career advice please

OK, im gna give you a quick synopsis, and i need quick replies cos i got to give my final decision IN on tuesday.

A little history first.

I was self employed till October, but i ran into the ground financially so decided to get a full-time job, while continuing my software development business on the side.

The job i took was a little below my work experience and qualifications but the money was exactly what im worth as a person so i took. I was told there would be excellent career prospects because the company was going through lots of change and it was looking for new management.

When i took the job over a period of time, i found a complete lack of objectivity from my immediate colleagues, there was no real training provided even though it was promised, very little knowledge transfer and a lack of professionalism.

I beared with the job because i had only had it 3 months or so.
My trial period is 6 months long.

The new manager arrived in february, had a small 20min one-to-one with me, and thats the only one-to-one we have had until last week.
He changed my job role around from 1st/2nd line technical IT helpdesk support, to just 1st line support and co-ordination of engineers, which i absolutely hate, because if the engineers dont do the job properly, the 1st line support co-ordinator is the one who is held responsible, and my colleagues being quite un-professional the blame keeps falling on me, and thats a complete objective view.

That aside, the new manager gave me very little respect, some of it is my fault because im indecisive and not so mature, but some if it is because of the direction he is trying to push me in.

Last week my 6 months ended and i was told i passed my trial period and that they want to keep me on, and i needed to give them a yes or a no as to whether iwanted to stay, and i said i’d like to think about it.
I then wrote in a letter earlier this week explaining, that i’d like to say, if i would be given a chance to work with some technical areas that i had mentioned and a chance to move away from my current role.
So my manager had another meeting with me, and explained it probably wasnt going to happen but their may be another role coming up in november and he would like to recruit internally for it.
I know for a fact that he is lying and he would never pick me for that role, he doesnt value me enough, and the only reason he wants me to stay is because im good at my job and he doesnt want the hassle of me leaving, but he made out that its in my career interest to stay.

The dilemma now is that, i have to give a yes/no answer on tuesday.
What i was going to do was say i’d like to stay, look for another job and then move out BUT, my manager said to me, if i say i wanna stay, and then in 2 weeks time (or whatever) i say i got another job, he will “knock my block off” they were his precise words, and he meant them metaphorically speaking.
Point is, i dont have another job lined up, and its not going to be easy to get one on the same salary because the money was good here, but i dont want to stay either because my career prospects are limited.

I was going to quit and then spend a few weeks on my software development stuff, and then go and look for another position somewehre else, but people keep telling me showing 6 months of work at your last place on your CV looks real bad, and my potential new employers will find it a little suspicous.

What to do?

Sorry it was a long narrative, but im very indecisive, and i been thinking about this ALL weekend and i JUST cant make up my mind about what i should do.

Thanks

eemo

I have been, and have worked with, many people in this type of a situation. My take is, that you stay for the time being. Getting a new job would be tough at this time, and its gonna really hurt when you won't have the pay check that you have gotten used to in the last 6 months. My advice is, tough it out for rightnow. Your manager's "warning" regarding changing jobs is both unethical and unprofessional. He can get in a lot of trouble for that. Unless you do not sign a contract with them to stay for a specified period of time, do not worry about such BS, you can change jobs anytime. So I say stay put for rightnow, document all your work (so that the burden does not fall on you if your subordinates screw up) and inshallah you will be just fine. By the way, what geographical area are you in?

Unless you sign a really strong "non compete" clause with the company, you leaving the job is generally considered part of the at will employment clause normally included in almost every agreement. Just work for the next month or so but significantly increase your search for a new job and be willing to take a drop in salary if need be for the right job.

Uk IT job market is weak at the moment. I'd recommend that you stay in your current job, but look for a new job at the same time - get in touch with employment agencies, etc.

There is no point in quitting a job if you have not got a replacement job lined up.

thanks for the advice guys.
i didnt realise i could get away with saying i wanna stay, and then still leave if i want to. that was my main worry.

My dad runs his own business and wants to go on holiday etc, plus i want to spend some time on my side business so even if i do quit, i wont be sat at home doing nothing, i'll be investing valuable time in my own business - well at least thats my conclusion for today, so i think thats what im gna do. I can always go work for my dad as a fallback everytime i get stuck see.

But thats not to say im throwing everyones advice back in their face, and i appreciate everyones sincere advice, help and effort

thanks

eemo, I PMed you.