I have reached that rare moment in life where I have a choice between two jobs. One is a promotion with the company I have been working for for the last 8 months and the other is a new company. I have been working in the industry for 22 years and have worked for only three different (this is the fourth) organization.

My question to you all is how do you choose? I am being intentionally vague just so I can hear what makes each of you come to a decision.

Thanks brothers and sisters.

 

I think we need a bit more info.

But a promotion is always nice. I'd go with the promotion. Sure, it means more headaches to go with more money, but it's still a step up.

How does the money compare? Is the other company going to match or beat your promotion wage?

 

I had to make a similar decision last week. I've been in my industry for 18 yrs (heavy truck and trailer repair) and have worked for 3 companies before starting my own business.

I was offered a good job through industry contacts at a large truck dealership in May. They offered me a generous starting salary, benefits, etc. I had to decide if I wanted to security of a world-wide company backing me, or my humble sometimes day-to-day living that comes with self employment.

I chose to take the job at the world-wide truck manufacturer. My reasoning was:
1) I'm not getting any younger. I'm in my late 30's and would like the security of knowing exactly how much I will be earning. I did ok being self employed, but sometimes there were some very lean times (the 60 to 90 day waiting period for work already done sometimes hurt).
2) Better hours. I've worked 24/7 since 1994 - all "on call". Some days my phone and pager went crazy, other days nothing happened. At least now I know what my hours of work are, and my long suffering girlfriend will like that.
3) Chance of promotion. This was a big issue with me. While it was nice to say that I was the "President and CEO" of my own company, sometimes just saying that didn't pay the bills that came in at the end of the month. In the heavy truck and trailer repair business, a person only has a certain number of working years before the job just becomes to difficult. I enjoy my field of work, but I don't want to be replacing axles, lift bags, brakes, drums and cams when I am 50.

I doubt this answers your question, but it was a good chance for me to rant. I start on June 28 and am honestly a little nervous. Only time will tell if I made the right decision.......

Glenn

 

Great response so far! Big Rig indicates money and stature. Yes, the money is better in the new job, but the organization poses greater risk. IMO the risk outweighs the reward. In the current company, its essentially a promotion to the position I held in my most recent job. I ought to be more thankful; there are a gaggle of people that would give anything to have the position.

Glenn offers three good points I'm also considering. I just turned 40 and would like to be done with the 9-6 by 55. Hours are hours, in my biz its always stressful (who's isn't?). Doubtful I'll make it to either of the two higher positions I could attain in the current company. In the new company I would be the head geek, but in a way its the same deal at the current company. Its just the new company is just starting down a particular path (although its five times the size of the current company).

Keep em coming.

 

I'm a firm believer in "Don't Mess with Happy". With 20+ years in your field you know what you like and what you don't. If you like your current situation stay. I have a brother-in-law that has changed jobs a lot for money. He earns in the 100K plus range. His most recent change was 5 months ago and he received more money put they took their pound of flesh. He doesn't get to do the little things anymore like little league and school events with the kids. There comes a point in our careers where we would trade money for more time. Choose wisely and good luck with whichever you choose.

 

I would look closely at the people who would be surpervising you. Also look at what the working conditions. I can't stand any mickey mouse stuff and control freaks. I quit two jobs because of that.

 

Sounds as though you're at the point in life where you should consider which company offers the best long term security. Compare, if you can, how the companies are managed. Do they have plans for future expansion? What's your growth potential with each? Is either of them family-owned...so if the boss drops dead the company goes under too? Does the boss have a son that works for the company? Compare retirement and medical benefits. Is it possible to spend a day or so hanging around this 'new' company so you kinda get a feel for the place?

MR

 

do u have a degree of some sort? why can't u get ahead? do u want to?
if so, go to school, or back to school...you can easily get an associates in 2-3 yrs. its a start...there are many on-line courses to take, and most community colleges offer evening classes. all it takes is self discipline. Sad but True-
most companies will only hire people for upper positions if they have a degree. they talk all of this promote from within garble , but only if the person has paperwork to back it up. otherwise its some college kid commin in and ruinin the company tryin to implement some crap he learned in school, but forgot that the principle behind it was meant for another industry.

personally I think that hands-on experience is what makes companies work- even large ones, but one cannot deny the importance of an education, nor the recognition of it by those in hiring positions.

