$95k at a prestigious company to $145k at a ~150 employee company. Is it better for my future to take it or stay?

Hello everyone, I’d love some advice as I am really struggling on coming to a decisive decision. I am 27 years old and I work as a data analyst at one of the most prestigious companies in my field (investment management) and make $95k. I like my job a lot. I work remote and really respect and like my work colleagues. I feel I can do a whole lot more and have greater exposure in terms of our larger team but to be honest I don’t have many complaints. My manager is really the best and I’m constantly learning things I want to become better at. In general I’m happy. The only downsides are there are some issues with visibility to the larger team and exposure at my age and tbh I may be expendable as my coworkers and manager can probably take up my responsibilities if they ever decided to lay me off. But for now there hasn’t been any inclination of this being a concern, it’s just something that’s always in the back of my mind.

Based off an old colleague I got recommended to a position for a senior data analyst with a company of about 150 employees and out of curiosity I decided to accept the interview process. After multiple rounds of interviews completed, they offered me the position at $145k. This company is also an investment management company (albeit at a smaller scale and more singular focused investment strategy)

I know I mentioned salary a bit and of course I’d love to make more money (who wouldn’t) but my biggest concern has always been my future. I got really lucky with getting into my company 4 years ago and worked really hard from a high stress low paying entry level position to where I’m at now. I always planned to keep moving up and maintain ambition but if I were to take this position, where would it leave me in the future realistically? Let’s say I work this position for years and learn everything I can and realize it’s time to make a move, does working for an unknown company hurt my chances of interviewing and consideration at other firms in the future? I would love any advice you guys could offer!

Jobadvisor:

This is a classic career dilemma: stability and prestige vs. higher pay and potential risk. Here's a breakdown to help you decide:

Arguments for Staying:

• Prestige and Network: Working at a prestigious firm opens doors. The name recognition on your resume carries weight and can lead to future opportunities even if you leave years later. You've also built a valuable network within this established company.
• Strong Manager and Learning: You're actively learning and have a supportive manager. This is invaluable for career growth, even if it's not reflected in immediate promotions or visibility.
• Job Satisfaction: You're generally happy in your current role. This is a huge factor often overlooked. A higher salary won't compensate for a job you dislike.
• Perceived Risk vs. Reality: Your concern about being "expendable" is a common feeling, especially in large organizations. Unless there's concrete evidence of layoffs or restructuring, it might be an overestimation of the risk.

Arguments for Leaving:

• Significant Salary Increase:
  A $50k raise is substantial (over 50%). This can significantly impact your financial well-being, allowing for faster debt repayment, investments, or other financial goals.
• Senior Title and Increased Responsibility: The new role offers a senior title, suggesting more responsibility and potential for leadership experience.  This is valuable for career progression.  
• Potential for Faster Growth (in the short term): In a smaller company, you might have more opportunities to make a direct impact and gain broader experience quickly. This increased responsibility can accelerate your growth.
• Addressing Visibility Concerns: You mentioned limited visibility in your current role. A smaller company might offer more opportunities to showcase your skills and contribute to strategic initiatives.

Addressing Your Specific Concerns:

• Future Career Prospects After Leaving the Smaller Company: This is your main concern. While working for a less-known company could slightly impact future opportunities, it's not a deal-breaker. Here's why:
  • Focus on Accomplishments: If you take the new role, focus on quantifiable achievements and building a strong portfolio. This will be more important than the company name on your resume.
  • Networking: Continue networking within your industry. Attend conferences, connect with people on LinkedIn, and maintain relationships with former colleagues.
  • Industry Relevance: Both companies are in investment management. This continuity mitigates the risk of being pigeonholed or seen as irrelevant to larger firms.
  • The Market is Strong for Data Professionals: Skilled data analysts are in high demand. This works in your favor regardless of the company you work for.

Recommendation:

This is a tough call, but here's a suggested approach:

1. Negotiate: Before deciding, try negotiating with your current company. Explain that you have received a compelling offer and inquire about potential for salary increases, promotions, or increased visibility within your current role. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
2. Evaluate the New Company Thoroughly: If negotiation doesn't yield satisfactory results, do more research on the smaller company. Look at their financial stability, growth trajectory, and employee reviews. Understand the team you'd be joining and the company culture.
3. Consider Your Priorities: Ultimately, the decision depends on your priorities. If financial gain and faster short-term career progression are most important, the new role might be a good fit. If stability, prestige, and a strong learning environment are paramount, staying put might be the better choice, especially if your current company is willing to negotiate.

