job dilimena

[udpolo15]

To begin with I hate my job, I don't really enjoy most of the projects I am working on and I am getting screwed by management. The good news is that I finish up my MBA in the fall which is beginning to open up some doors.

I had a phone interview yesterday for a position at a global business consulting firm that is starting an environmental group to serve as specialists on projects for the rest of the firm. From my understanding the job would be interesting and lines up pretty well with my skill set. The only problem is the job requires relocation to the south. The location is pretty low on my list of place I would ever want to move. The idea would to grow the group in a centralize location to build a center of excellence for the group and then roll out the group to strategic locations, Chicago being one of those locations.

In addition to not being to enthused about the location, my wife is pregnant and due in June (the job wouldn't start until September). Both of our parents live within 20 minutes of us which would be hard to give up. Further my wife doesn't envision herself leaving Chicago. While my first preference is Chicago, my parents relocated away from family when I was young so I have a slightly different perspective.

The job would probably have at least a 25% base salary increase, with much larger bonus targets. Plus the growth opportunities and salary limits are much much greater. The group has the full support of management; they experienced no layoffs over the past two years while the rest of the firm went through at least 3 rounds and they are one of a few groups that has hiring authority.

The next step is a trip to meet with the group and learn a little bit more about what the job would entail. While I said yesterday I am interested in pursuing it further, I am thinking about pulling my name out of contention. I just struggle that even if everything matched exactly with my ideal job (which it won't) the decision to relocate would be a toss up. With those kind of odds, I am not sure it is fair to the company to pursue when the odds are I wouldn't take it (don't want to burn bridges).

So I pose the question: If you were offered ideal job (type of work/people/growth/company/$$), but it was in a terrible location, would you take it?

 

[Ble_PE]

This is an interesting topic because I was asking my wife this weekend that if it becomes necessary, where would she prefer to move if I need to for work. First of all, what city in the south is it in (if you want to tell). I ask because you already said that the job would probably have a 25% increase in salary, and depending on what city you move to, it could be a lot more considering the high cost of living in Chicago. For instance, I ran a cost of living analysis on salary.com between Chicago and Charlotte (where I am) and the COL in Chicago is 20% higher than in Charlotte. So that makes a huge difference in disposable income, although that doesn't mean it would be worth it. I know for us it would be hard to move away from our families, but we would do it if necessary because I'm going to do what's best for my family and if I determine that it means moving, then I will.

Personally, I love living in the south and I told Mrs. Ble this weekend that I would really not want to move up North if I could help it, so I can see your reluctance. Good luck!

 

[udpolo15]

This is an interesting topic because I was asking my wife this weekend that if it becomes necessary, where would she prefer to move if I need to for work. First of all, what city in the south is it in (if you want to tell). I ask because you already said that the job would probably have a 25% increase in salary, and depending on what city you move to, it could be a lot more considering the high cost of living in Chicago. For instance, I ran a cost of living analysis on salary.com between Chicago and Charlotte (where I am) and the COL in Chicago is 20% higher than in Charlotte. So that makes a huge difference in disposable income, although that doesn't mean it would be worth it. I know for us it would be hard to move away from our families, but we would do it if necessary because I'm going to do what's best for my family and if I determine that it means moving, then I will.
Personally, I love living in the south and I told Mrs. Ble this weekend that I would really not want to move up North if I could help it, so I can see your reluctance. Good luck!

Thanks. The locale I would relocate to would be about 20-25%, the bump in salary would be amplified.

 

[mizzoueng]

The family thing is hard. I am considering jobs that allow us to move closer to our families (2 hrs away right now). I can tell you that being in a city with no family, no friends, and a baby adds a level of stress to your life that can be detrimental. It wouldn't be as bad if Mrs. Mizzou could be stay-at-home, but the COL for STL right now doesn't allow for it.

 

[wilheldp_PE]

I find it interesting that a lot of people on here seem to be looking for, and finding, other employment. Aside from the rash of layoffs the board experienced a few months ago, we seem to doing quite well in this down economy. I think the employers days of shitting on the employees may be coming to an end, and they are going to start paying for their "you're lucky to have a job" attitude.

 

[Ble_PE]

^I've noticed that as well Wil. I'm not looking per se, but I am covering all of my bases. I won't pass up an opportunity if one presents itself. I don't want to be caught with my pants down.

 

[mizzoueng]

wilheldp, i think a lot of people are looking. Its hard not too these days with layoffs around every corner. In the consulting world its a constant threat as no one is spending money. I work in the Power industry and since the gov't has given up so far on EPA regs the plants have no reason to do anything. Utility upgrade budgets are down to nothing but maintenance outages, most have either cut engineering staff or transferred them to roles at plants as ops or moved them to other engineering roles (tuning and such).

There was an article in the STL Post Dispatch yesterday talking about how its not a "gold watch" job market anymore (staying with 1 company for you entire career). People now have 3-4 jobs under their belts and I don't think that trend is going to slow down. I think people will work basically 5 years, hopefully 10, at a job and then have to leave to move up the food chain. Its horrible that its come to this, but thats the way the economy is. Speaking with my Dad, who has been a union pipefitter for going on 20 years, he doesn't understand leaving a job no matter how bad you are treated. I think the older generations, which some may be your bosses, don't understand why some people up and leave companies when they treat people with the "you are lucky to have a job" attitude. I think this mentality will die out as they retire, but that won't be for another 10-20 years depending on how long some of them stay working and how much they influence their replacements.

