the option of deflecting. It's all about face-time and availability.

DZA_

It's a natural progression of a career for most, as you get older, you get more comfortable, you don't want to move as much since you have other life priorities in the mix. Not to mention age discrimination affects our ability to apply for roles as well as we all turn older. It all boils down to the person's personality and personal drive, some folks are just more career driven than others. I for one need the dynamics, I can't stand being bored. Career wise, I've between in two different organizations and moved up promotions in teams as well as senior roles. I've still got a long ways to go.


My suggestion is if you're looking for additional money, you can supplement by staying in your current role (if you're comfortable with the benefits) and draw in passive income with a hobby you can pick up as a side business. You're right about being a manager on the other side of the organization, you're there to help the make the business money rather than being OpEx. Technology compliments business.

Pmorgan2

scaredoftests wrote: »

hmm, the pay that has been offered to me in the past year, WOW sometimes 12K more than the salary I have now. I have declined the offers. But, I do love where I am now and get to learn new technologies. Love my boss and my team. A job that I interviewed for a few weeks ago I got an offer for and I am kind of mulling it over..

I personally would rank loving my boss / team / environment at about 50% of my income. So if I made $50k at a great place, it would take at least $75k to get me to consider risking a move.

Don't underestimate the value of a great work environment. I recently left a good group of guys for an awkward environment and I'm beating myself up a little bit. Wiping my self pity tears with cash from my 30% pay bump helps... but if I had to do it again I would not take the new position.

paul78

For me, a big part has to do with lifestyle. As I have gotten older, I definitely look at career choices a lot differently. I still have varied technology interests but I tend to work on them on the side instead of seeking access to the technology from an employer. About a year ago, I actually decided to get out of the corporate rat race. I decided to go take a 50% cut in my compensation to go into consulting instead so I can spend more time on my own interests and spend time with the family. I really only work a few days a week at home.

And to @DZA_ point - age discrimination is very real.

Not to hijack the thread - but is anyone else here besides me over 50?

Azt7

I feel the same. As time goes by, the hunger to learn more stays the same but the corporate politics kind of discourages me from looking elsewhere. No company is perfect but I'm coming across more and more weird workplaces.

Like most of you guys, I'll prioritize a good life work balance and sometimes working from home. I'm in a somewhat management position and most of what you do is dealing with top management, make everybody else feel way more important than their actual contribution is and here/there actually focus on the technologies you love.

I see myself doing this for another 3 or 5 years as I have still some room to grow, probably in another company. After that, switching to either contract work/consulting or partnering with some connections to launch a company.

I just feel tired of corporate politics and for me to invest that much of myself into something, it has to be in an ownership setting at this point.

DatabaseHead

Pmorgan2 wrote: »

I personally would rank loving my boss / team / environment at about 50% of my income. So if I made $50k at a great place, it would take at least $75k to get me to consider risking a move.

Don't underestimate the value of a great work environment. I recently left a good group of guys for an awkward environment and I'm beating myself up a little bit. Wiping my self pity tears with cash from my 30% pay bump helps... but if I had to do it again I would not take the new position.

This is a HUGE part of it. I found an environment that I really LIKE. The manager, co workers etc.....

I'm going to learn from the reminder you just provided me. --Rep + 1

Even though the technology is some what limited it is technical enough to continue to grow. Maybe not at the rate I would like but..... Can't have it all.

UnixGuy

cyberguypr wrote: »

.. A couple of weeks ago I also got accepted as an adjunct (need to post about that). ...

Please do

UnixGuy

I see what you mean...I think I'm more like Cyberguypr, I want more. Ever since I started my MBA, I have my eyes set on better and bigger things....no sign of slowing down

but yeah, I think with old age (generally speaking), comes a desire for stability.


Or a desire for a Harley motor bike and a Mohawk and....never mind