Q&A: Is It Stepping Over Or Stepping Down?

by | Feb 27, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers | 0 comments

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Nonprofit Mission Connected Careers, Recruiting & Job Search | Q&A: Is It Stepping Over Or Stepping Down?Q:   I have been Senior Accountant and Chief Financial Officer at two organizations.  I just saw a posting for an Assistant Comptroller (less responsible) role at a well-respected nonprofit in DC.  The salary in the new role is comparable to my current salary.  Should I apply?

A:  I generally counsel clients not to consider “stepping down” because it can be difficult to move back into a senior position after voluntarily taking on a move down the organization chain.  However, here are two exceptions to this general rule where it is wise to consider making the move:

The organization is many times bigger/more respected than the ones for which you have previously worked. If your current organization is a $5M non-profit and you are offered a “lesser” role at a $25M non-profit, then the move is worth considering.  You will clearly be operating at a different scale, and the new organization is likely to be more visible and more complex than yours.   You stand to gain much in terms of professional development and exposure.

There are clear opportunities for upward mobility in the target organization. Similar to the first exception, if your organization lacks opportunities for promotion and/or advancement, you might want to consider a strategic move to another organization (preferably a larger, more prestigious one) where opportunities for upward mobility seem real.

Due diligence will reveal whether or not the apparent mobility is real.  Likewise, from your research, you will learn more about the operating culture and values of the target organization.  If they are congruent with yours, then you may want to consider making the move.  Otherwise, avoid taking either steps back in title or pay cuts.  These seldom work out well.  You do not want to ever be in the position of defending a career move when you seem to be on a positive track at the moment.

Contact Karen Alphonse at Karena@execSearches.com or visit ExecSearches.com for more information about our career coaching services.

ExecSearches.com is a job board for nonprofit job seekers interested in fundraising, management and executive nonprofit jobs.

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Last updated on September 19th, 2012 at 11:06 am

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  1. ExecSearches Mission Connected Newsletter, April 15, 2015 | Mission Connected Blog - […] Q:   I have been Senior Accountant and Chief Financial Officer at two organizations.  I just saw a posting for…

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