Discuss offer with the Boss? 1

[TDAA]

I am having quite a dilemma… I was approached by my previous employer to come back to the company, at a higher level, at a different office than I worked before (company is not that big, so I did get to know some of the people during my 8 years there). This opportunity was not present at the time I left, and I really thought it would be much further off, which is part of why I left. It would allow me to move into management, give me flexibility to steer thing my way, and offer at least 1/3 more pay.

I know, this doesn’t sound like much of a dilemma, but: The other reasons to move included wanting to grow technically. The company I am at is better for this, with many more senior engineers with more in depth experience. I consider the “Lifestyle” to be better where I am at (better climate / outdoor activities, etc.), and this is a large portion of my choosing to move. I also feel I have the ability to move up here as well, just not right at this time.

Any insight on how people have compared the lifestyle to money would be appreciated, but my real question is how I would speak to my current employer to see about what opportunities I might have or what they may have planned for me. He is a pretty easy going person. Should I divulge the fact I am considering an offer (at least to some degree)? I would at least discuss the situation with the current if I knew I was going to take the other, but right now I would have to flip a coin to decide, and need more information from each side . . . it is just how to go about it.

BTW, this is in the US, non-contract employment.

 

[MadMango]

You stated two contradicting things:

It would allow me to move into management...

and

The other reasons to move included wanting to grow technically.

Do you want to be technical, or do you want to herd cats?

Are you ready to "move up" at your present company? If you have the relationship, I would talk directly and inquire about your potential growth and time frame with your current company. I doubt any good can come from saying you have another offer on the table, as it might be taken as a form of coercion or intimidation.

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

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[TDAA]

Yes and no. At the time I left, I wanted more technical growth (through mentors), but at the same time, I do not want to be the one "doing the work" to the end of my career. I have allways wanted to "move up" and see management as the way to get there.

If I move, I would loose the technical mentors, and would need another way to provide that continued technical improvement. There is a good grad school there.

 

[kchayfie]

You could mention the offer in a "its interesting but not really what I want. But am I going to get the same sort of opportunities in the future here?" kind of way. Rather than making it seem like blackmail, make it seem like its just got you thinking about career progression in general.

 

[PSE]

TDAA,

This looks to be a question of timing. Are you at a point in your career where you still want to continue with the technical aspects of work or are you at the point in which you feel comfortable with stepping aside and moving into the management role? You mention not wanting to be doing the work to the end of your career and need to decide whether or not you have reached the transition point.

Why not have a sit-down with your boss and talk about your current career path(s). Go out to lunch or something and get their feedback. If they started with an engineering career and moved to management, what prompted them. There should be no harm in the asking at least if you have a comfortable working relationship.

Regards,

 

[PhilBW]

I would approach my boss and say something like "I have received an unexpected and unsolocited job offer. I had no intention of leaving my present job, but the offer is too good to ignore. Could we get together and discuss the potential for future advancement with my current job?" If your boss is a reasonable person, he would appreciate the opportunity to talk to you about your future rather than receive an unexpected resignation letter from you. If he is not reasonable and gets upset, you are better off to take the new job.

 

[FACS]

I like PhilBW's answer.

You have nothing much to lose with this approach, and it's the truth.

Charlie

http://www.facsco.com

 

[TDAA]

Thanks for the feedback. I almost talked to him today, but he had to head out the door. It will happen in the morning. I had planned the approach outlined by PhilBW, but this sort of thing makes me uneasy. I hate to screw up something I have, although the oppertunity looks pretty good (that pay increase is no exageration). Either place would be good, just different. It is somewhat the same dilema with leaving them to come here (although that was same pay, better lifestyle, unknown job security).

 

[Ashereng]

PhilBW's suggestion is a good one.

An alternative one would be to simply ask your boss to sit down to discuss your progression and development - map out your career as it were.

That fact that you are asking this may accomplish the same end as "I have an unsolicited opportunity that is too good to pass up." What would be better is if he asks you if you have another offer - then you can be honest and say that you do have an unsolicited one.

In any case, the easiet way to find information, I have found, is usually to ask for it.

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
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