Join Early Retirement Today
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Knowing when to move on
Old 07-22-2005, 06:34 PM   #1
Moderator Emeritus
laurence's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: San Diego
Posts: 5,267
Knowing when to move on

So I've had some really good months at work lately, even got a couple of plaques and bonuses, put my picture in the company newsletter etc.

But I still ain't gettin' paid.

I've talked with my boss, and the director, and even his boss about it (discreetly, of course) and everyone keeps saying the right things, like, "we don't want to lose you" "we see great things in your future" etc. but nothing's happened and it's been almost a year.

So someone sent me an email with some job openings at a company that's closer to home and is growing quite rapidly. I applied today, just to see what would happen.

So my question to you young dreamers and those re's who can remember back when, how do you know when it's time to jump ship? I mean both the numbers game and the feel. What signs do you look for and how much of a jump in pay do you need to make it worth it? I've heard 20% bandied around. How do you factor in 401k matching (say your current work has it and the next one doesn't). I've been with my current company 2.5 years, and at 5 I become vested in the pension, which at that point would get me ~500 bucks starting at 65. All thoughts are welcome. I hate the thought of starting over, but sometimes it's what you gotta do to get ahead in this world right?
laurence is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 Early Retirement and Financial Independence Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

Are you planning to be financially independent as early as possible so you can live life on your own terms? Discuss successful investing strategies, asset allocation models, tax strategies and other related topics in our online forum community. Our members range from young folks just starting their journey to financial independence, military retirees and even multimillionaires. No matter where you fit in you'll find that Early-Retirement.org is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with our members, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create a retirement blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Re: Knowing when to move on
Old 07-22-2005, 06:43 PM   #2
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: W Wash
Posts: 1,644
Re: Knowing when to move on

Laurence
Deciding to move should be more than this month's paycheck decision. That said, plenty of research says that fastest pay progression comes from movement.
You DO want to have a complete list of what is important to you in a job. Rate your current position against those values but also any other opporutnity you see.
Probably more important than bucks alone, are things like opportunities to learn, recognition, life style alignment, workplace flexibility. core value, employer economic viability, quality of leadership and relationship with your direct manager.
Make your list and score your current job and see how good or bad it is.
nwsteve
nwsteve is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Knowing when to move on
Old 07-22-2005, 06:50 PM   #3
 
Posts: n/a
Re: Knowing when to move on

Would this help?

http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...to+get+a+raise
  Reply With Quote
Re: Knowing when to move on
Old 07-22-2005, 06:53 PM   #4
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
REWahoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Texas: No Country for Old Men
Posts: 50,004
Re: Knowing when to move on

Nwsteve is right. You will be of higher value to another employer than to your own...until you give notice. Then your current employer will offer you more $ to stay. Which says they were getting you on the cheap and have been doing so for some time.

If you do get and accept another job, don't be tempted to stay no matter what is said or offered. You will always be 'suspect' from that point on.

REW
__________________
Numbers is hard
REWahoo is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Knowing when to move on
Old 07-22-2005, 06:57 PM   #5
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
REWahoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Texas: No Country for Old Men
Posts: 50,004
Re: Knowing when to move on

Quote:
Originally Posted by TromboneAl
Would this help?
T-Al, we all know you have a 'thing' about spelling and grammar. Some of us have a 'thing' about posting long URL's....

REW

__________________
Numbers is hard
REWahoo is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Knowing when to move on
Old 07-22-2005, 07:09 PM   #6
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,875
Re: Knowing when to move on

Quote:
Originally Posted by REWahoo!
Nwsteve is right.* You will be of higher value to another employer than to your own...until you give notice.* Then your current employer will offer you more $ to stay.* Which says they were getting you on the cheap and have been doing so for some time.*

If you do get and accept another job, don't be tempted to stay no matter what is said or offered.* You will always be 'suspect' from that point on.

REW
I agree with REW, although I have done it and it worked out okay. The
worst part for me was having someone counting on me coming to work for them
and then having to explain I had received a "Godfather" offer and had opted to stay put.

JG
MRGALT2U is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Knowing when to move on
Old 07-22-2005, 07:16 PM   #7
 
Posts: n/a
Re: Knowing when to move on

Quote:
Some of us have a 'thing' about posting long URL's....
Sorry about that. Can't you just click on it?

