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| It was a hard step, but it had to be done! |
So I've met with my boss and told him the story I've told you. My fiancée's life wish was to move to Sweden and all the hard work has paid off - she was accepted to Lund University and we will be leaving the country in a few months. I've finished with a firm conclusion: I will have to stop working here and find a new job.
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| I'm leaving because of a fundamental life choice. |
I knew this would be problematic. Loyalty to my employer was the one reason I've hesitated when my significant other suggested moving abroad. I have taken over a significant chunk of our projects in nearly half a decade I was working there and I feared I simply couldn't leave our small company without inflicting damage.
In our workspace everyone is "in charge" of his own turf. In hindsight it's not the wisest of arrangements, however it did make us employees feel special. At least for me it is a great feeling to wake up and go to work every morning when you know you are the master of your own domain. I know it worked on me, I was way happier and I'm sure it made me better at my job. It made me proud! Unfortunately this management style only works until someone has to go... But I digress.
In the end I had a great talk with my boss. He understood I wasn't leaving because I wasn't happy with my position or compensation, I was leaving because of a fundamental life choice. The friendship component in our relationship really helped. Even though things are going to be tougher for the company he assured me there were no bad feelings and he even promised me he will talk to some of his Swedish contacts about me and my situation. In return I promised to stay in touch after the move and lend a helping hand if the need arises - something I've had in mind all along.
The meeting was tough, but I dare call it a success. If I learned anything is that a great relationship pays off. I think the ability to make friends easily is one of my better qualities and I hope I will find use of it in Sweden.
How do you think I did? Do you think I could have done better, or do you have a relevant story to share? Please respond in the comments!
My advice: Don't feel bad about quitting your job. It was the right thing to. It would even be the right thing to do if you weren't moving to Sweden.
ReplyDeleteI was in a similar position a few years back. I liked my former company and got along with my boss and other employees really well. I was in charge of a legacy project and was the main developer on the new and shiny project as well. But I noticed I got too comfortable - somehow those two projects weren't a challenge anymore. I told my boss it was time for me too move on and he was really understanding. He even 'gave' me the legacy project and I am still maintaining it (not much work and it pays really well). We even worked on together on a small project after that. Since than I've worked on a lot of fun new projects and I even moved to San Francisco for two months. My rate now is five times bigger than it was back than. Quitting that job was the best thing I did.
Don't be afraid of trying something new and doubling (or tripling) your rate in the process.
Thanks for the reply!
DeleteThere is definitely some truth to the "too comfortable" argument, I can see that.
Hopefully all will turn out for the best!
Well done, I was sure there would be no bad feelings from your boss, we all have freedom of choice in what we do and you gave enough notice that they can find your replacement. It is good to move to new challenges and I am sure you will grow from the experience in Sweden. Of course I would stay in touch and even do any e-projects if that was possible with them or/and maybe they will appreciate you even more now, or when you return. Good luck now with finding that new job! Apartment needs to be between the two commutes, yours and fiance's, right?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words!
DeleteYeah, when apartment hunting we will try to minimize the commute time for both of us. We know (approximately) where she will need to be, but my job is still an unknown. That's why the current plan is to find my job (in Lund or Malmö) and then stay in a hostel while looking for an apartment.