Chasing higher salary - switch jobs?

[anonymous_saver]

If you were really bold you could tell your current employer about the opportunity, in hopes they raise your salary/bonuses. If they say no, you could just move on to the other company. That would be a very bold move though.

To be honest, I would work at whichever place I thought I would be happier at. Will you go home every day and hate your job, or be happy? That is HUGE.

Right now I am very much underpaid for what I do, and don't feel respected. I am currently looking for other positions, would probably not accept less than I make now, but I would leave if it was equal pay and I felt I would be respected.

Good luck, I look forward to hearing what you decide!!

[disneysteve]

I guess I'm just an old fogie at 43 but I'm disturbed by how many people would switch jobs just for money. Maybe things are different in the tech field, but I think there is a lot more to a job than a paycheck.

[DebbieL]

It sounds like a similar position to what you already have only much higher salary. I would take it in a heartbeat. You only have 8 months with your current employer anyways - not like you owe them any particular loyalty. I personally think that loyalty to your employer only goes so far. Most companies don't have any real loyalty to you as an employee, so why should you not be open to better offers elsewhere?

If you like your current job, I would give them the opportunity to match your other offer (or come close). I see nothing wrong with that. If you are planning to leave without giving them the chance, what harm could it do to sit down with your boss and give them an opportunity to keep you?

[sweeps]

Anecdotal evidence here, but people that I know who went to their current employer to get a raise to match a competitor's offer were laid off within a year. (Just enough time for the employer to hire and train a replacement.)

I would either leave the company or keep my mouth shut.

[DebbieL]

Not with my company. My boss tried very hard to keep someone (and offered him a hefty raise) once he said he had another offer. The person left anyways, but my boss would NOT have laid him off. He wanted to keep him - that's why he made the offer.

[aida2003]

Originally Posted by sweeps

Anecdotal evidence here, but people that I know who went to their current employer to get a raise to match a competitor's offer were laid off within a year. (Just enough time for the employer to hire and train a replacement.)

I would either leave the company or keep my mouth shut.

Yep, I've heard that too. I think it really depends on the employer and how badly they need you and how they respect. But yes, I've heard such stories that you get a nice raise or a promotion just to be laid off later on.

[bjl584]

I would say that it depends on many different factors. Are you happy at your current job? Are there any opportunities for advancement there, or are you stuck? How does the healthcare benefits compare between the two companies? Are you fully vested in your current 401K?

I would advise against chasing after nothing more than a salary increase, but if the benefits of the new job outweigh what you currently have at your present job, then go for it.

[Seeker]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

I guess I'm just an old fogie at 43 but I'm disturbed by how many people would switch jobs just for money. Maybe things are different in the tech field, but I think there is a lot more to a job than a paycheck.

Turthfully, I think the tech field is different from other fields. Partially because of the dot.com bustouts in the past, and partially because of "outsourcing." Employers don't feel they owe people anything, and that's a two-way street.

I've been in the tech field for almost 20 years, and over those 20 years, I've had maybe 5 positions. One lasted 10 years, and one lasted 5 years, the others varied in length of time. But the one that lasted 5 years was the most recent, and I left it because of a 50% pay increase (nothing cost-of-living increments the previous 5 years), 75% closer to home, much better hours, etc. There were many reasons for leaving.

To the OP, I would suggest looking at everything. When choosing to leave or to stay, you need to consider your future at both the places. It's not something that we can answer for you.... only you can. Opportunity can be had almost anywhere, but you have got to pursue it; it won't always come looking for you.

[MonkeyMama]

In general I would say stick with a company for your resume.

But this is clearly an exception. This is an industry where jumping jobs every year or 2 is rather expected (on both ends - you don't exactly count on your job being there next year either). As it is so volatile I'd go for the higher pay. I am from the Silicon Valley and many family members in tech - it's just very different.

In my own career if I jumped jobs every year I probably wouldn't get the time of day from the next firm. But my employer has never laid anyone off in 30 years either. So it goes both ways in many industries.

