New Job - Salary increase worth it?
June 5, 2015 10:32 AM Subscribe
I just got a job offer at a great company. Total compensation is 20% higher. Is this position worth it despite snowflakey details inside?
I interviewed for a new position at a new company and got it. I'm really excited about it, as outside sales as a part of my current job description is as grating as you'd expect. My current industry (staffing) also doesn't appeal to me anymore long term, as most positions I'd move into would require travel 90-100% of the time and we are trending towards being so lean the environment can be very stressful.
New Company: The environment is wonderful (confirmed through a friend who works there now), I met my future boss and the team and they're great, the role is challenging and interesting to me....but I'm getting those butterflies about it now that I'm waiting for the offer letter to officially come through.
Things at play in my mind:
-I love the people I work with now and feel guilty about leaving them, despite not wanting to be in this industry forever
-The salary in the new position is 20% higher. I can work from home occasionally or frequently, and I could bike to work (!!!!!). These things are wonderful. I love biking to work.
-I'm going from my current role where I am managing one person, to where I am part of a team and not managing. I'm not a title driven person but I worry about this affecting my future. I feel guilt about leaving the person I oversee.
-I feel guilt at letting my current colleagues down, and my boss, by leaving. Even though my boss is "meh" at best.
The Big Factor: The Mrs. and I will likely be moving to another city in early 2016. New Company won't have operations there, but I know the possibility exists to be able to keep the "new" job and work remote (based on inside info), but I also feel guilt about taking a new job knowing I will be leaving in less than a year.
I believe that if I can't work remotely with New Company I will be able to work in the staffing industry wherever we go, since there are so many agencies out there and I put in 4 years with good results, and that prospect I can live with. But I'll still probably want an exit plan from there.
Is it worth the risk to get higher pay with a healthier commute, despite the moving timeline and associated risks? Let me know if you've ever been in a similar situation or what you think!
I interviewed for a new position at a new company and got it. I'm really excited about it, as outside sales as a part of my current job description is as grating as you'd expect. My current industry (staffing) also doesn't appeal to me anymore long term, as most positions I'd move into would require travel 90-100% of the time and we are trending towards being so lean the environment can be very stressful.
New Company: The environment is wonderful (confirmed through a friend who works there now), I met my future boss and the team and they're great, the role is challenging and interesting to me....but I'm getting those butterflies about it now that I'm waiting for the offer letter to officially come through.
Things at play in my mind:
-I love the people I work with now and feel guilty about leaving them, despite not wanting to be in this industry forever
-The salary in the new position is 20% higher. I can work from home occasionally or frequently, and I could bike to work (!!!!!). These things are wonderful. I love biking to work.
-I'm going from my current role where I am managing one person, to where I am part of a team and not managing. I'm not a title driven person but I worry about this affecting my future. I feel guilt about leaving the person I oversee.
-I feel guilt at letting my current colleagues down, and my boss, by leaving. Even though my boss is "meh" at best.
The Big Factor: The Mrs. and I will likely be moving to another city in early 2016. New Company won't have operations there, but I know the possibility exists to be able to keep the "new" job and work remote (based on inside info), but I also feel guilt about taking a new job knowing I will be leaving in less than a year.
I believe that if I can't work remotely with New Company I will be able to work in the staffing industry wherever we go, since there are so many agencies out there and I put in 4 years with good results, and that prospect I can live with. But I'll still probably want an exit plan from there.
Is it worth the risk to get higher pay with a healthier commute, despite the moving timeline and associated risks? Let me know if you've ever been in a similar situation or what you think!
Best answer: The salary in the new position is 20% higher. I can work from home occasionally or frequently, and I could bike to work
Worth it. Most people would kill for this. If your coworkers are buddies, you can still keep in touch with them. If your bosses valued you enough, they'd pay you 20% more. Obviously you are worth it if New Company is willing to pay it. Don't worry about "letting them down" when they are letting YOU down.
Sounds like moving isn't a sure thing, and being able to work remotely is a possibility even if it is, and you feel strongly that you could get another job quickly if this one didn't pan out. Totally worth the risk since it's not much of a risk.
posted by desjardins at 10:37 AM on June 5, 2015 [17 favorites]
Worth it. Most people would kill for this. If your coworkers are buddies, you can still keep in touch with them. If your bosses valued you enough, they'd pay you 20% more. Obviously you are worth it if New Company is willing to pay it. Don't worry about "letting them down" when they are letting YOU down.
Sounds like moving isn't a sure thing, and being able to work remotely is a possibility even if it is, and you feel strongly that you could get another job quickly if this one didn't pan out. Totally worth the risk since it's not much of a risk.
posted by desjardins at 10:37 AM on June 5, 2015 [17 favorites]
Jobs are not your children, nor are your coworkers. Changing jobs to improve your quality of life is a reality that is much more essential to your sense of well-being than what goes on at a place you used to work. It's very normal to feel a bit of sadness for what you'll leave behind, but it's very generally good advice to walk through doors of opportunity that you've put the effort into opening. Plus, wow, 20% bump up in salary and biking to work is just flat out awesome.