In any case, you can get that by googling

how to get a raise

  Reply With Quote
Re: Knowing when to move on
Old 07-22-2005, 07:24 PM   #8
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
REWahoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Texas: No Country for Old Men
Posts: 50,004
Re: Knowing when to move on

Quote:
Originally Posted by TromboneAl


Sorry about that. Can't you just click on it?

In any case, you can get that by googling

how to get a raise
The problem is the length of the URL extends beyond the width of my screen and I have to scroll left and right to read each post on the most recent 50.

Thanks.

REW
__________________
Numbers is hard
REWahoo is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Knowing when to move on
Old 07-22-2005, 07:50 PM   #9
Moderator Emeritus
laurence's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: San Diego
Posts: 5,267
Re: Knowing when to move on

Yeah, thanks for the input, it's definitely not just about the money, but I could be 20k underpaid at this point. I'd like it to work out where I am, but my patience is running thin. I have to get an offer from the other company before there is even an issue, though.
laurence is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Knowing when to move on
Old 07-22-2005, 10:13 PM   #10
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Jay_Gatsby's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,719
Re: Knowing when to move on

Laurence,

I know exactly the feeling to which you are referring. I also feel underpaid (who doesn't?) but I decided to look at things another way to give myself a little perspective on my dissatisfaction. Specifically, I put myself in my boss' shoes -- not my immediate boss -- but the owner of the company boss. What's the primary concern of the owner of the company? Making money. Period. End of story. While it's great to have a high employee morale, keep your employees happy, offer a pleasant working environment, etc... the bottom line is that a company is in the business of making as much money as possible for its owners and high-level executives.

Consequently, I've asked myself over the past couple of days what my money-making value is to my employer. Sure, I'm a bright guy, and I think that I should be paid for bringing my intelligence, drive, eagerness and loyalty to the table. In fact, I ought to get paid just for showing up, since it's my employer's obligation to take advantage of those qualities. Yet is it? Don't I have the responsibility of demonstrating my value to the company before expecting to be compensated for it? My guess is that most employers think exactly this way. In response to my demand "show me the money," my employer would respond "show ME the money" first.

Thus, the best way to get the raise you want -- whether from your current employer or from another company -- is to articulate how you can make (or are making) your employer money, and focus on those things in doing your job.

In your case, it's clear that your employer is attempting to placate you, giving you pats on the back periodically to keep your nose to the grindstone. Yet if you were making your employer dumptruck loads of money, your efforts would be rewarded richly. Why? Because if you left for another company, the money you've been generating would disappear. That's your employer's thumbscrew. You can threaten to take your knowledge and skills to another employer, but most people are fungible when it comes to such things so your employer won't care. Yet if you take your revenue generating ability (which is far more rare), your employer will do what it takes to keep you, and will continue to do so as long as you continue to deliver the money.
__________________
He had one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it . . . It faced, or seemed to face, the whole external world for an instant and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor. -- The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
Jay_Gatsby is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Knowing when to move on
Old 07-22-2005, 10:24 PM   #11
Moderator Emeritus
laurence's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: San Diego
Posts: 5,267
Re: Knowing when to move on

Good post Jay,

Unfortunately, as a Computer Security guy, I don't generate money, my company officially brands my department a "cost center".

My company also seems to have the policy that they'll underpay until you find another position, then they'll counter. I get why they are doing that, you hit it on the head, it's about making money. But that's also why I have no problem jumping ship if the scenario is right. They would have no problem laying me off if they needed to, so I should have no problem laying them off. Nothing personal, strictly business. I just want to make sure I don't hose myself in the long run for a couple grand more.
laurence is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Knowing when to move on
Old 07-23-2005, 12:16 AM   #12
Moderator Emeritus
Nords's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oahu
Posts: 26,856
Re: Knowing when to move on

Quote:
Originally Posted by Laurence
But I still ain't gettin' paid.

So my question to you young dreamers and those re's who can remember back when, how do you know when it's time to jump ship?
Um, I've never had to make a profit at any of my jobs, but I think you know that it's time to tell your boss you've found a new way to reduce expenses in your cost center by the value of your salary & benefits.

My BIL jumped from one accounting firm to another for no real pay improvement. But he cut his commute by 75% (from an hour to 15 minutes) and ended up with more responsibility at a smaller firm. A year later his salary & benefits have risen above his old job but he still marvels at how much time he has back in his life by cutting down that commute.

