Job Offer Decision

[saraml13]

Help me decide what to do about this job offer!  I've been able to squeeze out a little more than the initial offer, but not much.

Background: I've been on the market since January.  I've turned down one offer that was much higher than this because the commute was too long and it wasn't the right fit.  We're not in desperate financial straits, but it would definitely be nice to have two incomes again.  DH and I used to be more like 55/45 income split, but he's done really well at his current company and we're probably more like 65/35 now.  We'd also like to start TTC a third (and final) baby this winter, but we'd prefer that I start a job and be there long enough to be covered by FMLA.  I generally felt like I was underpaid at my old job, as we'd had lots of years of minuscule raises.

I'm very excited about this company and the role.  In terms of company structure and culture, this is exactly what I've been looking for (a fairly large privately owned company vs the Fortune 200 companies I spent my career at so far).  I interviewed with 12+ people and hit it off with all of them.  I didn't mention having kids, but just about everyone volunteered how family friendly and flexible the company is, including a woman who would be my peer and has 2 small kids of her own.  Very collaborative culture with a strict "no assholes" rule.  Lots of internal mobility.  I'd be in a position with a lot of visibility and they definitely are viewing me as someone to groom for a leadership role (I interviewed with the company president and most of the C-suite).  

It's a lateral title move from my previous role (sr. product manager).  I've been trying to pivot out of manufacturing/industrial and into a tech company, but have had a lot of difficulty convincing companies that I'm not just a hardware person.  This company/role gets me at least 75% there.  Money aside, I think I could be at this company a long time, but I also think it does position me very well to look for other jobs.  It's a pure software technology role and the company has increasing overlap with a lot of hot technology trends.  

So everything is great, except the money.  It's a little bit of an apples to oranges comparison with my old job, where I was all base salary with no bonus.  This "best and final" offer is for a base salary $10k lower than my previous salary, but with a $20k bonus.  So total comp is theoretically $10k higher than where I was at, but the bonus is not guaranteed.  The offer I turned down was for $30k (salary + bonus) more than I had been making, and I've gotten a pretty strong sense that is where the market is for my experience/background.  

I've tried a few avenues of negotiation.  They've added in a $5k signing bonus, but won't negotiate on vacation time. I'm particularly frustrated by how little they have moved (up $5k from initial offer).  I'm willing to compromise, but feel like they aren't giving me much to work with.

I'm generally leaning towards wanting to take it, but worry that I am selling myself short.  DH thinks the offer is very low.  He leads a team at another company and is actively trying to hire people for exactly my type of position.  He's having a hard time finding qualified applicants at any price, and is making offers at $30-50k above my offer.  

[phdmomma]

saraml13, Is there other compensation to consider? Like health care coverage and premiums? Or quality of life stuff like commute? Do you think that there is some other reason that they are low, i.e. like it being a smaller company? I just would try to take everything into consideration, including quality of life.

[mommyatty]

Stupid question, but could you look at your DH's open position??

Frankly, to break into a new industry, I would probably take it but keep an eye out for something better. So, as crappy as it sounds, take it without planning to stay long-term without significant changes.

[saraml13]

Sept 8, 2017 15:17:04 GMT -5 phdmomma said:

saraml13 , Is there other compensation to consider? Like health care coverage and premiums? Or quality of life stuff like commute? Do you think that there is some other reason that they are low, i.e. like it being a smaller company? I just would try to take everything into consideration, including quality of life.

In general, their benefits are pretty average.  Most of the things they've pointed out as extras were also things I had at my old job (company provided cell phone, ~3% extra 401k contribution at year end.)  They do provide 15 days of backup child care at a token cost/day, which would be very nice since our new daycare closes for a lot of vacation days.  It probably saves us $1500/year out of pocket, plus saving a lot of hassle.  

Commute is pretty similar to my old job, about 30 minutes in the morning and a little longer coming home.

Part of the reason for the lower offer is that initially opened the rec and budgeted for a less senior role (product manager vs sr. product manager).  So I've known all along that my challenge was going to be to convince them that I was amazing enough to bump up the role for. They boosted the title for me, but I don't think the salary got boosted enough to match.  They claim their market research supports this salary range, but they've mostly promoted people internally onto this team.  The title is pretty general, and so an industry average range for this job title doesn't really take into account that what they are looking for (and the experience I have) is actually pretty unique.


mommyatty, we joke about it, but I could not work with DH.  We would drive each other nuts.  And he's in a pretty central role at his company, so pretty much any interesting job opening they have would involve working closely with him.

