Pros and Cons of Job Relocation to KL

[dazza_73]

Context :

I (30, single, M) received an offer to transfer to HQ (KL) with a 50% base increment (from 4k to 6k). To put it simply, I do sales.

I will be doing the same role there as I am now in the same company, just relocate to Kuala Lumpur to hunt and farm the companies there.

However, I have been asked to consider the following :

Pros :

1. Higher basic pay.
2. Larger accounts (more chance to get higher commission).
3. More exposure to larger MNC and C suite engagements.
4. Independence (might be pro/con or both at the same time)
5. More likely to be promoted to higher management role instead of in a regional level.

Cons :

1. Higher cost of living
   
   (Can be adjusted but people around my social circle say I need at least 7 to 8k a month to live at the same comfort level I am living now but the only difference is that my living expenses now is heavily subsidised by my parents since I am still under their roof, but I am expected to bear all these expenses if I were to relocate ).
2. Working in HQ means more direct involvement in office politics.
3. Far higher stress levels.
4. Lose WFH flexibilty, less work life balance due to time spent in transit.
5. More aggressive competitive market, higher turnover rate.

If anyone can think of anything to contribute to the pro and con list before I can make a more informed decision, feel free. I still have time until September to consider since there are too many uncertainties to consider.

 

[lunamu]

@dazza_73 Go for it. There are a lot of intangibles to benefit from.

You will elevate yourself. Bigger game means better experience. More politics & human antics, although unpleasant, means you will develop a more diverse set of skills to solve problems (close a sale).

Moving out and living on your own will also force you to grow. It shapes personality and creates a life drive/ determination.

You will also open a lot more doors for personal and career growth. The people you meet are all mini-quest givers with random-sized rewards. Not to mention travelling to see the world is easier from the capital. Then even more self-growth, etcetera.

 

[dazza_73]

@lunamu You’re right. My actual concern is actually in the career and income part, not so much on the benefits of personal growth if I choose to relocate.

Leaving means my existing client base need to be handed to the person who will taking over my role here (no cross region selling allowed).

I averaged about 18k per month gross at my current location in 2022, and currently as of 2023 stands at 14k per month. Pipeline projection for 2024 will exceed 2022 though.

Even if I benchmark my teammates who are in kl, only 4 of them probably out perform me, 3 of which are pretty close (within a 20-30% range higher) while the top sales makes what I make in a year in 3 months so I’d count him as an outlier.

The discussion with management is as follows:
I will be under the same performance monitoring programme in which I am given 6 months to produce substantial result or I will go into PIP. And by then there would already be a replacement for me so I cannot return to the same role here and there’s a slight worry that I might not reach this level of income again.

My reporting superior’s response was :
“Try, don’t say you cannot do before you try. What’s the worst that can happen? PIP, fired can always find a new job.”

 

[zadeet]

@dazza_73 This is more important info than what you've put in the main post. Please make an edit there and include this info.

Moving to KL means losing your sales pipeline and having to build it from scratch. And add to that if you don't perform as before, then you get PIP? And you only get 6 months to do so? How many years did it take you to get to your current sales? Nearly impossible to do.

This is someone trying to kill your career because they're jealous of you. Especially when you now reveal that you're already performing with around RM15k per month in commission from sales. Whoever takes over your current role and gets all your commissions in the pipeline will be very happy...

And you get a paycut from RM 18k ( 4k basic + 14k commission) down to RM6k (6k basic + no commission yet)

Make an edit and include this info in your main post, and DON'T move to KL unless they can promise you the commissions that are currently in the pipeline (which you worked for) and also won't PIP you if you move.

 

[dazza_73]

@zadeet

Moving to KL means losing your sales pipeline and having to build it from scratch. And add to that if you don't perform as before, then you get PIP? And you only get 6 months to do so? How many years did it take you to get to your current sales? Nearly impossible to do.

Thank you. It took me a good 1 year before I could kick the ground running. But we are under extreme pressure for results now as management are anxious to produce results to be presented to shareholders. Turnover is getting crazier too.

And you get a paycut from RM 18k ( 4k basic + 14k commission) down to RM6k (6k basic + no commission yet)

Yes, this is my concern. It's not that I doubt my own capabilities, but I do think the timeframe is rather short. In 6 months I'd probably still be delivering subpar result. However, I have gone through each and every comment in this post, and I appreciate the insight. I will bring this up to see if I can maintain at least some of the pipelines to compensate some of my lost in income at least until end of 2023. I also intend to ask for relocation allowance and a higher base increment, whichever they are open for negotiation.

Thank you!

 

[lunamu]

@dazza_73 Well argued and fair enough. I can see your predicament there. It's definitely worth thinking twice.

I suppose it also depends on where you are in your personal life. If I have kids, I'll probably not risk it. But if I'm single, I'll still bet on myself to succeed wherever I go. Either way, both aren't wrong decisions.

All the best, my friend.

 

[dazza_73]

@lunamu

Either way, both aren't wrong decisions.

Thank you. You are right. I just need more insights before I can make a more informed decision since I have always been very risk averse. For better or for worse, ultimately it's a choice I have to make and consequences I need to deal with.

I'll still bet on myself to succeed wherever I go

Haha. I envy that you have such confidence. I often told my management that I'm lucky and blessed whenever I encounter any sort of success whether in discovering opportunities or closing but they really hate that sort of answer.