What percentage of your income would you give up for a job with more potential?

I really never thought my career would come to this, but over the years I've managed to climb the ranks. But I feel I hit a wall. The company is just not big enough (yet) for any more growth. I know the job market isn't the greatest, but I do have an opportunity with a company much larger with more potential for me in the long run.

The problem is I would have to take a cut, almost 30% of my current income. It's a tough call because it could take 1 - 2 years or so at the new company to do begin real growth again. On the other hand, it's possible that my current company is going to expand eventually, but being privy to details, this isn't going to happen for 5 to 7 years.

Would you make the move? If so, what % of your income would you be able to give up for such potential?

I had a similar issue with a job. The company was very small and pay raises were related to the growth of the company. After a few years of service and climbing the ranks I realized there was no more room for growth and wouldnt be for a awhile. I brought my concerns to the owner of the business. He gave me a round number for gross revenue that would lead to him being able to pay me what i needed. I ran the math after the meeting and figured out with our current growth it would take 10 YEARS! I left the company shortly after that.

To answer your question: I would take a 25 percent pay cut to jump ship for a chance for growth. Anything more than that I would weather the storm till something better came along. Just remember jumping ship may leave you with less job security.

I would not change jobs unless it had some extreme perks and at least a 30% pay increase. To me it's not all about climbing the corporate ladder or how much I make but a balance between making enough, being able to save enough and having time to do what I want to do and I have been lucky enough to have dont a lot of hard work in the past and be in the position to appreciate where I am at that I make OK/good money and have a lot of time off without having anyone call me in the middle of the night or on my days off unless I want.

Life is to short to just worry about work. If I was under 30 maybe or mid 30s at the most but now I'm closer to 50 I'm more interested in doing what I can while I can still do it in life.

I could'nt take a 30% hit, thats just to big IMO. You have to ask yourself how much is it going to effect your (& family if you have one) lifestyle? do you have outstanding debt? is the risk worth the investment you have already made? what could happen between now & 5-7 yrs for eventual expansion ie can you move up were your at through attrition? We took the risk several yrs ago to open up a place, wife quit her job and we dropped about 20g on it and we had to pull out, so it was a loss, that was about as risky as I could get at the time, so I understand that sometimes you gotta play to get payed.

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Originally Posted by austinite

I really never thought my career would come to this, but over the years I've managed to climb the ranks. But I feel I hit a wall. The company is just not big enough (yet) for any more growth. I know the job market isn't the greatest, but I do have an opportunity with a company much larger with more potential for me in the long run.

The problem is I would have to take a cut, almost 30% of my current income. It's a tough call because it could take 1 - 2 years or so at the new company to do begin real growth again. On the other hand, it's possible that my current company is going to expand eventually, but being privy to details, this isn't going to happen for 5 to 7 years.

Would you make the move? If so, what % of your income would you be able to give up for such potential?

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SHiit bro if you have a good position now dont piss it away for a 30% decrease in pay, wait until you get the offer that you want, and never settle for less. What is your backup plan if you hate the new company?

when i changed careers, i went from $60k with many perks to $13.75/hour. I was supporting my family so it was very rough on me. plus the amount of studying was unreal. it took 4 or 5 years to realize parity, and then after my salary really took off!

and i did this all late in life, not a kid

If I were in you're shoes, I would get into a very large or even worldwide company; and if I had to start sifting through chicken shit at the start, that's what I would do. Once your have proven yourself, and do a beyond excellent job it wont take long before you are promoted to something that you enjoy doing and that pays better, perhaps much better than what you are getting now.

Doesn't sound like something I would want to do. so 5-7 years, whats the likelihood of expansion? Also can you not keep searching for a position making above what you make now in a company with room for growth? If there are other reasons quality of job, life, and job security, but moving jobs is a risk.