Job Question -- Another offer

So I trust you guys, so I'm looking for some advice.

I went to school to be a teacher. Did that for 4 years and left to do government contractor work. I've been doing that work for a little over three years and really enjoy it. Due to someone else leaving, I made a horizontal-ish move last year. Recently, someone I used to work with contacted me about a position with her, back in education. Long story short, they gave me an offer today, which is about 18% more than what I'm making now.

(I should mention that when I was originally contacted by this former coworker, I was pursuing an adjunct position. The position I'm being offered came on the table after we opened those discussion. The adjunct was to be part time to supplement my income, and my current job is aware that I was pursing this. In fact, it's fairly common.)

I love where I am now. My boss is great, the hours are great, the subject matter is great, and the flexibility is great. I could probably relocate to anywhere in the country and have my job. I'm the only one capable of doing my work at the moment, and I feel like I'd be hard to replace (it took nearly a year to find a replacement for me when I made my horizontal move). The pay is fair (but below industry standard), but my fiance has been out of work for almost 7 months and it hasn't been easy.

The new position is exciting and interesting, and more inline with what I had set out to do after college. It offers less flexibility and pay would go to a scheduled type of increase, as opposed to the annual review/percentage based raise deally I have now. Commute would be about the same. There would be more opportunities for training and education with the new job.

So, at this point, you're probably saying "take the new job, stupid", and I'm almost there with you. I have a lot of respect for my boss, and we have become good friends in my tenure with our organization (he's even opened his home to me when I travelled out his way). I would like to give him the first right of refusal, but I don't want to come out seemingly like I'm in things only for the money. Company margins are thin right now, and I feel like it could be tough for them to compete.

So, I want to tell my boss about the offer, and ideally, I'd like my current company to counter. Others in my company have done this before with success. Has anyone been through this before? How do you do it? How much do you mention?

I'm not trying to strong arm, or force any hands, but I am trying to look out for my interests and those of my family. I care about my work and who I work for, but my family comes first.

So what would you guys do? Miata?

I have no comparable experience to offer, but I must say I think you nailed it with your last paragraph. Repeat that to yourself until you're solid on it, then, very straightforwardly, say it to your boss. Stay on message, then see what happens.

Stealthtercel wrote: I have no comparable experience to offer, but I must say I think you nailed it with your last paragraph. Repeat that to yourself until you're solid on it, then, very straightforwardly, say it to your boss. Stay on message, then see what happens.

Thanks. My boss left the company himself a good number of years ago for the same reason. After a few years later, they asked him back. He's been in my shoes before, and he knows me, my family, and my situation well enough that I think he'd be more than sympathetic. I honestly think he'd be an advocate for me, but he'd have to go to bat to keep me. I'm well liked in my company and well known for the quality of work I do, but you know companies and money.

Well then...Our work here's done, no? You might just get a juicy bonus and get to stay where you are. Stay on message and emphasize you'd stay if you thought you could swing it financially.

Maybe I'm getting conservative as I get older, or maybe it's this crazy recession/depression thing we've been going through, but I'd look long and hard at the longevity of both positions and weigh the decision heavily on that.

A bird in the hand and all....

The company I work for wouldn't counter or do anything except find an empty box for your personal items.

I have a hard time with that "thin margins" because I have heard that for years where I work. The big guys have time for yearly company paid vacations.

I would approach it as your fiance being out of work and this will help with the budget and if they could do anything......

I'm with Pete, but I would add the benefits.

Teachers benefits are a long term package that is quite attractive. Government contractor might or might not be.

You are on the right track.

For years, teachers were not well paid and the politics of most school systems was intolerable but in the current economic conditions, school systems will continue to be in business and qualified teachers are now valued. I read that Blockbuster filed for bankruptcy this week and we all know about Chrysler and GM.
Read your last paragraph and act accordingly. YMMV

The number 1 goal in life is to be happy. Let that guide your decision.

OK, but maybe we should add that there is a great deal of unhappiness to be had later in life if the ONLY thing you pursue is your short term happiness.

There are two things I would change if I could do it again. I didn't serve in the military, and I never pursued the teaching career that I got a degree for because I was chasing things that looked better in the short term.

