Since there are a lot of level headed people on this forum, hick, even the younger members have more common sense than their equivelant members on other forums, I've decided to ask for your opinion.
I've been working for the last 3 years with the provincial government as a system administrator. This system uses software that is provided by a third party provider and over the past 3 years I've become quite good at using this software.
I have a chance at a new job with the software provider. I had my interview yesterday and I think I did quite well. The interviewer said that, when talking with other people in government about this position, my name kept coming up as a good person for the job.
They offer compriable benifit packages as the government with a couple exceptions:
- There is no job security with this company. In my current job I have what is termed as superseniority - if the government decides to downsize I can't be bumped from my job because someone else has been with government longer.
- There is no pension plan although they do offer RRSP's
- There is no union - I'm not sure if that is a positive or negitive!
Then she asked me what I would expect for a salary. I said I would need at least $6000/year more than I'm getting now to leave the security of my government position. She didn't even blink and said "we can do that" :eek: I'm starting to think I didn't ask for enough money :(
So my question is WWYD?
EDIT: I forgot to add that IF I do get this job they would send me to VA for a month for training. Tom, can I stay with you? J/K :giggle:
Hmm, I can see this is a tough decision.
I guess the real question is how much do you enjoy your current job?
If things are going perfectly as far as you are comfortable with your job duties and you get along with your co-workers without any problems, maybe you should consider staying. Afterall, having a job you enjoy doing and going to daily is what most people dream of when they look for work.
If you have problems with the work you do or your co-workers, it may be in your best interest to think about moving to this job. There's no point in staying if you are uncomfortable in the workplace.
The ball is in your court. You ultimately decide.
I should of added that I'm kinda bored in my current job.
Like he said, it really depends how much do you enjoy your current job. If you are bored of you actual job, you must determine your "cost of oportunity", what do you are leaving, and what do you are expecting from a new job, compare it to your goals and see what is more accurate to them. If i were in your situation, i`ll take the new job. Dad worked for the governement 26 years doing practically the same thing, but he liked his job and there werent unions or things like that (super strange thing here in mexico, even the dogs here are in unions...).
But if i can, ill leave a "back door" in the current job, if the things gone bad, or if simply i dont like. If you are a good element in your company, sure, they`ll want you back...
Only my two cents...
What are your long-term goals? Are you going to stay in the same industry you are in now? Do you want a comfortable steady life with a secure job and good benefits or do you want to join the private sector, climb the corporate ladder and risk bigger gains or bigger losses? The private sector route will require more energy, time, and continuing education to stay marketable. The government route will require less of that so you can either choose a low-stress, take it as it comes, or you can put out some energy and easily shine over everyone else.
If you are very good at what you do, and always seem to be better than most or all around you, and have the drive to constantly pursue and better yourself in the industry you are in now, than you should consider the private sector.
If you have some plans about a whole career change, or starting your own business on the side, stay with the security of your current job until your business gets going and you can then cut the umbilical cord.
Oh, and I'm not sure where it's like in your area but here $6K/yr more for that change is nothing. It should be more like a $30K (US dollar) difference or so.
Yeah, i'd agree that for the lack of job security, (and i take it you mean by seniority) 6 grand a years prolly wouldnt sway me over, but then again, I've been bored with very competitive auto industry jobs, and left for something completely different..nothing like the change from making brake cables, to going to work as a 4 color scanner operator, lol.
It IS a tough decision, one that shouldn't be made lightly...
Honestly job security isnt all its cracked up to be when youre not getting paid enough. Hell I work at Wal-mart Stores Inc. As long as we show up on time everyday we dont have to worry about getting fired as long as we do our job. With that company you dont have to worry about it closing anytime soon. Id trade in the security of the job for one that pays more in a heartbeat with as little as I make right now 6000 a year is almost a gold mine as far as Im concerned. Id say ask them how much they would be willing to pay at max and go from there good luck on the decision.
- Thanks, you've got all our programs running perfectly. We don't need you anymore.
- Sorry, but the Gov't cancelled the contract and changed to a different program / platform / mouse color. We can't afford to keep you.
- Sorry, your job has been outsourced to India. Unless you can work for $3.00 a week, we can't use you.
Depends really on what you enjoy doing. Myself, I'm a sysadmin/programmer -- I can do both, enjoy them both, so in my case the extra money would pretty much seal the deal right there. I'm not a money hungry guy, but if they're offering, sure, I'll take it.
As long as you think you got a future there, go for it.
I could try to get a leave of absense from my current job. They will fill my position for a year. After that if I'd rather be back at my old job I could go back. If my new employer likes my performance, I could ask for more money to stay. More than likely, that's what I'll do if they do offer me the job. I just hope I can get the leave.