Job offer - what would you do?

Origen

New username as details are potentially outing. Edit: this is not intended as some kind of humblebrag. At this stage I genuinely don't know what to do.

Last year I made a career change into a new field, somewhat related to what I did for 7 years previously (straight out of Uni). It's technical, professional work and there is high demand for personnel. Getting a foot in the door was the hard part, and I accepted a job with a 1hr 15 commute. The job itself is great and I've been really happy with my change of career and the company (who we'll call A).

I have since not been actively jobseeking, but I got several calls from recruitment consultants recently. I brushed most of them off when I discovered that the locations wouldn't significantly reduce the commute, or my research told me I probably wouldn't like the companies they were recruiting for.

However, I then got a call about a position in a smallish company (100-150 people), who we'll call B, which I could cycle to in 35 minutes. Company and commute ticked the boxes. I went through the interviews and got offered the role this week. The package is generous: Basic pay is just over 10% more than I'm on now, so not a massive leap, but there is also a £4800 car allowance and 20% bonus, which has paid out in full for the last 10 years. Everything points to good support, training, career progression etc. Basically looks as good a place to work as I'm at now, but less commute and more money.

Company A has made a counter-offer, immediately implementing a promotion I was almost certainly due to get in October (I knew this from my appraisal). They made it clear my ability puts me on the 'fast track', which I've already seen working for other colleagues, so further rapid progression is likely. They will also take basic pay £750 higher than B is offering, and are offering more flexible working to help with the commute. They do have a 10% bonus scheme but it isn't very reliable. So, the total package from B is still higher, and it's pretty clear that at any given grade, B pays more and there's scope for better salary advancement at B.

A has been good to me. I like the work, my colleagues and the company. I also feel I owe them some loyalty as they took a punt on me when I was changing career. However, their counter-offer is in my view only bringing forward what I was due by 4 months.
B seems good but is a bit of an unknown until I actually work there, but if they can afford this for me, and reliably pay their a staff 20% bonus, they're clearly doing well.

Now obviously I know more about my specific situation than anyone else, but are there any thoughts out there? Is my loyalty to my current employer misplaced? Should I not put any stock in a 20% bonus even if it's reliable? Anyone have any stories where they were tempted away and lived to regret it?

Many thanks!

Mrs_Optimist

As someone who has been made redundant after 23 years loyal service I would say that loyalty is not usually a two way street.

So go with your gut instinct. It sounds like you are seriously considering company B, if you were truly happy in your current role you wouldn't consider the move.

I would also say from experience that your time is so valuable, a shorter commute will mean an extra hour of time for you every day, worth more than money, but since the new role is paying more anyway it is a win win.

Good luck.

ohreally

Origen wrote: »

Company A has made a counter-offer, immediately implementing a promotion I was almost certainly due to get in October (I knew this from my appraisal). They made it clear my ability puts me on the 'fast track', which I've already seen working for other colleagues, so further rapid progression is likely.

Its telling none of this was on offer until you decided to put a move on their radar.

Why haven't you been fast tracked already?

Time to move.

FBaby

I too would stay where you are unless reducing commuting alone would be worth any 'bad surprises' that you might come across after you start.

Working for a company that values you and is prepared to be flexible is priceless. It would only take reporting to a boss you don't get along with to make your new job a nightmare.

Either way, you can never predict the future and be sure that any decision in these circumstances is the right one. So once you've made it, never look back and think 'what if'.

Origen

Mrs_Optimist wrote: »

So go with your gut instinct. It sounds like you are seriously considering company B, if you were truly happy in your current role you wouldn't consider the move.

I would also say from experience that your time is so valuable, a shorter commute will mean an extra hour of time for you every day, worth more than money, but since the new role is paying more anyway it is a win win.

You're right that my gut is telling me to go with Company B. The win-win is pretty clear. However, A has an excellent work-life balance where you basically aren't allowed to do unpaid overtime (unless you're a director), though overtime must be taken as TOIL. Company B would I guess be satisfied with working contracted hours but there were hints that occasionally doing more is expected. In some professions people feel they have to put in 5, 10, 15 hours extra per week, but that's not me and I would move again if working only minimal overtime was holding me back.

ohreally wrote: »

Its telling none of this was on offer until you decided to put a move on their radar.

Why haven't you been fast tracked already?

Time to move.

To be in line for a promotion after a year, which is what I told was happening at my appraisal (if I continued doing well) is fast tracking. I'm technically well under the experience required for the next grade, but I meet the competencies. I'm not holding it against them that I hadn't already been promoted, as October is when all staff positions are reviewed.

FBaby wrote: »

I too would stay where you are unless reducing commuting alone would be worth any 'bad surprises' that you might come across after you start.

Working for a company that values you and is prepared to be flexible is priceless. It would only take reporting to a boss you don't get along with to make your new job a nightmare.

Either way, you can never predict the future and be sure that any decision in these circumstances is the right one. So once you've made it, never look back and think 'what if'.

Glad someone weighed in with the other viewpoint :rotfl:
Yes, A values me. But I know I'd be a valuable asset to B as well, and if they didn't recognise it, the market for people in my profession is hot right now and I don't think I'd have trouble finding another job if this doesn't work out.
B's working practices do allow some flexibility. Obviously it's limited while on probation but I'd expect more flexibility once we know each other better.
I can get along with almost anyone so long as they're not hostile towards me.

I've pretty much made up my mind - I'm taking the job at B. Thanks for your input folks :beer:

dawyldthing

I know if it was me and I could cut my travel costs to zero again Id jump to it, but then again a did give you a cracking chance and b is starting all over again

gettingtheresometime

Why did you apply for the job @ company b?

Does the counter offer address some of these issues?

getmore4less

It's technical, professional work and there is high demand for personnel.

it would appear this is the case as you have been cold called for jobs.

There is a fine balance between job hopping and building up experience to move through the career stages faster.

multiple companies is good as you get to see more than one way to do things, not just your field but the way places are run, handy if moving up to decision making levels.

as long as A is not the sort of place to never re employ you could be more valuable to them in a year or two working somewhere else.

With a shorter commute you have that time in the bag to do the "extra" if it appears it is needed.


if you stay with A, many say they end up moving anyway often within a year because the things that got them looking don't go away,

If A was to be a long term would you relocate, long commutes do become very tedious if the flexibility included a work from home that could be attractive.

If this is the sort of work that uses the contractor market there will be scope to accelerate remuneration.

jbond

Mrs_Optimist wrote: »

So go with your gut instinct. It sounds like you are seriously considering company B, if you were truly happy in your current role you wouldn't consider the move.

I'm inclined to disagree with this point! There is ALWAYS the temptation of higher salary to entice someone to move jobs, no matter how 'happy' they are in their present job.
It just depends on whether the salary increase is worth it or not.