r/interviews • u/Bingo_is_the_man • 5h ago

I got the job I wanted! Feeling bad about quitting my current job though

To cut to the chase. I quit and came back to the job I’m currently at. Worked there 5 years the first time and 3 years this time around. In my first stint, I had a shitty manager until about 3-4 months to the end. I think they could tell I was going to quit, and gave me a new manager and a raise (I was insanely underpaid prior). I quit anyways for another job. That other job went to shit, and due to visa restrictions, I basically had to go back to my old job.

The last three years have been tough for the company. Strong headwinds, lots of layoffs (over 50% now). I stuck it out though when I could have quit at one or two instances. My manager got me a solid promotion and two nice raises in these last three years, and it finally felt like I’m starting to get paid fairly. Regardless - the company is doing so poorly and the revenue stream that paid my salary is gone. I’m basically on pure overhead right now in a failing company. I spent the last 2 months since we lost our revenue stream applying to jobs and found a great one. 68% higher pay in this one and it’s fully remote and I get more vacation. I literally couldn’t pass this job opportunity.

I feel bad for quitting when everyone is down, we’re a great team and I feel like I’m leaving them behind. My manager also invested a lot in promoting me… how do I stop feeling like a jerk? I’m going to give them 3 weeks notice instead of two so we get a smooth transition. Anything else I should do?

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10

u/HealthyInfluence31 5h ago

Very nice of you to be loyal but they are headed in the wrong direction. You may actually be saving someone else from being let go.

5

u/Bingo_is_the_man 5h ago

I was thinking of it that way too. It may actually give someone else a shot who needs that job more than I do at the moment. It’s a good, well paying job too.

5

u/DruidElfStar 5h ago

Be selfish and realize that if anyone else was in your shoes, they would take the new job without a second thought.

3 weeks notice is more than enough. I learned the hard way that jobs do not care for you and you HAVE to make the decisions best for you. No guilt is necessary here, although I understand your sentiments.

2

u/Bingo_is_the_man 5h ago

Yea I know. I have to remind myself that this is the place that underpaid me aggressively for the first 4.5 years I was there out of 8 total years.

3

u/Interesting-Alarm211 4h ago

This is not your problem to worry about. They already did you dirty by underpaying and then they are laying people off.

They will appreciate the sentiment. I wouldn’t feel bad though.

2

u/Tomatillo_Mountain 5h ago

I always feel bad to quit my job - carry sense of guilt not sure why. But I have to do what's right for me. Quitting is more difficult than joining in my experience.

1

u/Bingo_is_the_man 5h ago

Yeap. It definitely can be. When I quit this job the first time it was hard. My last job was easy to quit, the people there were all jerks.

2

u/Tomatillo_Mountain 5h ago

I felt guilty about quitting my responsibilities, not the people. I've stayed connected with my ex colleagues regardless. I've been in and out of the same teams a few times for now, jerks will remain so I've told myself to remain calm and focus on my responsibilities.

2

u/conceptualfella11 4h ago

Congrats! Like people are saying, be selfish! I just got the job I wanted after not even being considered for a promotion that I deserved after a decade of excellence. I’m finally free and won’t be around the person that got the job instead! Things are looking bright! Keep your head up!

2

u/No-North1748 4h ago

As we grow older, we realize that moving onward whether upward or simply forward in the direction of our best interests is always the right choice. When better circumstances come along, that’s just the cherry on top! Congratulations!

1

u/Cyber-London 3h ago

Google Stockholm syndrome

1

u/Commercial_Sir_3205 3h ago

Companies let go of loyal employees every day and they don't feel bad about. You mentioned your current company let go of staff and I'm sure they tried to continue with business as usual like nothing happened. Continue remaining in contact with the friends you've made but don't feel bad about moving on.

1

u/SadlyNotADuck 49m ago

Would your boss hesitate to fire you if they believed it would genuinely benefit the company? If not, your loyalty is misplaced. Go for the better opportunity.