I got an offer from a smaller company. The pay is a bit lower, not by much, but the conditions seem decent. There's a real possibility I could finally have a life outside of work. Management actually seems to care about work-life balance, at least to some extent. I’m seriously tempted to take it. I’ve been with Chevron for quite a while and even managed to move up a bit, but the last two years have been exhausting, tedious and pretty demoralizing. With the reorg still dragging on, it's hard to see light at the end of the tunnel.
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I’ve worked for just about every size company there is. Smaller companies allow for more influence and a sense of “I made a difference.” Also, usually you have lots to do and stay busy. Since I’ve been at Chevron I’ve been bored to tears. Everyone here seems like they are acting busy but don’t really do anything. If you want more of a sense of purpose…go for it.
I am sorry to hear you cannot make this decision for yourself.
In the course of my career, I worked at two very large companies (including Chevron), one smaller oil company, and one service company. For the smaller companies, sweat shops? No. But they did have clear goals, clear communication, and you either made your objectives, or you didn't. Accountability and teamwork were tantamount. You definitely had to be on top of your skills, but that made you a much better professional. Networking opportunities were widespread. Much better than fooling around with networks and wasting time with idle Starbucks chatter. There was a time when we could say that a large company had better job security, but in the MW world that's all gone.
I have worked at several smaller companies. they are typically sweat-shops. I moved to Chevron because it has a better work-life balance with significantly less stress. Good luck.
Take it. Sanity is a very big benefit. Chevron, now with a year or two of Hess integration, will continue to be chaos.
Depends on the job market where you are…. Many job markets are tough right now. A salary even with a pay cut is better than nothing.
The runway for careers at this company is very short if you’re not in a low cost geography. You’ll want to invest your time where you have the best possible future
Yes, if it's not a big drop do it. Especially if you feel like the mission of the smaller company is clear and they have better management than the bunch of mckinsey crated powerpoint jockeys we have today.
@OP, only you know the answer to your question. If you still have a lot of working years ahead of you, this makes good sense. You'll enjoy better work-life balance and make the financial adjustment, knowing you can recoup over the long run toward retirement. As @a3 said, there are no guarantees for long-term employment at Chevron anymore, so it behooves all of us to consider that when making future-based decisions. Good luck to you; hopefully the timing can work so you can get EOI severance along with this job.
Yes, take the lower paying job with possibilities for more work life balance.There are no guarantees for long term employment at Chevron. When I EOI I plan to take a job that may be less pay but will make me happier due to less stress. Life is too short. I have learned this since last major reorganization when I took something I did not want in 2020. Good luck to you.