I guess you have to put dollar figures on your healthcare, 401(k), company stock, pay, & perks and then compare it to your new place. Then you'd want to look at the personalities, the bureaucracy, and the general hassle factors. But once you tell your current employer that you're leaving, no amount of bribery benefits enhancements should change your mind. I think TH used to quote studies where the vast majority of those influenced to stay left within the next year anyway.
__________________
*

Co-author (with my daughter) of “Raising Your Money-Savvy Family For Next Generation Financial Independence.”
Author of the book written on E-R.org: "The Military Guide to Financial Independence and Retirement."

I don't spend much time here— please send a PM.
Nords is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Knowing when to move on
Old 07-23-2005, 05:34 AM   #13
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,875
Re: Knowing when to move on

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nords
Um, I've never had to make a profit at any of my jobs, but I think you know that it's time to tell your boss you've found a new way to reduce expenses in your cost center by the value of your salary & benefits.

My BIL jumped from one accounting firm to another for no real pay improvement.* But he cut his commute by 75% (from an hour to 15 minutes) and ended up with more responsibility at a smaller firm.* A year later his salary & benefits have risen above his old job but he still marvels at how much time he has back in his life by cutting down that commute.

I guess you have to put dollar figures on your healthcare, 401(k), company stock, pay, & perks and then compare it to your new place.* Then you'd want to look at the personalities, the bureaucracy, and the general hassle factors.* But once you tell your current employer that you're leaving, no amount of bribery benefits enhancements should change your mind.* I think TH used to quote studies where the vast majority of those influenced to stay left within the next year anyway.
After I took my first full time job, I switched employers 7 times
(full time only) before I quit. Never made a move I really regretted.
Just lucky I guess.

JG
MRGALT2U is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Knowing when to move on
Old 07-23-2005, 05:36 AM   #14
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,875
Re: Knowing when to move on

Quote:
Originally Posted by Laurence
Good post Jay,

Unfortunately, as a Computer Security guy, I don't generate money, my company officially brands my department a "cost center".*

My company also seems to have the policy that they'll underpay until you find another position, then they'll counter.* I get why they are doing that, you hit it on the head, it's about making money.* But that's also why I have no problem jumping ship if the scenario is right.* They would have no problem laying me off if they needed to, so I should have no problem laying them off.* Nothing personal, strictly business.* I just want to make sure I don't hose myself in the long run for a couple grand more.*
Yeah, I like the "Godfather" approach too, i.e. "It's not personal, just
business."

JG
MRGALT2U is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Knowing when to move on
Old 07-23-2005, 07:06 AM   #15
Moderator Emeritus
Martha's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: minnesota
Posts: 13,228
Re: Knowing when to move on

You mentioned that your company has a pension. That has value. You get to spend a bunch of time goofing off in your job. That nice. Biut the new company is closer to home and may give you a bunch more money. That also has value. Tough decisions.

From other posters here, it seems like people jump ship for better deals more and more often. It used to be seen as a negative. I take it that is not so much the case anymore? When I used to hire associates, I was uncomfortable with those who went from job to job.
__________________
.


No more lawyer stuff, no more political stuff, so no more CYA

Martha is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Knowing when to move on
Old 07-23-2005, 08:17 AM   #16
Full time employment: Posting here.
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 717
Re: Knowing when to move on

I found that sticking with a job paid off in the long run.* That's not to say I didn't threaten on every occasion - always gave my current boss as a reference when applying for a new job.* *I also made an effort to make my position so crutial to the company, they would have a very difficult time without me.* It was all above board, I just made sure I developed systems that put my work at the center.* In the later years, I ended up being rewarded quite well.* The downside was it took a long time to undo and transfer my duties to others before I could retire gracefully.*

A number of my fellow cow-orkers jumped ship on every occasion.* A few were sucessfull, others ended up making a mistake on just one jump and ended up in a dead end.* You always knew when they called you for a job.




__________________
Random Reinforcement is Highly Addictive.
riskadverse is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Knowing when to move on
Old 07-23-2005, 08:34 AM   #17
Recycles dryer sheets
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 454
Re: Knowing when to move on

Quote:
Originally Posted by REWahoo!
The problem is the length of the URL extends beyond the width of my screen and I have to scroll left and right to read each post on the most recent 50.

Thanks.

REW
Not sure if this will help, but you could try to remove long links from a page using the Platypus extension in Firefox.
lazyday is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Knowing when to move on
Old 07-23-2005, 11:01 AM   #18
Full time employment: Posting here.
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 927
Re: Knowing when to move on

Hey Lawrence:

I see that you posted on this topic back in April -- this has been eating at you for a while, methinks.* I get how frustrating this can be.

