would you go for more money?

[timwilky]

Considering I have 25 years service with my current employer I would suggest you weigh things up very carefully

Going Pros
More money
Enhanced CV

Going Cons
More commuting
less job security
Pension mess


Staying Pro
Job security
Enhanced redundancy rights
enhanced pension (still paying into same scheme)

Staying cons
Same old same old.
CV stale


OK I am 20 years older than you with long service. This can also be a double whammy

Firstly your employers know you are very unlikely to spit your dummy and walk so thet can treat you badly in terms of salary/conditions etc. Secondly if your skills mature and become tied to a single industry/company, you will finds it difficult to find alternative employment.

I would therefore suggest, be a job ***** and go for money and opportunities from graduation to mid 30s and then commit to an industry

Yea im pretty much confined to this industry now, which is no bad thing.

The last five years have taught me that a simple life is good. That's not to say that you shouldn't try to better yourself, but it does mean don't take risks that you can't control.

[Dave20046]

sorry if this has already been said but not been able to read everything. if you're happy in your work now that's almost a rareity these days so don't under estimate that. Also,as has been pointed out you need to work out how much of that £4k you'll see after tax, commuting expenses, snow days (topical ) and general grief. and compare that monetary gain to the decreased job security (you'll have next to no rights at a new firm for at least 1 year) and whether you'll be as happy etc.

personally,what I'd do is try get the best of both worlds:get a job interview/offer then go back to your employer and say look I've worked here x long I'm reliable and good at what I do but I've been offered x much to do it elsewhere. I like working for you,can we come to an arrangement on something. I know I can't grow a proper moustache but please overlook that as I'm a good engineer.

Your three years into a job that has no prospects. You can get more money further away, but more than that it will give you better prospects. Even if the elevated pay only covers the expense of getting to work and back, I would seriously consider it a valuable thing to do. You are stuck where you are now without the opportunity of bettering yourself or find another job which will pay you for the additional costs of commuting but give you a better chance of moving your career along the right path. Or would you prefer to be saying in 10 years time the exact same thing. Only difference then is you'll feel more handcuffed to the current job because of the time you have invested in it.

I'd look for another job. Initially one that paid enough extra to cover the expense of the commute and one that is going to give you the tools to progress. Move on from there. It's not always about immediate gains but what a little hardship now can bring you as rewards later.

If you want prospects then you may want to consider that move. Since you have regular job offers, this isn't a high risk is it? If you are moving for money alone, then I wouldn't bother for all of the reasons given. However, if an uplift in salary will make you happy, then just go to your boss and ask for it. Make sure that you have the back up and be honest with your boss.

If you have a good manager, then they will know that recruiting you will cost (at least) the same as increasing your salary and that doesn't include the amount of time it takes where your replacement doesn't know the ropes like you do.

Two people asked me this year for significant increases (8k and 6k); what they didn't know is that i had been fighting for increases already - they were below market rate as they were brought in on junior packages etc and it's hard to correct that (I inherited the team). You know, they were so embarrassed to ask me for more money, but as a manager I am looking for an ROI and if i think I will get it I will do what I can. Don't be embarrassed if you are doing a good job. I'm not embarrassed that they asked, I'm happy that they are happy to stay here and it only takes a bit of money to fix that! You may find your boss is the same...