Author Topic: Torn about accepting a new job  (Read 4066 times)

Mr. Green

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Torn about accepting a new job
« on: June 30, 2015, 03:03:58 PM »
I recently interviewed for a job and was made an offer, but I'm torn about whether I should take the job. I'm not unhappy in my current job but it could certainly be more rewarding. My current job is simply a high-paying engine that gets me to FIRE in March 2017. It means nothing more to me than that. The new job will pay the same and would allow for 100% telecommuting if I'm a good fit, which odds are strong I will be. Telecommuting is a rarity in my line of work. I also intend to relocate to another state in 2017, so telecommuting would allow me to keep a high-paying job if we needed to delay FIRE for any reason. There is virtually nothing in my field where we are moving to, which I'm okay with because the intent was to FIRE and move.

I'm torn about taking the new job because if I know my current job will get me to FIRE in March 2017, do I want a job that might persuade me to keep working? I've never truly enjoyed the field I'm in and even with the new job I wouldn't keep it longer than 3-4 years because by then we'd have so much money it would be dumb to keep working, and I want to explore what really interests me. A small part of me is also afraid of the possibility that the new job doesn't work out well and that jeopardizes my March 2017 FIRE date.

The new job would be challenging (whereas my current job is not) and there's certainly a chance that I'd enjoy the new job enough that I would choose to exercise the telework option after moving and continue working. I'm unsure whether I just want to coast into FIRE knowing what I have is a sure thing, even if I'm a little less happier in the 91 weeks getting there, or if I should be proactive. In the back of my mind I hear all the people who love me saying the new job would be the smart career-driven thing to do but they're not thinking about my FIRE date.

I thought I would post my dilemma in case anyone had a consideration that I'm not really thinking about.

As a footnote I would say there isn't much chance of our FIRE date being pushed. Our stash is 650k currently and we plan to FIRE with a million. We're currently saving 150k a year so even if the market were to see a 20-30% drop between now and then I would be nothing but excited about buying some cheap equities. In the event that there was a market drop our spending is low enough I'd still consider FIRE in March 2017 with only 850k.
« Last Edit: June 30, 2015, 03:08:38 PM by Sir Hikes-A-Lot »

expectopatronum

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Re: Torn about accepting a new job
« Reply #1 on: June 30, 2015, 03:11:30 PM »
What are your biggest fears / is your largest evidence against the job working out? Figure out if it's just normal anxiety or if they're founded in something more real.

Personally, I'd JUMP at an opportunity like that given the telecommuting + moving plans. I'd look at it as increasing your options, not tethering you to it (despite the temptation it presents). Plus, challenging is good (IMO) as long as it's appropriate to your abilities. It sounds like you can have it all: increased present-day happiness, long-term security, aligns with long-term goals of moving...also, option to telecommute even before you move (save on gas/time/dealing with coworkers).

Chrissy

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Re: Torn about accepting a new job
« Reply #2 on: June 30, 2015, 03:33:40 PM »
+1 to expectopatronum

Mr. Green

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Re: Torn about accepting a new job
« Reply #3 on: June 30, 2015, 03:33:54 PM »
No specific evidence that the new job wouldn't work out. My skills fit the job so excellently that I was offered the job right in the interview. I think it's just the general fear that it not working out might cost me my FIRE date that scares me, no matter how small that chance might be. With my FIRE date rapidly approaching I find myself being overly cautious about financial changes that might jeopardize the goal.

The 100% telework option would likely be available only for when I move. I think people who are local are expected to come in to the office, though small amounts of telework would still be possible like finishing a work day at home after an appointment or the occasional Friday working from home.

expectopatronum

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Re: Torn about accepting a new job
« Reply #4 on: June 30, 2015, 03:49:17 PM »
That's great! Congrats.

Worst-case scenario analyses for new job:
- it doesn't work out (you HATE it), you can't return to the old job, you have to find another --> are your skills easily transferable? Good job market near you? Probably a non-issue, even in terms of it shifting your FIRE date drastically...
- you like it SO MUCH you continue working --> FIRE date moves back, but are you FIREing for the sake of it, or because you want freedom? You may feel differently once you have reached FI and choose to keep working, than work only in pursuit of FI. In other words, does it really matter? If, in a few years, you find you want to stay, I trust you'll be making a well-informed decision, weighing your reasons for continuing to work against your other goals (like moving abroad or staying home with kids). Adding the option maybe adds some temptation, but it doesn't mean your eyes will turn green and you won't be able to leave the job. : )

Worst-case for staying at old job:
- You're only moderately happy for the next 4 years. (Aye. 4 years isn't forever, but it's not a small amount of time.)
- You decide that you want to pad your stash and decide to tack on 2 more years at a job you feel lukewarm about, but you also have to delay moving plans for awhile, so basically money has now gotten in the way of your other goals.

