Money or happiness? I am perfectly happy working for a great company right now that coudn't treat a person better than they do me. They genuinly show their appreciation for all the things that I do here and trust me in lots of ways. Well, I get a call offering me a job that in the end could further my career by giving me more experience in my field of work along with making more money. The salary increase is a nice one and I think that my company is trying to keep me on board by giving me some sort of increase, although probalby not as much as I'm being offered. Well I am torn, do I stay with those whom have treated me good and keep on trucking or should I take some more pay and get more of a variety of experience. Really don't know what to do. The benefit of this new offer is that I would have more recources and a broad variety of work to do but at the same time what is this genuine kindness worth to me.......Sorry, had to vent, trying to figure out what to do. Pretty tough decision, I've been with this company for 5 1/2 years. I fell like I'm turning my back on these people.
How much is the bump in pay? Under 5 grand? If so, I wouldn't bite {for my situation anyway}. If they offer 25-30k more, then I would go. BUT, if it's 10-15-20k, I would have to think hard. Is 20g's enough to lose the wonderful environment? Is it closer to where you live? Are the hours the same/ better? Many personal points for you to think about. Don't burn the bridge, make sure you let them know why you are leaving and give them enough time to find your replacement. Don't just drop in and give two weeks notice. That is 100% weak. I have 11 people in my department, 4 have already been fired/ layed off and that spooked/ pi$$ed off the others. 4 others are looking for a new job {while at work!!!} and another 2 {I think} are on the fence. One thing can lead to another, just keep everything truthful/honest to both parties and make the right choice for youself.
JP, are you currently working for a small business or a big business...? Is there a remote possibility that things could really take off for you there...? Could things explode and put lots of money and opportunities in your pocket...? If so, maintain loyalty to them... ...otherwise follow the age-old addage, "there's no emotion in business." 'Cause there's not... Kindness doesn't pay the bills, kindness doesn't put food on the table, kindness doesn't put gas in the car or keep the lights on; kindness doesn't keep your clothes dry cleaned, kindness doesn't keep soap in the shower or the water hot... Money does all of that. Kindness just makes it happen more pleasantly... There are VERY FEW things out there that will make me truly happy that DON'T have a price tag on them; there are A LOT of things out there that will make me VERY happy that DO have a price tag on them... It's a no-brainer for me. Make the decision that's going to make YOU happy; not someone else.
There's a LOT to be said for being happy where you work. If you don't believe me, find someone that isn't happy and ask them how much pay it would be worth to them to like what they do. Be careful chasing money, it can bite you in the a$$.
What are your long term plans? If you don't know than think about what you could see yourself doing in 5-10-15-25 years. And, how does each company fit into that plan? Would the existing company hold you back because it is more comfortable or assist you? It's best to write this down, pros and cons in relation to future goals. Personally I hate "working for the man" so all my energies were put towards getting out on my own, which I did about 5 years ago. It paid off and I'll never look back. Hope this helps.
Whats the deal here. Is there something wrong by having both? Why is it always an either or question. I like to have it all.
America Capitalism Take the new job. If you want happiness and not money, you can always take a one way trip to Canada
Happiness is more important, of course. Making more money may not mean more happiness, right? I generally think more money you make, less time you have for your own. It is hard choice to make, JP. You (& your family) are the only one who can make the right decision, which you won't have to regret later. Just compare amount of more dollars you make versus what will new work require from CURRENT YOU. (I would also consider what if new work doesn't work out, could I go back to the old job??) GOOD LUCK!
