Carreer Crossroad

[BG]

Well this is a big part of it you just hit on.. I KNOW I will not have the freedom I have now, and so the left side of my brain is telling me to stay, keep my freedom, and just stick with the status quo. The right side of my brain knows this is a sacrifice worth taking becuase of the career opportunities with this company vs. my existing one. From a career standpoint it will be in my best interest to make the move.. I don't doubt that. But I will NOT get to train the way I have been. Which isn't the end of the world, I think. It's not like I'll stop training, I'll just have to adjust to another method of getting the time in. Maybe at lunchtime, maybe after work..

I think you just answered it right there.....

[BG]

good luck igi whatever you decide...I know you will do great...my company just told me Friday that they are eliminating my position company wide...there obligated to find my something within the company so I still have a job I guess?...ill be ok though im ready for a change as well...getting the resume updated and going to shop myself around...

Good luck !

[ghettoboyd]

Good luck !

thanks brother im always networking within my field so im confident whichever way I go...

[NaturalUN]

I see the predicament you have, I'd also need a bit of guidance seems like you have it pretty sweet at the moment with current company. But the fact you even had an interview with another company already tells me you've made up your mind, whatever it may be I wish you well.

[Igifuno]

Y'all are doing it right then! Fuel costs, child care, any expenses/loss of per diem....you know the drill. Not sure what the pollen count is like in Nashville, but it's brutal here in SC right now. If you have allergies, might want to bring some antihistamines.

Got my nasacort brother!!

[Igifuno]

I'm sure you've thought about this Igi, but check out the prospective employer regarding their 401k plan.... a rollover from your current plan into their plan is often the better option.

Indeed. This will definitely be considered. It won't be difficult to beat my existing 401k package either.

[Igifuno]

1. There is Risk involved in every change 2. Your negotiation strength comes from your a)options and b)ability to walk away With the above in mind, 15% raise is not that much in the scheme of things. You are risking the known for the unknown. Could be better...could be worse. 1. Are there other opportunities in the same area in the same line of work? 2. Who are the Main Players in your Corp that you will be working with? 3. What are their personality and management styles and how do you fit in? 4. What do the SO and kids think of the move and how will their life's be affected? Lots of things to consider.... IN THE END...life is full of Risks. You just have to do your best to control the one's you can control....and give the rest to (you know who). ~T

Thx tcw.. Great thoughts. Based in the personality evaluation, I am a perfect culture fit.

I also agree with you about the risk.. I don't mind taking the risk. I'm a firm believer in no risk no reward.

[Igifuno]

With the added mileage could you wangle a company car? I love mine saves me a fortune in travelling the country etc and having free fuel and the greatness of sheer abandonment when driving the car and parking it in rough places etc. I think the lads are right with you low balling it at 15% try 30 or 40 and you will probably end up where you wanna be. If they want you bad enough they will pay

Don't think so about the comp car. Not very common in my industry. I will definitely shoot higher than 15% but I feel like 15% I realistic and where I may end up, which I'll be fine with.

[Igifuno]

good luck igi whatever you decide...I know you will do great...my company just told me Friday that they are eliminating my position company wide...there obligated to find my something within the company so I still have a job I guess?...ill be ok though im ready for a change as well...getting the resume updated and going to shop myself around...

Damn ghetto sorry to hear that man. It says a lot for you that they're trying to find you something else within the company though. Take to for now and perhaps get your feelers out for another opportunity. How long did they give you and, if they don't find something comparable, will they give you a severance package?

[Igifuno]

I think you just answered it right there.....

Yup.. My heart is in the decision now, just need to negotiate well.

[Igifuno]

I see the predicament you have, I'd also need a bit of guidance seems like you have it pretty sweet at the moment with current company. But the fact you even had an interview with another company already tells me you've made up your mind, whatever it may be I wish you well.

Thanks bro. You're right, I've made my mind up that I want to make the move. Will be a lot harder and faster pace but sometimes you just have to bite the bullet.

Complacency can be career suicide.

[APIs]

Always go for the money. It doesnt sound like 15% would be worth it IMO. Corporate can always play games with how bonuses are structured. You may sign a contract granting a 20% bonus, which is great, however in the fine print it will read that your bonus is directly tied to the "groups" performance. Then if the group's productivity goes down, your actual bonus at years end could be drastically reduced. Get everything in writing, have it reviewed by a lawyer before signing & never sign a non-compete clause...

[DCI]

Don't think so about the comp car. Not very common in my industry. I will definitely shoot higher than 15% but I feel like 15% I realistic and where I may end up, which I'll be fine with.

