Received a larger job offer, now what? 39

[CivilTom]

I have been working at job 1 for a month now however I interviewed at a lot of places before starting job 1, and so I just received a call from a different firm. Job 2 is offering a 16% greater salary. My plan is the following: approach current employer and say " hey boss I recently received a large offer from a company I interviewed with a month ago before starting here, although I'm not greedy i could really use the extra money company 2 is offering, would you be able to match their offer?" Is this a good or bad idea? Do you recommend Another route?

 

[GreggW30]

I agree with some of the others. Take the higher paying job but be respectful about it. You don't want to burn any bridges because you will never know when you might need them again.

 

[StevenHPerry]

Because I already have a position at job 1...should I counter job 2 with a suprsingly large number just to see if I could get it. I mean its worth a shot, right? And if they do offer a greater amount of over 20% of my current wages...this would be a no brainer.

Say they don't play ball. The +16% offer might be taken off the table. Even if it stays on the table, will you put your tail between your legs and take the original offer? You start your relationship with the company by saying "I will ask for more, but I will take whatever you offer me first." That +16% offer may be followed by 0% raises for several years.

Good will can be worth more than a +/- 4% pay if you have career ambitions outside of a paycheck. Good will and growth potential at a smaller company could be worth more than 16% even.

- Steve Perry
This post is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is offered with the understanding that the author is not engaged in rendering engineering or other professional service. If you need help, get help, and PAY FOR IT.

 

[MrHershey]

Pretty sure I wouldn't take the extra 16% to work for a big company as opposed to a small firm. But that's me.

 

[IRstuff]

If you do jump ship, just bear in mind that your new company recognizes that you'll bail at the drop of a hat, and you'd likely be first on any layoff list.

TTFN
faq731-376

 

[77JQX]

This same thing happen to my college roommate - shortly after starting work for Company 1, Company 2 called and offered more money. Turns out, the boss at company 2 was friends with the boss at company 1, and they were testing my roommate's loyalty and character. My roommate passed the test (refused the second offer), and went on to a successful career. Not saying that's what's happening here, but I've seen it happen.

My advice is do the honorable thing, and tell company 2 no, that you've just started with company 1, and although you'd like the extra money you've made a committment. Then get the recruiter's name, and call him in a couple of years.

 

[bcd]

It is pretty easy to determine the salary range for Engineers in a region. Salary.com for example. HR in every company knows and uses these tools to establish pay ranges for your job. It is common for companies to offer 10% or more to entice a new recruit to switch jobs. After that, expect below average raises until you are brought back into the regional market pay range for your job. Do not expect that you will be paid 16% above market rate for your entire career.

In reality, 16% now is nothing compared to what your salary should be 5 to 10 years from now if you work hard and are promoted to higher levels of responsibility. Promotions, not annual raises that attempt to offset inflation are where you will get the larget part of your salary increases. Focus and work hard to get promotions and in the long run, 16% now is peanuts.

 

[JedClampett]

I am in a kind of middle management role where I am. I can't hire anyone on my own or give raises, but if I was to blackball someone, they wouldn't get hired. I keep a list. On it are engineers who were horrible interviews and ones who used our offer to leverage their current employer to give them a raise. If I was to run into these guys again, they wouldn't get interviewed.
My tedious point is, if you were to pull a stunt like that (work for me for one month and leave for more money), you'd go on the list. Nothing personal, best of luck, but even if you won the Nobel Prize for Engineering, you're not coming back. I know it's just business, and you've only put in a month, but it took time to interview you, hire you, have you go through the HR stuff, etc. I've had to find you tasks, start your training, show you where the bathroom was. And now I have to do without you and do it all over again.
I'm sure it's no great loss for either of us, but it's just a poor way to start out.

 

[ajack1]

There still seem to be two very different schools of thought on here, those who value their word and respect others and those who just do what is best for them and care little for others.

My sincere hope is they all find themselves working with others who feel the same way as they do, be they employers or employees.

 

[frv]

Ajack1, I think that's a false dichotomy.

Personally, I would have thanked company 2 for the offer and told them that it was a shame they didn't offer me the position previously, because I had already accepted a position elsewhere.

However, the few people who have advised the OP to go for the money don't have a completely invalid argument. Companies, despite centuries-old supreme court decisions to the contrary, are not people and do not have feelings or empathy. Most companies would not hesitate to lay you off given even a semblance of economic trouble. Not because they are evil, or "enjoy" it, but because the business of being in business is to make a profit. If carrying you for a few months extra will cut into that profit, they will let you go. Again, it's just business. So when other people are advising him to take the offer and look out for himself, I don't think it's an entirely one-sided argument, as you'd suggest. With few exceptions, companies look out for themselves and the workers look out for themselves. They are simply suggesting he take advantage of the opportunity when he gets them.

