What would you do? Job related.

[Redleg]

Well here is the scenerio - actual situation. While I am very content with my current job, its potential for growth is extremely limited. So on a lark I posted my Resume on several bulletin boards to see what was out there.

Two weeks go by, and all of a sudden I am getting calls concerning possible jobs. One seems to be with a growing company that has the market niche for sports replenishment drinks. Looks like a good job, except that the plant is union. Which is not a big deal in the state of Texas, limited power for most Unions.

So here is the poll, what would you do. Stay in the comfortable job, that really presents no challenge, safe and easy, however limited growth.

Take the new job at a higher pay for a better potential for future growth.

Or do I sell everything, divorce the wife, and buy myself a biciycle and tour Europe?

Poll coming up.

What is really funny I was not really seriousily looking for new employment, just wanting to check what might be available, and the first call was very encouraging and the company seems to be very eager to hire me.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

If you think your vote has impact on the decision, think again. Just taking a sample of what people would do in a similiar decision. I have actually about reached the decision. Just have to give the current company an opporunity to counter. But I thought it would be amusing and a change of pace from the normal run of threads of the last few days. Have fun coming up with other scenerios or opitions if you wish.

[Proletariat]

What's the big difference benefits-wise? Would this impact your retirement plans at all? My main concern in my career is to retire as early as possible with as much cash as possible (so I can sail around in one of those little white sail boats off of Greece all day), so I'm going with which ever choice helps you there.

[Louis VI the Fat]

Sell the wife and do Europeans on a bike.

[Strike For The South]

as long as your in gods gift TEXAS sall good baby.

[LeftEyeNine]

If I was living in USA, I'd hardly ever be thinking about risks I'd take. Chase the challenge, mister.

P.S. Louis' idea is a bad one. People may even draw charicatures of yours to "test your tolerance" in such a circumstance.

[Redleg]

If I was living in USA, I'd hardly ever be thinking about risks I'd take. Chase the challenge, mister.

After I completely decide - I will let everyone know.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

P.S. Louis' idea is a bad one. People may even draw charicatures of yours to "test your tolerance" in such a circumstance.

[/quote]

No politics please. We need a break from that - just poke fun at jobs and touring Europe on a bike.

[GoreBag]

Sell the wife and do Europeans on a bike.

You sound excited, Louis.

I always thought a tolerable job was more important than pay. I'd take the new job if the job I had was comfortable, but crummy, or if I thought I'd have more fun with the new job. It doesn't matter what the pay is if I'm eager to get up every morning and head to work.

[Redleg]

What's the big difference benefits-wise? Would this impact your retirement plans at all? My main concern in my career is to retire as early as possible with as much cash as possible (so I can sail around in one of those little white sail boats off of Greece all day), so I'm going with which ever choice helps you there.

I don't need near as much. Just enough to purchase a cabin along a river stream in the Rocky Mountains up along the Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana Border areas.

However my wife wants the sail boat in the Med type retirement herself.

[KafirChobee]

If security is your prime concern, and you feel secure where you are - stay there ... 'til you rot (j/k btw).

Someone once said that a person of ability must change their direction and career in life atleast four times to keep life interesting; a person concerned with the particulars of failure should be a postman (or such - not that being a postman is bad, they got a union).

It does sound that you are adverse to working with Unionized groups (even though you mention that Texas law has weakened their power and strength of unity), therefore, I doubt you would know how to cope with people that are empowered or equal in some aspects to management (assuming you will be a part of management ... ). Having worked on both sides of the Union line all I can say is that if you do not respect your workers now - stay the H away from Union workers. Ultimately, the unionists will test you and then fry you for breakfast - and you won't even know it is happening until your manager calls you in and says "Sorry Charly".

Of course if you respect the lowly working class (at minimum wage) beneath the toe of your boot - no sweat.

I would advise a two year guaranteed contract of wages - regardless of layoffs (and firing is all good, you get their money and your next wages).

Also, you might consider telling you present employers of your disatisfaction or feelings of limited potential. Include that others have made interesting advances to your joining their "teams" and you are giving serious consideration to them (do not tell them who, and I really hope you were doing all this on your home computer and not at work - "set-up"). If they say "good luck", or "let us see what we can do" - go. Go fast (or get ready to grab your ankles)! If, they ask if you have thought this out - say yes, but you feel like this company is your family and will hate to leave - but, increases in salary and elevation in stature (management level) - plus the potential .... etc. You may find that your present company has been complacent about you, because you have. Not that they haven't regarded you highly, but ... what the hey you seem to be happy where you are You know? If they ask what kind of counteroffer it would take for you to stay? Add atleast 10% to the offer of the company courting you - they may counter less, but you may get it (or atleast 5% over).

Finally: Always show remorse about leaving, never burn a bridge.

Benefits are a concern, but most reputable corporations take care of their managers much better than they do their workers (the low lifes that make money for the company).

Good luck with this. Be careful. Get a guarantee - of some type (or hire a negotiator - I am available btw, j/k).

[English assassin]

I forgot to warn all the European members if they vote for Touring Europe on a bike they have to be prepared for an ugly american house guest.

You know the type that hangs out does nothing all day but eat your food, farts on your coach, burps to the song Dixie, and wont shower for a month at a time.

So, its basicly the same as having an Australian to stay, (with the substitution of Dixie for Waltzing Matilda)?

My two cents is that challenge is important. OK 40 can start to be a slightly tricky age on the job market if the new job goes tits up but, equally, are you really going to sit out the next 15-20 years going through the motions just because its comfortable? Of course if you have wife, kids, mortgage etc you might have to but if the downside of the move going bad is not total disaster I'd do it. Also of course check out the new boys carefully to be sure its not all bullstuff.

If it all goes wrong, THAT'S the time to sell the wife and tour Europe by bike.

[Husar]

You´re always welcome in Europe...even with your wife.

[Papewaio]

I have never stayed with a company for a continous stretch for 2 years.

So I say go. Learn, achieve, become, get more pay.

I always look for a challenge and something that makes me think more... these types of jobs have the side benefit of moderate to nice pay.

Never worked in a union, have done plenty of contract work. Unions have their place, but quite often they act as a glass ceiling for younger workers and/or an additional drain on paycheck and/or drain on morale (victim mentality... not all just too many).

[Redleg]

For those wanting to see how their pay sacks up compared to the industry and area that they live in. I found this site when I compared the different offer and counter offers being made for my possible employement.

http://payscale.com