That said, we all have details that personally light the fire, so use your own judgment on that note when evaluating your prospects here. You mention working remotely, so a bit of my experience: I took a job with the intention of pushing for working from home. That was six years ago. I worked from the office for maybe the first six months, and from home (at three addresses) for the last 5.5 years. It's as glorious as you can imagine. Working from home is a big personal motivator for me, and something that has kept me with this org for a lot longer than I had initially intended. If I could get a 20% raise, I may never leave (but alas, this is the non-profit world so at some point I envision myself moving on... but divorcing the work-from-home mentality will be hard to do).
My vote: YES, worth the risk!
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 10:39 AM on June 5, 2015 [3 favorites]
That said, we all have details that personally light the fire, so use your own judgment on that note when evaluating your prospects here. You mention working remotely, so a bit of my experience: I took a job with the intention of pushing for working from home. That was six years ago. I worked from the office for maybe the first six months, and from home (at three addresses) for the last 5.5 years. It's as glorious as you can imagine. Working from home is a big personal motivator for me, and something that has kept me with this org for a lot longer than I had initially intended. If I could get a 20% raise, I may never leave (but alas, this is the non-profit world so at some point I envision myself moving on... but divorcing the work-from-home mentality will be hard to do).
My vote: YES, worth the risk!
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 10:39 AM on June 5, 2015 [3 favorites]
Do it. If you move, six to eight months of a better life is still worth it right now (and hey, moving's stressful and expensive, save up that income cushion and the peace of biking beforehand to get you through it). If you don't move, then you're in a much better situation.
Besides, you'll still be able to say you've got "supervisory experience" when applying to jobs later, and you've got a great reason for moving to a job where you're not a supervisor -- huge raise and better lifestyle. It's not like you failed at managing and will have to explain that.
And do you really think that much about your coworkers from previous jobs? I'm sorry to say it, but neither will your coworkers. Meet 'em for lunch or coffee/beer/whatever if you want to maintain ties, and make sure you wrap as much up as possible before you leave. There, you've fulfilled your responsibilities to them.
posted by asperity at 10:43 AM on June 5, 2015 [2 favorites]
Besides, you'll still be able to say you've got "supervisory experience" when applying to jobs later, and you've got a great reason for moving to a job where you're not a supervisor -- huge raise and better lifestyle. It's not like you failed at managing and will have to explain that.
And do you really think that much about your coworkers from previous jobs? I'm sorry to say it, but neither will your coworkers. Meet 'em for lunch or coffee/beer/whatever if you want to maintain ties, and make sure you wrap as much up as possible before you leave. There, you've fulfilled your responsibilities to them.
posted by asperity at 10:43 AM on June 5, 2015 [2 favorites]
Worth it. Hell, I'd take the job based on commuting/remoting alone without the pay boost.
If you still feel guilty regarding the old job, think about what your coworkers and boss might do if they had a similar opportunity. If you still feel guilty regarding the new job, just work your ass off and talk to them about opening a satellite office in NY. It may be on the horizon for them.
posted by infinitewindow at 10:44 AM on June 5, 2015 [2 favorites]
If you still feel guilty regarding the old job, think about what your coworkers and boss might do if they had a similar opportunity. If you still feel guilty regarding the new job, just work your ass off and talk to them about opening a satellite office in NY. It may be on the horizon for them.
posted by infinitewindow at 10:44 AM on June 5, 2015 [2 favorites]
To me, the only issue here is that you "may" be moving next year. Since you're not even 100% sure about the move, and it's possible you will be able to keep the job-- I'd say go for it.
A lot of people will say it's "unfair" to take a job if you won't be sticking around, or if you know you're pregnant, or blah blah lots of other things that punish employees for having lives. Life moves, things change, employment is at will. This would be a huge boon for you, there's no reason to turn it down.
posted by easter queen at 10:49 AM on June 5, 2015 [3 favorites]
A lot of people will say it's "unfair" to take a job if you won't be sticking around, or if you know you're pregnant, or blah blah lots of other things that punish employees for having lives. Life moves, things change, employment is at will. This would be a huge boon for you, there's no reason to turn it down.
posted by easter queen at 10:49 AM on June 5, 2015 [3 favorites]
"Associated risks?" Are you talking about your moving at some point in the future? I don't see any others, but that isn't anything that affects your decision here.
posted by rhizome at 10:49 AM on June 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by rhizome at 10:49 AM on June 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
Go for it. I don't think the no-longer-managing thing and the guilt-towards-coworkers thing are significant. The moving thing... you said "likely." Unless you have a history of job-hopping, you can afford to have one short job on your resume. If you have a good story about why you're moving cities, that helps too.
posted by mskyle at 10:53 AM on June 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by mskyle at 10:53 AM on June 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
Take the job. Take the job. Seriously, take the job.
