WWOTD: job situation

-=C=- · 10-04-2012, 06:36 PM

Current job = been here for quite a few years, decent pay, tuition reimbursement, great health benefits, ok 401k, but semi-crappy management and outlook down the road isn't that great.

Job opp = decent pay, no real health benefits, no 401k, no tuition reimbursement, but it's a start up with great long term potential and opportunity to get in as employee #5.

I'm just looking for things to think about. If I was single I'd be all for the job opp, but married w/ 2 young kids changes things a lot.

Would OT give up money for happiness even if it meant lowered health care, etc.?

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

aschen · 10-04-2012, 06:39 PM

The only reason to go with option 2 is if you strongly believe the company will be very succesful down the road.

r0bman · 10-04-2012, 06:40 PM

Personally?

I'd raise the bridge and take the buzz out of the low E.

-=C=- · 10-04-2012, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aschen

The only reason to go with option 2 is if you strongly believe the company will be very succesful down the road.

What if you had a feeling that your existing job was no longer as stable as you thought?

JGard · 10-04-2012, 06:49 PM

Just don't ask Tim Stevens for advice. Poor guy hasn't worked in years

Aceyduce · 10-04-2012, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -=C=-

What if you had a feeling that your existing job was no longer as stable as you thought?

Send out feelers and make sure you know as much as you can. Usually the gut is pretty bang on when it comes to stability within a current position. I'd make damn sure that the new gig will be able to grow with you and isn't going to put you in a worse off position in the end.

teiva-boy · 10-04-2012, 06:58 PM

I wonder if we're hiring? I think you could be pretty awesome at it...

Hondaslayer · 10-04-2012, 08:45 PM

Happiness is #1, if the other job will make you happier and still pay the bills then go for it.

lag · 10-04-2012, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -=C=-

Current job = been here for quite a few years, decent pay, tuition reimbursement, great health benefits, ok 401k, but semi-crappy management and outlook down the road isn't that great.

Job opp = decent pay, no real health benefits, no 401k, no tuition reimbursement, but it's a start up with great long term potential and opportunity to get in as employee #5.

I'm just looking for things to think about. If I was single I'd be all for the job opp, but married w/ 2 young kids changes things a lot.

Would OT give up money for happiness even if it meant lowered health care, etc.?

I'm #7 in my company and it worked out great for me, so it must work out great for you!!! That's how that works right?

If it's easy(ish) to get another job or go back to your current job if this one fails, I say go for it. No risk, no reward.

JjSwee · 10-04-2012, 09:38 PM

I am all for leaving the bad and jumping into new territory with a positive outlook. It worked great for me. Left a stable job, moved across the country and found a job I love. I am much happier.

Things to think about with the job opp: you can get by without 401k and tuition for now. Medical is a big issue though. With two kids, your medical insurance costs can get really high. You need to see how much it will cost to keep your family safe, healthy, and not get stuck in a financial sinkhole from a big medical bill. Also, being a startup with only 4 other people, you may be working long hours. Are you willing to do this?

CalcVictim · 10-04-2012, 09:42 PM

Is the new job VC funded, do you get stock options?

One thing is for sure, you will work much harder at a start up, but it is more rewarding and you'll learn a lot more.

FellowTraveller · 10-04-2012, 09:44 PM

When your marriage fails and you need to support the kids and your coke habit, you might want to ponder a few things. Are the value of 401K's and other work related assets (pensions, life-insurance,...) usually split during divorce proceedings in your state?

Where would you have the opportunity to learn more by working with really smart people?

Where would you see more tits of the quality that you want to be gawking at on a regular basis?

What did your pastor say about the question when you asked?

What is a tuition reimbursement (work paying for you to complete your degree? or just certifications and stuff?)

Where is closer to home and which place would you be happier in 2 years. Don't consider salary or other stuff when thinking about this.

