https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 11 May 2026 17:09:26 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-a-reasonable-offer-to-change-jobs#post-1888067 Fri, 03 Oct 2014 16:06:45 +0000 sapphire 1888067@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This doesn't sound like enough pros to outweigh the cons. You're going to spend more money commuting which will negate some if the raise.<br /> You might be able to negotiate with your current company for a raise if you tell them you are considering an offer elsewhere. 3% is cost if living typically so 4-5 wouldn't be enough for me to leave a flexible job. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-a-reasonable-offer-to-change-jobs#post-1888053 Fri, 03 Oct 2014 15:52:41 +0000 SleepyMonkey 1888053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>20% at least...by the way, most companies will low ball you on the first offer and are often negotiable. they have nothing to lose by low balling you. you say yes, they can pay you that lower amount. you say no, they can counter offer. figure out the number you'd be happy with and tell them this is what i want, list the reasons why and re-iterate that you'd love to work for them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-a-reasonable-offer-to-change-jobs#post-1888008 Fri, 03 Oct 2014 15:10:19 +0000 catomd00 1888008@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>4-5% is not a big enough increase for me to take the longer commute, lack of flexibility, and the risk you might not like it there. But, I get a 10% + raise every year so 5% seems pretty low! I have been looking around at new jobs (just because) and I've realized I would need at least 25% increase to take the risk and lose my convenient factors I have here. It really depends on what your financial situation warrants, though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-a-reasonable-offer-to-change-jobs#post-1887535 Fri, 03 Oct 2014 11:24:47 +0000 Mama Bird 1887535@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@raspberries: yes, they did say they're OK with flex scheduling after you've proven yourself (after a year or so?). I think that's very reasonable. For the short term, it'll put a big burden on DH now that cold season is starting. But maybe it won't be so bad in the long term... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-a-reasonable-offer-to-change-jobs#post-1887380 Fri, 03 Oct 2014 10:25:48 +0000 raspberries 1887380@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Awww, heck no, that's not fair, especially for a longer commute and less flex time. I'd use this opportunity to ask for 15-20% higher, plus more PTO and/or how they can make a flexible schedule work. (Some places won't hire you with a flexible schedule, but may be more willing to consider it after you've proven yourself dependable.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-a-reasonable-offer-to-change-jobs#post-1887369 Fri, 03 Oct 2014 10:19:17 +0000 Mama Bird 1887369@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjyw: @wheres_c: @alohaorchid: @PurplePumps: yeah, looks like it's time to negotiate. I've got nothing to lose with this!</p> <p>@jetsa: hmm, so maybe that's common. I really wish I could stamp things though :) All that hard work can't have been for nothing.</p> <p>@Aimed: that's the biggest reason I even agreed to interview! I'm now leaning toward using this as leverage to get my current company to give me similar work... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-a-reasonable-offer-to-change-jobs#post-1887299 Fri, 03 Oct 2014 09:48:02 +0000 Aimed 1887299@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted yes - because even though the raise isn't great and you will lose flexibility - you will be trained on some stuff that you have wanted to train in - that's a big deal long term and will increase your value in the medium term. So from that career development perspective, it might be worth considering. Best of luck with whatever you decide to do! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-a-reasonable-offer-to-change-jobs#post-1887277 Fri, 03 Oct 2014 09:40:40 +0000 PurplePumps 1887277@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No way! That's pretty much a standard raise imo for an engineering company. I wouldn't leave for a +half hour commute and all the other decreases in benefits for less than 10%-15% </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-a-reasonable-offer-to-change-jobs#post-1887240 Fri, 03 Oct 2014 09:20:01 +0000 jetsa 1887240@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mama Bird: I got almost no raise for my PE license 5 years ago and I use at least biweekly. It's always a good thing to have even if you don't use it. Most dot engineers here never stamp anything but keep it for 'looks'. Also I wouldn't leave for that, with the increase in commute etc I'd have to be making ALOT more money! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-a-reasonable-offer-to-change-jobs#post-1887224 Fri, 03 Oct 2014 09:09:36 +0000 alohaorchid 1887224@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would try to negotiate first, and if they don't budge then I wouldn't accept. 5% is not enough of an increase for a longer commute and less flexbility. I would actually take less money for those things! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-a-reasonable-offer-to-change-jobs#post-1887218 Fri, 03 Oct 2014 09:06:40 +0000 wheres_c 1887218@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would change jobs for a 20-30% increase. I would see if there are any other jobs out there or try and negotiate as you have nothing to lose! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-a-reasonable-offer-to-change-jobs#post-1887214 Fri, 03 Oct 2014 09:05:33 +0000 mrsjyw 1887214@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't switch for less than 20%. If it also involved less flex time, longer commute, I would want at least 30%. </p> <p>The flexibility of my job and family friendliness is something I cannot give up easily. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-a-reasonable-offer-to-change-jobs#post-1887210 Fri, 03 Oct 2014 09:04:19 +0000 Mama Bird 1887210@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mamimami: hmm, interesting that you say that... I filled out a form before the interview asking for a 20% increase. I thought it was super unlikely, but that's what it would take for me to leave. I'm glad I'm not crazy!</p> <p>@hotchildinthecity: @yellowbird: that was my gut feeling too!</p> <p>@Cole: lol. Yes, I can totally see my expenses go up because I'm getting coffee to stay awake in the car. And of course, I'd lose the easy commute where I'm free to read/do crafts/sleep on the way!</p> <p>@Corduroy: I'll give it a shot... I'm not sure if they expect me to negotiate, or think that I'm secretly desperate to bail out of my job.</p> <p>@MrsKoala: Definitely! I don't want to go to my boss and using this to bargain for a bigger salary, because she already did so much for me when DS was little... but I can see using this to ask for new responsibilities. I took the Professional Engineer exam last year, and one of the reasons I'm thinking of leaving is that there doesn't seem to be a use for it in my department. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-a-reasonable-offer-to-change-jobs#post-1887150 Fri, 03 Oct 2014 08:33:31 +0000 MrsKoala 1887150@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd probably turn it down due to the added commute and loss of flexibility. As a PP noted, that is basically the same as a cost of living increase and you could probably use the offer to leverage the same salary at your current company and keep the added benefits of staying where you are! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-a-reasonable-offer-to-change-jobs#post-1887106 Fri, 03 Oct 2014 08:11:07 +0000 Corduroy 1887106@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mama Bird: Negotiate for what you think you're worth. Don't budge because of their low offer. It already sounds like their offer doesn't work for you so you have nothing to lose by being firm. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-a-reasonable-offer-to-change-jobs#post-1887093 Fri, 03 Oct 2014 08:01:20 +0000 Mama Bird 1887093@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunshineandsushi: I'm all about the flexibility too! If we weren't so ridiculously priced out of NYC, I wouldn't even think about leaving.</p> <p>@blackbird: Yeah, that's about right. I don't know if negotiating is even worth it, because this is so far below what I'd really hoped for! My salary is already on the low end for my level of experience, but I put up with it because of the awesome benefits.</p> <p>@Mamaof2: the growth potential is definitely a factor. They say that there is room to grow, but who knows if that will happen! </p> <p>@Mrs. Tiger: Yes, it kept me up at night thinking how much time with DS I will lose if I take this job... it would only be worth it if it got the family out of this tiny little apartment.</p> <p>@T.H.O.U.: I'll try negotiating! But maybe it's just not time to leave yet :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-a-reasonable-offer-to-change-jobs#post-1887089 Fri, 03 Oct 2014 07:57:51 +0000 Cole 1887089@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One thing we took into consideration when I was looking to switch jobs was the increase in costs. You will basically lose an hour a day by taking this job, minimum 240 hours a year. What would you have used that time for? For us, the answer was housework and it worked out for us to hire someone to take that over (it had been primarily my responsibility since I was only pt before). Plus, an extra hour of driving each day would mean more gas and wear and tear on your car, and personally, I would be far more likely to hit Starbucks on the way!