Author Topic: Love or Money - When to Change Jobs  (Read 2902 times)

crispy

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Love or Money - When to Change Jobs
« on: February 25, 2018, 02:30:19 PM »
I have been at my current job for about 18 months. I like it a lot - I have a lot of autonomy, the work is interesting, the environment is casual, and I work with a lot of nice people. I also have a relatively short commute in a town where terrible commuting times are the norm. The big downsides is that it can be extremely stressful, the pay isn't stellar (state government), and I work with a population that is in crisis so there are safety concerns (two recent incidences have brought this to the forefront of my mind). There is also no career growth potential for me. Basically, I am a the highest point I will ever be.

A position has opened up in our headquarters, and I have been considering allying for it. The job itself  has a lot of positives -  this would be a huge step-up careerwise for me, the work would be a lot less stressful, the safety concerns would go away, and the pay would be a minimum of 25% more than what I am making now. The big downsides would be that my commute would double. This is somewhat mitigated by the fact my husband works in the same general area a few days a week so we could ride together and I can take public transportation for free on the other days (can't do this with my current position because there are no stops in that area). I would also be moving from a fun, casual environment to a more "corporate" environment which kind of scares me. I also think the job itself won't be as interesting.  Right now, I feel like my work makes a difference because I am on the frontline, but I am not so sure if I will feel that way in an environment that is more removed from the agency's mission. Also, this job would involve travelling several times per year (which I am fairly neutral about).

On a further note, I tend to not be extremely motivated by money, but I also don't want to be stupid. The pension I receive from this job will be based on my thee highest years of pay. If I stay where I am at, it will be close to 10 years before I would match what this job pays (and that is assuming we get approved for an increase every year).

Writing this out helps a lot. I have so many misgivings about making a change, but I think the things I am fearing most are the unknowns about the job. Any thoughts or advice?





kimmarg

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Re: Love or Money - When to Change Jobs
« Reply #1 on: February 26, 2018, 06:06:57 PM »
Personally I would apply for the new job.  First of all, applying isn't a guarantee you'll get it so maybe all your worry is for nothing. Secondly the only downside you mention is the commute and you mention your spouse works near this potential new job so it seems logical to apply for new job and if you get it, move closer to it. You love your frontline work now, but will you still in 10 years?

crispy

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Re: Love or Money - When to Change Jobs
« Reply #2 on: March 10, 2018, 01:10:14 PM »
I applied and have an interview next Tuesday! I had another conversation with the hiring manager and with my current manager which helped alleviate some of my worries. My current manager was encouraging because she knows there are no opportunities for me at my current location (I wanted to talk with her in case I was reading the situation wrong).
 

chasesfish

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Re: Love or Money - When to Change Jobs
« Reply #3 on: March 10, 2018, 05:25:47 PM »
Good luck, I'd go after the new job.  What's the worse that can happen, you don't like it and have to wait for something similar to your old position to open back up?

crispy

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Re: Love or Money - When to Change Jobs
« Reply #4 on: March 14, 2018, 02:20:56 PM »
I interviewed yesterday and just received an offer with a 50% pay increase. I was expecting 20% so I was stunned. The hiring manager knows me and my work and really went to bat for me. After interviewing, I felt strongly that it would be a great move for me and the salary was just icing on the cake. Thanks for letting me hash this out here because it gave me a lot of clarity.

JLee

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Re: Love or Money - When to Change Jobs
« Reply #5 on: March 14, 2018, 02:54:48 PM »
I interviewed yesterday and just received an offer with a 50% pay increase. I was expecting 20% so I was stunned. The hiring manager knows me and my work and really went to bat for me. After interviewing, I felt strongly that it would be a great move for me and the salary was just icing on the cake. Thanks for letting me hash this out here because it gave me a lot of clarity.

Congratulations!

PBandJelli

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Re: Love or Money - When to Change Jobs
« Reply #6 on: March 14, 2018, 06:52:42 PM »
whoah- congrats!!!

crispy

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Re: Love or Money - When to Change Jobs
« Reply #7 on: March 14, 2018, 08:01:44 PM »
whoah- congrats!!!

I work for state government so the salaries aren't crazy high especially compared to many here, but it is a big jump for me.

JLee

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Re: Love or Money - When to Change Jobs
« Reply #8 on: March 14, 2018, 08:14:51 PM »
whoah- congrats!!!

I work for state government so the salaries aren't crazy high especially compared to many here, but it is a big jump for me.

50% is pretty awesome no matter how you look at it :)

WalkaboutStache

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Re: Love or Money - When to Change Jobs
« Reply #9 on: March 14, 2018, 11:17:36 PM »
I interviewed yesterday and just received an offer with a 50% pay increase. I was expecting 20% so I was stunned. The hiring manager knows me and my work and really went to bat for me. After interviewing, I felt strongly that it would be a great move for me and the salary was just icing on the cake. Thanks for letting me hash this out here because it gave me a lot of clarity.

Ask for more, see what you get, and go for it (even if you do not get any more than 50%).  I don't quite know how to negotiate this bit well, I am sure others do.   

I believe that there is research that indicates that women tend not to negotiate much at this point, so you may be leaving some money at the table here.  I don't want to go into a whole argument about what is behind gender and pay disparity, but just pointing out that if you are not comfortable asking for more, gender may play a role. 

This is like buying a car.  The first figure is never the real one.  If you keep it friendly (hey, you can even ask your current supervisor for advice), you might be pleasantly surprised.  The worst that can happen is that they'll say that this is as high as it goes.

Congratulations!
« Last Edit: March 15, 2018, 04:01:49 AM by WalkaboutStache »

brookebcollin

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Re: Love or Money - When to Change Jobs
« Reply #10 on: March 15, 2018, 01:00:13 AM »
I interviewed yesterday and just received an offer with a 50% pay increase. I was expecting 20% so I was stunned. The hiring manager knows me and my work and really went to bat for me. After interviewing, I felt strongly that it would be a great move for me and the salary was just icing on the cake. Thanks for letting me hash this out here because it gave me a lot of clarity.

So everything doesn't look as bad as it was. I think the difference of every problems is that we decide to act or not ;)