Moving Jobs Asking for professional opinions

[Chad Merry]

I just started at a new engineering firm 1 year ago leaving the previous company after 6 years of service which was leading me nowhere. Last week a head hunter calls me about a job opp, so I say ok tell me about it. So to make this story short I talked with new company and they want me to come on board. Pay increase will be about 10% increase but I will also receive year end bonuses which average 10%. Medical insurance will be less than half of what I am currently paying; about 5500.00 year for family coverage. Is it bad to move 2 times within 1.5 years?

 

[Mark Grumpy]

No it isn't. Take 'em while you can get 'em. Eventually, either because of age, wages, position or some other reason, the offers will stop coming.



grump

 

[Chad Merry]

Yes married with 1 child. The main thing is I will have to start travelling quite a bit, and have outgrown that part of my career. My son is 3 and I wont to be home and not at a holiday inn. And medical insurance is costing me about 8-9k a year.

 

[Kevin Palmer]

From a credit stand point they like to see you in residence for 5 years or longer. If not, some times they ask why for more details if your filling out credit applications for example.



If you have a family, more than just a spouse, then you need to take a very serious look at what your leaving and where your going. If the school is great where you are and your headed to a school not as good for example.



Does you spouse a job? Is it a good job? Can she afford to leave it? What are the taxes to where your headed? If they are high the 10% raise may be all but wiped out. Not just the housing taxes but the food, gas, sales taxes etc.



That said, if you are able to justify the move and better yourself than I say go for it. Anytime you can better yourself and not create huge issues with the family your doing well...

 

[Mark Grumpy]

Ah, well, that changes it a little. Gotta weigh the family against the other bennies. I don't think a few more Ks versus watching and being with your kid growing up is worthwhile. That's just the opinion of a military guy that missed quite a bit of family life.



grump

 

[WXMotorSports DecalsPartsAccs]

It used to be but not anymore. During the .com days I moved jobs five times in 2 years as I was recruited each time. I tripled my salary in that time period. If I hadn't I wouldn't been able to start my own business.

 

[Chad Merry]

Not moving houses new job is 4 miles from where I work now.

 

[Jenn D]

My personal experience....



I was at my job for 2 years AND EXTREMELY happy. The pay wasn't great, but I loved the people I worked with and I had a great administration to work for. Then, well, I fell in love and moved 25 miles away. The drive through the city was hell on me and my ST, not to mention $5 in tolls each day. So I found a job near my new residence. The facilities were new and everyone seemed nice. I thought for sure the grass would be greener and I didn't need to travel across town and back each day, this is great! Then, my first day there the reality set in and things went south. The admin was horrible and unsupportive. I started to hate my job. I went through a deep depression and happy was not one of my moods. I decided to get out of my profession and found a new job/profession (because the one bad job put a sour taste in my mouth for the profession). The new job payed about the same as the old job and is 30 miles away, again with $5/day in tolls, but I'm happy. Very happy.



Moral of the story - Just because the grass may look greener, it may not be. If you are happy now and are going simply for the money...it may not be worth it.

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Chad all companies I have ever interviewed, especially those rep'ed by headhunters, claimed "year end bonuses averaging around 10%". Even my current company which I have been with 3 years claimed such and I have never received a bonus from them.



If you get to the point of an offer, request a signing bonus and state the rational for the need is that your current company offers YE bonues too that are paid in March (assuming this is true) and you would be foregoing that should you leave now. If they are unwilling, then their bonus policy probably isn't that "secure", because these things tend to come out in the wash (e.g. they should also have someone who is leaving or left in December if they are a company of any size, and you would be getting his/her portion from the bonus pool).



Furthermore, regarding benefits, "times change", and the company that is doing well now might cut costs and bonuses by YE next year. The only things you can count on are salary and vacation time. Medical insurance contributions tend to fluctuate too so you can't count on them. Headhunters always paint a rosey picture.



If you consider this job and begin to negotiate, try to maximize your salary AND your PTO (paid time off) and don't fall for the "it's our company policy" line with regards to time off allowed. People move around moreso these days, and having to reset your vacation levels to 2 weeks (or even lower) just because you take a new job with a new company, especially if a seasoned professional, is unacceptable and not competitive.



Good luck.



TJR

 

[buzz worth]

as the employer of over 200 people, I have NO problem with someone that changes jobs to better themselves or their conditions. Actually I think it shows that someone is on the ball and looking out for themselves.

I was always taught 2 things as I was growing up. Don't leave one job until you have another and nobody can make a job decision for you.

It really comes down to your priorities. what is best for you and your family now.

sean

 

[Chops]

From another Engineer, don't let time at one company be a determining factor.

Other issues such as company health (do your due diligence on the stock trend), work environment, 401k matching, etc.



Did you negotiate 10%? If not, try a litttle more. My world 15% is the norm.

Sign on bonus?

Full moving expense package?



A director I worked for years ago told me, if I want to advance, you have to be mobile.



It has turned out to be so true.

 

[Johnny O]

Moving again so soon, once, for a better deal, is okay. People who make a habit of an annual job change however, are different.

 

[Michael Cacioppo]

As a retired Engineer my opinion would be to make the move. If you are not appreciated where you are, leave. The increase sounds substantial enough to make the move.. Go for it.

 

[Chris Kulbaba]

I didnt read all the posts...



But for me, the job security of the position is most important. Are they hiring you cause they are busy NOW, and wont need you 2 years down the road?



Family first, money isnt always everything.

 

[Jeffrey Travis]

If you are happy where you are at, leverage the offer and see if you current company will counter.

Make sure your company knows you were not looking but it fell in your lap. It will be good for them to know that you are willing to leave but even more willing to stay if they make it worth your while.

 

[Tim Reynolds]

Maybe this can help you make up your mind, we can learn so much from kids.



This poem was written by a terminally ill young girl in a New York Hospital.





SLOW DANCE



Have you ever watched kids

On a merry-go-round?

Or listened to the rain

Slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?

Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down.

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last.

Do you run through each day

On the fly?

When you ask How are you?

Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done

Do you lie in your bed

With the next hundred chores

Running through your head?

You'd better slow down

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last.

Ever told your child,

We'll do it tomorrow?

And in your haste,

Not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch,

Let a good friendship die

Cause you never had time

To call and say,"Hi"

You'd better slow down.

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere

You miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry through your day,

It is like an unopened gift....

Thrown away.

Life is not a race.

Do take it slower

Hear the music

Before the song is over.

 

[Allen Brandt]

If you are happy with your current employer, how about telling them that you are being recruited, but really want to stay there. See if there is any way they can come up with more money to give you the best of both worlds.

 

[Nelson Atwell]

Allen,



I did what you suggest at a job once. The owner said, "I accept your resignation", and I was shown the door. I went to work for the other company and it was a better job, but there is a lot of risk in letting an employer know you are considering another place to work.

 

[Chad Merry]

Thanks for all your replies. I have decided to make the move. The salary+benefis+bonuses+less travel = happy me and family.