Honoring a verbal commitment

Q: I have been with my current company for seven years.  I was recently promoted to a sales rep for a region.  I have been in this role for six months.  The first three months, my company provided extensive sales and account management training to me.  I was told that the training cost the company thousands of dollars.  I am finally functioning pretty independently.  When I accepted this position, I gave my word that I would stay in this position for one year at least.  However, there is a competitor who has tried to get me interested in a new role within their company.  I am flattered but I am torn.  How would you handle this?

A: Careers are full of twists and turns.  Good for you for remaining employed with your current company for seven years.  It sounds your company values your hard work and has rewarded you with a recent promotion.  Additionally, your company has made an investment in your professional development by providing extensive training.

When a competitor comes knocking, it is indeed flattering.  There is no harm in talking to the competitor.  You may learn some new information that could be useful to you in your current role.  It is always helpful to have a contact elsewhere so if your role or career becomes uncertain, you have options.  However, your situation is a bit different.  You have been with your current company for seven years.  You were recently promoted and you gave your word that you would remain the current position for one year.  Your word is important.  Your current employer also invested quite a bit of time and money into developing your sales and account management skills.  I, personally, would have a hard time, ethically accepting another role within the one-year time frame.   Again, it can’t hurt to talk to the other company but I would think seriously about making a job change after you had given a one-year commitment to your current role.  I know you did not sign a document , but your word and your reputation are both important.

If you do talk with your competitor, I would be gracious and thank them for approaching you.  At some point in your career, the contact at this competitor may be a valuable contact for you.  I would explain that the timing is not ideal though.  Hopefully they will understand your dilemma and respect your decision and your integrity.

Finally, you know your current company.  You know the internal workings, the culture, the customer base, the sales process and the product or service.  There would likely be a learning curve if you joined the new company.  There may be surprises with a new role in a new company.  Keep the connection and remain in contact with this competitor.   The world is an uncertain place and it helps to have well-placed connections.

Pattie Hunt Sinacole is a human resources expert and works for First Beacon Group in Hopkinton, an HR consulting firm. She contributes weekly to Boston.com Jobs and the Boston Sunday Globe Money & Careers section.