 

[udpolo15]

I think there is beginning to be a lot of strategic moves. Companies aren't hiring because of backlogs, but more that they are starting to see the end of the tunnel and are making moves to prepare themselves.

 

[Chucktown PE]

udpolo, how far away from family will you be. We used to be a 4 hour drive away in Atlanta, after our move we are now 2 hours away. Personally, I don't want to be any closer to my in-laws than that. Is it just the location that's holding you back?

Also, it appears that the MBA has opened some doors for you. Did you go to a big name program? I ask because I'm looking at getting an MBA as well.

 

[Chucktown PE]

I also have a theory on our generation moving up the food chain. With the economy/stock market taking a big dump, a lot of the baby boomers are going to be around a lot longer than any of us expected. They won't be able to retire because their 401(k)s were decimated, a lot of them borrowed on their houses during the housing bubble, and so they have to keep working in order to be able to avoid what Dave Ramsey calls an Alpo plan retirement.

Without the boomers retiring, we're going to be stuck in lower/middle management for a while.

 

[udpolo15]

udpolo, how far away from family will you be. We used to be a 4 hour drive away in Atlanta, after our move we are now 2 hours away. Personally, I don't want to be any closer to my in-laws than that. Is it just the location that's holding you back?
Also, it appears that the MBA has opened some doors for you. Did you go to a big name program? I ask because I'm looking at getting an MBA as well.

It would not be driving distance.

I am at a big name program. Struggled with the decision considering the 2x cost (compared with a mid-tier), but don't regret it. One of my classmates started at a mid-tier and transferred into my program. They say there is a noticeable difference.

 

[Chucktown PE]

Just curious but why are you being so vague? It's hard to give advice based on generalities. I don't think there is anyone here that will stalk you. I assume you're at the University of Chicago's MBA program?

Also, while there may not be a difference in academics in the programs, you have much better job prospects/contacts at the top tier school. At least that's what the Wall Street Journal says.

 

[maryannette]

I don't think he's being vague, just guarded.

udpolo15, my husband and I discussed this, too a few days ago, not because it is real, just a hypothetical thing. We decided that no realistic amount of money would be worth moving to somewhere we really didn't want to be.

 

[benbo]

Just curious but why are you being so vague? It's hard to give advice based on generalities. I don't think there is anyone here that will stalk you. I assume you're at the University of Chicago's MBA program?
Also, while there may not be a difference in academics in the programs, you have much better job prospects/contacts at the top tier school. At least that's what the Wall Street Journal says.

Could also be the Kellogg School. The suspense is killing me.

 

[Dexman PE]

no realistic amount of money would be worth moving to somewhere we really didn't want to be.

+1

But I would also ask the quesiton, have you ever spent time down there? Is your opinion on the area based on personal experience, or based on stereotypes and "so-and-so said he didn't like the place"?

I grew up in a rural mountain town in CO and I said that I would never want to live in the big city based on what I saw on TV, what my friends told me about the city, etc. Been living in Denver for 12 years now and don't regret moving here at all.

 

[udpolo15]

Just curious but why are you being so vague? It's hard to give advice based on generalities. I don't think there is anyone here that will stalk you. I assume you're at the University of Chicago's MBA program?
Also, while there may not be a difference in academics in the programs, you have much better job prospects/contacts at the top tier school. At least that's what the Wall Street Journal says.

Not being vague, just guarded like Mary said. I am always careful on what info I put out on the internet.

 

[udpolo15]

no realistic amount of money would be worth moving to somewhere we really didn't want to be.

+1

But I would also ask the quesiton, have you ever spent time down there? Is your opinion on the area based on personal experience, or based on stereotypes and "so-and-so said he didn't like the place"?

I grew up in a rural mountain town in CO and I said that I would never want to live in the big city based on what I saw on TV, what my friends told me about the city, etc. Been living in Denver for 12 years now and don't regret moving here at all.

Probably more personal preferences and stereotypes though I have been there. Plus no family or friends which makes it hard.

 

[EM_PS]

So I pose the question: If you were offered ideal job (type of work/people/growth/company/$$), but it was in a terrible location, would you take it?

I voted yes. but terrible location is hugely subjective. I presume its at least still in the US, not Mexico or Cuba lol? I think without a baby being on board, the answer would be a slam-dunk yes (you admittedly hate your present job). But baby udpolo complicates this exponentially. First off, it may only be a handful of years. Second, the economy can only get better, if you had to go back (chicago), i doubt it would be too difficult.

 

[IlPadrino]

Work to live or live to work? There are more important things than money. Do you see any opportunities for a more rewarding employer anywhere near your current location?

 

[Dexman PE]

Probably more personal preferences and stereotypes though I have been there. Plus no family or friends which makes it hard.

My wife and I had everything set for us to move to Seattle back in 2004. However, about 2 weeks before everything was supposed to go down we found out we were expecing our oldest son. Now both my parents and the inlaws live within a 2 hour drive, and our son is the first grandchild for both sides. Because of this, we decided to stay. There wasn't a significant change in pay, although I was changing my allegences (was leaving a contractor to work for a consultant).

I ended up waiting it out a little longer and found a job in the area that allowed me to get into the consulting world. With patience I ended up in a much better position with both work and family.