Best-case for new job:
- FIRE date stays the same, you are more fulfilled/challenged, you get to keep working at a job you may actually like after moving and pad your stash, you end up opening up other options for your career (not a bad thing if you decide to continue working for awhile)

Best-case for old job:
- FIRE date stays the same and peace of mind...not sure there is much more..?

I don't think there's anything wrong with either option, but at only 31, I wouldn't be all that worried about the time aspect and would instead go with the one with added flexibility. I think day-to-day happiness and a challenge at work are great reasons to take a chance on a job, when you don't really have reason to suspect it would otherwise de-rail you.

AZDude

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Re: Torn about accepting a new job
« Reply #5 on: June 30, 2015, 03:51:03 PM »
Telecommuting is wonderful. Before taking my current job, and now regretting it, I telecommuted 3 times per week. Prior to that, I did telecommute 100% of the time for about 6 months. Its fantastic not having to drive into work, or drive home. You find yourself having load more time. Not just missing the commute, but also because you can multi-task and do things like laundry, errands, cleaning, etc... during work hours, leaving you with even more time outside of work.

I would take the job, but I will say that working from home all the time has its downsides. One, make sure you have some kind of exercise routine, and be sure to have a good social life outside of work. And be sure you have the self-starter mentality, else you might fall prey to temptation to goof off at home rather than do your job. Being a mustachian, that probably wont happen, but you never know.

RyanAtTanagra

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Re: Torn about accepting a new job
« Reply #6 on: June 30, 2015, 04:52:58 PM »
do I want a job that might persuade me to keep working?

Not sure what you mean by that part.  How is an employer wanting you to keep working when you're ready to FIRE a concern?  You're ready to leave, you leave.  Or do you mean the job and telecommuting might be so awesome you won't want to quit?  Either way, I think that's a non-concern.

It sounds like your concerns mostly come down to general fears of taking a new job, which are always there regardless of FIRE plans.  When the current job isn't horrible, it's a known safety, and the unknown is always scary.  Personally from what you described I'd take the new job due to the telecommuting option.  You might get to 2017 (still a ways away) and decide you need/want more of a stache buffer, and a year of telecommuting can be a nice compromise.

Also, you were looking around for a reason, and a perfect job falls in your lap.  Don't discount the original reasons you started looking just because you're nervous now.

Congrats on the job offer, always exciting :-)

Mr. Green

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Re: Torn about accepting a new job
« Reply #7 on: June 30, 2015, 05:25:03 PM »
do I want a job that might persuade me to keep working?

Not sure what you mean by that part.  How is an employer wanting you to keep working when you're ready to FIRE a concern?  You're ready to leave, you leave.  Or do you mean the job and telecommuting might be so awesome you won't want to quit?  Either way, I think that's a non-concern.

It sounds like your concerns mostly come down to general fears of taking a new job, which are always there regardless of FIRE plans.  When the current job isn't horrible, it's a known safety, and the unknown is always scary.  Personally from what you described I'd take the new job due to the telecommuting option.  You might get to 2017 (still a ways away) and decide you need/want more of a stache buffer, and a year of telecommuting can be a nice compromise.

Also, you were looking around for a reason, and a perfect job falls in your lap.  Don't discount the original reasons you started looking just because you're nervous now.

Congrats on the job offer, always exciting :-)
Yeah I guess by persuasion I meant I end up liking the job enough that I keep working in a OMY type situation, missing out on the other things life has to offer. I definitely want FIRE for the freedom. I yearn for freedom. We're planning on having kids right after we move though so they would probably keep me from working too much longer. The flexibility to keep working would be nice from the standpoint of what if. Everyone hopes for the best but you never know, we could have a disabled child that would require more money than I planned for.

I actually wasn't looking. A guy I used to work with now works on this project and he knew of my plans to move. He also knew my skill set lined up pretty well with the position they wanted to fill so he dropped me a line. The job seemed like such a good fit that it made sense to at least go through the process and see what it had to offer.

I guess my fear with it not working out is that my skill set is one that applies to a fairly narrow area. I've built a good reputation based on my work ethic and willingness to learn new things so I don't think it'd be too difficult for me to find another job if my old job was filled and the new one didn't work out but it might not bee the smoothest transition. I guess I could comfort myself with the fact that it would probably be the end of this year by the time I realized the new job wasn't working out and we could technically FIRE at 750k, which we'll have. My wife makes enough to support us on her salary alone so in theory there's always that but I really wanted her to have the option to be a SAHM. Though, we're really getting down on the logic tree by the time we get there. I realize it's probably dumb to worry about something that would require that combination of circumstances but I'm a very analytical person so I can't help but go there. It's a blessing and a curse, since it's also why we're in the financial position we are today, along with finding MMM of course!.

ShoulderThingThatGoesUp

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Re: Torn about accepting a new job
« Reply #8 on: June 30, 2015, 07:23:02 PM »
Telecommuting is AMAZING.