Wages versus Job satisfaction?

L31mr0d

Ok i'm in a bit of a pickle.

I currently received my raise for the year and it was WAY below what I was expecting. So just for the sake of it I updated my CV on monster and have since been inundated with calls from recruiters offering me interviews in places which are offering around what I'd be expecting to be paid in my profession.

I went to an interview today in a very promising place, however its brought up the question of job satisfaction where I currently work.

I mean, currently where I work is a 15 minute walk away, it has flexi time and the majority of my work is project based and experimental so I have a lot of freedom to do things my way and grow. I'm also my own boss for the majority, have unlimited internet access (writing this in this job atm) and the employees here are pretty nice to work with. Its also a small company with a very personal and friendly atmosphere.

The company i'd be moving to would be offering me the same kind of work, however i'd be in a team of 8 people with a set boss, i'd also have set duties within the company. The company is also very large with hundreds of people in the one building. They also have strict security on internet usage and monitoring. The commute is also a 40 minute bus ride followed by a 20 minute walk.

I'd really love to stay where I am atm, but the wages are really scraping the barrel. I mean at this new job i'd have half the responsibilities but be getting 50% more in wages. I've considered waiting until i'm offered a job at the new place and then asking my boss if he'd be willing to meet it to keep me on. But I don't think he will as there's no precedence for it ever happening before, also at this stage i'd pretty much have to leave regardless of if he increases my wages or not.

Any advice on how I should make up my mind, and what steps to take next would be appreciated.

all the stars

Job satisfaction is much more important...

BigglesMcGee

Wages are much more important.
If you dont like the new job you can always get one you do like.

Apathy is the enemy of your bank account.

If you do a job worth X amount of salary then you should get X amount of salary.

Almost everyone makes more money from moving to a new job than staying in their current job and accepting the low salary increases because your employer is counting on you being scared to move and staying in your comfort zone.

Whereas a new employer must bid to get you to break your current comfort zone so will pay more to get you.

Its a sad state of affairs that most employers look at salary reviews from the point of view of paying you as little as they can get away with.

I told my employer this once and told him not to be looking at how much he wants to pay me, but making sure that if he wants me to stay that he pays me enough that any offers will not be enough to tempt me. I told him if i get x amount here and x + 10% in a new job im gone - nothing personal. And its too late to make me an offer when i already accepted the other job. Im hardly going to tell him im off, before i give my notice, no matter what he thinks.

He took my wage demands seriously after that.

Dont be a fool and settle for what you have. Develop financially and as a person by altering your life every now and again.

all the stars

Well, i'd rather try enjoy my days... job satisfaction matters more, coz if your unhappy in your job - everybody knows it.... hard to get up, go to work, pi*sed off going home etc. I'd rather have few bob less, and be a more content person.. depends how you feel about the rat race really... me? im a spectator as much as possible.. i'd rather be happy.. and get a decent salary and not be unbearable to be around

cronos

job satisfaction is the most important but its important to remember that you might get job satisfaction from the new job and be getting loads of money...

The goal is to get both

L31mr0d

thing is I want to expand, financially and in experience... I guess I am in a comfort zone which is why I haven't even been looking at jobs and instead being cold called by recruiters. Also, I plan to move countries in a few years, and have been saving towards that. With higher wages i'd get to the point where I can move a lot faster. It's just a question whether the ends should justify the means?

AARRRGH

It's not black and white.

If you are in debt and your lifestyle requires a high salary, then obviously salary is more important. If you already have savings, if you can live within your means, then you have more flexibility when it comes to wages.

I think everyone's situation is different, and there is no right answer.

In my opinion, long term you should be aiming for job satisfaction, but short term aiming for a high salary is ok.

lisaloo

You need to go in and have a chat with your boss. Tell him you are really happy in the company but dont feel salary is meeting what you should be getting. Just see what the boss has to say to that. iF hes not gonna budge then i think you should move on, get a better salary, work there for a couple of years and then travel with the money you save.

Good luck whatever you decide

cronos

lisaloo wrote: »

You need to go in and have a chat with your boss. Tell him you are really happy in the company but dont feel salary is meeting what you should be getting. Just see what the boss has to say to that. iF hes not gonna budge then i think you should move on, get a better salary, work there for a couple of years and then travel with the money you save.

Good luck whatever you decide

Only do this if you have another job in the bag.

L31mr0d

lisaloo wrote: »

You need to go in and have a chat with your boss. Tell him you are really happy in the company but dont feel salary is meeting what you should be getting. Just see what the boss has to say to that. iF hes not gonna budge then i think you should move on, get a better salary, work there for a couple of years and then travel with the money you save.

Good luck whatever you decide

cronos wrote: »

Only do this if you have another job in the bag.

When should I do this? Should I wait until I get a call for the second interview or should I wait until after the second interview before i'm going to hand in my notice?

cronos

L31mr0d wrote: »

When should I do this? Should I wait until I get a call for the second interview or should I wait until after the second interview before i'm going to hand in my notice?

When the company that you are interviewing with offer you a contract. Then go to your current boss and say I have an offer of X per year, I want to stay here but this offer has come up.

No point letting him know that you are looking for other jobs and then you dont get it.

At least thats what I think but mabey others will think differently

lisaloo

Wait til you are offered another job but if not there's no harm in having a chat with your boss. Surely he knows the reasonable pay for your job. if you sit there and say nothing the boss is just gonna think, "he's not saying anything about his money so must be happy enough. You have to stand up for yourself.