Well you if they give you 15% see if they will give you an expensed company car or even mileage allowance due to the extra driving etv

[ghettoboyd]

Damn ghetto sorry to hear that man. It says a lot for you that they're trying to find you something else within the company though. Take to for now and perhaps get your feelers out for another opportunity. How long did they give you and, if they don't find something comparable, will they give you a severance package?

thanks buddy, they gave me till june to go over the options they choose for me until then they will pay me my salary...and what they offer me will be considered a lateral move as far as pay so if I lose it wont be to much but I don't like the direction they are taking so im definitely going to look around...

[Igifuno]

Well you if they give you 15% see if they will give you an expensed company car or even mileage allowance due to the extra driving etv

Definitely will give me a mileage allowance.

[DCI]

Well that is as good as a pay raise kinda because over here it is tax free dunno bout thw states

[Igifuno]

Well that is as good as a pay raise kinda because over here it is tax free dunno bout thw states

Allowances are tax free but they need to be justified. So my company can't just give me 300/month for car allowance, I need to track and submit mileage which is a pain in the ass.

[trikydik]

Igifuno - I feel your pain.. I took a step back to be with the number 1 company in its field. Went from a step below a directorship to simply a manager at one of their biggest plant, and now I am stuck.
Jumping ship, even it the company is great is never a safe deal. Ask yourself this: "Can I live with the company I am with, until a VP slot opens where you want to live?"

From your first post, it is yes, but life will suck... How bad will life suck?

Second.. Find out how much they are offering... I would ask for 20% more. Here is why, if you ask for less, you look like you deserve less. Ask for more and negotiate to the dollar amount you really want.
I have a friend who asked for the moon. Everyone said he was blowing it... Turned out, they really wanted him and he got most of what he asked for.

Third - I have a MBA and 25 years experience... I am for hire!

[DCI]

Allowances are tax free but they need to be justified. So my company can't just give me 300/month for car allowance, I need to track and submit mileage which is a pain in the ass.

We do that too, but make it up have a daily log to fill out but just needs general area that you are which is good

[Igifuno]

Igifuno - I feel your pain.. I took a step back to be with the number 1 company in its field. Went from a step below a directorship to simply a manager at one of their biggest plant, and now I am stuck. Jumping ship, even it the company is great is never a safe deal. Ask yourself this: "Can I live with the company I am with, until a VP slot opens where you want to live?" From your first post, it is yes, but life will suck... How bad will life suck? Second.. Find out how much they are offering... I would ask for 20% more. Here is why, if you ask for less, you look like you deserve less. Ask for more and negotiate to the dollar amount you really want. I have a friend who asked for the moon. Everyone said he was blowing it... Turned out, they really wanted him and he got most of what he asked for. Third - I have a MBA and 25 years experience... I am for hire!

The thing is, my company won't be growing in my area anytime soon. Also, I'm taking on a lot more this week actually which will means even more travel, and I already travel a sh*t ton.

So life won't suck at all by making a jump, but it will be very competitive, fast paced, and I'll definitely need to adjust as it relates to the freedom I currently enjoy.

Thx for the tip on the negotiation. Very glad I asked you all. I'm definitely shooting high with hopes to get as much as possible.

[GirlyGymRat]

The thing is, my company won't be growing in my area anytime soon. Also, I'm taking on a lot more this week actually which will means even more travel, and I already travel a sh*t ton.

So life won't suck at all by making a jump, but it will be very competitive, fast paced, and I'll definitely need to adjust as it relates to the freedom I currently enjoy.

Thx for the tip on the negotiation. Very glad I asked you all. I'm definitely shooting high with hopes to get as much as possible.

I would give anything to have a 40 hr week position. My hours are atypical, 3 double shifts per week, 12 hours other days and no weekends off at the moment so sleep trumps gym. The extra money isn't worth the extra stress in my case. I am happier when I can get to the gym and enjoy a night out.

There's a price for having a life outside of work....

[Hazard]

I would give anything to have a 40 hr week position. My hours are atypical, 3 double shifts per week, 12 hours other days and no weekends off at the moment so sleep trumps gym. The extra money isn't worth the extra stress in my case. I am happier when I can get to the gym and enjoy a night out.

There's a price for having a life outside of work....

So much truth to that.....

I got into the career I'm in now because I got laid off and couldn't find work. I had to fight to get into it too. They started me at a $12/hr position and I had to fight to get into the position I'm in. I had to take my first shitty paycheck and use it to get licensed with the state to be able to make more money. The company wouldn't pay for it..... They wouldn't assist me in getting it...... Nothing was easy.

It felt great to climb myself out of a hole tho. I'm now on salary and bringing the bacon home..... I'm loving the career and the friendships I've made. I hate some of the people in the company and I can't say I like the company. I break my balls day in and day out and it's never appreciated...... Never.

