changing jobs...advice please

[JazmenFlowers]

so, I've been offered a position at another firm, making about $5k more a year, pretty much the same benefits. the position is the same, but the litigation is different. instead of strictly asbestos work, it is products liability of all sorts, very interesting stuff; not the same old **** day in and day out.

however, I will be starting at the bottom...I will lose the "senior paralegal" title and all the perks that come along with that. I'll be starting all over. the vacation time isn't as good and the flexibility isn't there. it's a great firm, very well-respected, but very strict about being there at 8:30, only an hour for lunch and no leaving early.

so, I'm supposed to give a response this afternoon and I'm trying to weigh my options before I do. what do you think?

and here's another thing. when I give my notice, I know my current firm is going to try to keep me. there's no one else that can handle 26 big name clients (4 are our firm's biggest money makers) and the case load I have. so, I'll have to deal with that too.

[Nixxxed]

IF YOUR CU ... whoops ... If your current firm really values and wants to keep you, they'll make a counter-offer. You haven't told them yet?

Are you just after more variety & money? Will that be worth the loss of "freedom" that you have at your current position (the start time & end time stuff you mentioned)? For instance, will you be able to post on the Ledge in the middle of the day?

I know - I also hate it when people answer my questions with questions.

[amber]

That's only, like, $350 more dollars/month. Which would be a lot for me, but I suspect not so much for you. I would value the freedom and better vacation more. And the "senior", and leaving early. Assuming I already made enough to live fine. And I think Nixxed is right, your firm should counter offer, so you should pretend like you are really considering it.

[JazmenFlowers]

Originally Posted by Nixxxed

IF YOUR CU ... whoops ... If your current firm really values and wants to keep you, they'll make a counter-offer. You haven't told them yet?

Are you just after more variety & money? Will that be worth the loss of "freedom" that you have at your current position (the start time & end time stuff you mentioned)? For instance, will you be able to post on the Ledge in the middle of the day?

I know - I also hate it when people answer my questions with questions.

lol. I haven't told them and I'm almost positive they will counter-offer.

I love my job, but I am tired of being overwhelmed and not getting any relief AND having to work for 5 attorneys (including 1 partner) when others have 1 or 2. I've been asking for something to change for close to a year. I haven't gotten the raise I was promised for 2 years. My main boss (the partner) is never in the office and we used to be really tight...I mean, REALLY tight. She's been doing nothing but bitching for the past 6 months. She never does the things she used to do for me...we never talk. I can't continue on like this. It's not as petty as it may sound, but I'm going at 200% and dealing with constant attitude...I just can't deal with it anymore, you know?

As for your second point, that's the kicker. I have HEINOUS amounts of flexibility and get away with a lot. Get in at 9, usually don't take a lunch (meaning I don't eat), and leave at about 4:45, never have trouble taking off, can be gone here and there if I need to...it's crazy how much special treatment I do get sometimes.

so, to go to another firm that is excited to have me, is going to pay me what translates to about $200 more per paycheck and to prove to certain people here that they better wake up. They are going to **** when I tell them. Who is going to handle their clients and cases...I mean, they are going to die. I've been handling it all for 4 years. Who are they going to get to replace me? no one. that's who.

...is it worth it? I'm thinking so.

[JazmenFlowers]

Originally Posted by amber

That's only, like, $350 more dollars/month. Which would be a lot for me, but I suspect not so much for you. I would value the freedom and better vacation more. And the "senior", and leaving early. Assuming I already made enough to live fine. And I think Nixxed is right, your firm should counter offer, so you should pretend like you are really considering it.

very true. I just know that I give a lot to this place. The freedom and flexibility is costing me a lot of sanity...I guess we'll see if they counter offer. I'm hoping so, if I'm being honest. I guess I just want to prove a point. They don't have me by the balls, like they think they do.

