New Job Possibly

As some of you know, I'm an engineer. I've been working at the same place since 2001 now. I like what I do, but have been feeling in a slump lately. I went to lunch with an ex-coworker awhile back and he presented a possible job offer to me. Just wanted some feedback from all of you on your thoughts about the position.

It's a technical sales job. Pay would be around 15K more a year base salary. I would be given my own company car (gas included), make my own schedule and travel arrangements, work from home the days I wasn't traveling, pension plan, and there is a yearly bonus which ranges from 10-40K, depending on sales.

The company is in the same industry as the company I currently work for. They are smaller than us and a private company. They sell some of the same products as us, but also some we do not sell.

I think it's a great opportunity to give me more experience. The only trouble I'm having is the amount of travel. I was informed it would probably be 50%, or about 2-3 meetings with customers a week.

I'm single, but do have a dog. I may need to get rid of her. The cash is really raising my eyebrow though. 25K to possibly 50K more a year would really let me bank some serious cash.

I'm debt free other than my house. I owe 3K on my Impala and 3K on the Procharger, but will have both paid off in November with the monthly payment I'm making on each.

Thoughts?

Tired of being an engineer or just the company you work for?

Sounds like a pretty good deal. Perhaps you could find somebody to watch your dog for you on the days you are traveling.

Are the benefits at the prospective new job comparable or better than your current job?

Insurance is about the same. Other than that, I have no benefits where I am now, just my 401K.

I like engineering. I don't like my current pay. I also have a MBA and eventually would like to become a GM of a plant, or higher up the food chain.

Without knowing your cost of living there, it sounds pretty good.

Maybe you could find a puppy sitter, or even take him/her with you when you travel?:dunno:

Kind of a bummer..:(

I'd hate to let my dog go but with the econ. the way it's going I could see having to do so..

Definetly need a work place with some benefits also..

Good Luck!

You already know my thought on the issue.

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Originally Posted by Smittro

Without knowing your cost of living there, it sounds pretty good.

Maybe you could find a puppy sitter, or even take him/her with you when you travel?:dunno:

Kind of a bummer..:(

I'd hate to let my dog go but with the econ. the way it's going I could see having to do so..

Definetly need a work place with some benefits also..

Good Luck!

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+1

Good luck with it!

Yea, I'm doubting anyone would watch my dog 3 days a week for me on a continued basis. I wouldn't move. I'd still be stationed in the area. I would probably be able to pay my house off in a handful of years if things really worked out at this new job though.

Only considering giving her up bc I wouldn't want to kennel her that much. It just wouldn't be fair to her to live like that. I dunno. I had to give a dog up once and I hated it.

I just don't see myself going anywhere where I am currently employed is all.

You are single. The travel won't be a problem.

It's an opportunity to get some additional financial foundation under your feet.

Try to live on your current income and bank the extra for a while (easier said than done, I know)

I say go for it.

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Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS

Yea, I'm doubting anyone would watch my dog 3 days a week for me on a continued basis. I wouldn't move. I'd still be stationed in the area. I would probably be able to pay my house off in a handful of years if things really worked out at this new job though.

Only considering giving her up bc I wouldn't want to kennel her that much. It just wouldn't be fair to her to live like that. I dunno. I had to give a dog up once and I hated it.

I just don't see myself going anywhere where I am currently employed is all.

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I hear ya,, still a little sad though.

But if you're not happy where you're working now that is'nt so good either, as I'm sure you know better than anyone..

Hopefully something arises where you won't have to let your puppy go..

Losing your pup can leave a hole right through the middle of you.. Ask me how I know..:(

Best wishes man..

I say try it out, do your best not to burn bridges on the way out just in case.

Sent using my telèfono

make sure your company doesn't have a clause that doesn't let you work for a direct competitor; since you say they're in the same market.

If you're doing engineering design stuff, are you sure you want to leave that and get into the sales side of it. You may realize it's not worth the extra money.

I did the same thing, left a design engineer position and went into the controls industry due to the money. Thought it'd be nice to have experience in both sides; machinery design, and the controls side of it, but now I'm getting sick of the constant travel and it's getting harder to get back into the design side because I've been away from it for so long. They either say I'm not current with my experience in the design industry or I can start back at the bottom rung an take a pay cut. Can't do that with a family.

