Job prospect dillema
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
I’m retiring from the federal government soon, over many years as an executive overseeing grant programs and operations. I have a firm job offer in hand for about $30K less in salary and in a new area (cybersecurity, AI, Machine Learning), I’ll be handling portfolio management of various federal contracts in the DoD world primarily. Company seems great, I’ve met with many of the leadership and their team members multiple times, they have crafted this position for me specifically. Hybrid model, so some TW and some in person (which I like). Salary cut is not a big deal given that I’m taking VERA and my federal pension will start immediately. I am excited about this prospect and sense a real opportunity to grow professionally and in my network. My former government colleague and good friend really bent over backwards to help land this job for me.
Same day I received the job offer, I had a call with an old government colleague who started a business ten years ago and wants to bring me on asap. Also creating a position for me, probably VP and focusing on current contract management but also federal business development. I expect to receive an offer in writing on Monday but I am sensing it’ll be ~90K more than my current salary. Also fully remote. Same business line that I am in now but with a focus on public health. The biggest contract with CDC is expiring in 2027, so not too far out. Some state-based contracts with at least two very large states, so a good balance apart from relying solely on the federal government for business. I have a call on Monday to really nail down specifics, as I need to let the other company know that day of my decision. I get the sense that Company #2 here is crafting this more on a whim but I’ll know better on Monday after the call. What am I not thinking about? In an ideal world, I start with Company #1 and give them a year, I do a great job, learn a ton more, make connections, help the company thrive. After one year, I jump over to Company #2, but Company #2 likely wants me right now because I am still fresh from retiring in my current field. And while money isn’t everything, a 50% pay increase at Company #2 is pretty nice compared to a 14% pay cut with Company #1. I recognize I am in a blessed position and count myself extremely lucky given the current market. I am reaching out here due to anonymity and the ability to have you amazing DCUMers provide objective thoughts. TIA. |
Anonymous
| The whim vibes from company 2 - see what pans out. Take job 1 |
Anonymous
| OE - take both |
Anonymous
| The first job sounds a lot more stable. If I were a Fed, I would want stability. |
Anonymous
|
The goal of leaving is to make more money. See if job one can match salary of job two.
If not - take job two - 90,000 is nothing to sneeze at. Fed too. Can take Rule of 55 in January so putting toe in water. Well done! |
Anonymous
|
Do you WANT to do business development? Would you be good at that?
Personally I’d prefer the first job, so that’s what I’d take. |
Anonymous
| Is your health insurance situation under control at both companies. |
Anonymous
they are taking VERA. health insurance is already sorted for them. |
Anonymous
| Job 2 viability depends on your ability to develop business. That is, to get new contracts to replace the expiring one. You eat what you kill. And on a whim? Place sounds flailing. Who has been doing their bus dev. |
Anonymous
|
Is company #1 a growth company with potential for options and equity value, or just a DoD contractor?
If not…take #2. You know the people involved, the money is way better ($125k more) and you have more flexibility. |