Being #5 sometimes allows you to be a Sr. VP within a couple years if things go well (if you want to become management) but often it means you rise and get left along the way as the company grows, flounders and maybe recovers several times along the way. The current management (people you want to work with) may disappear after a year or two so consider ******** arriving as par for the course.

Good luck and remember no one has a gun to your head so if the decision is hard, sit and do nothing and realize 6 months time that you did the right thing and that the risk wasn't worth it...

pjcoregon · 10-04-2012, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -=C=-

Current job = been here for quite a few years, decent pay, tuition reimbursement, great health benefits, ok 401k, but semi-crappy management and outlook down the road isn't that great.

Job opp = decent pay, no real health benefits, no 401k, no tuition reimbursement, but it's a start up with great long term potential and opportunity to get in as employee #5.

I'm just looking for things to think about. If I was single I'd be all for the job opp, but married w/ 2 young kids changes things a lot.

Would OT give up money for happiness even if it meant lowered health care, etc.?

You have a wife, kids, health benefits, 401k\retirement, steady paycheck, etc and you want to trade that for less money (while it lasts), no health benefits (you have kids, make that way less money in pay), no retirement and no time to spend with your wife and kids... is this really a question?

KeithRS · 10-04-2012, 10:21 PM

Does the startup have a foosball table and free snackies? Do they have Aeron chairs that you can steal just before they go belly up?

pornie · 10-04-2012, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjcoregon

You have a wife, kids, health benefits, 401k\retirement, steady paycheck, etc and you want to trade that for less money (while it lasts), no health benefits (you have kids, make that way less money in pay), no retirement and no time to spend with your wife and kids... is this really a question?

his wife may be able to pick up the health ins aspect of that at no more/minimal cost increase.

aod · 10-04-2012, 10:44 PM

I can't offer advice on what is right for you, but I can tell you that I worked at 2 startups in my past. While I didn't become all that successful at them, they were certainly the most fun years of work I have ever had. I also learned a lot about building a business from the ground up. Those days I did not have any children though and there were plenty of times where I wasn't sure if those companies were going to be able to pay me on time. That would have been rough now that I have a child. If push comes to shove, is your wife (or gf or whatever SO) bringing in enough to float your family if things don't pan out? That would definitely be a bonus for your decision.

pjcoregon · 10-04-2012, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pornie

his wife may be able to pick up the health ins aspect of that at no more/minimal cost increase.

that is possibly true... but you can't make up that time with your kids. they are only young for a short time and before you know it, it is over.

delongedoug · 10-04-2012, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -=C=-

Current job = been here for quite a few years, decent pay, tuition reimbursement, great health benefits, ok 401k, but semi-crappy management and outlook down the road isn't that great.

Job opp = decent pay, no real health benefits, no 401k, no tuition reimbursement, but it's a start up with great long term potential and opportunity to get in as employee #5.

I'm just looking for things to think about. If I was single I'd be all for the job opp, but married w/ 2 young kids changes things a lot.

Would OT give up money for happiness even if it meant lowered health care, etc.?

No brainer to me, keep the current job.

totalburnout · 10-05-2012, 12:04 AM

Does your wife have benefits?

If not, are you financially stable enough to go into a "catastrophic/high deductible type plan" where you pick up the first $2,500? If you are, the cost of the insurance may not be as bad as you think.

bakadayo · 10-05-2012, 01:38 AM

How well is the start up doing now? I've had one start up end up paying us late. They eventually did pay in full, but I recall it getting dicey for a few colleagues when the missed payments started mounting.

I dunno, I guess it really really depends on how stable/well the start up is doing now. It seems like giving up a lot of for it.

JjSwee · 10-05-2012, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeithRS

Does the startup have a foosball table and free snackies? Do they have Aeron chairs that you can steal just before they go belly up?

The startup I work at just got a foosball table (along with a pool table, putting green, and pong table), has free fruit and drinks, and has some nice mesh chairs.

LastWS6 · 10-05-2012, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -=C=-

Would OT give up money for happiness even if it meant lowered health care, etc.?