</p> <p>Considering those things I doubt you would come out ahead in this switch financially but it may be worth it to you for the career progress. Of course maybe the other benefits add more to the package?</p> <p>Good luck! I know these decisions aren't easy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-a-reasonable-offer-to-change-jobs#post-1887086 Fri, 03 Oct 2014 07:55:14 +0000 yellowbird 1887086@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would not take a less flexible job for 4-5% more. Not worth it for family time and the commute would not be cool either. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-a-reasonable-offer-to-change-jobs#post-1887083 Fri, 03 Oct 2014 07:54:32 +0000 hotchildinthecity 1887083@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah it's not enough of a raise to increase the commute and lose the flexibility. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-a-reasonable-offer-to-change-jobs#post-1887079 Fri, 03 Oct 2014 07:52:34 +0000 mamimami 1887079@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would say 20% - 30% increase in salary is a good motivation to leave. 5% is a COLA increase! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-a-reasonable-offer-to-change-jobs#post-1887062 Fri, 03 Oct 2014 07:41:59 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1887062@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Personally no that's not enough for me to loose the flexibility and have an increase in commute. Either negotiate higher or stay put. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-a-reasonable-offer-to-change-jobs#post-1887058 Fri, 03 Oct 2014 07:41:02 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 1887058@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The commute would be the big deterrent for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-a-reasonable-offer-to-change-jobs#post-1887056 Fri, 03 Oct 2014 07:40:18 +0000 Mamaof2 1887056@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>4% isn't that much considering you will be adding 1 hour of commute time and DH could possibly lose hours if your LO is sick.</p> <p>I would request more $$ or stay at your current job and ask for a raise.</p> <p>On the other hand - is there potential to grow at the new company? If so, it might be worth the move </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-a-reasonable-offer-to-change-jobs#post-1887054 Fri, 03 Oct 2014 07:39:27 +0000 blackbird 1887054@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would negotiate benefits or salary. You're talking like...a 4K a year increase. That's not very much. Especially if you like what you do currently. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-a-reasonable-offer-to-change-jobs#post-1887050 Fri, 03 Oct 2014 07:37:27 +0000 sunshineandsushi 1887050@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For me personally, I would not take that job. But right now, DH and I care more about flexibility in favor of our family, versus career growth and money. But that's not to say you can't still have both!</p> <p>I think it depends on where you are in your family and how much changing jobs means, if that would balance out the extra commute and less flexibility. I don't think a 4-5% increase is worthwhile the switch though. I would expect more if I were changing jobs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-a-reasonable-offer-to-change-jobs#post-1887042 Fri, 03 Oct 2014 07:24:29 +0000 Mama Bird 1887042@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been working in a kind of specialized engineering field for 8 years. I wasn't interested in changing jobs until recently because I like the work and the people, the benefits are good, and there is flex time. Plus, we were always short-staffed and I just felt bad about leaving and having them scramble to assign my projects :) </p> <p>Well, they've finally hired a few new people and I don't feel so guily about leaving. I recently interviewed for a new job and got an offer. The description sounds pretty good. It's a step up in responsibility, and they want to train me in things that I've wanted to learn for a while. </p> <p>But... this new job is in a different town, my commute would increase by at least a half-hour each way, and I won't be able to leave early to pick up DS or work from home when he's sick. DH would have to do all that, and it would be a huge inconvenience (he doesn't have flex time, can't work from home and would need to take lots of sick days). Plus, I got a pretty good vibe from the interview but have no idea if I'll really like the team there.</p> <p>I'd still consider the job if it was a big pay increase, because we desperately need to save more to move out of our studio. They offered me a 4-5% raise over what I make now. I think I'd probably get as much if I stayed where I am, maybe just in a year instead of right now. If you're in HR or recently changed jobs, does that sound reasonable? Or am I being totally short-changed? </p>