Two potential jobs, neither are all that appealing.

Well, a week has passed and I have two unappealing offers.

The first is with the same company that just laid me off. I'm not feeling this one at all. It's yet another step backwards and has some very negative aspects to it.

Pros;

1. I keep my previous salary.

2. I keep my company vehicle.

Cons;

1. I have to go to Houston for a month away from my family. After that I have to go to Dallas for a month away from my family. After those two months, we would need to relocate. My wife would have to find a new job. My son has developed some friends here. The family has made it clear that they are not interested in moving again. We are comfortable here and even though I would have a job my wife will need to find another one, there is no guarantees that she can find on getting paid what she is now. Plus I can't stand cities, and our shop in Dallas is right downtown.

2. Even after we relocate again I'll be on the road a lot. Further reducing time with the family and seriously throwing the work/life balance out of kilter.

3. I'd be back out in the field again which isn't the worst thing in the world but I've worked for years trying to get out of the field. It really feels like a step backwards.

The second actually sounds like an awesome opportunity. But it has one major drawback. I don't have all the details yet and am going to meet with them hopefully on Friday to talk some more about the job. It sounds like this one has a very good opportunity for growth. The big issue is the base salary is not enough for us to meet our personal financial obligations. I certainly see the potential for it but I'm not sure how quickly I can get it up and running.

We should be able to barely squeak by with the unemployment. So I'm not too pressured into jumping at the first thing that comes at me. But, I really don't like not having a job. UGH, I hate looking for a job out of necessity.

Option #2 sounds better.

Can you rally the family to help you hack away at your financial obligations to make the second option work? Ditch cable? Streamline the food budget?

Personally I would do option 2. Having a happy family and being able to spend a lot of time with that happy family trumps a big salary.

Cutting back spending isn't too hard, it just takes commitment.

In reply to slefain:

We were on a bare bones budget anyway due to being on a big push to eliminate some debt. Option two is about $1350 less per month than my previous salary and is less than I'm hopefully getting in unemployment.

Explore option #2, but keep looking for new options. Also, if #2's other details sound good, play hardball on the salary, time is on your side right now.

Use the unemployment. Don't let not having a job make you rush into something that's going to be a long-term negative. If you're feeling guilty for taking a "hand-out", remember, you paid INTO unemployment your entire career, so you are essentially just paying yourself back now. Like insurance, what you paid for was the privilege of not having to panic to replace what you lost.

Also, when you go into negotiations with the 2nd one (I agree the 1st doesn't sound good). Pretend you're sitting down with a friend or one of us and have a commonsense discussion. Tell them you ran the numbers, are very interested in the job, but have family commitments that won't be met on the salary they've described. Have a number in mind to counter with, and see what happens.

+1 for option 2. I highly doubt option 1's pay makes up for all that travel and relocation.

I am with the above, take your time and explore option 2. That is a big cut but if you lay it out on the table they might make up some of the difference. I think that it is fair to say that you are worth X dollars (X being at least your last salary) and if they want you, it is a fair amount.

The big issue is the base salary is not enough for us to meet our personal financial obligations.

No Go. I agree with the "sitting down" and talking, but you need to tell them that you need $X or you can't make ends meet at your house, and if they can't do that, sorry. Slowly going bankrupt is still going bankrupt. Q: How did you go bankrupt? A: Slowly, then all at once.

Unemployment or suck option 1.

You're family has already nixed option 1, but here's another reason why I'd be very wary to take them up on the offer - you already moved partway across the country for them and they laid you off a few months later. What's going to prevent a repeat performance?

BoxheadTim wrote: You're family has already nixed option 1, but here's another reason why I'd be very wary to take them up on the offer - you already moved partway across the country for them and they laid you off a few months later. What's going to prevent a repeat performance?

This ^

Push opt 2 for a better pay rate, even if its a future raise after you prove how good you are. Otherwise look for #3.

Changing jobs is scary E36M3

In reply to BoxheadTim:

Exactly, they want assurances' that I'm not going to take the offer while still actively seeking other employment and flake out on them but I have no assurance of them doing that to me. And based on prior history they very likely will.

I was going to recommend the same thing. What could they do to you if you bailed? Probably nothing.

Tim said exactly what I was thinking. No reason to continue the relationship. You have done enough for that company already.

GameboyRMH wrote: +1 for option 2. I highly doubt option 1's pay makes up for all that travel and relocation.

Nick_Comstock wrote: In reply to BoxheadTim: Exactly, they want assurances' that I'm not going to take the offer while still actively seeking other employment and flake out on them but I have no assurance of them doing that to me. And based on prior history they very likely will.

which is why I say ...

berkeleyum … I might take option 1 and keep looking … as soon as I found something, I drop them as quickly as they dropped you

and tell them (with gestures) that they are #1 as I walked out the door

I would try option #2 with asking for more money first.

I certainly wouldn't worry about hurting the feelings of company that is option #1 by jumping ship at the opportunity. They dumped on you when it benefitted them and it looks like they are handing you the E36 M3 end of the stick now. Let them see how it feels.