I have been working for my company for the past 5 years. It's a nice place to work we have a decent working environment, flexible hours, and I have a good relationship with my manager. I also have job security here as well as seniority over the other developers. Basically I would be the last to go if something happened with our workload.
I have not been actively seeking other employment, but occasionally I would help out one of my friends with some project work. A few hours here and there as a consultant, and over time I became friendly with the owner.
Yesterday out of the blue the owner of this other company offered me a full time position with a 15% salary increase. Their office is also 20 minutes closer to my apartment which cuts my commute time in half.
To be honest I really do not feel like starting over somewhere else (it would be a junior position), but I feel like with such a large increase in pay that I don't really have a choice. I know this other place has been in business a while, but that does not mean my job is secure. Though I have been assured I would be safe for at least 3 years.
So I was thinking I could use the offer as leverage to get a raise in my current position. Has anyone ever been in this situation? How did things end up?
I would go to your manager, say "hey I have received an offer for a full time job at insert company name here at this salary insert salary offer here. It is also closer to home, and I am familiar with a couple people that work there. I am seriously considering taking it, purely because of the convenience and salary increase. Would you consider matching the offer to keep me here, or otherwise I feel like I really should take it." Thats what I would do, but if you have a serious connection with the people at your current job, then you need to decide if thats enough to keep you there.
People use that as leverage all the time. No shame there, and if your current boss gives you shit, you've got a job lined up. Go for it. Just make sure when you're using that, say how much you wanna stay with the current play, but you'd like the pot sweetened.
as far as finances, you must consider your age, the potential for growth in either company, how much value a shorter commute is to you and other little nuances. 15% can be a large or small difference, depending on how much you make. Say you make 40k, that's 6 large... is that worth going back down the ladder, starting over?? It's good money, but it's not something that should make you immediately jump ship without considering the other factors mentioned. Job security in 2011 is very important, and you fall on the other side when you switch more than likely.
I've never been in this situation myself as I'm military and our salaries are pretty cut and dry, but I have done something similar to get myself a much larger bonus. The NSA had offered me a job if I would retire when my contract was over and work for them, so I came back to my detailer and said hey if I don't get a bigger bonus I'm taking this offer. It worked out for me.
It really depends on your contract with your current company honestly, but if it was me I'd try and get a raise.
The only problem is how much job security there is if you switch, otherwise halving the commute in half and getting a 15% raise sounds sweet. If you have been assured a 3 year safety at the least it doesn't sound that bad.
Also, since you would be a junior in the new job, wouldn't that mean you could potentially make even more money as you climb the ladder?
In the 5 years you have been with your current job how many wage increases have you gotten and if the junior position over there starts at 15% more how much more room do they for you to move up?
Also telling your boss straight up that you got an offer at another company that will pay you more is never a bad thing. Just make sure this new job is guaranteed if you want it before you do this.
Loyalty in the labour force is a dying practice these days.
Be upfront with your current employer, tell them you were offered somewhere else for better pay/conditions, and see if they want to keep you around by increasing your pay even more or something.
Hey if 15% is worth the risk of moving on, then go for it (15% raise might not be what it sounds after considering bonuses/perks/vacation/tax bracket etc). I also don't think it's a good idea to stick in one place when you're younger. While 5 years is a blink, you have invested some time.
Myself, I have never had a so called "job" and so employers, companies, and salaries are greek concepts to me. I'm probably not the best source of advice here
On June 10 2011 06:27 Bajadulce wrote: Hey if 15% is worth the risk of moving on, then go for it (15% raise might not be what it sounds after considering bonuses/perks/vacation/tax bracket etc). I also don't think it's a good idea to stick in one place when you're younger. While 5 years is a blink, you have invested some time.
Myself, I have never had a so called "job" and so employers, companies, and salaries are greek concepts to me. I'm probably not the best source of advice here
Also true, you have to weigh in the perks, vacation time, etc. those are pretty important for most people at least.
You have to be careful when using this a a leverage to gain a salary increase. Basically, you have to be ready to leave your job if your manager does not agree to any kind increase. If you are not ready to leave your current job, dont do it.
There is much more than the salary to take into account. you gotta ask yourself the rigth questions. Here are some samples :
What are your carreer plans? Do you plan to be a Senior develloper for 10 more years, or do you want to evolve to a manager position ? What opportunities do you have at your current job, what opportunities will you have at your next job ?
You will gain a salary increase, but will you lose something in compensation, like bonuses, or vacations?
As long as you'd be ok working for that new company you are in a fantastic position. Go in negotiating hard with your current company and ask for what you really want. Not just the pay bump, get you position modified to what you want it to be - more managerial, more specialized, whatever. You've been there 5 years and someone else is offering +15%? Opportunities like that are not easy to come by.
If you're truly ready to leave this is a big chance to get way ahead. Be willing to negotiate so start a little high and stay confident. You are a man in demand, get what you deserve. If they appreciate you at your current place you're gonna score big time. If you're not fully appreciated there... well, you'll get to sleep in 20 minutes extra before you head to a place where you are.
Regarding my career path... well I just don't know. I've never truly enjoyed software development I just fell into it after college. I guess eventually I would like to just do consulting or freelance work.
At my current job I am at a 2-4% per year salary increase, the range is determined by performance. The only way I can get more than that is with a full on promotion to management.
On June 10 2011 07:01 deepfield1 wrote: Regarding my career path... well I just don't know. I've never truly enjoyed software development I just fell into it after college. I guess eventually I would like to just do consulting or freelance work.
At my current job I am at a 2-4% per year salary increase, the range is determined by performance. The only way I can get more than that is with a full on promotion to management.
you should probably speak with the guy who offered you the job about this at his place. From there, it's kind of your decision to make. YOu've got lots of good advice here. Good luck!
EPT