I remember explaining on this board at some point that I make exactly TWICE as much as a similarly-aged colleage of mine whose been at our company for 25 years, while I've been here only 4.* My job-hopping explains the difference -- she got 2-4% for the past 25 years, while I was able to negotiate 10% and 20% more at each move.*

A few things I'd add, and a few questions:

1. Are you still LEARNING anything on the job?* The paycheck is important, the pension is important, but career development is everything.* Job-hopping for its own sake isn't the point -- its the chance to shop the experience you've got, and to obtain more salable experience that are key to this decision. I never moved JUST for the money, but for the new responsibilities and experience.

2.* Having said that, have you asked for a promotion instead of just a raise?* Is there room for a smart, hardworking guy like you to move up?* Discussing opportunities with the boss vs asking for a raise is an easier conversation to have, oftentimes.* Positions you as enthusiastic and motivated vs "greedy and whining"* (from your bosses pt of view, that is.) If promotion isn't possible, are there special projects you can take on to expand your experience base, or a lateral move you could make to add to your capabilities?

3.* Are there in-kind bennies you could get instead of salary?* I mean company-paid classes, education, extra client experience?* Again, resume fodder is more valuable than money, sometimes.

4.* What industry are you working in?* You may have mentioned earlier -- sorry if I missed it.* And what do you do?* You might find that an entire industry move makes sense -- an IT guy working in a bank might make a lot more in the IT industry itself... (except not right now, of course! ;-D

5.* You're 30 years old, right?* The typical investment strategy at your age is to take on more risk than us older folks, because you have time to recover from the risks, and your rewards are better over the long term.* Same would be true of your career, I think.* It's risk vs reward.* If you take a risk with a move and it isn't right, you have time to recover.* If you don't take a risk, you get a lower reward.*

6.* Finally, I'd say again that raises compound.* A series of 4% raises adds up to a LOT less than a series of 6% raises over time.* Building to a higher salary quickly, vs slowly, will make a big difference in FIRE.

Good luck to you Lawrence.* Try to have the attitude that whatever you do will be the right thing for you at that time.*

Caroline







Caroline is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Knowing when to move on
Old 07-24-2005, 09:52 PM   #19
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: W Wash
Posts: 1,644
Re: Knowing when to move on

Quote:
Originally Posted by Martha
It used to be seen as a negative.* I take it that is not so much the case anymore?* When I used to hire associates, I was uncomfortable with those who went from job to job.*
Lawrence
Some solid feedback here including the above quote.* When I did Exec Search, the key in looking at a candidate job movement, is were they growing anything beyond their personal bank account.
You are early enough in your career, that movement in three years is expected.* But as others have pointed out, be sure you do a good job of fully defining the complete list of all aspects of your professional life and what you are looking to see in the next employer.* One thing I encourage you to do is plenty of good due-diligence to be sure* there is Solid evidence* that your new employer will offer professional development and reward for same.
Like Nords recommended, when you do get an offer, and it is what you want, do not look back and do not allow yourself to be countered by your current employer.* If they did not see your value before, they will have a short memory in the future
Good luck
nwsteve
nwsteve is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Knowing when to move on
Old 07-24-2005, 10:49 PM   #20
Moderator Emeritus
laurence's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: San Diego
Posts: 5,267
Re: Knowing when to move on

Thanks, all, I've been at my current employer in one way or another for 5 years now, I think at my age that shows I'm not a mercenary.

I do have very specific things I want from my new job, so I expect my interview (if I get one) will be more two sided than the last time I went for a job. I am enjoying the luxury of knowing there is no urgency to move on, but knowing I don't want to get complacent and settle for good enough/boring, steady work. I'll update if I get a nibble.
laurence is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Some BCBS plans will let you move anywhere and keep the policy september Health and Early Retirement 14 05-05-2007 01:46 PM
New Job/possible move azanon Young Dreamers 35 11-22-2006 07:01 AM
24 years old: what's my next move? soupcxan Young Dreamers 50 07-03-2006 09:36 AM
Time to Move grumpy Other topics 3 01-24-2005 05:22 AM
Need some advices - move to Asia Gates007ca Young Dreamers 16 01-21-2005 05:23 AM

» Quick Links

 
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:22 AM.
 
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.