[z335is]

Originally Posted by davis449

I left a what really was a good job in late May of 2012 at a decent-sized privately held (by individuals) company because I wasn't really happy with my management at the time. I took into consideration the fact that the company was being sold to an investment group (still private, though) and decided it was time to fly. I went to another company down the in oil fields south of SA at the behest of a co-worker from that company and they were sold 5 mos. after I started working there. Given the sale of this company wasn't the only thing that pushed me out the door, I also had a shitty boss (the company's soon-to-be former owner), and a 240 mile round trip a day commute (what can I say, money is SO tempting sometimes). I saw the writing on the wall (I was definitely going to be let go once the new parent company took over) and so did my direct supervisor (who was from the company I left, he had left to work for these asshats, too, though he probably would've been able to keep his job) and decided to take my chances back closer to home. After two years of struggling to find a GOOD home, I think I finally have one at where I am now. I wouldn't change the leap frogging I've done over the last two years through two companies to find the job I have now. In the end, it was worth it because at that first good job I had the company has since gone WAY down hill and turnover through the roof. The stories I hear about that place now make me happy I did what I did.

Now that I've told you that story, let me tell how I played getting out of the last company I left that was here at home. I applied like crazy and only took interviews to jobs that looked like they were going to be good. It took 6 mos. because, though I hated my job, it was good enough to stay until the RIGHT thing came along. That said, this is what I would do in your position. I would put the resumes out and start taking only the worthwhile interviews while you are watching things play out where you are now. If you find something better during that process, take it. If I had to do it all over again, I would've just been more careful about the job I left that pretty good one for and that was the lesson I learned the second time around.

Some good insight there, thanks. I think that's exactly what I'm going to do - keep my eyes open for only those opportunities that would be an improvement, while seeing how things play out at my current place of business in the interim.

[fun ticket]

Originally Posted by z335is

Hey everyone,

I was hoping you could lend some insight here. The company I have been with for the last six years (IT) was just sold to one of our competitors. The deal can't officially be completed until late this year or early next year though, so we are kind of in limbo. Now the new company is saying all of the right things so far about employee retention, salaries, etc, but I'm sure some form of mischief will occur (it always does). That being said, there is an opportunity at another company that is very similar to what I do now (and slightly closer to home with likely the same pay or higher).

I'm really struggling with whether I should apply for the other job or if I should hold tight and see how things flesh out with the transition, any thoughts?

Thanks in advance

My employer has acquired 2 companies in the last 4 years. I report to our CIO so i participated in all integration meetings. The process, at least for us, went as follows:
1. Any C level employees at the company we acquired were gone basically immediately or within a few weeks.
2. Sr Mgmt that reported to them was for the most part gone after 3 to 6 months. That time was used to acquire any legacy knowledge they had then they were given packages to leave.
3. Middle Mgmt and below is a roll of the dice. Some were kept, some were not. It was all about eliminating any redundancies.

I'm not sure which bucket you fit in but the best advice I can give you is:
1. Be prepared to leave (you always should be anyway); updated resume, keep your ears open for opportunities; build your network outside the company and inside; have relationships with recruiters, etc.
2. Whatever you do, your ATTITUDE IS KEY at your current employer. Stay positive. If the new leadership wants to change how things are done don't get an attitude and say "thats not the way we did it.....blah, blah". They own the company now so just dance their dance. I cannot tell you how many people shot themselves in the foot on this one. They could not let go of the way things used to be done, they became resistant to change, and were ultimately let go because they would not adopt new practices, etc. It's not worth it, who care, things change, big deal, at least you keep your job.

Anyway, you get my point on that one.

Good luck with it.

[davis449]

My employer has acquired 2 companies in the last 4 years. I report to our CIO so i participated in all integration meetings. The process, at least for us, went as follows:
1. Any C level employees at the company we acquired were gone basically immediately or within a few weeks.
2. Sr Mgmt that reported to them was for the most part gone after 3 to 6 months. That time was used to acquire any legacy knowledge they had then they were given packages to leave.
3. Middle Mgmt and below is a roll of the dice. Some were kept, some were not. It was all about eliminating any redundancies.

1. Be prepared to leave (you always should be anyway); updated resume, keep your ears open for opportunities; build your network outside the company and inside; have relationships with recruiters, etc.
2. Whatever you do, your ATTITUDE IS KEY at your current employer. Stay positive. If the new leadership wants to change how things are done don't get an attitude and say "thats not the way we did it.....blah, blah". They own the company now so just dance their dance. I cannot tell you how many people shot themselves in the foot on this one. They could not let go of the way things used to be done, they became resistant to change, and were ultimately let go because they would not adopt new practices, etc. It's not worth it, who care, things change, big deal, at least you keep your job.

Absolutely. Make sure you have good in-house references in management. Preferably in your dept., but they don't necessarily have to be directly over you or involved in your day-to-day. It really helps when a potential employer calls someone in management at a company you worked for previously and they have nothing but great things to say about you (this reference, though, isn't for the job you're looking for right now, but rather for the one after the next job you get).

As far as that second one goes, absolutely, attitude is key. Always be positive and flexible in respect to their wishes. Now I know what fun ticket is talking about when it comes to phasing people out and here's how I see companies like his. If you are in a position where a company like his comes in, does what they do, and you know you're not going to be kept because you are the "Sr. Mgt." he speaks of (or just someone with a lot of the legacy knowledge they wish to acquire before letting you go)...that right there is the reason to start your search early so you can find the right thing and bail on their asses leaving them to hang. I say this because if you already have your mgt. reference from within that company (doesn't matter if they're phased out, too, later on) you have nothing to worry about moving forward.

The company I just left, my boss was trying to phase us out in favor or contractors (different situation, same principal), so that's what I did. My old co-worker there is still calling me because I gave them just enough knowledge and, because my boss was so fucking clueless and didn't understand the vital functions I performed, he had no idea the knowledge I took with me until it was far too late.

[BEM-S4]

Given the limited overlap geographically speaking and the regularoty environment in EU - where your product has a bigger footprint - you're probably ok for a while. Even if they wanted to switch to their stuff day one there's no way they can do that, especially since we are talking about healthcare in very socialist countries. Not sure your level of experience with the regulatory environment in EU but it's a nightmare. So start looking but don't freak out and take the first thing that pops up.

[Whostheboss]

After reading through this entire thread, the best advice i got from it is:

Apply for the new job and take it if you are hired.

You should ALWAYS be applying for a new job. ALWAYS!