[amber]

Originally Posted by JazmenFlowers

very true. I just know that I give a lot to this place. The freedom and flexibility is costing me a lot of sanity...I guess we'll see if they counter offer. I'm hoping so, if I'm being honest. I guess I just want to prove a point. They don't have me by the balls, like they think they do.

Yeah. And I guess you really should be willing to walk away. Sounds like you'll have less workload at the new place? That would be cool. Also, if you already leave at 4:45 - that's not very early. And coming in at 9:00 as opposed to 8:30 isn't really a big deal, either. And you should take lunch, you know??
I would be hella pissed if you've been promised a raise for two years and never gotten it.

[JazmenFlowers]

Originally Posted by amber

Yeah. And I guess you really should be willing to walk away. Sounds like you'll have less workload at the new place? That would be cool. Also, if you already leave at 4:45 - that's not very early. And coming in at 9:00 as opposed to 8:30 isn't really a big deal, either. And you should take lunch, you know??
I would be hella pissed if you've been promised a raise for two years and never gotten it.

good points. thanks for pointing that out.

as far as the raise goes, I was close to walking out without a job prospect. 2 years ago, during evaluation time, my main boss called me in and we went over my evaluation and she wrote on it to give me X amount of dollars. then she found out she was going to make partner so she didn't want to risk that so she kind of dropped the ball on it and I never got it. then, this past year when I asked about it again I was verbally told it would be taken care of and I got about half of what I got last year (I was like, wtf? they were so embarassed, the runners delivered it. they were too ashamed to do it face to face; that's how bad it was). I even told them I'd cut off my Treo (the email/cell phone thing) if I didn't get a raise. I calculated I had spent $900 out of my own pocket over the year to be available to the firm at all times. So, when I didn't get it, I cut that bitch off. I miss it though.

I just think it's ****ty to do that...especially to someone as dedicated and hard-working as me. Sheesh. I mean, I keep deep, dark secrets for this woman.

[strandinthewind]

Considering they will likely match the $5K raise (not that much to them, etc.) - I would opt for the flexibility. Nothing in life is as rewarding as that.

[cliffdweller]

Originally Posted by JazmenFlowers

Sheesh. I mean, I keep deep, dark secrets for this woman.

Oooooh, do tell.

Hmmmm, when I first read your post I was thinking, "****, it sounds like you have a lot of flexibility and seniority at your current job, money ain't everything" but now that you've made it clear that you are doing WAY too much that is above and beyond the call of duty for less pay than the prospective job and haven't had a raise in years...well, I'm rethinking my earlier thoughts. I'd tell your current boss that you've been offered a job with another firm for more money and better perks (even if it isn't true) and see what they say. Either way you win because you already have another job lined up and who knows? Maybe your current job will promise more and actually follow through with it, but I guess that's the rub huh? They've BEEN promising things they've never delivered. I guess if you feel like a doormat who is underappreciated then that is the bottom line.

[jannieC]

Jason, I'm anxious to see how this turns out for you. I have no real advice to give other than- if they do counter-offer the same amount, I would take it and that will buy you some more time in case another (better suited) job comes your way. Please update!

[JazmenFlowers]

Originally Posted by cliffdweller

Oooooh, do tell.

Hmmmm, when I first read your post I was thinking, "****, it sounds like you have a lot of flexibility and seniority at your current job, money ain't everything" but now that you've made it clear that you are doing WAY too much that is above and beyond the call of duty for less pay than the prospective job and haven't had a raise in years...well, I'm rethinking my earlier thoughts. I'd tell your current boss that you've been offered a job with another firm for more money and better perks (even if it isn't true) and see what they say. Either way you win because you already have another job lined up and who knows? Maybe your current job will promise more and actually follow through with it, but I guess that's the rub huh? They've BEEN promising things they've never delivered. I guess if you feel like a doormat who is underappreciated then that is the bottom line.

exactly. that's exactly how I feel.

well, the secrets wouldn't be secrets if I told now would they?