I honestly don't see any reason not to. It's admirable that you feel this sense of guilt, but you're not actually harming anyone or letting anyone down (you are replaceable, from any employer's perspective), and you need to look out for your own best interest.
posted by J. Wilson at 10:54 AM on June 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
I honestly don't see any reason not to. It's admirable that you feel this sense of guilt, but you're not actually harming anyone or letting anyone down (you are replaceable, from any employer's perspective), and you need to look out for your own best interest.
posted by J. Wilson at 10:54 AM on June 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
You value your current coworkers and position, so see if you can get a 20% raise and telecommuting where you work now. If they don't give it to you and your coworkers don't rally around you to help you get it, it will be a pretty clear sign of how much your feelings toward the company and the people who work there are reciprocated.
posted by griphus at 10:55 AM on June 5, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by griphus at 10:55 AM on June 5, 2015 [2 favorites]
If you do move and can't telecommute, it sounds like having this job on your resume will help you find a job that you like better than staffing.
posted by jaguar at 10:56 AM on June 5, 2015
posted by jaguar at 10:56 AM on June 5, 2015
I think you're beanplating this. Sounds like a good move, damn the guilt.
posted by lizbunny at 10:58 AM on June 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by lizbunny at 10:58 AM on June 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
Take what you have above and delete everything about guilt. People change jobs, it's what happens, there's not reason to be so emotionally invested.
The only factors to consider as *possible* negatives are:
- Will you be able to accomplish enough between now and your planned move to make the job change and yourself useful enough that they will allow you to more remotely and/or you will be able to list accomplishments without looking like it didn't work out and that's why you left or you're job hopping. Most likely you will be fine here (particularly with the move as justification), but you may want to be focusing particularly on short-term accomplishments as you start your new job.
- Does the title and job change look right in the long run given what you said about changing focus in the industry? Most likely the answer to this is also yes, because you've already stated you'd like to change direction, and you'll be making more money.
I think almost everyone in your shoes would take the new job. People have changed for much less. Good luck!
posted by vunder at 11:00 AM on June 5, 2015 [2 favorites]
The only factors to consider as *possible* negatives are:
- Will you be able to accomplish enough between now and your planned move to make the job change and yourself useful enough that they will allow you to more remotely and/or you will be able to list accomplishments without looking like it didn't work out and that's why you left or you're job hopping. Most likely you will be fine here (particularly with the move as justification), but you may want to be focusing particularly on short-term accomplishments as you start your new job.
- Does the title and job change look right in the long run given what you said about changing focus in the industry? Most likely the answer to this is also yes, because you've already stated you'd like to change direction, and you'll be making more money.
I think almost everyone in your shoes would take the new job. People have changed for much less. Good luck!
posted by vunder at 11:00 AM on June 5, 2015 [2 favorites]
Feeling guilt towards employers for any reasons short of committing actual crimes against them is totally a fool's game at this point.
-I love the people I work with now and feel guilty about leaving them
...and now you'll be in a better position to help them move.
-I feel guilt at letting my current colleagues down, and my boss, by leaving.
What concrete actions, that had some nontrivial cost to them, has your current employer taken to demonstrate loyalty to you? I'm guessing the answer is "Nothing whatsoever."
Fuck 'em. Your current employer would fuck you sideways in a hot minute if doing so gave them even a tiny advantage. So would your next one, probably.
I also feel guilt about taking a new job knowing I will be leaving in less than a year.
They almost certainly wouldn't think twice about firing your ass inside a year if doing so provided them even a transitory and trifling advantage. Fuck 'em.
The only points I would consider are points like vunder's, which are about you, your interests, and your needs.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 11:11 AM on June 5, 2015 [4 favorites]
-I love the people I work with now and feel guilty about leaving them
...and now you'll be in a better position to help them move.
-I feel guilt at letting my current colleagues down, and my boss, by leaving.
What concrete actions, that had some nontrivial cost to them, has your current employer taken to demonstrate loyalty to you? I'm guessing the answer is "Nothing whatsoever."
Fuck 'em. Your current employer would fuck you sideways in a hot minute if doing so gave them even a tiny advantage. So would your next one, probably.
I also feel guilt about taking a new job knowing I will be leaving in less than a year.
They almost certainly wouldn't think twice about firing your ass inside a year if doing so provided them even a transitory and trifling advantage. Fuck 'em.