Guys your responses are nothing short of a miracle, and I really take these opinions to heart. I love this board and all of the experiece and wisdom that you all take time to share. I'm looking at about a 28% increase in pay, the money sounds good. But now that this offer is in my face I fell like if I stay put I'll be taking the lazy/easy/more comfortable way out. NNO, the buisnesses are about the same size, approx 75 people in the company but this new job would include me being in the main office, not a sattelite office as I am with my current employer.....as I said, more recources and a larger variety of work. And your right about the kindness statements but it sure does make for a good nights sleep.....ahhh so does a larger bank account I guess too. Srfcity, these two companies are very competetive and in a sense very much alike. For what I can see I need to learn alot more about the buisness, and thats going to happen with this new place. I say that because this is a main office and in talking I think I made a good impression on them, so I'll be striving for more and more responsibility. I think that I am very aggressive when itcomes to getting a job done, hopefully this new place can see that and hopefully it will pay off one day. O, and well said LaFun. Steve, you sound like my father saying that, it wasn't even a question for him, took him about 2 seconds to compute what I said and answer me. And Yoshi, the company I am with now is owned by such good people that I would like to think that our relationship is good enough for that option to remain open. The way I look at it, I am going out, getting more experience and maybe I can return to my now employer with this experience. And Glassman, momma always said you can't have your cake and eat it too. But I have always been optimistic, I'll make the best of it, and I guess thats one way to have it all. Jimpo, you seem to take my parents standpoint too, and as I do agree, what if I stay comfortable and in the same position, for 20 years, I have some urge wanting me to grow to the next level and my heart snagging on my company that I'm with now. A good friend with our company now gave me this little wisdom that I liked....he said that most people will change jobs in their career about 5 times from what he's seen before settling down and going long term, retirement. Not only is that a negotiator for a higher salary but a way of getting more experience. That kinda pushed me toward this new company, I think there is some truth to that. Guys, thanks again for all of your input and advice, it is strongly taken in my decision. I'll keep you posted if you want, I'll be deciding by Thursday at 5:00, I told them that I would let them know by then.....soo. O, and Hope to see you all at the FQQ, I'll be there with bells on, just not in the ferrari, its about 18 times too small. But try to make it, it will indeed be worth the trip from anywhere.
There are other things to consider as well. Are you young and single? Are you old and married with a bunch of mouths to feed? If it's just you the decision process is different than if you have a family to feed.
Unless your current employer is severely under paying you which does not seem like the case, but it sounds to me, the new company sucks and they have to hire mercenaries luring them in with big bucks or they work you to the bones which comes out to the same salary you're making now based on an hourly basis, minus the added stress..... take it from me and personal experience...
i'm thinking this needs to be looked at from a different angle... Forget about the job, forget about the money, forget about the kindness, forget about the opportunities, put all of that stuff out of your mind for a minute... ...are you happy now...? Are you unhappy...? Do you feel like your life is missing something...? If so, what is it...? Rather than assume that one job over the other might make you happy or happier, let's try to find if there's a void that needs filling, in the first place... Are you lonely...? Money won't solve that - at least not permanently... Are you seeking something that has a price tag on it...? If all areas of your life are okay and you don't feel like anything is amiss, but you'd rather be driving an ABC as opposed to an XYZ, then maybe the new job with more money is the way to go... Do you see what i'm saying...?
What do you really know about the new company? I swithced companies when I worked for Corporate America, I made the change for more money and found myself doing tons more work but in an unstructured company. Find out everything your job will be about! Before I went out on my own starting my own business. I learned an invaluable measure. Investigate! Investigate! Investigate! Oh, are you able to leave the company you are with now and come back if it doesn't work out? Maybe this is a question you can ask your boss?
I'd echo those who have asked about your longer term plans. If this new job expands your responsibilities or somehow adds experience that you mightn't get if you stay where you are and that expanded role furthers your career, then you're killing two birds with one stone - more money and a step forward career-wise. But having some sense of where you're trying to get to is really important in deciding whether the new position gets you where you want to be. I have had positions I enjoyed more than others, but everything for me is just a means to an end since what I really want to do is something other than work for a living!! But I know how big my pile needs to be and am doing something I enjoy with people I respect (but in a location I'm not thrilled about) in order to further myself toward that goal. In other words, if the experience and the money get you closer to where you want to be, take it and don't look back. My USD 0.02. Cheers Kevin
Bruce turned down big bucks and other perks to relocate, staying with same company. Boiled down to everybody being happy.