[saraml13]

Sept 8, 2017 15:32:11 GMT -5 mommyatty said:

Stupid question, but could you look at your DH's open position??

Frankly, to break into a new industry, I would probably take it but keep an eye out for something better. So, as crappy as it sounds, take it without planning to stay long-term without significant changes.

The lesson I have learned from being laid off is that I don't owe loyalty to any company, so I wouldn't feel particularly bad about not planning to stay long term.  But it is a risk if I get pegged to a low base salary, because it gives me less leverage for future moves.  

[shakinros]

I would take it. Sounds like a good company culture and I'd take flexibility over pretty much anything. There's no requirement that you stay (is there?) when you find something that sounds more appealing.

Congrats! Even if they didn't move much, well done on landing this offer!

[sdlaura]

I agree with shakinros

[justcheckingin73]

I agree with mommyatty. At first I was going to say don't take it because the salary bumps I've gotten have been from changing jobs. I never expect huge bumps at my current company. But, breaking into a new industry is tough. Even if you stay 1-2 years, having that tech company on your resume will go a long way toward a better salary at another tech company. 

[erinshelley21]

I would take it. It sounds like a really great environment and that can make or break a job.

[waverly]

I would take it probably more out of wanting to stop looking and settle into something for a little while.

[librarychica]

If your primary goal is to change industries, then I think it would be a good move.

[ilovelucyvv]

The pay part would be killing me but I would probably take it for the short term.

[twinmomma]

I took a similar pay cut when I started this job - lower base salary, but in theory bonuses would make it work - so that I could join the type of company culture I was looking for. And it's been awesome! And I will say that after a year here, they ended up raising my base salary back up to where I was because they saw the value I was providing. Would there be an opportunity for a raise like that in the future?

Either way, if you can afford it, I'd go for it! Working for a great company so outweighs the pay raise, as long as it still works within your budget.

[covergirl82]

I would say to take it. A good company culture and work environment go a long way, IMO. I agree with others that you are not required to stay, so you can always keep an eye out for something better.

Congrats!

[xctsclrx]

I would take it, but as mommyatty, said use to to help launch you to a new industry. Also, you might be able to get a significant raise after the first round of reviews if you can show that you went above and beyond the original job description and bring facts in to support the pay increase at that time. If they say no then start looking again.


Congrats though! Job searching is stressful!

[2chatter]

I agree with waverly - and not for the reasons listed above. I'd take it for the FMLA coverage and the high likelihood of a bonus considering your performance, plus the sanity saved through back up child care is amazing - I relied heavily on it when the kids were legit little and it's the only way my career survived DS having RSV at 2 - the sick child care with an RN who monitored his 02 (not something I could do at home) AND the ability to work? Amazing.

[saraml13]

Thanks, everyone! DH and I talked it through this weekend, and I'm going to take it! I'm excited about the culture and the paths this role can take me. We agreed that at this point in time flexibility and my sanity are more important than trying to squeeze out every last dollar of salary potential for me.

I am going in with the mindset that I will give this company a shot for a couple years (hopefully have a baby and get back in the work groove), then re-evaluate. If I'm getting good raises and/or promotions, I'll stay. But otherwise, I have no qualms about using this role to break into a new industry and then moving elsewhere.

[leap]

saraml13,sounds like a great plan. Congratulations!

[2chatter]

Super excited for you! It sounds like the almost perfect fit!

[freezorburn]

Congratulations! Sounds like a great opportunity!

[sweetptater]

Congratulations! I think you're making the right decision.

[rere]

Sept 11, 2017 8:47:32 GMT -5 saraml13 said:

Thanks, everyone! DH and I talked it through this weekend, and I'm going to take it! I'm excited about the culture and the paths this role can take me. We agreed that at this point in time flexibility and my sanity are more important than trying to squeeze out every last dollar of salary potential for me.

I am going in with the mindset that I will give this company a shot for a couple years (hopefully have a baby and get back in the work groove), then re-evaluate. If I'm getting good raises and/or promotions, I'll stay. But otherwise, I have no qualms about using this role to break into a new industry and then moving elsewhere.

I traded money for flexibility and sanity for a few years and if I had to do it again, I would make that choice. It is nice to be able have the choice for a while anyway.

[divanerd]

Good choice!!