[gekkoplus]

Thanks to all of your for replies. There is some really interesting discussion going on here.

My salary in my current job is very close to my manager's salary (I got this from my conversation with our recruiter while negotiating job salary 8 months ago). My manager was promoted at the time I joined this company. He used to be individual contributor for 7 years and at present I am the only report under him.

I feel that my salary is capped because my manager is being underpaid. Even if I tell them about the salary I am getting in my new offer, I don't think they will be able to match that for keeping me.

Another positive of my new job is that I will be reporting to Senior Director. I am 4 levels below Senior Director in my current job. Of course this may not directly mean anything in terms of career progression as I understand that job titles don't mean anything at many work places anyway.

[cschin4]

I guess I'm just an old fogie at 43 but I'm disturbed by how many people would switch jobs just for money. Maybe things are different in the tech field, but I think there is a lot more to a job than a paycheck.


The reason you or anyone else goes to work is to earn money. Companies will kick you out the door faster than you can say resume so there is no reason employees should not seek the maximum income and benefits. You only have so many years to work and "make hay" so you need to maximize your time.
As for the OP, don't worry about your "resume". Changing jobs may indeed help your resume as it demonstrates your ability to change and move on.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by cschin4

I guess I'm just an old fogie at 43 but I'm disturbed by how many people would switch jobs just for money. Maybe things are different in the tech field, but I think there is a lot more to a job than a paycheck.


The reason you or anyone else goes to work is to earn money. Companies will kick you out the door faster than you can say resume so there is no reason employees should not seek the maximum income and benefits. You only have so many years to work and "make hay" so you need to maximize your time.

See, that's what I disagree with. I don't think the goal of working is to make the most money you possibly can. I'd much rather have a job that I enjoy, even if it means making less money.

And I'm not just saying that as an idealistic hypothetical. I have done just that in my own career. In 2000, I left a job I had been at for nearly 7 years. The hours were long. I got little respect from my employer and don't feel I was being treated fairly, even though I was well compensated. I took a few months off and then accepted my current position at a sharply lower salary. In fact, I was part-time initially, making about half of what I made at the old job. As the workload picked up, I increased my hours up to full-time. My pay has been flat for a few years now - no cost of living increases, no other raises. But I make an adequate amount, work decent hours, have a good amount of control and flexibility to my schedule and like the job overall. I'm much happier in my life than I was at the old job even though I'm making less now than I made 7 years ago when I left that job.

Would I like to be earning more? Sure. Who wouldn't? But if it means giving up satisfaction and happiness, it just isn't worth it. Life's too short.

[tripods68]

Not all working people find their job fully satisfying and happy at the same time. That's a rare combinations that you'll find from individual. Not too many are the likes of Steve Jobs or Bill Gates for instance. I'd say two-third of workers aren't fully satisfied or happy because either OP not fully compensated, unappreciated by coworkers/bosses, worked long hours, too much time away from family, long commute, etc. In fact, people would rather work for themselves than take orders if they can help it.

Take myself as an example, I worked because I have to pay bills not because I'm happy of working. Being happy or going to work everyday is an individual choice. It's not to say that I don't like my job or unsatisfied or unhappy either. I'm actually satisfied at my job since I personally think I am paid well for what I do and don't do; not because of what my Union thinks I am worth. I worked for my family, benefits, and pension. Do I have the same passion of working with the likes of Steve Jobs or Bill Gates. NO! I don't have the near passion of those guys, holds, or smarts. They worked because they enjoy it and that's what makes them very happy, not because of money. Those are rare characteristics you'll find few and far between. I'm just the opposite, just like an "ant worker" trying to feed the queen. Put in my 8 hours and go home by 4 every day. That's when I'm truly comes alive seeing my kids and wife. That's Happiness.

