Do I take the higher paid job I won't like as much?

[Anonymous]

I would not take it. My happiness impacts my quality of life and my family. As long as you have enough, I'd skip it. You know you are marketable and can be happy while keeping eyes open for position that would be a better fit. I have taken lower paid offers for better fit and never regretted it.

[Anonymous]

DW is in the same boat as you are. She has 3 opportunities on the table and the delta between the highest salary and the lowest salary opportunity is about 50-60k. We've discussed it at length and in the end I just told her to take the one she feels will be the most fulfilling. She's leaning toward the lowest salaried position and we're ok with that. It's hard to put a price tag on happiness and fulfillment at work and the difference in compensation isn't enough for us to compromise on that end. Now if we were talking a 150-200k plus delta then the conversation might be different. Everybody has a number so I think the decision process is different for every family faced with a similar situation. Good luck OP!

[Anonymous]

IMO, good decision to turn it down. We're in a similar place in salary and I also love my job. I might be willing to leave for that big a bump but not with that history of turnover. You'd likely be miserable and then looking for a new job in a year.

[Anonymous]

Find the three people who left and talk to them. I know a place with high turnover and it was because people ended up going inhouse for great opportunities. Get information, don't make assumptions.

Then, these aren't the two only options in the universe. Obviously what this offer is telling you is that your are unpaid compared to why you are worth in the market. Sure you're comfy now, what about when you've been there 10+ years and your current boss is replaced by someone who is a favorite of a higher-up (in other words not you). Then work sucks but the market is bad and you need to take a cut to escape. Nothing is static.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Only in DC does this make any sense, you don't see people in middle america turning down $220k for their own happiness. SMH.

Have you ever been to middle America?

A great many professionals live there for quality of life, despite the fact that they could earn substantially more (even after factoring in COL) in Chicago or other large cities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I make 150k, DS also makes around 150k, we are in our late 30s and living comfortably but not extravagantly in a house we can afford with no debt beyond our mortgage, and 2 young kids in elementary school. I really enjoy my current job, great boss, interesting work, very comfortable there. I'm now a finalist for a job in another organization where my starting salary would be $220k, though my interviews lead me to believe I wouldn't enjoy the culture or work as much. Same industry, similar commute, etc. My DS thinks I should take the higher paying job for a few years just so that we can put a huge amount in the kids 529s and other savings, I'm worried I'll be sacrificing my daily happiness at work. What to do?

I wouldn't take it. As a matter of fact, I've already said no to several similar offers. Do what truly motivates you -- you'll do your best, find unexpected opportunities, and be happier and healthier long term.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you leave on good terms any chance you could go back to your boss that will still be there over the next 10 years? And maybe get a higher salary?

Or maybe your boss will surprise you and offer a nice counter to keep you.

NEVER TAKE THE COUNTER OFFER.

NP here Why not?

http://www.forbes.com/sites/lisaquast/2014/07/07/why-you-should-never-accept-a-counter-offer-when-you-resign/#632609815a6a

I don't buy that for a second. I did take a counter offer, and in addition to getting more money and a higher title, I was able to move up in the organization where things were static for me previously. And yes, I had previously asked for raises and title and more responsibility, but it wasn't until the boss actually realized that others saw my true worth that it finally kicked in. Yes, it sucks that it has to be that way, but only you can decide what's best for you. Sometimes you need to get external validation in the form of another job offer to show that you are worth and capable of more. (And, at least at my organization, only select people got counter offers, so you do have to be ready to walk.)

+1

I did the same thing. I got an offer, handed in my resignation and my boss said bye. My boss' boss said "wait a minute". Boom, $30K bump, new title, new role. Be clear about what it is you want and tell them.... But be prepared to walk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you leave on good terms any chance you could go back to your boss that will still be there over the next 10 years? And maybe get a higher salary?

Or maybe your boss will surprise you and offer a nice counter to keep you.

NEVER TAKE THE COUNTER OFFER.

NP here Why not?

http://www.forbes.com/sites/lisaquast/2014/07/07/why-you-should-never-accept-a-counter-offer-when-you-resign/#632609815a6a

This is one stupid article from Forbes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not take it. My happiness impacts my quality of life and my family. As long as you have enough, I'd skip it. You know you are marketable and can be happy while keeping eyes open for position that would be a better fit. I have taken lower paid offers for better fit and never regretted it.

Yep, my feelings exactly. I don't need a huge house or new car or to keep up with the Jones' so I prefer to have a less stressful job with manageable hours than money for lots of material things.

[Anonymous]

being in an organization you do not like, working for people you do not respect, is horrible. I would only do if it I felt that I could find another job easily and wouldn't regret leaving a place I really liked.

--signed, someone who is less than a year into a new job and trying to find something else, in a very niche field.

[Anonymous]

No question, OP. Keep your current job. Money (or a huge cushion in your kids' 529 plans) can't buy happiness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Only in DC does this make any sense, you don't see people in middle america turning down $220k for their own happiness. SMH.

Only in DC is $300K not enough and they should sacrifice happiness for $370k.

[Anonymous]

$70k is a ton, but if you really like where you are and your current job is more flexible you may seriously regret moving.

[Anonymous]

Things can change in your current job - restructuring/buyout, the great boss moves on and someone with a bad vibe comes in, changes of scope, downsizing. Nothing is forever. I would move on. if you don't like it you can look again after a year and move one after 2 or so, with a great salary history and a more diverse resume.

[Anonymous]

Take the job and make the best of it, your kids with no student loan debt will thank you someday.