I would never give up a job that had health care to go to one that does not, with kids in the house.

OriginalSin · 10-05-2012, 08:09 AM

there's no crystal ball -=C=-

do what you think is best. if the problem is indeed happiness, find out why you're unhappy and make sure the new job isnt going to take you back there.

foothill · 10-05-2012, 08:13 AM

What's the slutty intern ratio?

Jack ffr1846 · 10-05-2012, 08:20 AM

Is this a small tech company in Cambridge started by a couple MIT PhD's? I ask because I was offered that job and passed. My reasons: I have no love for working 90 hour weeks and don't plan to do 3 jobs while the company awaits enough VC funding to hire more people. Also....I've left a job in the past for lower pay and lower stress. It turned out to be the most stressful job I ever had. No thank.

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10-04-2012, 06:36 PM	#1
-=C=- Scooby Specialist Member#: 7719 Join Date: Jun 2001	WWOTD: job situation Current job = been here for quite a few years, decent pay, tuition reimbursement, great health benefits, ok 401k, but semi-crappy management and outlook down the road isn't that great. Job opp = decent pay, no real health benefits, no 401k, no tuition reimbursement, but it's a start up with great long term potential and opportunity to get in as employee #5. I'm just looking for things to think about. If I was single I'd be all for the job opp, but married w/ 2 young kids changes things a lot. Would OT give up money for happiness even if it meant lowered health care, etc.? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

10-04-2012, 06:39 PM	#2
aschen Scooby Specialist Member#: 30733 Join Date: Dec 2002 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Houston texas Vehicle: 2007 tiny car striped	The only reason to go with option 2 is if you strongly believe the company will be very succesful down the road.

10-04-2012, 06:40 PM	#3
r0bman Scooby Specialist Member#: 87015 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Mos Eisley, TA 85281	Personally? I'd raise the bridge and take the buzz out of the low E.

10-04-2012, 06:49 PM	#5
JGard pooptastic Member#: 1904 Join Date: Jul 2000 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: Foster City, CA Vehicle: 2013 Tundra '02 BMW R1100S	Just don't ask Tim Stevens for advice. Poor guy hasn't worked in years

10-04-2012, 06:58 PM	#7
teiva-boy Scooby Guru Member#: 22825 Join Date: Aug 2002 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Seattle, WA	I wonder if we're hiring? I think you could be pretty awesome at it...

10-04-2012, 08:45 PM	#8
Hondaslayer Brain Stew Moderator Member#: 4562 Join Date: Feb 2001 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Auburn, WA Vehicle: 1998 Forester,lifted 1975 VW Westfalia tin top	Happiness is #1, if the other job will make you happier and still pay the bills then go for it.

10-04-2012, 09:38 PM	#10
JjSwee Scooby Newbie Member#: 75880 Join Date: Nov 2004 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: California Vehicle: 1997 Legacy GT	I am all for leaving the bad and jumping into new territory with a positive outlook. It worked great for me. Left a stable job, moved across the country and found a job I love. I am much happier. Things to think about with the job opp: you can get by without 401k and tuition for now. Medical is a big issue though. With two kids, your medical insurance costs can get really high. You need to see how much it will cost to keep your family safe, healthy, and not get stuck in a financial sinkhole from a big medical bill. Also, being a startup with only 4 other people, you may be working long hours. Are you willing to do this?

10-04-2012, 09:42 PM	#11
CalcVictim Scooby Specialist Member#: 57056 Join Date: Mar 2004 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Brighton, MA Vehicle: 2006 Miata Copper Red	Is the new job VC funded, do you get stock options? One thing is for sure, you will work much harder at a start up, but it is more rewarding and you'll learn a lot more.

