- Sep 6, 2000
- 11,854
- 3
- 81
I've been at my current work for what will be 2 years in August. I feel I've reached a crossroads with recent events that have taken place, and although I don't have to do anything now, I feel that I will be needing to make a decision in the very near future. I'm interviewing elsewhere as it is, and with one particular place, I fit their desires to a T based on my experience as well as my own desires for work.
Here's the breakdown:
Current Job
Very prominent Architecture firm in Downtown Seattle. Approximately 600 employees. Home office in Seattle, with small offices in Santa Monica, New York, Shanghai, and soon London. Currently the #1 firm in the world for Retail projects.
Pros:
+ It's a very "hip" place to work
+ Lots of perks (free Blackberry, industry conference per year, beer fridays)
+ I do get along well with a lot of the people and am well known
+ It's in Downtown Seattle
Cons
- Minimal growth opportunities
- Recently passed up for a promotion (I take full responsibility for this but it has made things awkward)
- Commute is ~1hr each way via Park & Ride
- Pay is so-so
- EXTREMELY expensive medical if I want to cover my family ($500+ per month)
- Shift rotates every 3 months, I much prefer a fixed, early shift
- Benefits as a whole are pretty lackluster
- We're currently between staff, so we're extremely short handed
Potential Job
Nationally recognized Civil Engineering firm based in Portland Oregon with offices up and down the west coast. Main Washington office in Bellevue, with 4 smaller offices.
Pros:
+ Slightly better pay
+ Commute cut in half
+ Full medical for myself AND family....covered at 100%!!!!!
+ Fixed schedule, either 7-4 or 6-3
+ Overall much better benefits package
Cons:
- Small team of 2 people in the Bellevue office
- Coverage of remote offices can be as far as a 3hr drive
Based on what I've been told about the potential place, I've yet to hear anything close to a deal breaker. I'll know more when I go in on Thursday. But i'll tell you right now that the deal with the medical coverage is HUGE. Currently, my wife carries medical for herself and the 2 kids. But, she's part time, and has to average 20/hrs a week to be eligible (union). There have been months where the kids had no medical, and it sucks when you've got kids with bad allergies. So that benefit is a HUGE plus. Also, the earlier shift is something we all love, as we get to spend much more time together during the week.
Regarding the current place, I really do like working there. Yes, I've had a few slip ups that in the grand scheme of things were very small. But with how quirky many of the users are there, they were quickly escalated to become much larger. My main problem with leaving is that the things that have happened are below the performance expectations I hold for myself. As such, I would not want to leave a job on that kind of note. I don't want to be the "thank goodness he's gone" guy. My manager has very much expressed his desire to have me on the team, and acknowledged the positive things I bring to the table. He does feel that my being passed over for the promotion had a lot to do with bad timing on my part.
So, I'm torn. But this other thing almost sounds too good to pass up!
Here's the breakdown:
Current Job
Very prominent Architecture firm in Downtown Seattle. Approximately 600 employees. Home office in Seattle, with small offices in Santa Monica, New York, Shanghai, and soon London. Currently the #1 firm in the world for Retail projects.
Pros:
+ It's a very "hip" place to work
+ Lots of perks (free Blackberry, industry conference per year, beer fridays)
+ I do get along well with a lot of the people and am well known
+ It's in Downtown Seattle
Cons
- Minimal growth opportunities
- Recently passed up for a promotion (I take full responsibility for this but it has made things awkward)
- Commute is ~1hr each way via Park & Ride
- Pay is so-so
- EXTREMELY expensive medical if I want to cover my family ($500+ per month)
- Shift rotates every 3 months, I much prefer a fixed, early shift
- Benefits as a whole are pretty lackluster
- We're currently between staff, so we're extremely short handed
Potential Job
Nationally recognized Civil Engineering firm based in Portland Oregon with offices up and down the west coast. Main Washington office in Bellevue, with 4 smaller offices.
Pros:
+ Slightly better pay
+ Commute cut in half
+ Full medical for myself AND family....covered at 100%!!!!!
+ Fixed schedule, either 7-4 or 6-3
+ Overall much better benefits package
Cons:
- Small team of 2 people in the Bellevue office
- Coverage of remote offices can be as far as a 3hr drive
Based on what I've been told about the potential place, I've yet to hear anything close to a deal breaker. I'll know more when I go in on Thursday. But i'll tell you right now that the deal with the medical coverage is HUGE. Currently, my wife carries medical for herself and the 2 kids. But, she's part time, and has to average 20/hrs a week to be eligible (union). There have been months where the kids had no medical, and it sucks when you've got kids with bad allergies. So that benefit is a HUGE plus. Also, the earlier shift is something we all love, as we get to spend much more time together during the week.
Regarding the current place, I really do like working there. Yes, I've had a few slip ups that in the grand scheme of things were very small. But with how quirky many of the users are there, they were quickly escalated to become much larger. My main problem with leaving is that the things that have happened are below the performance expectations I hold for myself. As such, I would not want to leave a job on that kind of note. I don't want to be the "thank goodness he's gone" guy. My manager has very much expressed his desire to have me on the team, and acknowledged the positive things I bring to the table. He does feel that my being passed over for the promotion had a lot to do with bad timing on my part.
So, I'm torn. But this other thing almost sounds too good to pass up!
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