Thread by @greaterbayo

Before You Make That Career Move: What Are The Opportunities For Growth?

It was in 2007. I had been interviewed for a Branch Manager role and expected to start a brand new branch somewhere in Ibadan. The interview process took quite some time.

Within that period, I had a chat with another organization and within a week, I concluded the interview process.

It was pretty fast- submitted my cv on Saturday, wrote a test on Monday, attended a panel interview on Tuesday, HR called to discuss role and negotiate salary on Wednesday and then further negotiations on Thursday as we didn't agree the day before.

The first company called me to pick up my offer that Friday. So I went to Lagos for the offer. The salary was very attractive. It was far better than what I earned at that time. I was already dreaming of what I could do with that pay package.

As I received the offer, my phone rang and the other firm that negotiated salary with me the previous day was on the line to inform me that my offer was ready. It was quite timely for me because both organisations were located on the same street in Victoria Island.

I ran to the other company, did my medicals and picked my offer. So, I got two offers same day.

The second offer wasn't as attractive in terms of pay. As a matter of fact, what I was offered was much lower compared to the the first one. The difference was very significant. To further compound the difference, the tax rate was much higher.

Nevertheless, when I picked up the second offer, I knew that was the one I would accept despite the lower pay and higher tax rate. On my way back to Ibadan, I stopped at the Regional Office of the first organisation that I had now made up my mind not to accept their offer

The Regional Manager was a former boss who really wanted me to work with him again. I knew I had to manage the rejection properly so it won't shut down other opportunities in the future.

I went to his office, prostrated before him to thank him for his efforts and informed him respectfully that I was unable to accept the offer. I showed him the second offer. He was shocked because their own salary was much higher. He couldn't understand why I turned it down.

The question I had been able to answer was : what are the growth opportunities? One needs to understand that in as much as the pay is important, it is NOT often the most important consideration when making a career move- especially at certain levels in your career development.

For me, I'm more interested in the growth prospects than in the immediate financial rewards.

I've realized that you enjoy the benefits of an increased pay just for a few months after which expenses will rise to meet the new income (if you're not financially disciplined) but the benefits of growth are endless.

While making my final consideration, I looked at the fact that the other organization though with fewer branches was expanding. With expansion comes opportunity to take on new roles. I wasn't satisfied with just being a Branch Manager. I saw the opportunities to aspire to be more

I had heard that the firm places premium on staff training. I couldn't quantify that in terms of money. When I joined, hardly will two months pass without one going on one training or the other.

It was an international brand so I wanted to have that foreign flavour on my cv even if I had to sacrifice the pay. I think I made a great choice looking back now. That organization gave me the greatest leap in my career.

So before you make that move, understand that it's not just about the money. Ask questions like: what are the growth prospects? What can I aspire to in this organization? Is there room to spread my wings?

Is the organization itself growing? Don't choose the pay above the growth opportunities. If you choose growth, you'll eventually get the pay and even more.

Bayo Adeyinka

Do you have my books? You can DM @Rovingheights for your copies.

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