Okay, so a potential job opportunity presented itself and I’m looking to see what everyone here thinks. It is a great opportunity with an established Japanese owned company based here in IL. I’ll try to list out the pros and cons as I see them. I already know the financial rewards are huge but money isn’t everything as “they” say. Ask anything or say whatever you think as I'm looking at this from both angles.
Pros –
1. 25-30%+ pay increase
2. Excellent 401k with a 5.5% increase in the employer contribution
3. Vested in Medical benefits at age 55 if employed for 10 years (I’m almost 40 now)
4. Bonus will double from current percentage
5. Flexible alternative working schedule; e.g. 9/80 Days (every other Friday off, work from home, etc.)
6. Winter shut down for 1-2 weeks (my current employer doesn’t do this)
7. The company isn’t publically traded so there are no stock options. Instead they give you points every year that are vested every three years of when received. This means a substantial secondary bonus every three years.
8. Everyone who knows the hiring Director over there says he is an awesome guy and easy to get along with.
Cons –
1. My 5 minute commute goes to at least one hour if not more each way.
2. I’ve been with my current employer for 10 years. I have tons of history with this company and my position is very cush. I have a lot of clout here due to my involvement in several highly visible projects.
3. I lose one week of vacation and getting extra vacation time isn’t negotiable.
4. I’ll have to pay for the train, parking, and/or gas for the longer commute which will also make my mileage go up substantially.
5. I’m underqualified educationally but am still being considered because of my experience. It isn’t a definite in with this company but I have a ton of old colleagues there who all think it is a great fit for my skillset due to the company’s needs.
6. I don’t have any direct reports now (don’t want any) and I’ll be managing a team in the new role.
7. It is a smaller company which allows for the possibility of a buyout. I’m told that Japanese owned companies typically aren’t purchased because of the business’s core beliefs. Also, it isn’t publically traded so no shareholders to please.
8. It is a newly developed position without a clear job description.
Pros –
1. 25-30%+ pay increase
2. Excellent 401k with a 5.5% increase in the employer contribution
3. Vested in Medical benefits at age 55 if employed for 10 years (I’m almost 40 now)
4. Bonus will double from current percentage
5. Flexible alternative working schedule; e.g. 9/80 Days (every other Friday off, work from home, etc.)
6. Winter shut down for 1-2 weeks (my current employer doesn’t do this)
7. The company isn’t publically traded so there are no stock options. Instead they give you points every year that are vested every three years of when received. This means a substantial secondary bonus every three years.
8. Everyone who knows the hiring Director over there says he is an awesome guy and easy to get along with.
Cons –
1. My 5 minute commute goes to at least one hour if not more each way.
2. I’ve been with my current employer for 10 years. I have tons of history with this company and my position is very cush. I have a lot of clout here due to my involvement in several highly visible projects.
3. I lose one week of vacation and getting extra vacation time isn’t negotiable.
4. I’ll have to pay for the train, parking, and/or gas for the longer commute which will also make my mileage go up substantially.
5. I’m underqualified educationally but am still being considered because of my experience. It isn’t a definite in with this company but I have a ton of old colleagues there who all think it is a great fit for my skillset due to the company’s needs.
6. I don’t have any direct reports now (don’t want any) and I’ll be managing a team in the new role.
7. It is a smaller company which allows for the possibility of a buyout. I’m told that Japanese owned companies typically aren’t purchased because of the business’s core beliefs. Also, it isn’t publically traded so no shareholders to please.
8. It is a newly developed position without a clear job description.