I work as a Property Manager and I have been working with the same company for almost ten years and in that time I got to know some of the higher ups and Executives.
However I live an hour (in theory) away from the buildings I manage and in bad days I would spend three hours commuting.
Sadly the company does not have any sites in my area and all the work is more in the major city area so I was always keeping an eye on opportunities in my area.
Four weeks ago I was approached by a smaller company if I would be interested in an interview. The office is twenty (20) minutes away from my place. TWENTY minutes how can I say no?
Went for the interview, nailed it had the 2nd interview two days later and also impressed the VP and HR person enough to receive a job offer the next working day. This was a Monday
It is more work however, also more money and only a TWENTY minutes drive to the office, so I accepted the offer.
The next day (Tuesday) i had a meeting with my Boss and gave him my three weeks notice, his first question was….”Anything I did wrong “?
We then had a longer chat where I mentioned the twenty minute drive at least three times.
His closing comment “Amazing opportunity and good for you, who would turn down reducing their commuting time by an hour.
Next day one of my Ex bosses calls (same company different department) “I heard you are leaving anything we can do to convince you to reconsider?”
My answer; “Yes a helicopter will work or a office which is only twenty minutes away from my place.”
Her answer, “good for you and we will miss you.”
Wednesday comes, Director of HR calls, “Hi Steinhaut, just wanted to tell you congratz on that great opportunity and wanted to wish you all the best. If you have time can we do your exit interview, I would really like to get some final feedback from you.”
Then last Monday my phone rings, “Hi Steinhaut this is VP operations, I just wanted to thank you for all the work you have done for us, all the times you provided honest valuable feedback and I know your answer however anything we can do to keep you?”
Apparently the helicopter is still not in the budget so thx for the offer, however twenty minute drive :).
I start giving out my private information to some people to stay in contact and I get a LinkedIn message from the VP.
“Hi just wanted to thank you again and to tell you to not get to comfortable at your new company. We are working on some projects in your area and I will get you back.”
I know that my story is a exemption on this sub, however I just wanted to point out that there are descent managers & companies out there who value your work and input and that not every company is managed by the devil.