I received an unexpected job offer....what to do?

[Anonymous]

I was in similar position was offered $175K making $145K. Except I am in mid 30s.
It's just not worth the security and would have increased my tax bracket with DW income. After taxes not worth it and especially if I was to get canned after a few years.


OP, If you were to accept $170K, what's an average annual salary increase or is it only annual bonuses or both?

I definitely understand how great it feels to get an increase but dang you have been there for 20 years. You basically grew with your current company.

Anonymous wrote:How much would the income differential have to be to make folks move? $50k?

[Anonymous]

OP here....I have not made a decision, but I am leaning toward staying. I found out a little more...the new company wants my resume to try and take a project where my current company is the incumbent. The manager of that effort actually searched for something, then had HR contact me. (I would not be working for her though).

However, the contract I would be supporting has a one year POP; my current project also has a one year pop, but we are expecting later phases.

I have a very specialized and unique skill set. Which means when an appropriate position comes up, I am one of a handful of people that can do it. I also have a very good reputation.

Tomorrow, I will talk to my task lead, to find out about the stability of the current projects. (I will also mention how they want to use me....might help at raise time).

But, unless I hear something surprising, I am not leaving a good situation where I am respected, I get to work the hours I want to work (which, not the number), and they work with me with the medical issues.

I will probably make the decision in the next 24 hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here....I have not made a decision, but I am leaning toward staying. I found out a little more...the new company wants my resume to try and take a project where my current company is the incumbent. The manager of that effort actually searched for something, then had HR contact me. (I would not be working for her though).

Not only would you be leaving your company, if you go to a competitor trying to take the business, you'll be burning at least some bridges. Lots of risk if it doesn't work out. I think you're wise to lean towards staying.

[Anonymous]

OP hee. I decided to stay at my current job; then the new company upped the offer by 10K, so we are now looking at 25K + better health ins. However, My happiness in important, and I am happy where I am.

[Anonymous]

Wow, I cannot imagine working in the same place for 20 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP hee. I decided to stay at my current job; then the new company upped the offer by 10K, so we are now looking at 25K + better health ins. However, My happiness in important, and I am happy where I am.

Counter big. Ask for $300 plus $50k sign on.

I'm serious. They want to land a contract, they can gamble.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP hee. I decided to stay at my current job; then the new company upped the offer by 10K, so we are now looking at 25K + better health ins. However, My happiness in important, and I am happy where I am.

Counter big. Ask for $300 plus $50k sign on.

I'm serious. They want to land a contract, they can gamble.

Yeah but they probably don't know about her health issues.

Op as someone with a disability if you think your employer likes you and will continue to hire you I would stay

You may want to ask for a raise tho

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, I cannot imagine working in the same place for 20 years.

I have grown with the company. My tasks have grown...I have been promoted. I have also moved around the company for different projects. They offer me a lot of intellectual challenges, and the compensation has always been good....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP hee. I decided to stay at my current job; then the new company upped the offer by 10K, so we are now looking at 25K + better health ins. However, My happiness in important, and I am happy where I am.

Counter big. Ask for $300 plus $50k sign on.

I'm serious. They want to land a contract, they can gamble.

I am a scientist...no one will pay me that kind of money, at least not long term.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP hee. I decided to stay at my current job; then the new company upped the offer by 10K, so we are now looking at 25K + better health ins. However, My happiness in important, and I am happy where I am.

Counter big. Ask for $300 plus $50k sign on.

I'm serious. They want to land a contract, they can gamble.

Yeah but they probably don't know about her health issues.

Op as someone with a disability if you think your employer likes you and will continue to hire you I would stay

You may want to ask for a raise tho

I have blogged about them, and they are searchable, but I have not volunteered any information. I do not consider myself disabled...but I do like flexibility. Examples of the flexibility: I was not feeling well one day last week, worked a few hours, went home, and made up the time a few days later when I was feeling well.

I actually talked to my mentor -- also my task manager. (I have known him for 20 years; he is brilliant, though scattered). I have no reason to want another job...but it is always good to here what others think.

The other thing is, through a friend with contacts with the customer, I got some more background....the 5 year contract they have is big, and is up for re-compete. The customer is frustrated that they have not been able to fill this mission space, and they are worried about follow-on work. That means it could be really difficult to fulfill the customer expectations, or anything will make them happy.

[Anonymous]

Op here...wondering if I should be aggressive. Everytime I say no, they up the offer. I am thinking there is a lot more at stake for them then I realize.

Either that or I would be walking into a shit-storm, and they know it. And they are paying me to deal with the shit. Well, with my medical stuff, I do not have it in me to deal with this.

[Anonymous]

OP here with an update.

In the end, I did not take the offer. I had a long phone conversation with the person who would be the line manager, and talked about flexibility needs, particularly given my medical history (Cancer and Heart Disease). She made it clear she would bend over backwards to accommodate me. Sounds great, right?

Well, it did sound great...so I did some more digging (I have a friend who is friends with the Gov't customer). The company got dinged big time at the last review cycle for failing to provide support to this work. They were not going to be renewed in a year. That was enough to get me to say no.

Funny thing was I had my annual performance review with my current company (whom I have been with for 20 years)...and ended up with a nice raise and bonus, which, when combined with the extra vacation time I get, put me ahead having stayed.

[Anonymous]

That's terrific, OP. I'm glad it all worked out for you.

[Anonymous]

Great update OP, so glad it worked out.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the update! I'm glad you made the choice that makes you happy.