Hope you make a decision that'll give you long term satisfaction.

Single, with an opportunity for significantly more income, and travel... Hmmmmmmm. I would not over engineer the logistics... ;)
Seems like an opportunity to branch into a new area (technical sales), with a solid background in the general field, while earning more income. Basically I would consider this almost too good to be true in our current economic state. As for the dog, I hear you loud and clear, but a family will tie you down even more firmly. Experience what you can now before you end up with kids to feed and get to school on time. Your dog, no matter how great, only needs to find a loving family and he will end up having a very happy dog life. I'm sure you can engineer a plan to find him a great home. Think of it as sending him off on a new "career" just as you will be doing.

Well, that's where I am. I may try to use this as a way to increase my pay where I am now if nothing else.

I like traveling, but I've done it before on a regular basis and didn't like it so much.

There is a non-compete clause if they lay you off and give you a severance pay. I don't think there's one for leaving on your own will. The guy who told me about the job worked where I am now and when he left is when he started working at the place that has the open position.

Still have some things to consider, but I think it's at least worth checking out.

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Originally Posted by That Guy 2-1

make sure your company doesn't have a clause that doesn't let you work for a direct competitor; since you say they're in the same market.

If you're doing engineering design stuff, are you sure you want to leave that and get into the sales side of it. You may realize it's not worth the extra money.

I did the same thing, left a design engineer position and went into the controls industry due to the money. Thought it'd be nice to have experience in both sides; machinery design, and the controls side of it, but now I'm getting sick of the constant travel and it's getting harder to get back into the design side because I've been away from it for so long. They either say I'm not current with my experience in the design industry or I can start back at the bottom rung an take a pay cut. Can't do that with a family.

Hope you make a decision that'll give you long term satisfaction.

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What do you dislike about the travel? Tiring? Always on the go? Being away from friends and family too much? No consistent schedule?

Willing to bet because of your type of job you will give your notice and they will escort you out within an hour. Its how it works.

They will either give you a raise to stay or you can walk and start the other job sooner. :) Be prepared to walk though.

I would tend to agree with that. :yup:

I would not let the door hit me on the ass on the way out. That is all.

I have no foul feelings towards anyone at work at all. I have good relationships with everyone for the most part. I just feel I'm highly underutilized and by staying there my career with be nothing more then an engineer working on the same thing always.

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Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS

As some of you know, I'm an engineer. I've been working at the same place since 2001 now. I like what I do, but have been feeling in a slump lately. I went to lunch with an ex-coworker awhile back and he presented a possible job offer to me. Just wanted some feedback from all of you on your thoughts about the position.

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You're an engineer and have been at the same place for over 10 years? What blackmail do you have on the execs? :)

More importantly, if you're in design, you do realize that 99% of the time, going into a sales job is a one way path. And, you often have to meet BS sales goals. And, when there's a downturn (and there are always downturns in real life), the sales staff is one of the first places to have cuts made.


Regarding the doggie:
Do you have a doggie-day care near you?
If not, then as much as I hate to say it, do the right thing and get the doggie another family. Note, if you put an ad in CL for a new family for the dog, you'll likely burn in hell for all eternity for screwing over someone that loved you.
IMHO, you have a better chance of breaking even buying $1000 in instant lottery tickets than finding a good home for your dog in in CL. There's this brand new invention called the interweb and Google, feel free to use them to verify what I say. :)

If the dog is a pure-breed, or mostly pure breed, go with one of the breed rescue agencies. They will be the best for finding a good a proper new family for your doggie. Also, if you do that, don't be a cheap *******hole, give them a good donation. Most rescues have very hard time meeting budgets/needs. This economy has just made it worse. Also, a $500 to $1K++ donation from the former dog-parent is a good incentive for the rescue to take it's time to find a very good fit new family.

Just some stuff to think about. :)

BTW, I started engineering when we had only stone knives and bear skins to design with. ;)
jargon, node: stone knives and bearskins


Good Luck either way!