[cschin4]

steve - I agree with you and see what you are saying. It is not ONLY about salary but salary is very important. I choose to live in a rural area, I choose a flexible work schedule and I also choose to work less than I could so I would have time to raise my 3 kids. I earn enough to accomplish the goals of my life which is having a nice life and enjoyable career and an enjoyable home life and time to pursue my hobbies, etc. I could choose to maximize my income if I were willing to move, to relocate and to work a much higher stress, faster paced job and lifestyle but I like being "small town".
So, I guess I am trying to say is to pursue the job and lifestyle you are looking for. I do not want a fast paced lifestyle and I don't want to spend my life "on the job". My job is to enable me to live my life, not the other way around. But, for the time I put in I also will look for opportunities to maximize my income as well and am not afraid to ask for more money if the time and conditions are right.

[sweeps]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

if it means giving up satisfaction and happiness, it just isn't worth it. Life's too short.

How do you know the grass really isn't greener on the other side though? Maybe the job with the higher salary will be more enjoyable. Earnings and job satisfaction are not necessarily inversely correlated.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by sweeps

How do you know the grass really isn't greener on the other side though? Maybe the job with the higher salary will be more enjoyable. Earnings and job satisfaction are not necessarily inversely correlated.

True, and that's why you need to evaluate lots of factors, not just the salary.

[docstudent]

I am in a similar situation, I have an option of moving from the West Coast to the East Coast for a new job. I have stability in LA- well I have to find a new job, but it will not be a real problem. The job offer in DC is in the 80G-85G range, however, I can find a job in the same range in the LA basin. I want a change of pace, but I love LA, so I am kinda in the middle.

[Seeker]

Originally Posted by docstudent

I am in a similar situation, I have an option of moving from the West Coast to the East Coast for a new job. I have stability in LA- well I have to find a new job, but it will not be a real problem. The job offer in DC is in the 80G-85G range, however, I can find a job in the same range in the LA basin. I want a change of pace, but I love LA, so I am kinda in the middle.

And that's the exact same thing we all fall into; there is more to life than money. Consider all factors, not just the money.

DC is colder in the winter and humid in the summer.

Cost of living there is about the same as here, but the moving costs are probably going to be huge too.

Traffic DC is probably as bad as traffic LA Downtown. But one good thing in DC is less pollution

Hard decision Docstudent. I'd only move back East if I were retired (never have to drive through snow here ).... but DH doesn't want to live East coast anyway. Still rather nice to actually see the seasons sometimes!

[saveforhouse]

Hello Everyone,
Very interesting thread and one that I have been thinking about in the back of my mind. I also live in the SF Bay Area like the original poster and have also been contemplating a career move to a similar position for a higher salary. Below are a list of factors that I have personally been thinking through, to add to the already really great discussion:

1. Are you on Linked In? I am on this professional social networking site. While I used to get job offers every week, I am now getting only a few a month. I believe the job market is slowing down here in the Bay Area even though it's still relatively strong. Something to think about in terms of security. If you have been at a company for a while, and have a great reputation, they're less likely to lay you off than if you are the new person. You may potentially have more job security at your current job. I foresee the market getting a little softer over the coming years because of the overall economy.

2. Are you happy? I really struggle to be happy at my job. I have made it 1.5 years and the main thing that keeps me going are the desire to keep my steady income because I'm looking to buy my first house and also the huge amount of stock options I have. If I leave, I don't have enough money to exercise all of the stock options that I have vested which I believe will really be worth something a few years down the road (unless I sacrifice my down payment fund which I'm not willing to do). In short, I'm willing to trade my quality of life in the short run for money. Is this the smart thing to do? I would say not. Life is short and it's very hard to "leave" work when I go home and have the weight of the world on my shoulders.

3. Don't get enticed with "bonuses" or "commissions". I have a huge commission potential but have not seen much of it because of the softening economy. If a larger percent of your comp is based on commissions, you may not actually see a net increase if you don't get the commission.

4. You are young. If you don't have a mortgage and have the ability to be flexible, now is the time! As stated earlier, life is short and it's all about you. Your current employer cannot look out for your interests like you can. At the end of the day, you need to do what is best for you. This is where everything goes out the window and I personally may put my arguments above aside to run for the hills myself!

Best wishes and Good luck! :-)