The only points I would consider are points like vunder's, which are about you, your interests, and your needs.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 11:11 AM on June 5, 2015 [4 favorites]
You *might* be moving in just under a year but that doesn't qualify as something you would need to warn Job B about. This is the time to think solely of yourself and how the two scenarios (stay vs go) benefit you. Imagine your resume a year from now - would it be stronger with N years at JobA or N-1 at JobA and 1 at JobB? Imagine job hunting in a new industry and a new city, versus having had JobB as your bridge into the new industry. Imagine not having to job hunt at all after the move because you can telecommute.
Take the job!!!
posted by aimedwander at 11:18 AM on June 5, 2015 [2 favorites]
Take the job!!!
posted by aimedwander at 11:18 AM on June 5, 2015 [2 favorites]
I passed up some very promising interview opportunities about six months back because I loved my co-workers and felt guilty about potentially bailing on them. Three months ago, my position was eliminated for financial reasons (ie- not performance-based in the slightest, my manager clearly hated letting me go). Moral of the story? It's a jungle out there, you can't predict the future, so you do you.
posted by darkchocolatepyramid at 11:19 AM on June 5, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by darkchocolatepyramid at 11:19 AM on June 5, 2015 [6 favorites]
New Company won't have operations there, but I know the possibility exists to be able to keep the "new" job and work remote (based on inside info), but I also feel guilt about taking a new job knowing I will be leaving in less than a year.
Since they apparently have some acceptance of remote employees, if the job's working out well, if you're valuable to them, then if you decide to move, they'll make it work to keep you on board as a remote worker.
posted by aubilenon at 11:24 AM on June 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
Since they apparently have some acceptance of remote employees, if the job's working out well, if you're valuable to them, then if you decide to move, they'll make it work to keep you on board as a remote worker.
posted by aubilenon at 11:24 AM on June 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
Take the job! As ROU_Xenophobe points out, your old job would have no hesitation in laying you off if it improved the bottom line. Employers have no loyalty to workers, so you really have no reason to be loyal to an employer. It's an at-will world for employers and workers alike. To be blunt, loyalty to a company is for suckers.
You need have no guilt pangs about your coworkers - who no doubt wouldn't hesitate to leave if it improved their bottom line - as long as you give adequate notice and do a decent job in preparing them for your departure. That is what the traditional two-week notice period is for - so you don't leave your old boss and coworkers in the lurch.
As for the possibility of moving - you said you "might be" moving, not "I am for certain going to be moving." You may move - or you may not. Don't turn down a great job offer because of something that might happen.
Take the job - it sounds like a great offer.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 11:27 AM on June 5, 2015 [2 favorites]
You need have no guilt pangs about your coworkers - who no doubt wouldn't hesitate to leave if it improved their bottom line - as long as you give adequate notice and do a decent job in preparing them for your departure. That is what the traditional two-week notice period is for - so you don't leave your old boss and coworkers in the lurch.
As for the possibility of moving - you said you "might be" moving, not "I am for certain going to be moving." You may move - or you may not. Don't turn down a great job offer because of something that might happen.
Take the job - it sounds like a great offer.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 11:27 AM on June 5, 2015 [2 favorites]
Take it, and just fucking crush it for the next 8 months so that when you move they'll want to keep you working remotely.
posted by entropone at 11:40 AM on June 5, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by entropone at 11:40 AM on June 5, 2015 [2 favorites]
Bite their hand off. Bite it and take this job.
posted by DarlingBri at 11:41 AM on June 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by DarlingBri at 11:41 AM on June 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
Take it. Go. Turn in notice as soon as offer is signed.
posted by chasles at 11:46 AM on June 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by chasles at 11:46 AM on June 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
Take it. All of the "cons" you listed have to do with you feeling guilty/bad and they aren't based on any reality other than what's in your head. The people you're leaving won't be angry. At worst, they'll be jealous. This is business, you do you.
Don't worry about next years move that may or may not happen. You never know, and you'll kick yourself for not taking the new job if you end up staying in the same town.
Also, congratulations! :)
posted by AlisonM at 12:19 PM on June 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
Don't worry about next years move that may or may not happen. You never know, and you'll kick yourself for not taking the new job if you end up staying in the same town.
Also, congratulations! :)
posted by AlisonM at 12:19 PM on June 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: My god, everyone. So helpful.
I can't thank you enough!
posted by glaucon at 1:17 PM on June 5, 2015
I can't thank you enough!
posted by glaucon at 1:17 PM on June 5, 2015
Take the job! It sounds awesome. Have a great time!
posted by leahwrenn at 7:19 PM on June 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by leahwrenn at 7:19 PM on June 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
The only commitment you owe an employer is to the end of your current pay period. That is all they owe you as well.
posted by blue_beetle at 2:26 PM on June 6, 2015
posted by blue_beetle at 2:26 PM on June 6, 2015
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On that parenthetical note, however, it seems really unfair to your new company to only be taking the job for 6-8 months without their knowledge.
posted by maryr at 10:36 AM on June 5, 2015 [1 favorite]