Choose my Job

[needsomehelp]

Hi, I'm a longtime lurker (I've followed you guys from the nest..) and this is my first post.  I'm planning to delete this, so please don't quote..

I'm in the fun position of choosing between two job offers.

*poof*

[moolarkey]

Job #1

[hamster]

I'd totally take job one. I wouldnt worry about this looking like job hoping after a year in the slightest, especially if it's an out of town move.

[noodleoo]

How sure are you about the culture at company #1? It sounds like a great opportunity, but I work at a trendy tech company and while they sell themselves as being awesome, the reality has been quite different. Your description reminds me of my current job and I hate it.

How important is the vacation time to you? Personally, I'd probably go for the easier commute, better vacation, etc. But I'm pregnant right now and I'd kill for a less stressful job and better work life balance right now. Depending on how ambitious you are, job 1 sounds like it has more long term career growth/potential. So it really depends on what you are prioritizing in your life right now.

[stretchad]

Option 1 assuming that the culture is a good fit for you. You could try negotiating more days and a different title. If you're the one who is tasked to bring them into the modern era, they may not realize the title should be different.

And if you have to leave in a year option 1 would be a good resume builder based on the company, brand, and best leverage for more money elsewhere. If you leave after a year, it's easily defensible because you're moving due to your husband's job, not because you're a scatterbrained mess that can't make up their mind.

[msmerymac]

Personally, I'd go with one. You won't look like a job hopper 1) if you work job 1 remotely after a year or 2) if you only have 1 job that is a year or so in length on your resume.

I'd try to negotiate the job title.

[scout8]

#1

[needsomehelp]

Apr 1, 2015 19:10:23 GMT -5 noodleoo said:

How sure are you about the culture at company #1? It sounds like a great opportunity, but I work at a trendy tech company and while they sell themselves as being awesome, the reality has been quite different. Your description reminds me of my current job and I hate it.

How important is the vacation time to you? Personally, I'd probably go for the easier commute, better vacation, etc. But I'm pregnant right now and I'd kill for a less stressful job and better work life balance right now. Depending on how ambitious you are, job 1 sounds like it has more long term career growth/potential. So it really depends on what you are prioritizing in your life right now.

The Bay Area is a terrible place for work life balance (I'm not sure if you live here, and I'm sure this problem exists elsewhere)

I'm not sure if the business school (Job #2) is much better in this respect. There might more more vacation offered, but not much chance to use it (like in my current role). If anything, I think there are more assholes (sorry mods) there than at the tech company.

After my littler burnout incident, I'm a lot more appreciative of places that offer good work life balance. But I'm also fairly ambitious.. Hence the conundrum!

[needsomehelp]

It looks like #1 is the winner. That's the one I've been leaning towards.

I've been at my institution long enough that leaving it feels daunting and scary, and Job #2 was a way to avoid going somewhere totally different.

But I think I need to buckle up and leave.

edited: Job #1 would not budge on the title, and left no room for negotiation. Due to a misunderstanding (which I later corrected), they thought that my current salary was a LOT higher than it actually is. That's why they offered such a great package, which the recruiter claimed was the best they could do.

[Deleted]

Job 1 for a long shot. You sound like an incredibly talented person, so worst case you hate your new job and then go running back to your current place.

Seriously job 1 sounds super cool.

[imojoebunny]

If job number one is where my San Fran cousin works... There. If you want to have kids, just have them and see what happens. You can always write your own ticket coming from that place, somewhere else, which is probably not true with option 2.

Kids are the one thing I worry about with my cousin. She has been working for exceptional Bay Area employer for almost 10 years. She loves it, but also wants a family. She is not alone (young average age workforce), and they will have to deal with it.

[needsomehelp]

Appreciate the feedback. If I refused Job #1's offer, I'd kick myself for a looong time.

I've been dreaming about the Job #2 offer for awhile (it looks so fancy from a distance), which is why I haven't dismissed easily, but I don't think I'll kick myself for refusing it.

[v]

1

What a wonderful problem to have!  <)

[crashgizmo]

Are you sure Job 1 is a 30 minute commute, or is that in a perfect world? TBH, either of those commutes are a dream for the Bay Area. I think I'd go with Job 1, especially due to the remote working possibility.

Clearly, living in CA I believe commutes and money take precedent over everything else. 

[littlemisssunshine]

I would go with job #1. Will the prestige of the company name make up for the loss in title?

[orangeblossom]

Job #1. Aside from the money and other benefits, it'd be a chance to try something new. Also, as a tech company, I wonder if you had to move, f you'd have more opportunity to do teleworking of something should you have to move.

Feel free to ignore this of tell me to mind my own business, but just perry about today and tomorrow and not next year when your husband graduates. You don't know what that will bring, and I'd hate for you to miss out on an opportunity on a "what if". Been there, done that, and it wasn't worth it.

Good luck.

[Deleted]

I'm leaning towards #1 here too, but they both sound good.

My husband used to work somewhere like #1, and now he's in a grad program for a university job like #2. I have spent time at a job like #2, and am now at a (non-tech) but cool place like #1. I really see perks to both, so you have to assess what will give you the best overall quality of life.

Maybe you could make a pros/cons list, to examine both jobs side by side. Compare all of the aspects you mentioned above, and look at it rationally (but also take your gut instinct into consideration here too).

You may remember I recently faced a similar decision, and while my job #2 never actually made me an offer they dragged things on for months until I finally told them I accepted my job #1. It has been a good decision for me, and I hope you are equally as happy with your decision! My "dream" job that I wanted to climb to someday was at the university of #2, but #1 became so appealing I accepted it even though I really struggled with changing paths away from what I always wanted to do.

[glynn]

#1

[elcjet]

#1 sounds fantastic. If you have to relocate for your husband's work, you won't look like a job hopper to recruiters -- it's very easy to explain away. Heck, I had people interviewing me after being at my job for 2 months -- it's the nature of the beast these days. Everyone wants the best talent and they are willing to take a gamble for the right person. Enjoy that awesome new company and the higher salary.

[Deleted]

#1 sounds awesome. At the very least, a big name that will help you if you relocate. Plus money!

[needsomehelp]

Thanks everyone!

Followed your advice and went with Job #1. Feel pretty lucky to have gotten to decide, and am happy with the choice.

Working in my institution for any longer would have driven me bat shit crazy. Especially after I delivered my 2 weeks notice to my managers, and was met with the response "great, we're leaving too! what a coincidence!". If I didn't have these job offers, I'd have been #*&$'ed in a few months.