Job Offer??

[CBECH22]

Hey All!

I am in need of career advice... I have been interviewing for a job that was presented to me (I didn't search it out) and an offer came in.  I really don't know what I should do and I am looking for any advice/experiences from others who have gone through a similar situation!  Let me know what you guys think.

Current Job
Role: IT for a Publicly Traded Company
Salary: $87K with a possible $2K bonus
Benefits:  401K with Match, HSA, Vision, Dental, Health, and Life Insurance
Background:  I have been with this company for 5 years now.  In October of '22 I moved to my current role.  The company gives a good work/life balance and allows for PTO when asked for.  Never feel too stressed and have opportunities for growth (even though the company sometimes is slow to promote internally).  In this role, I work with all sorts of technology that we have deployed at our company and help implement new technology as well.  The reason I took the position was to get some more exposure to new technologies and make my skillset diverse.  We currently work remotely, but there are rumblings of forcing us back to the office which I absolutely would not like.

New Opportunity
Role: IT for a Consulting Company
Salary: $130K with a possible 10% bonus
Benefits:  401K no Match, HSA, Vision, Dental, Health
Background:  This job would be for a consulting company helping customers implement a specific sales program that I happen to have about 5 years of experience with.  The requirements are pretty specific which I qualify for.  I worry that my work/life balance may be affected a little as we could have quick turnaround times for projects as we adapt to our customer's needs.  I really have a passion for the sales program I would be working worth, but I also worry that this could pigeonhole my career as I would mainly be working with this program and not getting knowledge in a wide variety of programs.  Would be full-time remote work.

Has anyone had a dilemma like this before that is similar?  Or has anyone worked for a consulting firm that implements technology?

The money sounds amazing, but I am having reservations as this would be my first time jumping companies in my career.  Any feedback/experience/knowledge would be greatly appreciated!

[nereo]

A great number of employers decide what they think your compensation is worth based predominately on what your previous job paid. This sounds like it's a great opportunity to raise that set-point, and decide whether this new company is a decent fit for you. If it's not then in 18-24 months you can look for other oppotunities which will likely have an equal or greater compensation package.
good luck

[curious_george]

If the new job is for implementing a sales program how long will it last? I assume you will be implementing this for multiple customers? This sounds almost like a short term contracting role to me.

The idea that one can be pigeon holed in IT is a common concern, but I wouldn't let this stop you from accepting more money. People often have this idea that more money means more stress and worse work life balance, but in my experience this is actually more often false than true.

If someone wants to throw money at you, you might as well take the money.

Even if the new job only lasts two years you made an extra 80k than if you stay where you are now. You can then take one awesome vacation while learning new skills and applications.

[CBECH22]

If the new job is for implementing a sales program how long will it last? I assume you will be implementing this for multiple customers? This sounds almost like a short term contracting role to me.

The idea that one can be pigeon holed in IT is a common concern, but I wouldn't let this stop you from accepting more money. People often have this idea that more money means more stress and worse work life balance, but in my experience this is actually more often false than true.

If someone wants to throw money at you, you might as well take the money.

Even if the new job only lasts two years you made an extra 80k than if you stay where you are now. You can then take one awesome vacation while learning new skills and applications.

I agree, I was hesitant at first and thought it might have been a contract gig, but this is actually a consulting company that specializes in helping companies from around the world implement new technologies.  So, it will be full-time in which I will be a part of their sales program division.  They are really trying to expand and have multiple new projects with customers here soon which is why they have this position open.

The math does make sense though.  Even if I stick it out for a couple of years, I make an extra year of salary with the new position.  I have only worked with my current company since graduating college (I am 28), so it does make me nervous to leave as I have engrained and built a solid reputation with my current company.  But is it worth waiting to realize the potential if I can go and get some money now?

Thanks for the feedback!

[maisymouser]

I am in a very similar position, though in a different industry, and am PTF. Let us know how it turns out!

[CBECH22]

A great number of employers decide what they think your compensation is worth based predominately on what your previous job paid. This sounds like it's a great opportunity to raise that set-point, and decide whether this new company is a decent fit for you. If it's not then in 18-24 months you can look for other oppotunities which will likely have an equal or greater compensation package.
good luck

Thank you, I appreciate you taking the time to give feedback!

[reeshau]

I think your instincts are right about work/life balance.  Consulting is notorious for hours and travel.  And it's project work, which always faces deadlines and pushes to make timing.  Doubly so if it's for a customer.

But, it's also a great time to expand your  personal network.  If you have direct customer interaction, so that they get to know you, then I wouldn't be surprised if you got some offers for ongoing work at one of your customers, or the new destination one of your customer contacts lands at.

Yes, you could get pigeonholed to that app for a time, but either a leap to a new internal group, or opportunities withing the consulting house could happen.  You will need to look out for them / advocate for them if that's important to you.

No match on the 401k is kind of bush league.  Has it been that way in the past, or was that a change to tighten the belt?  Better, ai suppose, to not count on it going in, but have it taken away.

[PacificaFog]

Do you think you could go back to your current employer if things didn’t work out with the consulting job?  I switched employers a few years back to a much higher paying opportunity, but I knew I could easily go back if it didn’t work out.  Still scary to make the move, but the best thing I’ve ever done.  The CEO where I work says the biggest mistake people make with their careers is to not take more risk.  I’m generally pretty risk averse, but honestly, the times I’ve taken the biggest leaps have been the ones with the most upside in the long run.

[CBECH22]

I think your instincts are right about work/life balance.  Consulting is notorious for hours and travel.  And it's project work, which always faces deadlines and pushes to make timing.  Doubly so if it's for a customer.

But, it's also a great time to expand your  personal network.  If you have direct customer interaction, so that they get to know you, then I wouldn't be surprised if you got some offers for ongoing work at one of your customers, or the new destination one of your customer contacts lands at.

Yes, you could get pigeonholed to that app for a time, but either a leap to a new internal group, or opportunities withing the consulting house could happen.  You will need to look out for them / advocate for them if that's important to you.

No match on the 401k is kind of bush league.  Has it been that way in the past, or was that a change to tighten the belt?  Better, ai suppose, to not count on it going in, but have it taken away.

Thanks for the feedback! One thing since the pandemic that I realized I really care about is work/life balance.  Plus with a 6-month-old daughter, I need that time.  I will have to discuss with the wife if we feel this is a good opportunity and if we can handle me working more hours.

I am told that they have never had a 401K match but there is the possibility of adding one.  At my current company, the match equates to about $2.3K, but with the increase in salary, I can make up for that investing elsewhere.

[CBECH22]

Do you think you could go back to your current employer if things didn’t work out with the consulting job?  I switched employers a few years back to a much higher paying opportunity, but I knew I could easily go back if it didn’t work out.  Still scary to make the move, but the best thing I’ve ever done.  The CEO where I work says the biggest mistake people make with their careers is to not take more risk.  I’m generally pretty risk averse, but honestly, the times I’ve taken the biggest leaps have been the ones with the most upside in the long run.

We have had a few employees at my company leave for 5 or so years and come back.  So, they do seem pretty accommodating if I wanted to come back sometime in the future (Assuming I leave on good terms). 

I completely agree on the risk statements you made.  I am a very low-risk guy, and as you can see, I have been with this company my whole career.  It's been good, safe, and not stressful, but it may be time for a change in my life and try to advance my career/earnings with a little risky move.

Thank you for the feedback!