Should I negotiate some more? (Job Offer)

[HickRocket1258]

If you are commuting to PA, think about the tolls on top of how long the commute may be.

[DPancoast]

id say stay and take the 11% raise if its that easy...

that other company is interested in you now, and they will prob still be interested in you down the road if you think it over and decide later.

I dunno. I would stay and keep doing what you are doing now.

[Intercooled T]

Stay where you are, don't ruin a good thing. I took a lower paying job with great benefits and job security and while I make 20% less than the private sector, in 4 years time (our contract is every 4 years) I earn 20-25% more from cost of living raises and union perks. I think if you're working low hours, making decent pay with better than average benefits and getting cost of living raises(if you are), stay where you're at.

[bastid]

I think he might be misreading or misinterpreting his employer's 401k match. What it most likely says is they will match his contributions at a rate of 25%. Meaning if he puts in 4% of salary, they will match 1% of salary. Not that they will match it dollar for dollar up to a 25% contribution of total salary.

[igo4bmx]

Originally Posted by bastid

I think he might be misreading or misinterpreting his employer's 401k match. What it most likely says is they will match his contributions at a rate of 25%. Meaning if he puts in 4% of salary, they will match 1% of salary. Not that they will match it dollar for dollar up to a 25% contribution of total salary.

Yeah never heard of a business matching up to 25%

[TROLL]

Glad the 401k match is being brought up again because thats a big factor, and its unclear.

Normally the 401k setup would be something like this:

example 1: Company will provide a 100% match, up to 5% of your salary. Meaning that for every $1 you put in your company will add an additional $1 but only to a maximum of 5% of your salary.

example 2: Company will provide a 25% match, up to 5% of your salary. Meaning that for every $1 you put in your company will add an additional $.25, but only up to a maximum of 5% of your salary.

As others have stated, I have never heard of a "match up to 25%" which would be $1 for $1, up to 25% of your salary. If that is real then you should contribute anything and everything to that, but it sounds too good to be true.


Oh and about the job... you're in a great position right now, you're in control. You have options and a fallback plan. I would keep it professional but not be afraid to be aggressive... be polite and professional but ask for what you want and don't be afraid to go back and forth with them a couple times. Let them know that it would only make sense for you to leave/stay if they can make _______ happen, and that you'd really like for that to work out so hopefully they can work with you on it. Play both sides... don't overdo it to the point that you've turned off both companies, but don't be afraid to step up to the plate either. You are a valuable employee and obviously both companies see that so act like it and don't sell yourself short!
Oh and most hiring companies expect a counter-offer to their initial offer so what you are doing is all part of the process.

[d16hatch]

Ok so an update:

I had never actually looked at our company policy about the 401K before but went off what I heard others saying. I finally looked into it and they contribute 25% of all deferrals, which as others have stated (25% of whatever percentage I put in). That makes more sense to me. The stipulations are that the amount may not be more than 15% of my pay or $13000 (whichever is lesser).

I did email the company I interviewed with and asked if they could "sweeten the deal." He stated that he didn't have much latitude in my starting salary given they have others with my experience level and enthusiasm interested. He assured me that with the obtaining of experience (and especially my PE) I would quickly grow. His final paragraph was:

"We very much want you to join our team, become successful and ultimately become an industry leader. We were impressed with your presentation of yourself and believe you would fit in with our team immediately."

He then offered me a first year performance bonus to sweeten the deal.


I think with all things considered I am going to leave my current job and take this new one. The work is more in line with what I love doing (CAD work) and my ultimate goal of getting my PE is more easily obtained and encouraged there. The commute will of course be long and expensive (a think a TDI jetta is in my future) but it will be very much worth it for my career. The bridge here is definitely not burned and I could return to this company whenever I wanted. I think I'm going to take the opportunity and accept the new position.

[AWD GS]

well thats a big difference. 25% would be crazy if they matched. i only get 3% matched but i also contribute as much as they allow me.

[DPancoast]

good luck with the new job man. its pretty rare that you LOVE what you are doing every day for a living.... most people dont have that or have the opportunity like you do!

[mbeem546]

I lived in doylestown and commuted to cherry hill nj for a year and a half. It was the worst year and a half ever. While I LOVED what I was doing I resented the fact that I would be stuck in an hour and twenty mins of traffic each way. Your 8 hour+ day will turn into a 10-12 hour day. Not to mention the 11% increase in salary will be out the door and more due to rising gas costs and the fact you will be paying more toward your healthcare another negative. Just because they are buttering you up by saying they want you to become and industry leader does not mean that you cant do the same with the company you are currently at. Good luck.

[tigasTT]

Originally Posted by mbeem546

I lived in doylestown and commuted to cherry hill nj for a year and a half. It was the worst year and a half ever. While I LOVED what I was doing I resented the fact that I would be stuck in an hour and twenty mins of traffic each way. Your 8 hour+ day will turn into a 10-12 hour day. Not to mention the 11% increase in salary will be out the door and more due to rising gas costs and the fact you will be paying more toward your healthcare another negative. Just because they are buttering you up by saying they want you to become and industry leader does not mean that you cant do the same with the company you are currently at. Good luck.

This +1

[420sx]

I would also stay. The biggest factor, for me, would be your current employers willingness to fight for you. You told them you were looking at another position, and they valued you as an employee enough to offer you a raise and/or bonus. Not many employers are willing to do that right now. I know at my work, its "these are the terms, dont like it? walk." It would be worth it to me to give up a few dollars a month to know Im working for someone who not only values me as an employee, but recognizes the good work I do. Positive reinforcement is a rare thing here.

Back in the day, if you didnt like your job, you could tell your boss to go f*** himself, and youd have another job by lunchtime. Times have changed though, and now the employers are in the drivers seat.

[d16hatch]

The new company has flex time so I will more than likely be going into the office at 7 everyday (leave at 6) so I can miss most of the rush hour traffic. Then they also like to work longer days so everyone can leave early on Friday.

I was talking with my current companies C.O.O. and he said that he will keep in touch with me if one of the other opportunities opens up for work that I would be more interested in. They clearly want me to come back eventually and are willing to even wait until I have my PE to do so. It's nice to know that I have a fall back plan if this other job severely sucks (which I don't think it will). A friend of mine has been commuting from Haddon Heights to Horsham for many many years. He doesn't seem to mind it too much.

The opportunity to really advance my career is worth the hassle of traffic/gas. And if it doesn't work out... the bridge here isn't burned at all.

[mcperson2k]

The only problem with your fall back plan, is yeah, they don't want you to leave, but you are leaving.... So I am sure if you ever do end up back there, that will always be on the playing field with any decisions made around you or your job.

[AWD GS]

well it sounds like you already made up your mind. i would rely on your company now to offer you a job back. its more of a, i'll be nice to you right now type of situation.