Help! Taking a step down ?

Hi insiders! Current situation is either sticking with my privately
Owned company as the assitant property manager or moving
To a new company that is much larger starting as a leasing
Agent. The money is about even! With the exception is commission
At my current job and they pay for my cell phone.

The training is much better for the larger management company
But I also have a great property manager that I am learning from
Now!

This is tearing me up! What should I do! This is the career
Path I want to take. Is it possible to learn the most from my current
Company and move elsewhere without starting
At leasing?? Help! Please and thanks!

Hello Elizabeth I have been in your shoes and it is a hard decision to make. What I did was looked at both companies to see the benefit of both. If property management is the career path that you want I would strongly suggest that you stick with the great manager learn everything that you can (knowledge is the key) and in a years time look at the increase in money. If you are changing because its a larger management company so much more will be required of you, the training is good because it's required of you monthly and yearly. I have worked with large management companies as well as small ones and I love the smaller ones better, you learn so much more. Don't chase the money in time it will come.

Hi Elizabeth - I think the most important part of this is to note that larger doesn't always mean better. I would focus most on how innovative each company is, and how they see their workforce. Do they always run short-staffed? Are they on the forefront with technology?

It is almost scary how great a divide there is between the top management companies and the ones on the bottom of the scale. But it is not always determined by the size of the company - there are some small companies who have more ability to quickly identify and implement new ideas due to their small size, and there are larger companies who focus so much on short term profit that they wring every dollar out of operations, stifling innovation. And of course, there are opposites to both of these - small companies who are extremely behind the times, and large companies who effectively use their larger budgets to lead the industry in innovation.

So if you care most about your long-term career, I personally would focus on improving your skillsets first from a company that is a leader rather than a follower. I wouldn't focus as much on salary at this point, because a strong skillset will translate to much stronger earnings down the road.

I hope that helps!

Elizabeth,

No one knows your situation better than you. What is good for one may not be good for you. There has been good feedback on here with Brent giving some really fine advice and things to consider.

Now we come to you to answer questions only you can answer. I normally made a pros and cons list. I would be brutally honest with myself and write down the benefits of staying vs the benefit of moving.

I always start off with what is motivating this thinking? Who is it good for? What do I love more the job or the money? Helping others or self and family? What are the drivers? Do you have a family with children and which job is going to take the most time away from family.

There was a time back when I walked away from a job that would have paid me really, really nice, but I was not going to be happy and my family time would suffer. I chose being happy and family time. But that was me. You know you and what is most important to you and why. When you answer those, then, there in will be YOUR ANSWER!