I will just say that on more than one occasion on our out of town trips she has done things that her husband wouldn't be happy about...and I had pictures til my computer crashed last year.

[kak125]

Hey Jazmen Flowers,

I just recently left my job for another position at a place that is within walking distance from my house. When I found out that I got the job I was so excited and then I had to tell my multiple bosses that I was leaving and it was really hard. After 3 days of them trying to convince me to stay, they sat me down and told me what they were going to give me to stay. I told them in a previous meeting what I would be making at the new place which included 4 bonuses a year and they pay for ever penny of my healthcare, vision and dental and those types of benefits are just unheard of these days. So they told me that they would be giving me an extra $4k a year but that since I was due for my raise in July that they would just give it to me early. I was not thrilled because then that means I would not get another raise for over a year and that just wasnt going to cut it. At my new place it would be like another $10k a year for me so I was thinking they would offer me at least that or more. Well, they didnt and today was my last day there. It was such a hard decision to leave because I really loved everyone I worked with and I thought of those people as my family but it was for the best. Besides the fact that I can walk to work now, I get a better work schedule and the work will be more challenging for me which will mean less boredom at work. The place where I was at was just too boring for me and I wasnt busy enough. The day goes by so long when you are just sitting there and I have had enough of surfing the net.

So I start my new job on Monday and I really hope that everyone there likes me and that I like what I am doing.

Anyway, good luck to you Jazmen Flowers with whateve decision you make. I would go for the new job because it sounds good for you. I think once you have been there for a while that they will be more lenient with you.

[JazmenFlowers]

Originally Posted by kak125

Hey Jazmen Flowers,

I just recently left my job for another position at a place that is within walking distance from my house. When I found out that I got the job I was so excited and then I had to tell my multiple bosses that I was leaving and it was really hard. After 3 days of them trying to convince me to stay, they sat me down and told me what they were going to give me to stay. I told them in a previous meeting what I would be making at the new place which included 4 bonuses a year and they pay for ever penny of my healthcare, vision and dental and those types of benefits are just unheard of these days. So they told me that they would be giving me an extra $4k a year but that since I was due for my raise in July that they would just give it to me early. I was not thrilled because then that means I would not get another raise for over a year and that just wasnt going to cut it. At my new place it would be like another $10k a year for me so I was thinking they would offer me at least that or more. Well, they didnt and today was my last day there. It was such a hard decision to leave because I really loved everyone I worked with and I thought of those people as my family but it was for the best. Besides the fact that I can walk to work now, I get a better work schedule and the work will be more challenging for me which will mean less boredom at work. The place where I was at was just too boring for me and I wasnt busy enough. The day goes by so long when you are just sitting there and I have had enough of surfing the net.

So I start my new job on Monday and I really hope that everyone there likes me and that I like what I am doing.

Anyway, good luck to you Jazmen Flowers with whateve decision you make. I would go for the new job because it sounds good for you. I think once you have been there for a while that they will be more lenient with you.

thanks for this! I guess we'll see how it all plays out tomorrow.

Jason

[WelshWitchPMD]

Originally Posted by JazmenFlowers

As for your second point, that's the kicker. I have HEINOUS amounts of flexibility and get away with a lot. Get in at 9, usually don't take a lunch (meaning I don't eat), and leave at about 4:45, never have trouble taking off, can be gone here and there if I need to...it's crazy how much special treatment I do get sometimes.

The flexibility alone would be worth it to me. I passed up a few promotions myself due to that fact. Of course the raise would have only been about $20.00 a week so it would not have been worth it anyway.
Do you know for a fact that you will have less work to do at this place?
If your current work place does a counter offer I would stay there. There is an old saying that my Mother used to say "Sometimes the devil you know is better then the devil that you don't know." It can be so true sometimes.
Good luck with whatever you choose.

[GypsySorcerer]

I'm not sure what I'd do in your situation, Jason. But the extras of your current job do sound appealing. Hopefully, they will make a counter-offer, and you can get a raise. Good luck.