In short, the $50k raise and senior title are very attractive. The risk to your future career is manageable if you focus on achieving results and continue networking. However, don't underestimate the value of your current situation. Negotiate and carefully weigh your priorities before making a decision.

Still can’t find full time job

Hi guys!

Ok so my background. I’m 27m almost 28. I graduated from college with a bachelors degree in film in 2022. I do video production work as well as photography. I love behind the camera. My end goal is to find something in those field if possible.

Well as you can tell, it’s now 2025 and I have still yet to find a full time job (in anything). I have a part time job currently but the hours suck and it’s only seasonal. So there are good chunks of the year where I am not working.

I do photography on the side but not enough to go full time. Plus with the last hurricane season that well has dried up for now.

I don’t know what to do. Seems like all of these jobs need so many exact requirements to even be considered. I changed my resume multiple times at this point to see if that was it. I have a huge portfolio that shows I am more than capable for a lot of these jobs. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong or if it’s just that bad out there right now marketwise.

I’m really starting to get depressed. I see all my friends living successful lives on their own and here I am turning 28 and still living with my parents who are really annoying the hell out of me lately.

Sorry if my thoughts seem all over the place. Thats the state of my mind right now. 😭 I really need some advice.

Jobadvisor:

It's completely understandable that you're feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. It's tough to see your peers moving forward while you're struggling to find your footing, especially when living at home adds to the stress. Let's break down some potential strategies to help you find a full-time job in your field:

1. Refine Your Job Search Strategy:

• Target Specific Roles: Instead of broadly applying for "video production" or "photography" jobs, identify specific roles you're interested in (e.g., videographer, editor, camera operator, production assistant, photographer for events/products/real estate). This allows you to tailor your resume and portfolio to each application.
• Networking is Key: Your network is your greatest asset.
  • Reach out to your college alumni network: Many schools have alumni groups specifically for film/media. These connections can offer valuable insights and job leads.
  • Attend industry events: Look for local film festivals, photography exhibitions, or workshops. These are great opportunities to meet potential employers and collaborators.
  • Inform your existing network: Let friends, family, and former professors know you're actively searching for full-time work. They might know of opportunities you haven't considered.
  • Online networking: Use LinkedIn to connect with people in your field. Join relevant groups and engage in discussions.
• Expand Your Search Beyond Job Boards: While job boards are a good starting point, consider these alternatives:
  • Company websites: Many companies post job openings directly on their websites, often before they appear on job boards.
  • Freelance platforms: Websites like Upwork or Fiverr can provide opportunities to build your portfolio and gain experience, potentially leading to full-time positions.
  • Local production companies and agencies: Research local video production companies, advertising agencies, and marketing firms. Even if they're not actively hiring, sending a portfolio and expressing your interest can make you stand out.
• Tailor Your Resume and Portfolio:
  • Resume: Focus on accomplishments and quantifiable results. Use action verbs and highlight skills relevant to each specific job you apply for. Don't just list your responsibilities; show what you achieved.
  • Portfolio: Curate your best work and make it easily accessible online (e.g., website, Vimeo, Behance). Organize it by category to showcase your versatility. Make sure it loads quickly and is mobile-friendly.

2. Address the "Requirements" Issue:

• Don't be discouraged by every requirement: Many job descriptions list "ideal" qualifications. If you meet most of the core requirements and have a strong portfolio, apply anyway.
• Highlight transferable skills: Even if you don't have direct experience in a specific area, emphasize transferable skills like creativity, problem-solving, communication, and technical proficiency.
• Consider internships or lower-level positions: If you're struggling to land a mid-level role, consider applying for internships or entry-level positions to gain experience and build your network.

3. Address the Emotional Side:

• Acknowledge your feelings: It's okay to feel frustrated, depressed, and overwhelmed. Don't dismiss these feelings.
• Seek support: Talk to friends, family, or a therapist. Sharing your struggles can help you feel less alone and provide valuable perspective.
• Focus on what you can control: You can't control the job market, but you can control your job search strategy, your skills development, and your mindset.
• Set realistic goals: Break down your job search into smaller, manageable tasks. This can make the process feel less daunting.
• Take care of yourself: Make sure you're eating healthy, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. These things can have a significant impact on your mood and energy levels.

4. Living Situation:

• Communicate with your parents: While it's understandable that living at home is frustrating, try to have an open and honest conversation with your parents about your situation. Setting clear boundaries and expectations can help improve the living situation. If possible, discuss a timeline for moving out to give you a concrete goal to work towards.

