Guys and gals:

I am currently deciding to take a new job offer. From everyones' experiences, what are some of your criterias for switching to a new company?

This is the situation: My current company has had lay-offs and there's been rumors they will have another one. I'm the low guy on the totem poll in our group, along with my fairly high salary level spells doom for me, if our group were to be affected. The new company is just that: A NEW COMPANY! They have merged with a large asian company from Taiwan. They have a large market share in Asia but want to dip into the US/Canadian markets.

I would take a pay cut only because I do not have experience in this specific field. It's not that significant though. There is tremendous potential for me at the new place. I would have a new job responsibilities(mostly more managerial/sales duties)

My current company is a large corporation while the new company is backed by, but is small. They're planning on ramping up and thus, needs guys like myself to get them rolling.

Any opinions, experiences, etc would be greatly appreciated thanks! =)

 

9000RPM,

Start sending out resume's bud...

I was working at Telescan when I heard a bunch of rumor of layoffs.

Over the weeks I waited for 3 layoffs before I started sending resumes...I was gone on the 4th layoff. I waited too long and I was out of the job for a couple months!

 

9000rpm-

A couple of thoughts.

If you're leaving your current company because of a fear of layoffs, how much due diligence have you done on your protection at the new company. It would seem to me that if you are at the bigger company now, you could have some severance coming your way. Can you get the new company to give you a contract?

If you are going to the new company for increased opportunity, I would question the wisdom of taking on a new position with greater responsiblitiy in an uncertain environment with less pay, albeit marginally less. Risk must always be accompanined by reward.

On a personal note, I started my career with Citibank (about as big as you can imagine). I left the bank when I had an incredible experience to start a new company. At the time, I was offered better pay, better opportunity, and an chance to make a difference. The offset was a huge commitment of time/blood/sweat/tears. I was very young, no serious relationships and nothing to lose.

My gamble paid off. I got into a company when it was less than 40 people. We grew it to nearly 400 and took it public. No, it wasn't a dot com, but it was pretty rewarding anyway. I got to do a lot of cool stuff and was able to really spread my wings. I made a ton more money there than I would have if I stayed with Citi. The downside was that I basically gave away a few years of my life.

Eventually, we were bought by another bank and we became a cog in a big wheel. At the same time, I found my now fiancee', had bought a house, paid off my student loans, you get the picture. Plus I knew the economy was slowing.

I was given an offer to come back to Citi. I nearly jumped at it. I figured that if I was going to work for a bank again, I might as well work for a real bank.

The morale is that my time away was benefical from a career advancement standpoint as well as financially rewarding. I just gave up a great deal of my time. Today, I am happy to put in an honest day's work and then not have to worry about coming in every weekend and staying til midnight. I carpool with my fiancee and spend the weekends doing the things that I want to do. All the while, I have tremendous job security and know that I am good for at least the next 12 months.

The downside is that I am not fired up to come to work the way that I used to be. It is no longer a passion and more of a duty.

I suggest you really ask yourself what you are looking for. Are you willing to fall on your face and start over? I was, I had nothing to lose but student loans and some credit card debt. Today, I am not sure that I would do it again with all the uncertainty.

Just my 2 cents.

 

My .02 from experience.

Out of college, I went after the bux rather than setup of CAREER opportunities. I started with a larger firm that paid more, but made me work harder (not smarter) and had little to offer me for advancement.

Next company I went with was already established, had to take a pay cut, but the experience they taught was immense.

Fast forward to current company, they were much smaller than anything before, but offered advancement as they grew larger and more profitable. This was a great step for me...I made a name for myself within the company and elevated my title within the company to a higher rank. It doesn't sound like it means much, but rather than coming off to client companies as "Hi, I am a jr. enterprise consultant with Anderno-one Consulting", I now come off as "Hi I am a senior/managing consultant for CGS, Chicago office", the clients think the world of me at first impression.

This just helps my cause when pushing ideas and billing to my clients.

Selecting career opportunities for yourself is like playing chess, always ponder of what your future move may/will/can be. Set yourself up for where you want to be, but maintain a dynamic perspective because where you want to be now may not be what you want later.

Hope I confused you more, seeing that's what I seem to do best.

 

How old are you? If you are young and are relatively free of responsibilities and debt, it's a good time to follow your dream. Enjoy your search, it's all part of life's big adventure. Good hunting.

 

I would try to negotiate salary more. Gotta weigh what's more important to you.