Now that I am a bit older and wiser, I wish I had done both.

Wow, some great stuff from you guys!

My current job is on a well funded contract, and is likely to be around for a long time. We recently switched companies when our last one lost the contract. When there is a change, the people stay on the task and the signature on your paycheck changes. I know my current company way underbid in order to win the contract, so that's where the thin margins comment comes from.

Where I am now, I pretty much run my own show, and can take things (roughly) in the path I want to take them.

This new position would be at the college level, and would be only teaching a few (two per semester tops) classes. The rest would be administrative and running the department. The department is brand new, and has great funding now, but since it's brand new I have concerns over the longevity. Luckily it deals in tech, which should hopefully be here to stay.

I'll put it out there to my boss today. He knows, but I'll remind him, that I really do love where I'm at and what I do, but I'm in a financial situation that means I can't ignore this other offer. I honestly hope we can make it work where I am, but I'm prepared to move on.

You guys rule.

I think it is perfectly fair for you to explain yourself to your boss in the same honest, respectful manner you have here and ask him if there is some way that you can achieve your financial goals while continuing on with them. If there is not anything to be done - then the path is clear and you can part ways with no hard feelings.

Had you not mentioned that you have a good relationship with him, I would have said to be more guarded and be prepared to leave after the discussion regardless of the outcome. Sometimes you mark yourself as "leaving" in the mind of someone with more to think about that just you - but I think the personal relationship combined with a genuine "like" of the job will come across if you present it as above.

Good luck.

In reply to Gimp:

Whatever you do, make sure you keep your relationship with your current boss congenial. You never know what bridges you might need to cross again.

Also, and I'm surprised this didn't come up, if you're taking a position at a university, make sure their attendance is steady and make double-dog sure that you know what the charter and vision for the new department is. If the department is running on a grant or something, make sure it's a really big one.

"Hey Boss, we need to talk. I've got an offer on the table that came out of nowhere, but it's solid enough that it's got me thinking. Now, I love where I am now. You are great, the hours are great, the subject matter is great, and the flexibility is great. If the company is willing to match the offer I've got on the table, I can easily brush it aside. As you know though, the wife is out of work and we're struggling a bit, so if the company can't make that move, I have some decisions to make."

Any chance of working the new job full time and scaling back your current job to part time on the side? Sort of the opposite of what you set out to do initially? It would give you new boss an out that cost him less than even now but lets him keep your brain power available. While it might be draining on you personally, it could be a good transitional step too for your old company, and putting it on the table would prove your commitment to them and test theirs to you in an easy sort of way.

nothing super constructive to add other than good luck and I'm curious about what you do.

If you google my name you should be able to find it pretty easily. You can search here to, as I've dropped shameless plugs before.

Dave, I think you nailed my planned approach.

I've never done it, but like the others have said, don't bring up the other job unless you're willing to walk............as soon as the conversation with the current boss is over.

If a google search will reveal your name and your occupation, your boss may already know.

SVreX wrote: If a google search will reveal your name and your occupation, your boss may already know.

He was called as a reference, so Google may not be my issue.

DOH!

was gonna say "zee Googles! they zee everything!" but it's a little late for that party.

/furtherthreadjack why do you travel to cumberland when there are so many other options nearer to balt/wash? is it that much better a scene or are the closer options that bad?

For those interested, I've talked to my boss and, without getting into too much, he's a great guy. I feel good about things, and I think he does too. Thanks again for all of the advice. This isn't an easy thing for me, and it's not over yet, but you guys helped put a lot into perspective.

bluej wrote: /furtherthreadjack why do you travel to cumberland when there are so many other options nearer to balt/wash? is it that much better a scene or are the closer options that bad?

Cumberland is where I started autocrossing, and I lived out there for six years of undergrad. The competition isn't as fierce, but the laid back atmospheres, pig roasts at the Corvette farm, and the friends I've made make it a "do not miss" event for me.

If you've never been, you have to try it. You get to listen to me give a speech!

Miata, e30, or astro van. pick one and you have your answer.

(i'm a dick)