It's a challenging time, but with a focused approach and perseverance, you can find a fulfilling career in your field. Remember to be patient with yourself and celebrate small victories along the way.

I can't find a job and I don't know what to do

Hello, I've been struggling to find a job for almost a year now. I've applied to over 100 jobs and nothing, I hardly ever get rejection letters too. I've applied on company websites, linkedIn, multiple job websites, anything I can get my hands on and nothing.

Short background information I'm originally from California I have my Bachelors degree and plenty of experience in my field. Last March I moved to Philadelphia (for personal reasons) and since then I have not been able to find a single job in my field. I am currently a babysitter and a freelance video editor making only enough for my rent and food. I've changed my resume dozens of times, I've done a couple courses to slap on my resume (about to start a Google Certificate course) and I've joined several networking groups. Total I've had 3 interviews and most of my offers come from pyramid schemes. I've taken advice from many people, I've searched on Reddit on what I should do and I still don't know what I'm doing wrong or why I can't land a job. Can someone please help me?

Jobadvisor:

It's incredibly frustrating to face repeated rejection in a job search, especially after putting in so much effort. It sounds like you're doing many of the right things, but let's break down some potential areas to focus on and some strategies to try:

1. Targeting and Application Strategy:

• Specificity: Applying to 100 jobs is a lot, but are they highly targeted to your skills and experience? Broad applications often get lost. Focus on quality over quantity. Tailor your resume and cover letter to each job description, highlighting relevant skills and accomplishments. Use keywords from the job posting.
• Networking: You mentioned networking groups, which is great. Go beyond just joining. Actively participate, attend events (even virtual ones), and connect with people in your field. Informational interviews can be invaluable. Ask people about their career paths, companies they've worked for, and get advice. These conversations can sometimes lead to unadvertised openings.
• Location, Location, Location: You moved from California to Philadelphia. This is a significant change in job market. Are you explicitly stating in your cover letter or resume objective that you've relocated to Philadelphia? Some recruiters might assume you're still in California and disregard your application. Also, research the specific job market in Philadelphia for your field. Are there particular industries or companies that are hiring?
• Hidden Job Market: Many jobs are never advertised publicly. Networking, as mentioned above, is key to accessing this. Also, consider contacting companies directly, even if they don't have open positions listed. Express your interest and inquire about future opportunities.   

2. Resume and Cover Letter Review:

• Professional Review: While you've changed your resume many times, have you had it professionally reviewed by a career counselor or resume writer? They can provide objective feedback and identify areas for improvement. Sometimes a fresh set of eyes can make a big difference.
• ATS Optimization: Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes. Ensure your resume is ATS-friendly by using simple formatting, avoiding tables and images, and using relevant keywords.   
• Quantifiable Achievements: Focus on quantifiable achievements in your resume. Instead of saying "Managed social media accounts," say "Increased social media engagement by 25% in six months." Use numbers and metrics to demonstrate the impact of your work.
• Cover Letter Focus: The cover letter is your chance to tell your story and connect your skills to the specific job. Don't just reiterate your resume. Explain why you're interested in the company and the role, and how your skills and experience make you a strong fit.

3. Interview Skills:

• Practice: You've had three interviews. Practice answering common interview questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses. Record yourself or practice with a friend or career counselor.
• Mock Interviews: Consider doing mock interviews with a career counselor or through a professional service. They can provide valuable feedback on your interview technique, body language, and communication skills.
• Post-Interview Follow-Up: After each interview, send a thank-you note to the interviewers within 24 hours. This shows your continued interest and professionalism.

4. Addressing Specific Concerns:

• Lack of Rejection Letters: This is common. Many companies don't send rejection letters due to the high volume of applications they receive. Don't take it personally.
• Pyramid Schemes: Be very cautious of any "opportunities" that sound too good to be true or require you to invest money upfront. Do your research and avoid these scams.
• Freelancing and Babysitting: While these are valuable for income, consider how you present them on your resume. You can frame your freelance work as demonstrating initiative, project management, and client communication skills.

5. Mindset and Persistence:

• Stay Positive: Job searching can be emotionally draining. It's important to stay positive and persistent. Celebrate small victories and don't give up.
• Seek Support: Talk to friends, family, or a career counselor for support and encouragement.

It's clear you're dedicated to finding a job. By focusing on targeted applications, networking, refining your resume and cover letter, and practicing your interview skills, you'll significantly increase your chances of success. Don't lose heart—your hard work will pay off.