Crazy Job Situation: What Would You Do?

So just to update you guys. The college called me today and offered me the job. They are offering a lower salary somewhat, but the benefits appear to be comparable to what I currently have. I really don't know about the comparison between payroll tax in NC to VA, I'm assuming it's not a HUGE difference, but I really would have to see I guess. It's closer, which is great, but you have to pay to park everyday. So, that's going to be a bit of a cost each month. I would figure staff and facility wouldn't have to pay to park, but we do. They do offer two free classes a year, so I could continue my education free as long as I'm employed with the college. I might take advantage of that.

Anyway, it's kind of a hard decision, because they won't tell me any more details in terms of the employee benefits until I agree to take the job. I'm leaning toward taking it, but I guess I would have felt better if my salary didn't change any. It's kind of a wing and a prayer as to if there will be any type of career advancement there. I really would like to stick with I.T., but I'm also open to advancement in other avenues if this opportunity offers me such.

I have to let them know tomorrow.

So just to update you guys. The college called me today and offered me the job. They are offering a lower salary somewhat, but the benefits appear to be comparable to what I currently have. I really don't know about the comparison between payroll tax in NC to VA, I'm assuming it's not a HUGE difference, but I really would have to see I guess. It's closer, which is great, but you have to pay to park everyday. So, that's going to be a bit of a cost each month. I would figure staff and facility wouldn't have to pay to park, but we do. They do offer two free classes a year, so I could continue my education free as long as I'm employed with the college. I might take advantage of that.

Anyway, it's kind of a hard decision, because they won't tell me any more details in terms of the employee benefits until I agree to take the job. I'm leaning toward taking it, but I guess I would have felt better if my salary didn't change any. It's kind of a wing and a prayer as to if there will be any type of career advancement there. I really would like to stick with I.T., but I'm also open to advancement in other avenues if this opportunity offers me such.

I have to let them know tomorrow.

The bolded part seems very sketchy. Benefits should be something that are up front. Will the parking costs and lower salary net you less money, per month, than your previous job? I also look at the basic commute and put an hourly figure (same as my job) on that time to figure out which position is best. Good luck either way, but not disclosing the entire benefits package seems very suspect.

The bolded part seems very sketchy. Benefits should be something that are up front. Will the parking costs and lower salary net you less money, per month, than your previous job? I also look at the basic commute and put an hourly figure (same as my job) on that time to figure out which position is best. Good luck either way, but not disclosing the entire benefits package seems very suspect.

I was thinking the same thing Daseal. I mean, I was able to go on their website and look at some of the insurance benefits and so forth, but usually I would think that a future employer would call you in for another interview to talk specifics about all of your benefits. Then again, maybe that doesn't happen everywhere.

Here's what I'm thinking in terms of the cost to commute. I suppose I would spend less on gas, but gasoline in NC cost a good 20 to 30 cents more per gallon than VA, and I always fill up my tank in VA. Parking at my present job is free, where as I'm paying out an extra $60 a month just to park. So, that is on top of getting paid a lesser salary than what I have now. However, the two things going for this job is getting the opportunity to take free classes twice a year, and only being a 15 minute drive. I wished I could have given myself a few extra days to think about this, but I told her I would let her know one way or the other tomorrow. Part of me thinks it could be a great opportunity, and I think I would love working for a college, the part of me is thinking that me and my wife are already strapped for cash, and taking a cut in an already low pay would put a strain on us. Then again, I might have an opportunity to move up within the college, so I don't know what to do.

My opinion, and it's just personal feeling nothing more, is that if the new job doesn't provide a clear advancement path then the other parts don't make up for the pay cut. If it were a foot in the door type opportunity I could understand taking a flyer and going for it but it doesn't sound like it has strong potential that way. Gas and commute sound like a wash to me, and for me the free courses would be a thing that given two otherwise equal situations it would tip the balance, but they wouldn't make up for a major difference like less pay.