Having said all that, it is likely in the OP's best interest not to take the offer, lest he end up on a list somewhere. It is certainly true that engineering is quite a small community.

 

[ivymike]

Here's a question.. why would this one month stint ever show up on this guy's resume? That would be a silly piece of 'experience' to highlight. A resume isn't a credit record, it's your personal marketing brochure!

 

[IRstuff]

Well, you can lie and hide it, but if they do their due diligence and find that one month gap, then you're hosed. If you leave it as a hole, and they find out that did jump ship, then you're hosed. If they don't find out, it'll still bug them.

Gaps are potential red flags for employers.

TTFN
faq731-376

 

[mechengdude]

A question for anyone making the "you gave your word" to company #1 arugument.

How long must the OP stay at his current poistion to satisfy your sense of "right", six months, 1 year, 5 years?

Regards

 

[Latexman]

Get the offer in writing. Pass their physical. Give notice. Live happily ever after (hopefully).

Sound very procedural? If Co. # 1 (or # 2) needs to lay you off, you'll get to see their procedure.

16% more money. Bigger company - probably better benefits, more opportunities. More risk? Maybe yes, maybe no. But, for sure you'll be able to weather the risk better with 16% more money!

Good luck,
Latexman

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

A question for anyone making the "you gave your word" to company #1 arugument.
How long must the OP stay at his current poistion to satisfy your sense of "right", six months, 1 year, 5 years?

Good question!
In addition to that, if the other offer was 50% or 100% more would you still feel the same? What % is the breaking point?


CivilTom,
Is this your first job?
Are you under any kind of probationary period? If so, your current company could decide you are not a good fit at any time during that period, you will be let go without a tear in their eyes. And if there is a probationary period, remember that it works for both the company and you.

 

[ThomasH]

CivilTom

If this is your first job then I would be careful. One month and then you jump ship because of money. You say you are not greedy but I think that is exactly what your employer will think that you are. Worst case, both of them, because I guess that no 2 knows about no 1.

You have made a commitment, what is your word worth to yourself?

Regarding how long, well one month is to short.

Good Luck

Thomas

 

[Forensic74]

I am in a kind of middle management role where I am. I can't hire anyone on my own or give raises, but if I was to blackball someone, they wouldn't get hired. I keep a list. On it are engineers who were horrible interviews and ones who used our offer to leverage their current employer to give them a raise. If I was to run into these guys again, they wouldn't get interviewed.
My tedious point is, if you were to pull a stunt like that (work for me for one month and leave for more money), you'd go on the list. Nothing personal, best of luck, but even if you won the Nobel Prize for Engineering, you're not coming back. I know it's just business, and you've only put in a month, but it took time to interview you, hire you, have you go through the HR stuff, etc. I've had to find you tasks, start your training, show you where the bathroom was. And now I have to do without you and do it all over again.
I'm sure it's no great loss for either of us, but it's just a poor way to start out.

Nothing personal? You've got to be kidding me. Instead of making a blacklist, how about discussing with your HR how to provide better compensation to retain employees. If I found out that you were paying me 16% less than other local companies I would not want to work for you and could care less about your petty list.

 

[MikeHalloran]

Forty plus years ago, when I was starting out, and the world seemed different, I wouldn't have jumped ship from a new job for any amount of money, because I had made a commitment, given my word, etc.

Now, after the number of times I have passed up decent opportunities out of loyalty to a sinking ship, the ways in which loyalty has been rewarded, the amount of money that hasn't come my way, the number of times I have been screwed over in countless ways, I'd have to think about it. I don't think sixteen percent is a big enough increment, but now, I think I could be bought.


(
Mr. President, are you listening?
My vote is available for the price of one new Escalade, white preferred, not that stupid pearlescent stuff, and a free gas card good for Four More Years.
You know where I am.
)


Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[ukengineer58]

i like jeds list. it reminds of when i was ten and got to take my ball home if the other kids didnt play to my rules

 

[ukengineer58]

personally i would stay (i think). however how is it greedy for a emplyee to go for more money. a company would employ the cheaper of two equally able cndidates. buy equipment off yhe cheapest supplier. i jope that in general management are a lot more adult in their views than is being implied hete

 

[ivymike]

" Well, you can lie and hide it, but if they do their due diligence and find that one month gap, then you're hosed. If you leave it as a hole, and they find out that did jump ship, then you're hosed. If they don't find out, it'll still bug them."

Huh? Since when is a resume supposed to be a precise accounting of the minutes you spent with each employer? If you only worked somewhere for a month, then there's nothing to advertise about that experience. The things you write down are the things that show you're qualified and worth more money than they'd been hoping to spend. I don't even list the months that I started/ended each job. So far nobody has ever asked, and to my knowledge nobody has even bothered to call my references before. (Some of them would have told me).