Job offer.

[ximinez]

Got a job offer yesterday. Two weeks of hunting. Hot damn.

PHP developer for a marketing company. Located in Boca Raton. Starting base salary will be 93% of my previous salary, but there's a lot of potential for solid and quick advancement. The company has about 150 employees, and should bring a level of stability that I haven't had for a few years. I'd start August 8 or sooner. Bimonthly pay cycle.

Pros:

1. Benefits start on day 1, which is huge since most places start after 3 months, and my severance coverage will run out by then. Medical and vision (with open access HMO or a POS). Dental PPO. Company paid life insurance, short and long term disability. 401K with 4% matching. Flexible spending account (pre-tax). Available discounted health club membership. 9 paid holidays. Two weeks paid vacation year one, three weeks year two, 4 weeks year 5. One week sick leave, two days "personal leave".
   
2. Direct deposit.
   
3. If this works out, we'd have a foothold further north to be able to move out of Miami.

Cons:

1. 35 mile commute.
   
2. Small pay cut.
   
3. There's pretty much no way I'd be able to continue at FIU.
   
4. Isn't there a rule of thumb about not taking the first offer?

Migitaging factors:

1. The commute is mostly against traffic, and may end up being the same time or less than my old 14 mile 45-60 minute commute. (Need to leave here early one morning to test that.)
   
2. 5 or 6 weeks of severance (depending on when I start) will be about 10% of my old salary. 93% + 10% = 103%, which is more like a very small raise. And the company is switching to a quarterly review / raise cycle, which could put my first raise before year-end.
   
3. FAU's main campus is less than 6 miles away.

The delimma: This is my first offer. But it's the best one on the immediate horizon. If I take this offer, I'll get double paid for a few weeks, and can stop worrying about this insane job hunt. OTOH, with 7 weeks of severance left, I have the luxury of being able to wait if I want to. I really don't want to, but I have a strong sense of doubt about whether I should wait for something better.

Comments

[heathrow.livejournal.com]

Well, the most importnat question is if you like this place. Did you feel a certain something with the co-workers?

[ximinez]

Yes, in fact, I did. I only actually met a couple of people, but I noticed a lot of smiling faces.

Funny story: They have two floors of a multi-story building. I got off the elevator on the wrong floor on my way from the recruiter (in the same building) to the interview, and an employee very quickly noticed my confused expression, and helped me out. It was embarrassing, but a lot less embarrassing than it would have been had I spent 15 minutes wandering around aimlessly.

[heathrow.livejournal.com]

My instincts are screaming that this seems like a good fit.

[ximinez]

I hope to hell that your instincts are right. ;)

[bexfiles.livejournal.com]

I agree, I think the appeal of the place and gut feeling go a long way towards the decision.

[ximinez]

Thanks.

[ximinez]

That's great to know about FAU. Thank you.

Now let's just hope we can pay the mortgage and buy food. ;)

[foozini.livejournal.com]

So with two weeks of vacation the first year, three weeks the second year, and four the fifth year, what about years 3 and 4? Do you not get any vacation then? And how about after year five? No more vacation for you!

:)

[ximinez]

Nope, years 3 and 4, they just chain me to my desk. But that's ok, I think I'll enjoy the beatings! ;)

[chaosloki.livejournal.com]

Just my $.02 on it.

Get the hell out of Miami.

But seriously. If possible compare the offer with what you know about the other positions you interviewed for. (Dangling participle, I know. Shoot me.) Unless one of those other positions is going to beat the existing offer by an ungodly margin AND you've got a good feeling that you will get the job, take the sure thing.

[ximinez]

*laugh* My dad keeps saying the same thing. He lives in Tennessee now - I don't think I want to go that far. *cue banjo music*

(Dangling participle, I know. Shoot me.)

I like dangling participles. ;)

You're right about the sure thing, though. The only other active, immediate possibility I've got going right now wouldn't pay significantly more, and wouldn't have benefits start for 3 months. Everything else is either idle or off into the future.

[gardenwaltz.livejournal.com]

hmm... my first stab at a reply got eaten so i will be brief

93% is not too bad going into a new position. in your old job you received several big raises so it may be you went slightly over market value, or can expect more raises in the future.

what was the vibe? are you intrigued by the work? feel free to ask them when they need a response, but don't miss this one if it looks good. getting paid for your new job while still getting severance is wonderful.

p.s. goodonya for the quick reboot.

[ximinez]

93% is not too bad going into a new position.

Good point. When I started at Free Peers, I took a 9% cut, but back then I was desperate.

I don't think I'm so much over market as under papered. (Certifications, degress, etc.) Also, PHP in general probably isn't priced as high as C++.

The vibe is good, lots of smiling faces, interesting problems, etc.

Thanks.

Location! Location! Location!

[(Anonymous)]

I think you should get outta Miami, too! Of course, that's cause I was hoping you'd move here! Oh, well. Congrats! :-)
Luv ya!
-Sheryl S.

Re: Location! Location! Location!

[ximinez]

Well, it's a start. Thanks!