My opinion, and it's just personal feeling nothing more, is that if the new job doesn't provide a clear advancement path then the other parts don't make up for the pay cut. If it were a foot in the door type opportunity I could understand taking a flyer and going for it but it doesn't sound like it has strong potential that way. Gas and commute sound like a wash to me, and for me the free courses would be a thing that given two otherwise equal situations it would tip the balance, but they wouldn't make up for a major difference like less pay.


That right there is exactly how I'm feeling right now. Problem is, my wife is so eager for me to work closer to home, that I don't think she's considering all the financial details. She just wants me closer to home so that I'm not having to drive so much, which I understand. I do have nights where I come home tired and not wanting to do much. However, she also knows that I worry enough about money that taking a pay cut would probably have me tied in knots.

So just to update you guys. The college called me today and offered me the job. They are offering a lower salary somewhat, but the benefits appear to be comparable to what I currently have. I really don't know about the comparison between payroll tax in NC to VA, I'm assuming it's not a HUGE difference, but I really would have to see I guess. It's closer, which is great, but you have to pay to park everyday. So, that's going to be a bit of a cost each month. I would figure staff and facility wouldn't have to pay to park, but we do. They do offer two free classes a year, so I could continue my education free as long as I'm employed with the college. I might take advantage of that.

Anyway, it's kind of a hard decision, because they won't tell me any more details in terms of the employee benefits until I agree to take the job. I'm leaning toward taking it, but I guess I would have felt better if my salary didn't change any. It's kind of a wing and a prayer as to if there will be any type of career advancement there. I really would like to stick with I.T., but I'm also open to advancement in other avenues if this opportunity offers me such.

I have to let them know tomorrow.

I'm not sure but if you live in NC the employee may have to pay NC state taxes for you and not VA taxes.

skinsguy - Try to negotiate the parking into your salary (60*12, $720; see if they'll go up $1000 on your starting salary). That can help make up for the loss in salary, knowing that you've made up for having to pay to park. And even without the career advancement, on-the-job experience plus any IT classes you can take will help make the jump elsewhere if you can't advance at the college.

However, I would really sit down and figure out the salary difference between your current job/commute and your new job/commute before making a final decision. Especially since you said money is tight.

Lots of good advice here already.

I've hired a lot of people over the years and never "judged" somebody for taking every great opportunity that passed their way, as long as it was ethical and legal. Two me, that's a two week notice unless you're managing a dept, region, division, etc or strictly in sales. Then you get to walk the eff out :)

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the good advice you have given me. After talking it over with my wife, I realized that I need to just call the college up and ask for more information before I decide either way. There are a lot of pros and a lot of cons to this decision, but some of the cons are things that I think directly effect me and my wife's financial health.

Having worked in the I.T. field for almost eight years now, and just a couple years away from hitting the big 4-0, I feel that at this point in my life, my career needs to be moving forward, not restarting back to square one. At times, you do take a step back to move two steps forward, especially if it's with a company that is offering you the job you have always wanted, but maybe it starts you out at a much lower pay scale, with a promise that you can move up quickly. In the case of this college position, my responsibilities would actually be reduced from what they are now, and so would be the pay. After doing a little more digging, it seems like this job might be more geared toward being a data entry type of job, with a few minor responsibilities above that, but nothing like the responsibilities that I have at my present job.

Having said that, I'm not sure if this situation falls under the category of taking a step back to move steps forward, or if it's just plainly taking a step back, merely to have a closer drive. I am thinking about all the great things that the college can offer that is indirect of "benefits", such as a place to workout, play tennis, college atmosphere, discounts on events hosted by the college, the free classes, etc.... I don't know if those things are enough to sway me. I DO think if they offered me equal pay as I'm making now, then the thought of the free classes would probably be enough to make it work.

But anyways, I think I just need to call them back and ask some more detailed questions. If it was just me, and I was a few years younger, then it would probably be an opportunity worth taking the risk. But, I'm getting close to 40, I'm now married, will start a family soon, and I feel this point in my life and career, I need to look for opportunities that give me ways of growing in my career.

If the school has a better IT job that just opened up why don't you ask to interview for that job or am I missing something.