Gah...help (job question)

[TheyCallMeBruce]

Recently, I had pondered a change in my career. I felt that at my present company I have maxed out on my ability for advancement. I started talking to my contacts/friends and applying to various companies.

So this is the situation.

About 1 week ago, I was tendered an offer at company A. I verbally accepted this offer since they gave me everything I had asked for, and it was a position I am very interested in. Then yesterday, I got a voicemail from my friend's company or company B (which I am a bit surprised at since I haven't heard from them in over a month), who also tendered me an offer . Now, today, I got another offer from company C (another company I had not heard from in a long time).

So here's how it breaks down

Company A (The one I verbally agreed to)
- Level of interest in them: High
- Gave me what I wanted in salary
- Stock options
- Parking spot
- Not downtown!

Company B (My friend's company)
- Level of interest in them: Medium
- Offered me 15% above asking
- Stock options
- Downtown

Company C
- Level of interest in them: High
- Offered me 5% above asking
- Bonus, profit share
- Downtown

I think I should do the morally honorable thing and stick to the verbal agreement. Am I doing the right thing?

[CMPunk]

Originally Posted by TheyCallMeBruce

Recently, I had pondered a change in my career. I felt that at my present company I have maxed out on my ability for advancement. I started talking to my contacts/friends and applying to various companies.

So this is the situation.

About 1 week ago, I was tendered an offer at company A. I verbally accepted this offer since they gave me everything I had asked for, and it was a position I am very interested in. Then yesterday, I got a voicemail from my friend's company or company B (which I am a bit surprised at since I haven't heard from them in over a month), who also tendered me an offer . Now, today, I got another offer from company C (another company I had not heard from in a long time).

So here's how it breaks down

Company A (The one I verbally agreed to)
- Level of interest in them: High
- Gave me what I wanted in salary
- Stock options
- Parking spot
- Not downtown!

Company B (My friend's company)
- Level of interest in them: Medium
- Offered me 15% above asking
- Stock options
- Downtown

Company C
- Level of interest in them: High
- Offered me 5% above asking
- Bonus, profit share
- Downtown

I think I should do the morally honorable thing and stick to the verbal agreement. Am I doing the right thing?

depends which of the jobs you like more. If one of the other jobs gave you an offer you like more, then tell Job A and see if they'll match it.

[CaptainCrunch]

Personally to me it comes down to lifestyle. The job that you like is not downtown so that negates the 5% offer from Company C when you take into consideration the expense of and the time wasted in commuting. You also didn't mention if Company C offered a parking spot or not, I'd assume more which adds to a $400/month after tax cost.

If your interest in two is high, then the second one with the medium interest kind of eliminates itself even though there's a 15% bump. Again its also downtown. I also have a rule that I will not work for friends because business and friendship is a bad thing when combined.

I'd personally stick with company A.

[TheyCallMeBruce]

Originally Posted by fotze

I don;t understand what you mean by 15% above asking. You asked for $80k and they offerred $92k?

Yup

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by TheyCallMeBruce

- Parking spot
- Not downtown!

To me- those items have a certain value. However you didn't say whether "not downtown" is a plus or a minus for you.

[TheyCallMeBruce]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Personally to me it comes down to lifestyle. The job that you like is not downtown so that negates the 5% offer from Company C when you take into consideration the expense of and the time wasted in commuting. You also didn't mention if Company C offered a parking spot or not, I'd assume more which adds to a $400/month after tax cost.

If your interest in two is high, then the second one with the medium interest kind of eliminates itself even though there's a 15% bump. Again its also downtown. I also have a rule that I will not work for friends because business and friendship is a bad thing when combined.

I'd personally stick with company A.

That's good advice. None of them offered parking (except for company A, but they're not downtown anyway). I'm thinking A as well.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by ken0042

To me- those items have a certain value. However you didn't say whether "not downtown" is a plus or a minus for you.

I kinda read into that because of the exclamation point

[TheyCallMeBruce]

Originally Posted by ken0042

To me- those items have a certain value. However you didn't say whether "not downtown" is a plus or a minus for you.

Definitely plus. I avoid the core completely.

[CMPunk]

Well then, unless you're all about the money, looks like you're taking Job A's offer

[TheyCallMeBruce]

Originally Posted by CMPunk

Well then, unless you're all about the money, looks like you're taking Job A's offer

I'm definitely a person that's not all about the money, but I'd thought I'd put it out there to see how others view my situation.

[llama64]

Being downtown is not the selling feature it used to be.

That said, you could always go back to company 'A' and mention that you've received other offers that you are considering. And that a 5-10% increase in salary would cement the deal on paper.

[droopydrew19]

If you take A... tell B and C I am interested

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I kinda read into that because of the exclamation point

Yeah, but he could have been saying:
Not downtown! (yay!)
Not downtown! (holy crap- where am I going to find sushi for lunch!)

I'd say company A. But I also detest public transit.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by TheyCallMeBruce

Definitely plus. I avoid the core completely.

Then it's a no brainer to me. Take the job company A offered.

[lazy_programmer]

You should go for Company B, then use the increase in salary to take your friends on a nice vacation.

[TheyCallMeBruce]

Originally Posted by lazy_programmer

You should go for Company B, then use the increase in salary to take your friends on a nice vacation.

LOL. I knew you'd be checking this thread.

[TheyCallMeBruce]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I feel a lot better now knowing I made the right choice.

When you're trying to build your career, so many things need to be considered. Money, interest in job, location...I just wanted to make the right choice, since I started my career pretty late in life, and I feel there's really no time left to waste.

[Ozy_Flame]

I wish I was making that much money! Damn university business degree and my HR major....A curse on all the well-paying financial and oil jobs!!! hahaha...

[Teh_Bandwagoner]

Originally Posted by lazy_programmer

You should go for Company B, then use the increase in salary to take your friends on a nice vacation.

Seconded.

[TheRedCrush]

Originally Posted by llama64

Being downtown is not the selling feature it used to be.

That said, you could always go back to company 'A' and mention that you've received other offers that you are considering. And that a 5-10% increase in salary would cement the deal on paper.

Now your talking!