Career advice needed

chaser7783

I am currently a contracted employee for a large company(company A), I don't have a set "contract" time, the company normally prefers to hire people as contractors for a period of time rather than as an employee. I have been with this company for about two years, and started to look around to see if i could advance my career and get paid more.

A few weeks ago I interviewed with a company(compnay and they offered me a job, full-time employee(Benefits, pto, 401k, paid training etc.)As an example of one of the benefits from company B is starting me on my giac from day one. I talked to my current employee, put in my two weeks and when asked i gave my reasons. A few days after I gave notice they counter offered to keep me, they said they could not bring me on as an "full-time" employee due to hiring freeze, but would give me 10k over the other company.

To those of you currently working as a full-time salary employee, or anyone that has been a contract employee, even with less pay did you find it worth it to take the benefits over some more pay?

DigitalZeroOne

You have to base your answer on your living situation. Do you have a family? If you do, then benefits may be more important, you may want to cover spouse and any children that you have. If you're single, then increasing your salary may be more important. You did mention that you would receive training, never forget the cost of training, a tech class can easily cost thousands of dollars, so it may be more important to receive quality training.

I know I didn't answer answer of your questions, but I don't think it's something that anyone on here can. Just weigh the pros and cons, make sure you look at your career for the long term, and make your decision.

Good luck...hey, has to feel good to have job options.

paul78

It sounds like you are obviously a valued part of company A. Great to have options.

I don't know much about employment law in Texas. But in employment-at-will states, there is minimal difference in job security from being a full time employee than a contractor.

The benefits that you mentioned in company B does sound enticing.

Personally, for myself, I never would except a counter-offer. And I would never even consider it if I already accepted or set any expectation of accepting an offer from a prospective employer.

I suspect that you probably started to look for a new job because of many different reasons so will 10k really make a difference? If company A really valued your contributions before why didn't they offer you fair compensation before? That alone may be be a reason to go with company B. Just a thought.

boredgamelad

paul78 wrote: »

Personally, for myself, I never would except a counter-offer. And I would never even consider it if I already accepted or set any expectation of accepting an offer from a prospective employer.

I suspect that you probably started to look for a new job because of many different reasons so will 10k really make a difference? If company A really valued your contributions before why didn't they offer you fair compensation before? That alone may be be a reason to go with company B. Just a thought.

I agree with this entirely. This is almost exactly what I was typing earlier at work but didn't have time to post.

chaser7783

yea, i know if would be hard for anyone to answer. Sadly I do think the new company will be better, getting a giac is nice, and i have potential to grow with the company. It just sucks, the company I am currently with is not treating me bad, I get along with all my coworkers, and boss is great. I just don't think I will be able to grow with a company that large, as I would a up and coming company.

I hear all the time companies have no loyalty to you, and you should have none to them. I just need to convince my self i'm not giving up on the company but growing my career.

chaser7783

paul78 wrote: »

It sounds like you are obviously a valued part of company A. Great to have options.

I don't know much about employment law in Texas. But in employment-at-will states, there is minimal difference in job security from being a full time employee than a contractor.

The benefits that you mentioned in company B does sound enticing.

Personally, for myself, I never would except a counter-offer. And I would never even consider it if I already accepted or set any expectation of accepting an offer from a prospective employer.

I suspect that you probably started to look for a new job because of many different reasons so will 10k really make a difference? If company A really valued your contributions before why didn't they offer you fair compensation before? That alone may be be a reason to go with company B. Just a thought.

Yea that is the sad thing, if they really valued me before why wait to make an offer. Company B offered me a 35% raise to what I make at company A now. The 10k counter is on top of what company B would offer me, but like you said I started looking for a reason.

lordy

There has been a huge thread on counter-offers in the forum a little while ago.

The bottom line was: Never accept a counter-offer. You have decided to move on, do it.