To jump or not to jump

[kt2u]

Long time lurker, first time posting.

I am currently working for a MNC IT vendor as presales consultant, drawing a OTE package of 230K pa. Have been in the consulting/vendor environment for 11 years now and have been thinking about a switch to an end-user. Got an offer recently from a financial institution as VP of IT at base salary of 164K pa with promise of 4-5 month bonus, which would push it to about 232-240K pa in best case scenario.

There is no real push factor at my current job, pressure is manageable although the typical stress chasing sales targets at quarter end/FY end is usual. On the other hand the new role will certainly have more stress given that I'll need to prove myself and the role will have more visibility to the senior management. The latter might be a good thing though for long term career advancement.

For me, both career tracts are interesting and have its pros and cons. Doing sales long term is tiresome, while in-house IT role might be boring after a while. Any advice from the folks here, especially those who have been in the same boat?

BTW, I'm turning 40 and have the typical family commitments (spouse plus 2 kids). Financial situation is comfortable without large loan commitments.

How much is your wife earning?

What's your total net worth (yours and wife combined)?

Originally Posted by kt2u

Long time lurker, first time posting.

I am currently working for a MNC IT vendor as presales consultant, drawing a OTE package of 230K pa. Have been in the consulting/vendor environment for 11 years now and have been thinking about a switch to an end-user. Got an offer recently from a financial institution as VP of IT at base salary of 164K pa with promise of 4-5 month bonus, which would push it to about 232-240K pa in best case scenario.

There is no real push factor at my current job, pressure is manageable although the typical stress chasing sales targets at quarter end/FY end is usual. On the other hand the new role will certainly have more stress given that I'll need to prove myself and the role will have more visibility to the senior management. The latter might be a good thing though for long term career advancement.

For me, both career tracts are interesting and have its pros and cons. Doing sales long term is tiresome, while in-house IT role might be boring after a while. Any advice from the folks here, especially those who have been in the same boat?

BTW, I'm turning 40 and have the typical family commitments (spouse plus 2 kids). Financial situation is comfortable without large loan commitments.

[kt2u]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

How much is your wife earning?

What's your total net worth (yours and wife combined)?

Wife quit her job to look after the kids a few years back. Not planning to go back to work if we can help it, we feel that quality of upbringing of the kids is better than leaving them home with the helper.

Total net worth about 1.1mil to date.

Originally Posted by kt2u

Wife quit her job to look after the kids a few years back. Not planning to go back to work if we can help it, we feel that quality of upbringing of the kids is better than leaving them home with the helper.

Total net worth about 1.1mil to date.

You are doing well. Agree that the quality of upbringing would be best done by parents and not a foreign helper. It is worth while in the long run.

The stability of your job is the most important factor to consider in deciding to switch jobs or not. Is the new place known to hire and fire in a downturn? If yes, then better to stay where you are as you are already earning a good package. That's my 2 cents.

Originally Posted by kt2u

There is no real push factor at my current job, pressure is manageable although the typical stress chasing sales targets at quarter end/FY end is usual. On the other hand the new role will certainly have more stress given that I'll need to prove myself and the role will have more visibility to the senior management. The latter might be a good thing though for long term career advancement.

For me, both career tracts are interesting and have its pros and cons. Doing sales long term is tiresome, while in-house IT role might be boring after a while. Any advice from the folks here, especially those who have been in the same boat?

Since there are no push factors, I would advise against moving into unfamiliar territory. The grass is always greener. If you find sales tiresome, why are you so sure that other roles won't be as tiresome?

[kt2u]

Well, I wouldn't say there are completely no push factors... the product I am supporting has been around for a while and probably only have another couple of years shelf life, after which if I want to stay in presales I'd either have to switch companies or find another product/team. Such is the life of IT... the speed of innovation is so fast that you snooze you lose... mobile, big data, and now cloud... dunno what's next.

My thinking is that a stint at end user will help me garner some industry experience, which could help me in the longer term? But then I might be potentially taking a pay cut for the current opportunity... the company sounds stable enough, but you never really know. Another wrinkle is that I have only been with my current firm for about 1 year, so the short stint might also be seen as an issue for future employers...

Originally Posted by kt2u

Well, I wouldn't say there are completely no push factors... the product I am supporting has been around for a while and probably only have another couple of years shelf life, after which if I want to stay in presales I'd either have to switch companies or find another product/team. Such is the life of IT... the speed of innovation is so fast that you snooze you lose... mobile, big data, and now cloud... dunno what's next.

My thinking is that a stint at end user will help me garner some industry experience, which could help me in the longer term? But then I might be potentially taking a pay cut for the current opportunity... the company sounds stable enough, but you never really know. Another wrinkle is that I have only been with my current firm for about 1 year, so the short stint might also be seen as an issue for future employers...

One year is too short. Don't move.

Sorry to hijack this thread.

Got a offer from Solar mfg company in Tuas.

Wondering how is the solar industry doing? Any info from people currently working in that industry?

Appreciate for sharing!