Hello hello group of smart and talented womxn.

Hello hello group of smart and talented womxn. I am in a bit of a career dilemma and was hoping to get some advice. I accepted a new job a few weeks ago and my start date is in 2 weeks. Better title and more money. I’m happy at my current job, I proved myself and am very trusted with flexibility and all that jazz. But who can say no to more money and a better title right? The twist is that I was promoted this week, the same week I was intending the resign. I got a raise (yay!) and a new title. The money is less than the new job but now not as big a difference now so I am conflicted. Should I renegociate the new offer? Im a single mom so more money always helps, I can hire more help with my children so im not always looking like im burning the candle from both ends. Should I try to negotiate with the new job for a bit more money (base or maybe a sign in bonus) to make up for the unknown risk factor and that I’ll have to prove myself all over again? I am very grateful to have these opportunities. I worked really hard for it. However, I want to also make sure I negotiate like a white man (haha!) and want to make sure I am not leaving money on the table. Many thanks!

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15 Comments

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  1. Anonymous

    Look at all the additional important things that a job that make or break. How is the company culture? Are people happy with this new company or is turn over high? Is it a remote job or commute? How far you have to travel may add cost to gas and maintenance. Do you think you will enjoy your new role? Is it something you are passionate about? I agree that money is the most important thing but I consider these others literally right below pay. If you like your current job and everything maybe see about getting more there and talking to management about your needs outside of work. ALWAYS do what’s best for you no matter what! Congrats and good luck!

  2. Anonymous

    Thank you so much for the great insight! I work in finance so culture is always super competitive but my company is not bad at all. Also, commute is a bit better, I take public transport and will shave off around 15min so nothing substantial. It’s hard to get a feel for the new company’s culture without starting there. The roles are similar also. The big difference outside of unknown culture is pay. The base pay is 20% higher in the new role and also the bonus can potentially be double. I’m a bit scared of the unknown but I also know that I’ll need to take some risks somehow to advance my career

  3. Anonymous

    I would talk to your current company to negotiate a higher raise. If you like the people and environment, it may be worth trying.

    You could try to negotiate the new offer as well.

  4. Anonymous

    Thank you! i will try to negotiate but I know that HR won’t approve any significant raise based on conversations I had with my manager. Also, the potential bonus difference is very big but I do like my current company’s culture a lot.

  5. Anonymous

    You should reach back out and ask to learn about the new environment to include requesting to do a shadow to see what the people are like. Ask alot of questions to the staff observe their body language, do they dread being there? Also ask questions to better guage the career track to determine whether your long term career objectives would be better achieved currently where you are or at the new place. If you are asking us, it is a clear indication, you need to ask the new place more questions to get to a clear decision. At the new place you always have a risk of stepping into 2 unknowns, the ability to execute work to your boss satisfaction and whether you can assimilate in the new environment. Therefore, I highly recommend reaching out to do a shadow for a couple of days to get a better assessment of an environment. So that you dont walk into an unknown nightmare.

  6. Anonymous

    thank You for your input! Unfortunately due to regulation, I cannot shadow in the new job. I had many interviews with the new company (7 total) so I have a good feeling but tbh I wont find out until I get there. So that’s also another risk to factor in ?

  7. Anonymous

    I’m confused, what regulation? You sitting and observing their day to day for a few hrs, not actually doing the work is against what law?

  8. Anonymous

    It may be a company regulation around proprietary technologies or information. There is no way someone outside my company would be able to come and shadow me for a day. I work with confidential customer and financial information that would be ripe for a cooperate spy to get their hands on. I am betting there are a lot of companies that have these kinds of rules in place to protect themselves. It doesn't have to be a law to be a regulation.

  9. Anonymous

    Makes sense, but good luck though

  10. Anonymous

    What the PP said, we work with financial information and I’ll actually have to sit through some training to be allowed to work with that data. I did the same with my current company. The permissions are on a need to know basis.

  11. Anonymous

    You should also consider using your offer to get the raise at your current company increased. At least that would be what a white man would do!

  12. Anonymous

    If current job is not bringing you up to the salary you were offered elsewhere, they are continuing to under-value you. Why continue with all that? Also, you may enter into a company who you do not need to prove yourself to. They offered you a position based on confidence you could fill the role. You are awesome and they know it. Congrats!

    I make a point of looking and applying for jobs every two years just to know what is in demand and what I'm worth.

  13. Anonymous

    Definitely negotiate!

    Inform the new company that your current employer has unexpectedly promoted you and given you a raise. Tell the new company that you are still excited by their offer, but that you won’t be able to accept unless the salary is improved.

    If the new company asks you to name a new figure, name a figure *above* the amount you are prepared to accept.

    A polite way to ask for more money is: “I’m excited by your offer and the chance to join your team. But my current employer has unexpectedly offered me a promotion and higher pay. Is there flexibility in your offer to improve the base salary?”

    ALSO: check to see how the salary offered compares to salaries for that role in your city or metropolitan area. If the salary seems low for your level of experience, use the online salary data to ask for more.

    Example conversations:
    -Employer: I think that our offer of $65,000 is very generous.
    -You: I notice that the median salary for this role in our area is $72,000. My 10 years of experience puts me in the higher end of the range: $75,000.
    OR:
    -You: The median salary for this role in our area is $72,000. As you know, I have an exceptionally strong sales record that I bring to the table. I’m confident that my value-add puts me in the top 25% of the salary range— the midpoint of that range is $80,000.

    You can also use the outside offer to get your employer to improve its offer. If you do this first, this also might help to improve the offer from the outside company.

  14. Anonymous

    You might also consider how you would get your next promotion from each place and the PTO schedule.

  15. Anonymous

    dude, what? Put a target on her back? I don't know where you work, but that's toxic. She said she's happy in her current company and didn't indicate that level of toxicity was occurring.

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