Career talk: How much does money matter

So here's my sitch. I've been in a job for 4 years now that I love. However, the money isn't so good. I know for a fact that I'm paid far less than my counterparts at other companies. However, I've always maintained that I 'do what I love b/c I love it--not necessarily for the money.' But I'll admit, I sometimes feel a little resentful b/c my work load continues to grow and my salary has creeped very, very slowly in the past few years.
So I'm approached by another company. It's a lateral move and same level in the department, but the pay is much more up to scale. I'm now a front runner for that job, but I'm a little hesitant b/c I'm afraid I won't be as happy as I am here. I've asked a few mentors for advice about leaving and also what they think of the work enviroment there--- of course, their opinions are split down the matter. The company told me they want to know that I'll be comitted to this position and a) not leave for a higher title in the near future. b) use it as leverage for my current job (but doubt they would be able to counter this much anyway).

WWYD? Would you be swayed by the money?

Can you go to your current bosses and inform them that you LOVE being at your job--but the money issue is a big deal breaker right now and another company wants you?

I remember watching a story about women in business---and it was saying how the #1 thing that women don't do that their male counterparts do--is negotiate their salary as much as they should! Who knows? If you want to your company heads and said 'I love this place--but I need to paid what I am worth--and this place will give that to me--can you match it?'


I would try that approach first---and then if they say they can't help you--I would seriously consider the options of the other job. The pay...the chance for advancement...benefits...look at the whole picture

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Posted by MJDoc12

Can you go to your current bosses and inform them that you LOVE being at your job--but the money issue is a big deal breaker right now and another company wants you?

I remember watching a story about women in business---and it was saying how the #1 thing that women don't do that their male counterparts do--is negotiate their salary as much as they should! Who knows? If you want to your company heads and said 'I love this place--but I need to paid what I am worth--and this place will give that to me--can you match it?'


I would try that approach first---and then if they say they can't help you--I would seriously consider the options of the other job. The pay...the chance for advancement...benefits...look at the whole picture

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Agreed! I reada book that interviewed diff people including several female CEOs and bosses who said they pay their male employees better and give more raises because the men ASK where women generally do not.

If you do a good job there and they like you, it will not hurt to ask.

I know I myself with this sh*tty job am STILL hesitant to take a new one because you start wodnering 'what if': what if the people aren't as friendsly? What if my new boss is worse than my boss now? What if that company's longevity isnt as good as mine....

You will make yourself nuts! You cant think like that. I would do what Mel suggested and if not, make a list of pros and cons. Money isnt evrything BUT it can make lfe easier...depends on who you're working for and the conditions. I make LOTS here but HATE IT. Too much stress. I would rather make less and cut back on spending.

I would go to my boss & tell them that i got a great offer to do the same work, but the pay is much more.

I am all for doing what you love, but you still have to make a living or you might as well be doing volunteer/charity work. You are an asset to the company & they should pay you what you are worth. If they truly view you as an asset to comapany, they will try to keep you. Even if they can't match the other companies offer, they might still give more than you would normally get.

For example, if the other company is offering you 15% more, but your job can't match that, maybe they can only do 10 or 12% more. But if you had said nothing at all & just stayed, your normal raise would have only been 5%. This way you get to stay where you feel comfortable & you still get a good pay raise.

I say give it a shot!!!

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Posted by Jennifer907

I agree with the others. You should go to your boss and tell them you have a better offer. If they want to keep you, more than likely they will at least match it. What do you have to lose if they say no? You already have this other job lined up.

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I agree with this. starting anew job is scary. on your first day at the job you love you were probably a little scared going on so that is normal but eventually it will be second nature. Why should you get paid less to do something you know you're good at and can make a lot more doing. money should not be the end all be all of happiness but it certainly helps.

i agree with everyone else..

def approach your boss..

but the catch is to do it the right way.. maybe start off talking to him/her about your goals at the company how you enjoy your role and so on and then slide in that you were offered a postion similar to the one you have and that the pay is x %age more. Then go on to say that you wanted to talk to him/her about it because you enjoy the work and the company and wanted to see if there was anything they could do to match it.

assuming the companys are similar in size i dont see why they wouldnt.. it would cost them more to try and replace you and it sounds like you are an asset to the company and have a good relationship with them..

what i have learned is that you'll never know unless you ask.. i used to just accept and go but now i open my mouth about any issue i have.. learned that thats what everyone else does so why shouldnt i!

good luck!

Thanks all for the advice. I don't have a solid offer yet--was just told today I'm one of the two finalist. Do you think I should approach my boss now and say this is a possibility or wait? The boss at the other place said she doesn't want someone who will mull it over and see what my current company will counter. She's looking for someone is 100% into it no matter what as soon as they get the offer. OY, can't say that I am yet.
Got lots of thinking to do....weighing pros and cons. Thank you for all the insight.

Personally, although money does help (because you need it to live, pay the bills, and it is also nice to spoil yourself), you need to really think if you would like your job. Trust me, from experience, as an attorney who left a higher paying job in Manhattan for a lower paying one in Central Islip, your happiness and integrity come first. I was verbally abused at my Manhattan firm, my co-workers were unfriendly and I was on call all the time (like over a weekend that I had plans to do a document production which wasn't even a priority with no help). I love my job here. Sure, I don't make as much as other attorneys, but I get tons of courtroom experience, I love my co-workers, and I have a chance to meet great attorneys and work with different judges. Which leads me to my next question-will the position you are in help you in achieving your future goals? Will you gain experience.

Bottom line-its really your and DH's decision, but happiness at work goes a long way...it is priceless. To me personally, making more money but constantly being depressed and sick was not worth it.

Maybe you can use this for negotiation?

haha i've been in the same stressful situation this week... i've been at my job for 4.5 yrs... rec'd an offer from a bigger company..then my job counter offered.. but i decided to go with the new job. I am also worried...will i like it? will i advance as i thought i would? will i like my boss? co workers? But with any new job... you will have these thoughts. I think you should go with your gutt feeling and with what opportunity will make you happiest and also help further your career. And if your choice is staying w/ your company... by all means you should ask for more money..the worst thing they can say is no...and then you can see how much the $ factor weighs into your decision.

my company gave me a 2nd counter offer now... and now i decided to stay... you never know what you will do until you are in the situation!

Congratulations on the new job offer!

I'm going to offer a different viewpoint. I don't think you should use the counteroffer as leverage for your current position. Your current bosses will know that you've been looking somewhere else and that you're dissatisfied enough to interview somewhere else, even though they may not know it's salary-related.

So let's say you turn down the offer and stay with your current company. You're marked as (almost) deserter in your current firm and you've burned your bridge with the new company, too.

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I sometimes feel a little resentful b/c my work load continues to grow and my salary has creeped very, very slowly in the past few years.

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I think you should ask your boss for a raise, based on your performance, the increase in your job responsibilities. Mention the information from your new offer as 'market research' but don't mention the offer itself specifically.

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I'm a little hesitant b/c I'm afraid I won't be as happy as I am here.

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This is normal to feel. But is it based on anything concrete or is it fear? Did you see or experience anything specific during your interview with the new company that made you feel that way?

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The boss at the other place said she doesn't want someone who will mull it over and see what my current company will counter. She's looking for someone is 100% into it no matter what as soon as they get the offer.

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I'm not sure what the new boss' exact words here, but you should receive a reasonable amount of time to consider the offer on its own merits. Of course, she doesn't want someone playing companies against each other, only to leave her hanging and that's fair. But I would be wary of a company that doesn't give you at least a few days or a week to think over the offer, even if you didn't have the money issue with your original company. If she doesn't, I think that's a red flag.

Good luck!