10-04-2012, 09:44 PM	#12
FellowTraveller Scooby Newbie Member#: 161570 Join Date: Oct 2007 Chapter/Region: E. Canada Location: St. John's Newfoundland Canada Vehicle: 2007 Impreza Newport Blue Pearl	When your marriage fails and you need to support the kids and your coke habit, you might want to ponder a few things. Are the value of 401K's and other work related assets (pensions, life-insurance,...) usually split during divorce proceedings in your state? Where would you have the opportunity to learn more by working with really smart people? Where would you see more tits of the quality that you want to be gawking at on a regular basis? What did your pastor say about the question when you asked? What is a tuition reimbursement (work paying for you to complete your degree? or just certifications and stuff?) Where is closer to home and which place would you be happier in 2 years. Don't consider salary or other stuff when thinking about this. Being #5 sometimes allows you to be a Sr. VP within a couple years if things go well (if you want to become management) but often it means you rise and get left along the way as the company grows, flounders and maybe recovers several times along the way. The current management (people you want to work with) may disappear after a year or two so consider ******** arriving as par for the course. Good luck and remember no one has a gun to your head so if the decision is hard, sit and do nothing and realize 6 months time that you did the right thing and that the risk wasn't worth it...

10-04-2012, 10:21 PM	#14
KeithRS Scooby Newbie Member#: 3436 Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Lookout Mountain Road Vehicle: 1987 Rockhopper Yellow	Does the startup have a foosball table and free snackies? Do they have Aeron chairs that you can steal just before they go belly up?

10-04-2012, 10:44 PM	#16
aod NASIOC Supporter Member#: 7121 Join Date: Jun 2001 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Dray is Oregon	I can't offer advice on what is right for you, but I can tell you that I worked at 2 startups in my past. While I didn't become all that successful at them, they were certainly the most fun years of work I have ever had. I also learned a lot about building a business from the ground up. Those days I did not have any children though and there were plenty of times where I wasn't sure if those companies were going to be able to pay me on time. That would have been rough now that I have a child. If push comes to shove, is your wife (or gf or whatever SO) bringing in enough to float your family if things don't pan out? That would definitely be a bonus for your decision.

10-05-2012, 12:04 AM	#19
totalburnout Scooby Specialist Member#: 72861 Join Date: Oct 2004 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: North Jersey Vehicle: 2008 BMW 335i Coupe Montego Blue & Saddle	Does your wife have benefits? If not, are you financially stable enough to go into a "catastrophic/high deductible type plan" where you pick up the first $2,500? If you are, the cost of the insurance may not be as bad as you think.

10-05-2012, 01:38 AM	#20
bakadayo Scooby Newbie Member#: 41230 Join Date: Aug 2003	How well is the start up doing now? I've had one start up end up paying us late. They eventually did pay in full, but I recall it getting dicey for a few colleagues when the missed payments started mounting. I dunno, I guess it really really depends on how stable/well the start up is doing now. It seems like giving up a lot of for it.

10-05-2012, 08:09 AM	#23
OriginalSin Scooby Newbie Member#: 66341 Join Date: Jul 2004 Chapter/Region: South East Location: a fool's parade	there's no crystal ball -=C=- do what you think is best. if the problem is indeed happiness, find out why you're unhappy and make sure the new job isnt going to take you back there.

10-05-2012, 08:13 AM	#24
foothill Scooby Newbie Member#: 292246 Join Date: Aug 2011 Chapter/Region: International Location: The Heart of Darkness Vehicle: 2011 Diamond in the Dust	What's the slutty intern ratio?

10-05-2012, 08:20 AM	#25
Jack ffr1846 Add Lightness Moderator Member#: 13699 Join Date: Dec 2001 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Hopkinton, MA Vehicle: 2007 Lotus Elise (From General)	Is this a small tech company in Cambridge started by a couple MIT PhD's? I ask because I was offered that job and passed. My reasons: I have no love for working 90 hour weeks and don't plan to do 3 jobs while the company awaits enough VC funding to hire more people. Also....I've left a job in the past for lower pay and lower stress. It turned out to be the most stressful job I ever had. No thank.