I currently work for one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world. I'm set. however I recently enrolled into school to get my undergraduates degree. I don't need it, but why not they're payin for it.
This will help to put me where I want to be in the company within 5 yrs instead of the 10-15 yrs by simply having experience.

You've got the experience - now get the recognition you deserve who says u can't move up? is that something u want to do? if so, forget the other job
talk to the company ur currently at and tell them u got another offer -see if they'll match it, or at least bump you up.
just my .02....good luck!!

 

Wow, that's almost exactly what I was going to say. Really, you're the only one who can decide which you should take, because you're the only one who knows what YOU want. You know what will make you happy. Think long and hard about whether extra money will be worth the change in your life.
In my job, I wouldn't even accept a promotion. My position is the only one I would take, everything else is WAY too stressful for me. (I don't do stress, it's not healthy.)
But whatever you choose, make sure it is right for you. If you're positive it is the right thing, you can't go wrong.

 

hkiefus, these are tough decisions to make.

I had a similar situation about 4 years ago. I had two great job offers with one offering much more $$$ than the other (at least initially). Let's see, more money=more travel which in turn means less time with my newborn child....hmmm. Additionally, I looked at the personnel at each office. I really liked the guys at the lower paying job much better (gut instinct) and after asking others that knew both groups, the decision became even more clear. To date I have no regrets.

Do what you think is best for you and your family.

Good Luck.

 

I would say take the promotion at the company you are already at.For one,you already are familiar with you surroundings,two,no risk,and three,the way politics and fanny kissing enter so much into todays job market,you might end up with no job at the new company after a couple of weeks.

 

Years ago a friend offered me a job with a new company he was starting, with a small salary and a big stock package. He wanted me to design interfaces and controllers for equipment he was going to put togather. I reminded him that I had never done that before, but he expressed confidence in me. I elected not to take the chance and retain the security of my proven job. A few years later I ran into him in an airport, he had sold his successful company and was retired (at 42). The moral is... do not be afraid to take risks. I have been out of work and broke at times since then and discovered that it is not fatal. With big risks comes big rewards. Good luck.
Dono

 

Thank you all!

Dono: I was hoping you replied as we are nearly identical in-field. You said exactly what I thought you would. The risk-reward ratio for the new job is not right though. It probably has the potential to be better, but not enough equity in it to make it worthwhile.

King: You too echo my sentiments.

MrOldV8: It is a family owned and private organization. The company cares well for those that have been in it for a long time. As i told our president: "It's too bad we didn't know each other 10 years ago as you would have already built trus in me. However, that does not preclude the fact that my wisdom and experience is what is needed to bring our organization to the next level."

Buzzard: I have no family (of poor me) so time is not of essence, I'd like to make the accomplishments now and relax later.

BigGreen78: (Funny, I recently sold my green 1978 F250 - Big Green -) I do have a degree, a few of them actually. I'm at the point where the only place to go 'up' is to the executive level. It's just squeezing the last ounce out of it.

Mike: Exactly my thought. The supervisor at the new job has not been identified. I wasn't going to give them a decision until I had an opportunity to talk to him/her.

1BigExpy: So true, but I haven't been at existing company long enough to know happy. I have come to like the folks I work with. The best I have ever been around.

So, here's the outcome: I probably would have picked the existing company's promotion; however, they sent out an email to everyone today announcing that I HAD ACCEPTED the position even though they just offered it yesterday! Within five minutes I had a couple dozen e-mails asking if they could be on this new team. At least it tells me I must have made a decent impression in my first eight months.

Now I have to decline the new company. I feel bad cause this organization was concered that I was uninterested. I told them that I was attempting to get a new position within my current organization so now they will probably think I just sought a position with them to advance my current position/pay. It is not true and it just irks me that I know that is what they will think. I have always been an honorable person and I feel they will think I've lead them on.

So now, how do I decline gracefully? My plan is to just tell the truth.

(In case you are curious, it is a software company developing load origination and other banking products. The position is Manager of Techincal Architects, sure sounds good. So I get to take over all existing architects and shape technical vision and guidelines. Chances are 1 in 10 that if you have a small business, a large mid market business, had a basic consumer loan, or purchased a used vehicle and financed it, this company's software has/will support the loan application process)

 

Sounds like you made the right decision. The best of luck to you.

 

Good luck to you. You work in an area that I know absolutely nothing about. Sounds like you've chosen well.

MR