Well I didn't see this coming, some of you know my line of work. I work for a major investment firm here in Baltimore well known in the nation as among the top Fortune 500 companies. I have been here for 3 going on 4 years and absolutely love it. I have gotten so many opportunities here ever since I arrived, most recently been asst. manager for the district of Maryland (I control all the office activity inside the Maryland area).

My manager (district manager) whom i've been under since I arrived came into my office first thing this-morning and told me he is applying for the General Manager position in Atlanta (basically would control a multi-state territory) and I have no doubts that he will get the job seeing as we are the highest producing region in the country as it is right now the last 2 years. The company would be out of its mind not to give him the job.

He said he was applying for the job and by February 1st he would be out of the Maryland area regardless, either with this company or with another as he has already had other job offers elsewhere. I told him I supported him but was loyal to him at the same time.

Basically comes down to this. He said I would be offered the position he is in now and he encouraged me to take it. He also said he would welcome me to come with him and move to Atlanta where he would give me the same job he is in now, just in a different state (as he would be the acting GM).

The division here in Maryland is at its peak but we have been fighting with infrastructure problems the last 18 months when it comes to growth so I am unsure if I want to step into his role here as I would be fighting his battles he is facing now which is his primary reason for moving on. But on the upside I would be given a turnkey division and a pay bump.

However I am loyal to him and couldn't see myself working for anyone else which makes me wanna move to Atlanta but if I went there I would be starting from scratch, but I would be with the Manager who I enjoy working for.

Both situations have their pro's and cons.

Stay in Maryland:
Pros:
Stiff Pay Bump
No Relocation Needed
Turnkey region

Cons:
No manager I like
Same problems as before

Move to Atlanta:
Pros:
Pay bump, just not significant
Stay with the manager I like
New region and thus new opportunities
Infrastructure

Cons:
Relocation (which is the biggest one)
Not turnkey
Pay is decreased (over what it would be if I was to remain in Maryland)

I am relatively young for this position (26) and have no ties to the Maryland area besides family. Not married (not yet anyways), no kids. The only thing is I have to see if the live in g/f of 2 years would even consider moving seeing as she is a teacher.

What would you do?

 

Talk it over with the gf, go for a visit to see if you want to live in Atlanta. The lower pay bump might be offset by the lower cost of living there.

 

I agree...

But I would probably move to Atlanta. Lower cost of living and working under someone you respect/like > mid-a s2ki... don't stay for us as I know that is whats really holding you back.

 

I would talk it over with the g/f, see how she feels. If you're getting really serious with her, that might just end up being the deciding factor.

I would also say that the slight increase in pay in Atlanta would be offset by the drastic drop in COL in Atlanta.

Plus the weather is better.

Good luck in whatever you decide!

 

The cost of leaving may not be as low in GA compared to MD but one thing to consider is you will eventualy have to step up to be the boss and have somebody under your wing. So the question is, are you ready to do this or not yet?

I like to look at things in carrer opportunity perspective first, the money and rest will always follow later.

 

Thank you or your input!

 

well, if you took his job as manager, manager you like kinda falls out, not sure how hard manager above district manager gets involved in day to day stuff.

do you think you would be able to get an asst mgr to fill your old slot that will do things as good as you are now?

being his asst there means you know how he does stuff, but you will have to get new relationships established with all the others there, if you bump here, they will just have to get used to you as mgr.

more responsibilty = more money. question is are you ready for it at this stage of your career. you do not want to bang up against peter principle too soon and have it affect next position you go after

 

First of all, congrats on your options! It's always nice to hear stories of people doing well, especially young people, and especially in this economy.

I know how nerve wracking it can be to make career decisions... in fact, I literally just made a decision this weekend to leave my current job (legal dept of a big company) to go to a smaller, but highly successful law firm. It came down to me choosing what I knew would be the better day-to-day for me. When you're happy with your job and motivated, you will succeed. It's almost guaranteed that you'll do better in an environment that you enjoy. It sounds to me that the ATL job provides the better move for your career. You'll have the same position at both, so it isn't as if you're taking a step down. Most importantly though, your current boss wants you. He knows that he can succeed with you on his team, and that is critical. The money is probably not even going to be a factor when you think about the cost of living, and definitely don't make a huge career decision over a few thousand bucks.

You'll probably regret it if you don't go, but I doubt you'll regret taking the chance while you're young and relatively unattached. Of course your g/f, depending on how serious you are and what she wants to do factors in, and I can't help you with that part of it.

Good luck!

 

Thank you very much for that well thought out take on my situation, it is very much appreciated!

 

Don't have any different input than what has been said, so I'll just throw in a congrats to be faced with two hard decisions that would both further your career.