Career decisions

NotAGolf

NotAGolf

NotAGolf

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Joined
22 Oct 2005
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Moving...
Bit of background. I’m 25, and been in the same job for 3 years since I’ve left uni. I enjoy my job, I like the people there, it’s only 5 mins from my house, I’m good at what I do and the feedback I get from the bosses is always positive. Now the downside; money.

It’s enough to get buy, I can pay my mortgage, buy bits for the house, go on holidays but on larger expenses I do have to save up for quite a while. However, throw in a wedding and kids into the mix, which I probably will be in the next few years, and it will really be a stretch.

So I had a look at similar jobs in the area and some of the positions are offering what would amount to a 50% pay rise, some nearer 70 – something I won’t get close to in my current company unless I go to management level which I’m not interested in.

Despite the fact a fair chunk of this will go on running a car (don’t need one atm), this is instantly appealing, but I’m weighing up the pro’s and con’s. I don’t want to jack in a job I enjoy for one I potentially don’t. I will spend less time at home, and might be in a stressful role working on projects that don’t interest me. Alternatively the new job could be more fun, rewarding and interesting.

What are your thoughts? Have you ever left a job purely for money? If so did you regret it, or was it a good decision?
 
You could have a meeting with your boss and let them know you have been offered a new job with more money etc.

If they value you, and the work you produce then, they might offer you more money to stay.
 
One thing to keep in mind, while other jobs may offer more money, they will ask you your current salary, something you can't really lie about since they will get your p45 eventually.
Clump all your overtime and oncall together and say that's your basic pay.

I doubt any company would offer anyone a 50% pay rise on their current salary. They usually try to get you in as cheap as possible. :(

Hope i'm wrong! :)
 
I was in the same sort of situation last year. I approached the bosses and talked to them regarding my pay for the work i do, explained that the work and job title do not show in the pay i get then i gave them examples of jobs.
I got a 20% pay rise as a result which was an average of the jobs i could apply for.
 
You never know until you've met with potential employers. The only way to find out is to have a first round interview, speak with the necessary people and decide whether you like them as individuals, whether you think they'd be good managers, what you like/don't like about the projects and then how long the drive home takes.

At home, have a look on LinkedIn at people who currently work at the firm (whow long they've been there, where they worked previously, etc.) and also those whom used to work at the firm (look at where they worked previously, how long they stayed at the relevant firm you're interviewing with, and where they work now). Should give you a strong idea of how secure the company is, how content their staff are and the calibre of people working there.
 
I just went from 17k - 21k after moving work place after 5 years, in some industries moving around is the only way to earn more money. that said i strongly believe you will get paid what people think you're worth.
 
Be VERY careful when entering a "pay me more or i'll leave" situation. A lot of times this will be read as "I'll be leaving at some point regardless of what you do because all I care about is money" and it can severely damage any progression / stabilty you currently have. Being paid above the curve in your position for your company will also make you a target in any cost cutting exercises.

It sounds like you have a decent working relationship with your boss so sit him down and put it across in a manner that makes money the secondary issue. Tell him that wedding costs / starting a family / whatever you think will work is putting strain on your relationship at home because you're not sure how you can facilitate them on your current salary. Let him know that you really don't want to be looking around at all but you're almost painted into a corner on that matter.

Be willing to take on more responsabilities to justify your increased wage and really convey the image that this is a give / take relationship, if you come across as mercenary about the whole thing your boss will feel like he's being held hostage.

One last thing to point out to you, if you like your job and enjoy working there you are luckier than about 50% (number pulled out of my arse) of workers who hate their job.

Extra money does not = extra happiness.
 
mysticsniper said:
You could have a meeting with your boss and let them know you have been offered a new job with more money etc.

If they value you, and the work you produce then, they might offer you more money to stay.
Click to expand...

You suggesting the OP should bluff?
 
Do you know what the sad reality is? You won't get to the top* by staying at the same company for years. It just isn't like it used to be in that way.




*or rarely, reaching the top of your level/career
 
To OP, this is a very common situation to be in.

Really it's more a fundamental question, do you want play the games of corporate snakes and ladders. It's natural to want to progress, but do the real calculations. After you take out the extra commute costs (petrol, car etc) and add in the extra commute hours, what's the real hourly wage increase.

Once you have this, calculate how much of this actually hits your pocket after deductions. Once you have a figure, lets say £400 a month. Ask yourself, how will this change my life?

Of course its not just money in the bank, its about job fulfilment and how this next step fits in with your overall life plans.

Like I say, its a common decision, hopefully you will get reports from people that have opted for different sides of the coin.

For what its worth, I've always gone with "jump ship"... normally its not only money though, its either for better working conditions and/or more interesting work.
 
If you see roughly the same job you are doing right now paying 50-70% more then I would certainly consider it

go on indeed.com and search your exact job title and see
 
I'm in a similar situation. I've been with my current employer for almost a year now. I've always known that I wasn't being paid enough and expected some sort of raise this year. Alas, it isn't going to happen.

I've made them aware of my I'm being paid less than what I should.

Rather than bluffing, I plan to just sit back and wait. When the opportunity arises I'm out of here. When that happens I'm 90% sure they'll make a counter offer. Should that happen I'll turn it down simply because I shouldn't have to hand in my notice for them to suddenly show their appreciation for me lol.

I say you should start looking for work elsewhere. Will look good on your CV too.
 
If the pay difference is that large between your current role and jobs being advertised for similar skill levels/roles then it's worth applying for other jobs and see where it goes.

No real harm in applying and getting interviews, lets you know if you are at the sort of level that those jobs (and salaries) are looking for.

Until you've got another job offer on the table you've not really got to make any decisions so no harm in it.

I also personally wouldn't lie to your current employer saying you've been offered another job for more money.

It's all very well seeing job ads advertising higher salaries, but if you're not even getting a look in when applying for them it means that you're not up to that level/suitable just yet.

Important thing is to get that offer on the table of a new job with higher salary and take it from there.
 
Thanks for the advice - lots of useful info.

DAIR; I'm a software tester. Not all of the jobs around here are offering salaries that good. A few are similar to my current wage, and some are even less. I'm not crazily underpaid is what I'm getting at.

To those who mention sitting down with the boss. I will do when the time comes, but only when I make a firm decision. As some have said, threatening the boss with leaving, or even mentioning you're not happy with the salary can work against you. I've seen it first hand where I'm working. A couple of years in a row one of the developers demanded a pay rise else he was leaving, and in fairness he got it, but he did that again and now everyone else is getting more of a pay rise than he is despite him doing a good job.

Mr Stu, I have done the maths and you're right it does work out a lot less than 50% first sounds, but it's still several hundred £'s in my pocket at the end of each month. But as snave has rightly pointed out, money = happiness.

I've already applied for one job, and will probably apply for a few more just to see if I'm good enough to make the cut as some of you have mentioned.

The only problem now, if I am good/lucky enough ofc, is getting the time of work for interviews. I've used up all my holiday already and have not had a day in 3 years, so I might have to get creative with reasons for half days here there and everywhere!
 
Software tester eh, what sort of testing? And location? I only ask because I work in a similar field, just outside of London :)
 
Maccy said:
Software tester eh, what sort of testing? And location? I only ask because I work in a similar field, just outside of London :)
Click to expand...
South Coast, near Portsmouth.

The job role I'm applying for is fairly generic. From the spec:
.....candidate will carry out system integration, test, verification and validation planning, execution and reporting in support of multiple projects.

Doesn't really go into much more detail than that apart from the skills required etc.
 
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