Should I Leave My Current Job for the Same Pay?

Danielh22185

As the title states and some of you may have read my previous threads on some of my current job situation / frustrations. I have interviewed for another company and they want to offer me a position. However their range is a bit lower with an absolute max equally to what I currently make (after I get my promotion I am still waiting on). They also have options of potential bonus / profit sharing, and their health benefits seem to cost me roughly half out of pocket than what my current does. I want to also add that my current position is a NOC style shift schedule which allows me to save TONS of money by not having to put my kids through daycare full time. So if I moved to a M-F job my kids would have to go to daycare more often per week and I would take an immediate annual ~$5k pay hit.

The new position though is a big change for me. I would be doing all phases of what a network engineer would be responsible for (design, budget, implement, support, upgrade, etc), where more of what I currently do now is just two phases (support / upgrade). So I am heavily considering this as a position that will allow me to grow skillsets and ultimately become a very strong and well rounded engineer but jumping ship when I don't necessarily have to for possibly the same or -$5k a year has me worried.

I might also add my family depends heavily of me for financial stability. My wife is self employed so has no benefits and I generally make 65-70% of the family income.


If you were in the same position what would you do? Just trying to get some ideas on other people's takes.

Danielh22185

c5rookie wrote: »

My thoughts on the situation would be to stay where you are at. I'm not sure which part of Dallas you're in, but I presume they have a growing IT presence. I would inform the recruiter that you're declining but would reconsider if the salary was closer to XXXXX. Maybe they will still see you as a solid fit and after a couple weeks reach out again with a higher offer. If not, keep your eyes open for similar positions and see what they have to offer for learning potential and career growth.
On a different topic, would relocation be an option? I know San Antonio is growing rapidly, and if you have a gov't clearance, people get picked up quick.

DFW area is MASSIVE for IT right now. The best city in Texas by a long shot to work in IT. Although I have considered if the job was right relocating to other cities but there is a massive need for workforce here in the DFW area. Lots of big companies relocating data centers (like Facebook) or entire head quarters to the area.

TechGuru80 wrote: »

I start off every first contact (HR screen or initial interview) by asking what the pay range is or what they are trying to bring somebody in at...nothing worse than getting to the end of the deal to find out the pay is nowhere near the ballpark. Sometimes people will tell you and are transparent, but more often they end up asking what you are looking for...either way have a good number.

Ya I guess my fault for not asking this soon enough. Definitely noted for the future.



Either way it was a good experience to get out and interview (Haven't done it in nearly 5 years for an outside company) and to know I can land these types of jobs after all. Now I just need to push my current mgmt to pay me what I am worth... For now I think I am going to chill and keep doing what I am doing. I might get the itch to go out an interview again soon but right now it's overwhelming dealing with all the recruiters since my online profiles are activated again.