Help me pick a job

May 29, 2013 8:27 AM

I have been offered positions at two different companies. My stomach is in knots trying to decide between the two.

I interviewed with two different companies and both offered me the job. I do realize it's a great position to be in, and truly never thought I would be in this position, but I have been insanely stressed over the last two days trying to make a decision. Here are two choices:

1) Research company in my dream industry. My two interviews with the managing director went spectacularly well. I truly love the position, what they do, etc. It's something I pretty much do anyway for free. I want to be in this industry in five, ten, twenty years. The offer, however, was just below what I was making before I had my MA, and that doesn't include my previous company paying for my tuition. When I came back to them with the other offer, they offered a substantial signing bonus to be paid after 6 months of employment, on top of the regular annual bonus and yearly performance-based salary increase. These increases put the 12-month salary within spitting distance of the second job. I think I could do really great things for this company, can see myself moving up quickly, etc. I applied for this job knowing their budget was smaller than my salary requirements just because I love what they do and my background fits the job description so well. And the interviews went so well the first offer was higher than the top of their budget, although still below what I would like. But I can be comfortable on the salary offered.

2) A company that is far outside of my area of interest, but my meeting with the president yesterday went just as well as the previous company, and this position, like the other, would utilize so many of my skills. The president runs the company in a really creative way, which is not the norm for this industry, and told me 20% of my time should be dedicated to brainstorming and coming up with new ideas, which is very attractive. She gave examples of what she likes to see that I would never expect from this industry. They are growing insanely fast; have huge, Fortune 500 accounts; and I would essentially be tasked with the direction of the marketing/communications efforts for the company. The salary is also far higher with this company, not including an annual bonus (and not including the signing bonus at the other company). This salary would let me pay off my student loans, put some money towards buying a house, do more traveling, etc.

I honestly don't know what to do. After my initial meetings with both companies, I was 90% sure it was going to be the first company, just because it's my lifelong passion. But after my meeting with the second company yesterday and great salary offer, I'm torn all over again. Ugh, I hate money.

I know this question is basically passion vs. money, which has been asked before and I read those, but I wish it were as simple as that. The way the second position is structured I think I could be very happy, and as much as we like to say money doesn't matter I would love to not have to worry about it. But the first company has me more excited than I have been for any other job. I'm just wondering:

A) What you would do
B) Any advice you have based on your own experience that is relevant to this situation

Thank you for ANY advice you can give that will help!

posted by theuninvitedguest to Work & Money (21 answers total)

After 20 years in a particular industry and the last 5 or so wanting out, I'm finally able to move on to something I'll really enjoy doing. If you have an opportunity to do work you are passionate, that's a real blessing.

Good luck to you!
posted by michellenoel at 8:31 AM on May 29, 2013

You just got an MA in something that you love? Honestly I'd say go for the job that you love and that you've invested in yourself for.

Give yourself a 1 year hard date to check in with yourself and determine if the job truely meets your expectations. If it does, AWESOME. If not, well, you've proven that you can get a well paying job elsewhere, and will be one year wiser for it.
posted by larthegreat at 8:34 AM on May 29, 2013

I assume there are opportunities for advancement within your dream industry? If so, absolutely take the dream job that you're passionate about! You won't be at the starting salary forever. And being happy with your work is priceless.

Otherwise... well, I'd still say take the passion job. You said the salary's not that different from the second job. This clearly means that by living just a bit more frugally you could probably still accomplish the loan payment, travel etc. goals that you have. And have a job you love!! This doesn't seem like a tough choice at all.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 8:36 AM on May 29, 2013

I would review both full benefits packages closely ---- insurance costs, retirement options, time off benefits, options for career growth and connections, options for training, etc. --- and if those are more or less comparable, I would speak to Company A about the salary part to try to negotiate a bit more --- maybe not as much as Company B offers, but a bit more.

If the companies greatly differ on benefits, I'd look more strongly as to how the salary impacts your desires for certain kinds of benefits combined with your passion vs. money thinking.
posted by zizzle at 8:36 AM on May 29, 2013

Look at this as working for yourself. Which offer gives YOU the most bang?

For sure, review the bennies, because that could make a huge difference.

Also, if company 2 is a start up (and boy does it smell like one) that's a whole other kettle of fish. You could end up president of industrial energy, or out of work, or working a 90 hour week. You just don't know.

Flip a coin, you'll know which one you're rooting for when it's up in the air.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 8:39 AM on May 29, 2013

A) What you would do

Job 2, because an employer that can't pay you what you are worth is never worth working for. If you honestly think they can/will sustain your high initial compensation (due to bonuses), then they should be able to convert that to an increased salary at no cost to them. The fact that they are offering temporary forms of compensation increase indicate to me that they are not able to pay you at an appropriate wage for the long term.

Further, because you have student debt and seem to imply that job 1 would not allow you to pay off that debt, I suspect it would not be financially responsible to accept job 1. However, I think this might be reading too much into your question.

B) Any advice you have based on your own experience that is relevant to this situation

If you don't hate what you do (which is bad), you can make up for passion with money. I know a lot of people that have a job they are passionate about, but can't afford their lifestyle. I prefer to choose a job that's practical, and then I don't worry about finances. I know I'll be better off in the long term. Money buys happiness in the form of goods and services. Passion, however, can't pay for your apartment or student loans.
posted by saeculorum at 8:40 AM on May 29, 2013

Job 1. Job 2, as Ruthless Bunny noted, sounds potentially unstable -- yeah, you get 20% brainstorming time now, but how long does that last when their backs are to the wall?

