Potential Job offer...should I take it?

[AboveAverage]

I was called by a headhunter (unsolicited, since I'm not currently looking) about a job that pretty much matches my current job duties. It is for a huge company in NYC. The job would pay about $25k-$35K more. Commuting to NYC wouldn't be a problem, but I would be forced to take the train in. (No way I'm driving into Manhattan unless it's very necessary).

I'm wondering if I should take it. The extra money could definitely help me out. The thing is though, I'm starting to get comfortable at my present job...I just got settled after being here for over 2 years. My credit is just starting to improve, but I'm in the IT industry...I'm allowed to bounce around....but I really did want to settle and grow with my current employer.

What do you guys think? The benefits are pretty much standard, retirement plan, Thirft savings, medical, tuition reimbursement, etc., etc...plus it's a union shop.

[jrbauto1]

Congrats on the job offer AA . I once took a job with a 1 hour comute and thought the travel would not bother me. I was wrong, after about three months the job was great the comute became a huge burden. If I had to stay late it changed my travel time, almost always made it much longer. I hope that helps some.

[bigswanging23]

25-35 K more is a lot of scratch.

All things being equal, take the job that offers the most money. You're gonna be working somewhere, you might as well maximize your earning.

[willingtocope]

Without knowing which part of the IT industry and which companies are involved, its tough to offer sound advice. There's still all that outsourcing to the far east going on...which company is more likely to ship your job overseas? Who's got the better product? Are they going to be around in 5 years, or sold off to someone? How much longer is the commuter?

The extra bread is enticing...but, it only matters if you can stay there long enough to collect it, and not spend it on the travel.

[AboveAverage]

Thanks guys for your answers. To answer some questions,

This company has been around at least a century. I don't want to say what it is or what industry it is, but lets just say they are not going out of business anytime soon (unless of course there's a war and we're invaded....then it's just maybe).

My IT specialty is ERP administration. I had to get into something after 6-7 years of Level 1-3 Help Desk...lmao. ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning and ERP systems are generally your Financial and HR systems. I make sure those systems are up and running and for that, you need to be a DBA (database administrator). I don't see some guy/woman in Bangalore or Hyderabad taking my job anytime soon.

It is something I have to think about. I really hate that I have to go to NYC to work. Right now I only go 5 miles and call it a day. With this, it really wouldn't be bad because it's all trains/subway...no bus.

I guess what I can do is figure out how much I'm spending monthly on the trains. Figure it's gonna be at least $100, but I will save on gas....gas is costing me about $80-90 a month.....

[LeslieR]

WTC offers some good food for thought.

AA, I understand your desire for stability and to get comfortable. I'm the same way. But these days, I think the people who get the farthest are the flexible ones who move around. Loyalty to a company and longterm stability with the same company is no longer rewarded as the "virtue" it once was!! It's tough for anyone over 30, I think, to adapt to this mindset.

But there are tradeoffs. I live 1/4 mile from work. I don't really like where I live - too suburban for me - but I've made a lifestyle choice so as to give up the hour commute.

[whocares]

it's not so much about the job picking you, as you picking a job...

Would you have considered working for this company if you had not been hunted?

Head hunters are just doing a job, what if they are not correct with the facts, if they pay was lower would you still consider it?

What about your present company? would they be willing to up the pay to keep you?

What about other companies in your area?

Is the pay they are offering closer to your business standard payscale?

Can you afford to go without benefits if you leave?

What about your retirement plans and the like...

And what is your time worth as far as travel? I hate public transportation...

Just a few random thoughts....Either way, Good Luck

[deltadawn]

Congratulations -whatever you decide. I think it's great that this opportunity has presented itself - it's nice to know you are in the driver's seat and have options and a little control in which direction your life will go.

I believe in loyalty and worked for the same company for 29 years before retiring. As the years passed and the work ethics changed, I noticed that the loyalty was sometimes a one way street. You can always ask your employer to match monetarily what the other company has offered.....but, they should realize what an asset you are and could have rewarded your efforts without a "show down".

You have to decide what's best for you, decide what your priorities are and how your choice will impact your life.

I took the transit system the last two years I worked - and actually enjoyed it. I was able to "wind down" before coming home, which put me in a different frame of mind when I arrived home. I always had my music, a book, or reports that I was able to complete without interruption.....and best of all, I did not have to drive in the snow!

I am sure that the choice you make will be the right decision. Good Luck.

[AboveAverage]

Definitely a lot to consider. Was even talking to the DF about it as she has a cousin-in-law that works at this place (non-IT). If I were to take it, moving to NY is not an option for a myriad of reasons. Taxes are higher, food and clothing are taxed, hence higher COL.

The headhunter did remind me of one thing...that perhaps maybe now is the time to move on, but not necessarily to this place and definitely not in NJ. I do like my place, but Leslie and another friend of mine is right. I still have a couple of moves left in me where I don't have to settle and I can continue making those salary jumps.

Yeah, I think I'm ready. I will entertain this potential offer but will still maintain a level head. I'll see how it goes in the meantime. I'm not going through any problems at work right now, but I do have leverage.

Sometime in the near future, I will form an exploratory comimttee consisting of myself to pursue this avenue. LOL.

[tommy32]

I was called by a headhunter (unsolicited, since I'm not currently looking) about a job that pretty much matches my current job duties. It is for a huge company in NYC. The job would pay about $25k-$35K more. Commuting to NYC wouldn't be a problem, but I would be forced to take the train in. (No way I'm driving into Manhattan unless it's very necessary).

I'm wondering if I should take it. The extra money could definitely help me out. The thing is though, I'm starting to get comfortable at my present job...I just got settled after being here for over 2 years. My credit is just starting to improve, but I'm in the IT industry...I'm allowed to bounce around....but I really did want to settle and grow with my current employer.

What do you guys think? The benefits are pretty much standard, retirement plan, Thirft savings, medical, tuition reimbursement, etc., etc...plus it's a union shop.

So what did you do AA? Did you take the job?