Stay or Go?? -- Job Advice -- Please Read

rydin4lifebass · #1 02-18-2011, 05:50 PM

Kinda long post, but important to me...looking for any advice/suggestions?

So...right now I'm at a company that I've been with since I graduated college with my associates degree seven years ago. I was contacted by another company and have had two interviews with them, just to keep my options open. I got a promotion last Feb from my company and another one last week which was in the works since Nov and was pushed since they heard I was taking offers from another company. I'm now salary so have more freedom and they gave me a $3400/yr raise. Here is my problem...the job I'm in now..I like it!..I have a GREAT boss who lets me do homework (I'm going for my bachelors degree) and lets me get away with a lot of stuff. I run my own show, have one person working under me and set my own deadlines, etc. It is 7 minutes from my house and is a printing company for the medical and technical journal market. I handle subscriptions for print+online journals. They company is great because they're doing a lot of online things that I'm involved in with technology, QR codes, ipad/iphone apps, etc. to supplement print. I can leave early if I make up my time with nothing held against me, can take sick time if I need it and even though there are bad days, I do really like it! The other company is about 20 minutes away, I'd have to work half an hour later so would get home about an hour later each night. The position is entry level, so I would be at the bottom of the barrel. It would take me 3 years to get vested in their 401k where I'm already vested in mine. I would lose a week vacation, going from 3 to 2 weeks. Right now, I get 100% tuition reimbursement, the other company is 90%. I would have to pay my current company $5100 back for tuition and would have to pay another $3500 out of my pocket before the new companies plan kicks in. The new company's salary would be somewhere between $3500-$8000 more a year. (haven't received a formal offer yet). I would be a csr for book paper and envelope paper, which is kinda a concern with all the kindles, nooks, and the number of books being printed going down along with the number of letters and envelopes going down. The environment is a lot more "corporate" and seems like I'd really have to tighten down on a lot of things. I wouldn't be able to do a lot of the things I do now, or any of them and my time at home would be much more hectic. I just read that Borders is cloing another 200 stores because their book sales are down, so do I really wanna take a job that I wanna be at for 5-10 years at a company who makes book and envelope paper? Even though my job is with journals, I manage a lot of online journals, so even if the print goes, I still keep the work. I thought I just wanted a job for more money, but now I kinda see that might not be the case when its right in front of me. Just looking to get that all out and get advice what you guys might do and why???

Cabazon · #2 02-18-2011, 05:52 PM

You just listed a hell of a lot of good things for one choice, and a hell of a lot of bad things for the other, and you're asking for advice.

LiquidMidnight · #3 02-18-2011, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cabazon

You just listed a hell of a lot of good things for one choice, and a hell of a lot of bad things for the other, and you're asking for advice.

QFT!

Usually, things aren't so black and white in life, but this is one of those instances where things look fairly black and white to me. Yeah, it sounds like you'll make a few more bucks at Company B, but it will be a wash for the first couple of years, since you're not vesting and you're not getting full tuition reimbursement.

For me personally, corporate culture and the personalities I work with are extremely important when it comes to making a decision like this. My philosophy has always been that if you spend a good portion of your life at work, then you might as well go to some place that you enjoy going to every day. It sounds like Company A is an ideal environment. Who knows with Company B. It may be awesome, or you may have a troll for a boss and have a bunch of doodieheads for co-workers.

Not that I'm an expert in the publishing field, but I do know that online journals, particuarly with things like EBSCOhost, are quite important.

rydin4lifebass · #4 02-18-2011, 06:50 PM

I guess I looked at it as just making a good bit more money, so it was basically a question of.."is a good bit more money worth giving up the good things I have going for me"..and I guess I kinda answered that myself.

Definitly right on EBSCOhost..thats one of the things we work on...so you're right on

MJ5150 · #5 02-18-2011, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rydin4lifebass

"is a good bit more money worth giving up the good things I have going for me"..

Nope. Although the decision looks obvious to all of us, it was probably good for you to get in print all the good things you got going for yourself right now.

The only advice I have is don't go to the "I'm looking for a new job, so what will you do to keep me?" well too much. That can backfire on you.

-Mike

Jazz Ad · #6 02-18-2011, 09:13 PM

You love your current job so the only question is, do you need more money?
Pursuit of happiness ≠ pursuit of wealth.

**smperry** · #7 02-18-2011, 09:18 PM

Assuming you haven't left out some major factor, I'd stay if I were in your boat.

rydin4lifebass · #8 02-20-2011, 03:00 PM

Thanks guys. I posted the exact same thing on another forum and got the same answers! I don't "need" more money, just always sounds good to "have" more...but I appreciate all the advice!!!

A.Diva · #9 02-20-2011, 03:04 PM

Unless you're in dire financial straits, happiness always trumps money.

rydin4lifebass · #10 02-20-2011, 03:57 PM

well, the company I work for now has its bad parts, and sure they will get away paying lower wages if they can, but what company doesn't do that?...and I get away with a lot, have a nice department environment and can't complain bout much there, so I'm happy

chi-town_mike · #11 02-20-2011, 04:18 PM

If you love what you do, you never have to work a day in your life.

Sounds to me like you should stay with Company A.

Other companies, will see what you can do. Your still in school too, so you have time.

**lowendfriend** · #12 02-20-2011, 04:43 PM

Stay....after you get your BS degree and serve the requisite time to =not have to reimburse the employer...maybe you consider looking again.

An employee-friendly job is worth IMHO about a 33% differential over one that's not.