Career WWYD

[Self-employed-swami]

I had a meeting with a client this morning. I work as a consultant, in the field portion of their operation (I work a weird, on-call schedule where I can work anywhere from 5-28 days on, with 2 days to a month off in-between jobs). My client told me that they are looking for an operations manager in the office (no field work, and a regular 9-5 gig, 3 weeks vacation, commute to downtown-type deal).

He asked me if I am interested in the position. They only have it posted internally right now, and I think his recommendation of me, would weigh heavily on the hiring committee. (This is a new position they are creating, and they've temporarily put someone in it, who has never worked in the field, and isn't particularly happy with the job).

Anyway, I'm torn. I always thought that I wanted to return to an office job at some point, but I am not sure that I am ready for that yet. I LOVE my current job, and I love the freedom I have, not working a regular schedule.

And because no analysis would be complete without looking at the financial aspect, this would be a cut in pay, likely by 30-40%. My working expenses would be a lot less (no more need for a truck) as well as other things I pay right now, like liability insurance, WCB, healthcare etc. Our budget could easily adapt as well, so a new, lower pay wouldn't be a big adjustment.

Right now, when I'm not at work, I don't usually have too much work to do (the odd client meeting, or bit of paperwork) but with the new position, I would be the on-call first call person to field operations (which run 24/7/365), which means I might never be able to shut my phone off.

It is the ideal bridge-job between field consulting, and office work in my career, but I'm not really sure I'm ready to make that move yet. It isn't necessarily a promotion (as I supervise people already) but just a change in working scope, and environment.

I am making a few assumptions about what the job would entail (based on how I've seen other companies set up their field-managers) but I don't have the actual job posting to look at. I think I am going to send my client an e-mail, and ask him to send me the job posting, so I can check it out.

But here is the WWYD: Would you apply, and then (provided you were asked in for an interview) feel things out, and then decide from there? Have you applied to jobs you weren't decided that you'd accept, if offered to you?

It would be a chance in employment, from essentially being self-employed to being a regular, T4 employee, and all the benefits that come with that.

Thanks in advance~

[Jimbo]

Sounds like something that should come with a 30-40% pay increase, not cut...

You sound like your mind is already made, though.

I'd be worried about saying no to the client without ruining the professional relationship, which is always tricky...

[Self-employed-swami]

A lot of my pay right now, is inconvenience pay.  I work 12 or 24 hours a day, without a day off, sometimes for weeks at a time.  Today is my birthday, but this is the first time in 3 years, that I've been at home.

I am usually gone from home 150+ days/year (all of my work right now, is on location).

An office job would have more regular hours (sort of), and less travelling, thus the decrease in pay.

[amicableskeptic]

I don't think applying is a bad choice.  Let's say you do get hired and then change your mind, you can always just ask for more money than you know they want to pay (unless the exact salary has already been noted to you, which would be odd).

As for the 30-40% pay cut, definitely look into all the costs you would be saving and try to quantify them as much as possible.  Then see how much of a drop off it would really be and use that in your negotiating.

[Mr.Macinstache]

I look at job interviews as mutual. You are interviewing about the job as much as they're interviewing you. It wouldn't hurt to learn more. Maybe the salary is negotiable?

[Numbers Man]

Being recruited for a job is good for the ego. But, in my experience, they'll think you're over paid after a few years or even next year when sales are down and will look to get rid of you. Have a written employment contract and ask for one year of severance if they want to change you're deal, i.e., lay you off. Forgot the bonus bullshit since it's usually never measurable by any reasonable metric. And if it is measurable, it usually requires just about every waking hour to attain it. Make sure it is a salary and ask for an extra week of vacation and any other perk you can think of that would mean something to you. This is when you are in the strongest bargaining position.

[Argyle]

You love your current job and the current freedom, and you're thinking of a 30-40% pay cut to lose them?  So you'd have less job satisfaction, less time, and less money?  What is the incentive here?  Just avoiding the hassle of applying for jobs?

If this company wants to hire you, you must be a desirable employee.  I wonder if you couldn't get a better position by looking around and only taking a job that really makes it worth your time and money to switch.