If you didn't have advancement potential at Job 1, my answer might be different, but as it is, your position in Job 1 could well oustrip the Job 2 position in a year. (Also, if things at Company 2 are changing as quickly as you describe, Job 2 may not exist in a year.)
posted by pie ninja at 8:44 AM on May 29, 2013

Company 2 pays more. I would choose company 2 for that reason.
posted by oceanjesse at 8:46 AM on May 29, 2013

I would take job 1 in your "dream industry" versus job 2 "far outside your area of interest." I think that once the novelty fades with job 2 (or the job direction changes and you're not in 20% brainstorming mode anymore), you may find yourself stuck in an industry you don't particularly care about without a clear way to get back into the one you do care about. But go back to job 1 again and see if they can get the salary up higher, or give you other benefits like extra vacation.
posted by chickenmagazine at 8:58 AM on May 29, 2013

I'll put in a vote for Job 2, but of course these all assumptions that we're making about you based on limited data. Here's what I would assess before making the decision. You say that you want to be doing what the first job is for free. Is it a possibility to keep your hand in the industry with outside work, if it's truly your hobby and passion while working the second job? Will the first job burn you out of doing that (like chefs who never cook outside of work?)

Does either job have a culture of 80 hour weeks, or where it's expected that you have to kill yourself in order to be seen as a team player?

Also, how old are you? I can't tell from your picture but you seem on the younger side. Would paying off your student loans with this higher salary be a double bonus in terms of net worth?

Lastly, would taking Job 2 destroy your chances at getting back into your dream industry later down the road? I doubt that the answer is yes, and I'm a believer that broadening your skillset can be as valuable as becoming an expert in that one industry.
posted by thewumpusisdead at 9:05 AM on May 29, 2013

Take the job with the person you liked most. Good people are worth more than dollars.
posted by BenPens at 9:15 AM on May 29, 2013

Lots of people and I have had times of making at least enough money and loved our jobs, and had times of making more money with less enthusiasm for the work. Without fail, the former were and are happier.
posted by ambient2 at 10:13 AM on May 29, 2013

I would go with job A, because the relevance to your passion appears to be far beyond job B, but the money is within spitting distance (at least for the first year, once you get the bonus.) If you eventually realize that your passion is not as important to you as money, you can change to that kind of job much more easily than going the other direction.

Also, what about your commute?
posted by davejay at 10:14 AM on May 29, 2013

Imagine taking #1, and it turned out to be blah and after a year you were ready to move on. How much would you regret not taking #2?

Then imagine taking #2 and it turned out to be blah even for the money, and after a year you were looking for something else. How much would you regret not taking #1?

Choose the one that would leave you with less regret. You can't control how the job pans out, but you'll (hopefully) feel confident about the decision later regardless.
posted by TallulahBankhead at 10:38 AM on May 29, 2013

Job 1, hands down. I once took a paycut to work at a dream company, and I've never regretted it, not for a single day. Work isn't just what you do to get the money to live your life; it's what you're doing with your life.
posted by Andrhia at 10:39 AM on May 29, 2013

You didn't mention if it's just you, or if you have family to consider. That could affect your answer.

Which of these two jobs enables you to do more of what you want to do? Just in general, not strictly in a job.

Jobs come and go, but they can be seen as tools to help you do what you want to do in life. You touch on this a little when writing about job #2 (talking about vacations, debt, et al), but not really with job #1. If what you want to do can be done *at* your job... awesome. Go for it, because that's a luxury and not everyone can do that.

Looking at your blog and stuff, it's clear you have talents and interests in food and photography. I'm guessing you'll do that no matter what your job is, because it is evident that you care about those things.

I would choose the job that provides the most interesting challenges and enables me (and my family, in my case) to do what we want and need to do, knowing that it may/not last forever and no decision is permanent.

Best of luck to you.
posted by hijinx at 11:10 AM on May 29, 2013

What are the people like at each job? That's probably going to have the biggest impact on your day-to-day job satisfaction vs. job stress.

Based on the descriptions you've given, it sounds like job #2 would be more fun and more likely to attract fun, interesting coworkers.
posted by Jacqueline at 12:09 PM on May 29, 2013

I'm probably older than you are, so that might affect how I see things. With that said, I'd probably take the job with the company that's seems most like it's going to be around for a while. You want to stay at either one long enough to get promoted and move positions and gain experience and try things out. If either one is in an industry in flux, maybe you take a pass on that one.

How heavily you weigh the pay trade-offs depend on your level of debt. For me, carrying a large amount of student loan debt as I do, the higher paying job would be my choice. The ability to get out of debt in a couple of years and then be free to do whatever you wanted? Priceless. I would use that job and take full advantage of the higher pay, get rid of my debt, learn as much as I could and use up all the training options and conferences they'd send me to, then move on in a couple of years to get into the industry I love.
posted by clone boulevard at 12:50 PM on May 29, 2013

The thing about going to work for a particular person is that people move on. What if you take job 2 and the president leaves? If there are a lot of other strong players in the company that you would like to work for/with, then not a problem. But it sounds like it might be more of a one person show.

The good thing about job 1 is that it is going to get you experience in your dream industry -- you can make contacts either within that company or in the industry that will help you down the road.

I would take job 1 in a heartbeat.
posted by elmay at 2:14 PM on May 29, 2013

Ugh, I hate money

Then don't let it control you or your life. Take the first offer.
posted by SquidLips at 8:21 PM on May 29, 2013

Hey everyone! I thought I would let you know that I ended up accepting the first company's offer.

I set an alarm for one year and I'll let you know how the decision went.

Thanks for all of your help!
posted by theuninvitedguest at 10:27 AM on May 31, 2013