Creative director or ?
I've got this problem again … yawn, I guess.
I tried to leave the place that I've worked for 7 years. I set myself up mentally to leave got my folio/resume in order, that took a lot of effort.
Anyway I have a 2nd interview next tuesday with an agency doing web based direct marketing. The place looks not bad, doing decent work and the money is quite good. I'll know more about the culture/hours etc after the 2nd interview.
My boss here cottoned on … I'm dead subtle I am. (He's been going through the motions of refocusing his business on less production work and more high level conceptual work. He's been taking his time and when i decided it was time to leave it was mainly out of boredom and frustration with waiting for him to actually change.) He's offered me the creative director position and a boatload of cash to stay, including some equity.
I think i could get a bit more money from the other position so that's not really a factor. My issue is that things may never change where I am. This will be my 3rd attempt to leave and if i don't get out now will I ever? On the other hand what I am being offered is basically a partnership where I have a chance to shape the direction the company takes. We've never had this structure before so it's a bit of a first and new. We are on the hunt for account managers as well, in another first.
So do I go to a new place and spend 2 or 3 years working up to a director position or do I take the director position now?
I will be setting a deadline for change if i do decide to stay, 12 months or so. Also if this interview on tuesday goes well and it's an awesome place that will make it hard because I think I might go.
who the hell knows?
I don't.
All I really want to do is support my family while managing to see them as well.
I tried to leave the place that I've worked for 7 years. I set myself up mentally to leave got my folio/resume in order, that took a lot of effort.
Anyway I have a 2nd interview next tuesday with an agency doing web based direct marketing. The place looks not bad, doing decent work and the money is quite good. I'll know more about the culture/hours etc after the 2nd interview.
My boss here cottoned on … I'm dead subtle I am. (He's been going through the motions of refocusing his business on less production work and more high level conceptual work. He's been taking his time and when i decided it was time to leave it was mainly out of boredom and frustration with waiting for him to actually change.) He's offered me the creative director position and a boatload of cash to stay, including some equity.
I think i could get a bit more money from the other position so that's not really a factor. My issue is that things may never change where I am. This will be my 3rd attempt to leave and if i don't get out now will I ever? On the other hand what I am being offered is basically a partnership where I have a chance to shape the direction the company takes. We've never had this structure before so it's a bit of a first and new. We are on the hunt for account managers as well, in another first.
So do I go to a new place and spend 2 or 3 years working up to a director position or do I take the director position now?
I will be setting a deadline for change if i do decide to stay, 12 months or so. Also if this interview on tuesday goes well and it's an awesome place that will make it hard because I think I might go.
who the hell knows?
I don't.
All I really want to do is support my family while managing to see them as well.
Comments
Of course I'm probably quite wrong in thinking that...I just mean nobody will think there's anything wrong with you getting ahead in this situation; it's not as if you've issued an ultimatum out of greed or anything. You've got a baby. Anything that results in more money, more time, greater job satisfaction or any combination of those three is worth doing immediately.
I'd say if your current boss sounds committed to progress, and is willing to prove it - either through some sort of investment in you, further training (you will need it), allowing you the flexibility and budget to shape the creative vision of the company (in writing), then TAKE IT...but stipulate you'll stay if only he is 100% committed to development and change. You have a family, you are settled, and it's a good base to develop into the CD role without too much stress.
Starting a new job is also exciting, and you can feel reinvigorated both creatively and within yourself. It's more of an effort to once again prove yourself to your new workmates, and to really challenge your creativity and motivation. But to get to the stage where you're almost at now, will require a lot more effort, time and investment in your new job, something you already have done.
I took a step down from my job when we had our first child, so i could be around more for my wife and baby. It was a great time, and when i had to, i got back into the grind out of necessity (for money) and a need for new creative challenges. There's no need to rush, jobs for creatives are plentiful - there's always a need for bright individuals, enjoy the time you have with your family.
*edit* I forgot...I think that the place you work needs to have growth potential; treading water is all very well when you're a self-effacing single (or in a relationship without kids) who doesn't want for much, but your child is not going to start getting cheaper to run any time soon. I've been thinking about this recently, as my current position is fine for mondo circa 2006...but far from adequate for the new (improved?) mondo of 2008, who comes complete with three kids and a mortgage. Somebody would literally have to die here before anything about my role would change, and it still wouldn't alter much even then. So really I should piss off without further ado.
He knew I was looking around once before, the other time I offered to leave when I went to europe for three months.
I think getting something in writing is vital. I don't know about training, I'm pretty awesome.
Both Meska and Mondo have a point. But as Meska says, "if the boss sounds commited to progress and can prove it", I'd be tempted to go with it. Even if it is only a title change. It will give you foundation of experience at that level and enable you to approach a Creative Director position at other companies/agencies.
Good look
Our company has been coasting along for a few years doing the same ol thing.. i've been yapping about tightening up deadlines etc, no-one seemed to listen, till i was given the authority to really get on people's backs.
Now, the bosses are realising what i've been saying is true - we'd been too complacent, and they're seeing a positive change in things i've brought in.
if you choose to stay - go for it, be your own boss and show your boss thru example where he's been time wasting. At least if you're being offered equity etc it'll be worth your while.
also, would your new office have a door and a view?
when i'm in a quandary, jesse, i often lay it all out precisely and ask someone else to Make The Decision. then i check deep inside myself to see how i feel about it. :) then i do what i want.
i've a belief in your ability to work hard and keep creating as well.
i think it comes down to the time needed to make either option work. the one thing that can't be juggled is the time spent with family. :D start teaching Cooper now. she's going to have to pitch in and start making brochures about age 7. i'm only partially joking.
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don't pull out of the other interview and take as long as it takes before having to sign on the line or not at the new place and even then you aren't 'theirs' until you sit behind a desk. heck you could work there 3 months if your current boss allowed you the space.
you could sell it to him as part of the consideration of the very generous offer. he's in the process of change not looking to start the revolution in the next few weeks. you could point out that at the worst you'll have additional insider information into a competitors business.
i figure there would be someway to leave take new job and not burn any bridges. effectively he'd be headhunting you for the position he's now offered rather than just elevating from within.
personally though, i wouldn't be brave enough to do any of the above (hypocrisy alert) and would bit his hand off. make him match any other offer - after all someone else has confirmed your 'ture' value and join the revolution.
A job in the UK? I've accidently got a bite from carelessly spraying my resume around.
What are my salary expectations? I was thinking about 30K pounds?
What is the job title?
in the south / worlds best web designer
PS: I don't want it :happy:
I'm not sharking for your job. Just trying to be helpful
I took the other job (in melbourne, the one the first post was about) and as of april 21st start my first new job in seven years.
Thanks for all your advice.
(I'm still waiting to hear back on some other leads but i've let them go for now.)
jess - congrats
we are in year of the rat, a good year for new endeavors
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