I also put in long long days..... 6 days a week..... Kills the gym time and family time. Don't care as much about the social life.

[lovbyts]

If they offer any type of bonus package make sure it's not something they can change anytime they want. A buddy of mine the 1st year working for a new company beat their estimated requirements so they raised it 4x higher the next year and again the next. He is still doing really well but would have had a LOT larger bonuses if they could not have done that.

[gearbox]

You asked what % would I go for to give up freedom, home cooking, gym, less travel, less stress?
And your number was 15%. Imo I guess the above is not that important to you cause you would give all that up for a measly 15k (assuming a 100k salary).

Imo it would need to be 25% at least to give all that up. Thats not just one thing.

[lovbyts]

I'm thinking for most people a 20% bump would be very nice as long as you are already up in the 100K +

My job I would need a good 25%+ to make a change.

Dont get to comfortable though, it's easy to stay in one place but most companies like to see someone who makes changes every 7 - 10 years to be value added. Someone who has been the same place for 20 years most places look at it as a negative anymore, not loyal like they use to.

You asked what % would I go for to give up freedom, home cooking, gym, less travel, less stress?
And your number was 15%. Imo I guess the above is not that important to you cause you would give all that up for a measly 15k (assuming a 100k salary).

Imo it would need to be 25% at least to give all that up. Thats not just one thing.

That's where I am at also, 25% but I would not do it if I had to give up the things I love. If I had to give up those things it would have to be a100%+ and then I would have a plan to be out of it within 2 years. No amount of money is worth giving up what you love or your life if you cant live, not just survive.

[Igifuno]

If they offer any type of bonus package make sure it's not something they can change anytime they want. A buddy of mine the 1st year working for a new company beat their estimated requirements so they raised it 4x higher the next year and again the next. He is still doing really well but would have had a LOT larger bonuses if they could not have done that.

Correct, The bonus plans are performance-based and there are several different categories where you need to perform well in order to maximize your bonus potential. I will be looking closely at financial statements prior to agreeing to any bonus package where certain cash flow must be reached in order to even qualify for the bonus package. I've seen people get the sh*t end of that deal too.

[Igifuno]

You asked what % would I go for to give up freedom, home cooking, gym, less travel, less stress? And your number was 15%. Imo I guess the above is not that important to you cause you would give all that up for a measly 15k (assuming a 100k salary). Imo it would need to be 25% at least to give all that up. Thats not just one thing.

I hear you. There's absolutely pros and cons. You pointed out the biggest cons, but on the pro side, it's a better company and more opportunity for growth and advancement. Not to mention I won't be traveling 50% or more of the time and will get to be home to see my family every night. That holds a great deal of value as well.

The way I see it, and when it comes down to it, I'll still be able to cook in my kitchen for meals, but I'll just have to pre-make my meals for the week and pack them instead of eating everything immediately after it's cooked. I will miss that though LOL

[diesel101]

I could never sell my business and work for somebody else they would never put up with my sh!t.

[Igifuno]

Well I got an offer today and negotiated salary and benefits like a champ (I think). I did get what I was looking for and am really happy about that.

I accepted the offer!

[probuild42]

Well I got an offer today and negotiated salary and benefits like a champ (I think). I did get what I was looking for and am really happy about that.

I accepted the offer!

Congratulations Igifuno!! Well played! Now go celebrate and enjoy your moment! Best of luck to you in your new endeavour's! :-)

[Igifuno]

Thank you fine sir!

[Cuz]

U lucky bastard....nah lol congrats boy

[BG]

Congrats ! well done !

[BG]

I thought strippers always worked double shifts??

JK really JK !!

I would give anything to have a 40 hr week position. My hours are atypical, 3 double shifts per week, 12 hours other days and no weekends off at the moment so sleep trumps gym. The extra money isn't worth the extra stress in my case. I am happier when I can get to the gym and enjoy a night out.

There's a price for having a life outside of work....

[DCI]

Congrats big igi

[GirlyGymRat]

Well I got an offer today and negotiated salary and benefits like a champ (I think). I did get what I was looking for and am really happy about that.

I accepted the offer!

Yayyyyyyyyy!!! Never had any doubts.

[GirlyGymRat]

Reported.




JK. Nice! : )

I thought strippers always worked double shifts??

JK really JK !!

[Igifuno]

I thought strippers always worked double shifts?? JK really JK !!

The PC term is exotic dancer, thank you very much. And we have feelings too! Lol.

[Igifuno]

Thanks everyone.

[almostgone]

Congrats, Igi! Glad it went well.