Taking a job with lower pay, but greater opportunity: Should you do it?

wellnowwhat · May 2012

I was recently presented with an opportunity to work for a large company as a Helpdesk/Support guy for Apple computers and devices, which is similar to what I currently do. However, there are two things about this opportunity that I'm thinking heavily about:

1) The pay is lower by $2/hr. This isn't a HUGE difference, but significant enough to make me think about it.

2) Because it's a larger company, there is a lot more room for mobility and growth, which is something that I'm severely lacking with my current company.

So, I just thought I'd get some input and see what you all thought. Would it be a bad idea to take this position even though it pays less?

jdancer · May 2012

I would if it would lead me to a "dream" position. You need to decide what your "dream" position is and if this opportunity will lead you to it.

halaakajan · May 2012

Don't leave your job yet. $2 are a lot, it is 4000$ a year. Work towards getting certifications. MCITP:SA would be a great one. Start applying for a better position once you get the MCITP.

shodown · May 2012

I did it about 18 months ago. I left my nice cushy Senior Engineer job for a VOIP support position. 18 months later I'm a Lead Voip Engineer on a global deployment with a way larger increase of pay compared to being a Senior network engineer.

Akaricloud · May 2012

I wouldn't personally. Have you tried to get them to match it? Go to them and say "Hey, I'm really excited about accepting the position but I can't justify taking a paycut to do it. I'm not asking for much but could you at least match my current wage?".

Most companies won't even have to think about it twice for only $2 more per hour.

wellnowwhat · May 2012

Go to them and say "Hey, I'm really excited about accepting the position but I can't justify taking a paycut to do it. I'm not asking for much but could you at least match my current wage?".

I actually just talked to the recruiter for the company and he said he would talk to the hiring manager about how flexible they are when it comes to pay, since I have a lot of Apple experience and certifications. I'm hoping they'll be able to match my current rate, because it sounds like a pretty nice gig.

Hypntick · May 2012

I actually did this and it was the best decision of my career so far. I've ended up learning more where I am now in just over a year than I would have in 5 years at the other position. Also considering the advancement opportunity was less where I left, i've more than made up the difference in pay by being advanced already. You just have to evaluate your position and see if it's really worth the short term loss of money. Good luck with whatever you choose.

rsutton · May 2012

If you are starting out in your career, and by starting out I mean you have less than a few years of experience, take the position that will give you the best experience. Think where you want to be in 5 years and take the job that will get you there.

Alif_Sadida_Ekin · May 2012

halaakajan wrote: »

Work towards getting certifications. MCITP:SA would be a great one. Start applying for a better position once you get the MCITP.

He said he wants to work with Apple computers and technology and you're suggesting he get Microsoft certs?

Anyway, to the OP, if you can afford it I would go for it. I did this early on in my career and the experience i gained allowed me to move forward in my career to bigger and better things. Sometimes you have to take one step backwards to take two or three steps forward.

ptilsen · May 2012

I wouldn't, personally. Unless you have very good reason to believe with a high level of confidence that it will get you into a better role, it's a bad move. If they can at least match your rate, great, go for it. A new employer that isn't willing to match your existing pay for essentially the same type of work you're currently doing is probably not an employer prone to giving raises and big promotions. The key there is that you're doing the same job. Taking a pay cut to get into a different specialization is one thing, but taking a pay cut to do the same job? That doesn't make much sense to me.

healthyboy · May 2012

yeh, if you see no progression in your current one then hop,

its a i.t support role remember i.t support is important, and you get to do a little bit of everythin.

matt333 · May 2012

I hate to say it but, i wouldn't take the job even if there was better opportunity for growth for the reason that its apple and its limiting your experience to just apple stuff. limited AD, win servers etc.. real infrastructures. not playing around with the prettier side of desktop support. the real jobs are in Microsoft and Linux not apple.. I'd move away from apple and get to know Microsoft or Linux <<IMO of course>>
Up to you

SteveLord · June 2012

wellnowwhat wrote: »

I was recently presented with an opportunity to work for a large company as a Helpdesk/Support guy for Apple computers and devices, which is similar to what I currently do. However, there are two things about this opportunity that I'm thinking heavily about:

1) The pay is lower by $2/hr. This isn't a HUGE difference, but significant enough to make me think about it.

2) Because it's a larger company, there is a lot more room for mobility and growth, which is something that I'm severely lacking with my current company.

So, I just thought I'd get some input and see what you all thought. Would it be a bad idea to take this position even though it pays less?

Wait for another job that fulfills #2...and doesn't have you worrying about #1.

JustFred · June 2012

Depends on what you are looking for. about a year ago i gave up my desktop support job from a company i was with for 5 years and took a pay cut to become a junior network engineer at another company, I never regretted the decision and i have gained a lot of experience. I'm currently over seeing a large project as the main project manager. I'm still working on my CCNA and hoping to get certified some time soon then off to do some VOIP stuff.

Comfort zones are okay as long as you are continuously learning something new otherwise you are going to have a hard time finding something else and if reorganization comes knocking at the door you are toast. Always try to stay current. I regret being a desktop engineer for so long and getting out of it was the best decision i have made in my career so far.

If you have a partner, its also better to sit down with them and talk things over before making any decisions. It helps when they understand and support where you are coming from.

lantech · June 2012

If you're going to take a pay cut then you need to be sure that there is more opportunity at this new company.

Some companies don't pay as well as other places because of their name and the prestige that comes with working for that particular company. They know there are people out there that will take pay cuts just to say that they were good enough to work at that company.

jibbajabba · June 2012

Money can't buy job satisfaction - had to learn it the hard way ..

blargoe · June 2012

Based on your earlier posts I think you were wanting to gradually get more into networking and broader systems exposure, and away from focusing on Apple, right? Well since all of your experience is Apple, the next best thing is working for a company that has Apple but also the other usual suspects, and continue working on your certs.

I would see if they would at least match your current pay.

Taking a job with lower pay, but greater opportunity: Should you do it?

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