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]

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.

[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.

[Redleg]

Oh I forgot a part of the intial spoil message.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

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.

[LeftEyeNine]

Spoiler says shut up. Well understood.

P.S. Louis' idea is a bad one. I'm not bothered with the wife part, however I recommend you to do Asians on a kite.

~:BLEUGH!_smiley_here:

[Redleg]

Spoiler says shut up. Well understood.

P.S. Louis' idea is a bad one. I'm not bothered with the wife part, however I recommend you to do Asians on a kite.

~:BLEUGH!_smiley_here:

Well I wonder if I can change the poll to add something like that.

[Divinus Arma]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

What's with all the spoilers?

Good question. I care about pay, security, and enjoyment. I can sacrifice some pay if I have the other two. And I can sacrifice some enjoyment if I have the other two. But screw getting laid off. I better be making some mucho deniro and having a fricking hoot.

I'll bet your gonna stay unless a new company offers you something big and exciting.

[Lemur]

I just switched jobs for the heck of it. Highly recommended. Gives you a nice kick in the hiney, gets the blood flowing again. And it's never a bad idea to be in a place where you can advance.

Does this mean you're going to be a union man now?

[KukriKhan]

I forget your exact age - I'm guessing upper-30's, lower-40's - at any rate, at least 15 years out of early retirement, and more likely 20 years or more from full Social Security coverage.

If you're going to make a change, now is the time to do it, career-wise. After 50, changing pay and benny packages becomes more risky, until our fearless leaders make 401(k)'s more portable some day.

At 55, I'm staying where I am to protect the previous 38 Fed years. But I respect and admire guys who follow their dreams - not just the paystub.

So, just to be a contrarian, I vote: "Stay". :)

Good luck, whichever way you go.

[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]

I forget your exact age - I'm guessing upper-30's, lower-40's - at any rate, at least 15 years out of early retirement, and more likely 20 years or more from full Social Security coverage.

Just turned 40 in Sept.

If you're going to make a change, now is the time to do it, career-wise. After 50, changing pay and benny packages becomes more risky, until our fearless leaders make 401(k)'s more portable some day.

One of the reasons I am thinking about it. After 50 its hard to switch - your not as marketable unless you have a really technical skill. For instance my father who is 64 can always get a construction job at a drop of a hat. Not many men can do what he does with heavy equipment. I know a few but most of them are related to me.

At 55, I'm staying where I am to protect the previous 38 Fed years. But I respect and admire guys who follow their dreams - not just the paystub.

I am of the opinion after 50 you have to decide retirement or work until you drop. If its retirement you are doing the right thing in my opinion. I got my dad to semi-retire this year. He now instead of running construction crews only works on a blade. (Scraber blades are the Cat wheeled machines that do several functions in road building, blade for short in the road construction slang.)

So, just to be a contrarian, I vote: "Stay". :)

My boss is going to have a heart attack when he finds out someone is seriousily looking at taking me. I was honest and told them I was going to post my resume and see what happens.

Good luck, whichever way you go.

I like the touring Europe on a Bike idea, but my wife will kill me. LOL

[Redleg]

I just switched jobs for the heck of it. Highly recommended. Gives you a nice kick in the hiney, gets the blood flowing again. And it's never a bad idea to be in a place where you can advance.

Does this mean you're going to be a union man now?

Not at all - just I will have more people call me representing the man....

[Major Robert Dump]

Well, for starters, I don't agree with telling your boss you plan to look around. There's nothing dishonest about just looking, bit it could make your employers and associates view you as less loyal or even as a bluffer....ie, "you better take better care of me because im looking"

Oh well, whats done is done. As long as you leave on good terms it should be no skin of anyuones back, and you'd have burned no bridges.

I say go for it. Make sure the company is solid, and make sure you absolutley have the job and know its requirements and respoinsibilites anmd commitments before you bail on your current. It's never cool to get into the 4th or 5th step in the process and then the company drops a bombshell, like relocation, no insurance or profit sharing for one year and a 70 hour work week.

8 months ago I walked off a 2-year job that got me almost 45k per year with prisitine benefits. Thats pretty flippin good for Oklahoma, but I was unhappy with the level of commitment it required, I was unhappy with my management peers, I was unhappy with the company and had serious concerns about some of its practices, and I was very unhappy with the thought of being there for the next 20 years of my life.....it was all like a big nightmare. Obviously, the money was less important for me, as I'm literally making less than half of what I was before and don't plan on going into any field like that ever again. But on the up side, I don't work 65 hour work weeks anymore and likely never will.

One other thing to consider, since you are relativelyu content where you are, is looking for a high paying part time endeavor as a supplement to get your little retirement schemes in order. There are plenty of jobs like this, and infinite small business possibilites. Running a small business part time while you work a regular job full time can reap you huge tax benefits, as it essentially lets you mix business with pleasure for deduction purposes and allows you to "trade" your services for those of others, which is another nifty way of skirting taxes and lowering operating costs.

[Zalmoxis]

I've always wanted to see all of Europe!

[Ja'chyra]

Well, I have kept the same job, for the minute, but we are planning to move into a big, friends style, house with my workmates

[Spetulhu]

I've always wanted to see all of Europe!

Yes. Redleg, how about not divorcing the wife, instead taking her along as you explore Europe on a bike?

[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.

[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

[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).