Should I take this job offer?
Should I take this job offer?
(OP)
So, I've been pretty unhappy at my current job for a while. I've been on the prowl for something better and I just got an offer for something new the other day. I'm a mechanical engineer and my main complaint with my current job is that I basically do the same FEA analysis day in and day out. This new job is at a consulting firm and the interviewer basically told me that you never know what will end up on your desk. It sounds like it will have a lot of variety and give me a lot of chances to learn and grow in my profession.
Here's the bad part. The position requires a lot of travel. On top of that, I am expecting my first child in August. Which is great news. The offer says that I could expect 1-2 trips per month average with each trip lasting about 2-3 days each. That's a lot of travel for me. I don't travel at all in my current job. I don't want to leave my family alone for that much time. I'm just nervous it will cause too much tension between me and my wife and I will want to see my new kid and be there for him/her as much as I can in the early years.
Of course the new job comes with a very significant raise so that would help. Plus, surprisingly this new job seems more stable than my current job. They are starting to outsource my FEA work to India at my current position and they just announced a hiring freeze here. So not only am I scared of getting the boot but that kind of kills my hopes of an internal job posting coming up that would allow me to move within the company. This new place does a lot of consulting for nuclear power plants and it seems like that industry is booming regardless of the economy. I even asked at the interview about how the economy has effected their business and he said that it wasn't even an issue. They are growing so fast that they can't seem to fill spots fast enough.
Considering the economy, job openings like this are going to be hard to come by. So what the heck do I do? I'm torn here. There are many positives to switching but there is one big negative ... the travel. I don't know what to do.
Anyone have any wisdom or advice?
Here's the bad part. The position requires a lot of travel. On top of that, I am expecting my first child in August. Which is great news. The offer says that I could expect 1-2 trips per month average with each trip lasting about 2-3 days each. That's a lot of travel for me. I don't travel at all in my current job. I don't want to leave my family alone for that much time. I'm just nervous it will cause too much tension between me and my wife and I will want to see my new kid and be there for him/her as much as I can in the early years.
Of course the new job comes with a very significant raise so that would help. Plus, surprisingly this new job seems more stable than my current job. They are starting to outsource my FEA work to India at my current position and they just announced a hiring freeze here. So not only am I scared of getting the boot but that kind of kills my hopes of an internal job posting coming up that would allow me to move within the company. This new place does a lot of consulting for nuclear power plants and it seems like that industry is booming regardless of the economy. I even asked at the interview about how the economy has effected their business and he said that it wasn't even an issue. They are growing so fast that they can't seem to fill spots fast enough.
Considering the economy, job openings like this are going to be hard to come by. So what the heck do I do? I'm torn here. There are many positives to switching but there is one big negative ... the travel. I don't know what to do.
Anyone have any wisdom or advice?





RE: Should I take this job offer?
If you think 6 days a month away will cause stress what will being home all day every day do when the fire you after moving your position to India?
RE: Should I take this job offer?
Talk to the wife, evaluate and choose. You said you're not happy where you're are at anyway.
<<A good friend will bail you out of jail, but a true friend
will be sitting beside you saying " Damn that was fun!" - Unknown>>
RE: Should I take this job offer?
Hg
Eng-Tips policies: FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Should I take this job offer?
Only you can decide if a more interesting and better paid job is worth more than time spent with your family, it is a totally personal thing.
RE: Should I take this job offer?
Get them to promise that for the first three months after the birth - you won't have to travel - you owe that to your wife. Then go for it.
You will learn a lot and your family will most likely benefit!!
RE: Should I take this job offer?
In my case, that amount of travel would be ideal, enough to get away once in awhile, but not too much. I can't stand being in the office all the time (I used to travel about 95%) and love to get out to customer sites. It also is a way to quickly advance in your career since you will become more valuable then someone without the customer contact.
If you do decide to take the job, make sure you take the time to do something with your wife as well, and don't say you are too tired from the travel to go out with her without wearing body armor!
RE: Should I take this job offer?
RE: Should I take this job offer?
RE: Should I take this job offer?
IF you enjoy your new job, you will be in a better mood and there might be less stress at home.
RE: Should I take this job offer?
Take the new job.
Get two lap tops (one for home and one to take on the road) with video cameras so you can stay in touch with home when away.
Good luck!
RE: Should I take this job offer?
RE: Should I take this job offer?
First off, congrats on the baby on the way (and the new offer). Your concerns over missing the development of your child show you've got things in perspective.
Have you approached the new company with any of your concerns? If not, you should. You've got this new job offer, now you need to negotiate a deal that is in everyone's best interests. Having been in a situation similar to yours (desperately wanting out of current job for something else), I know it is tempting to jump at the first thing that comes along because anything has to be better. You would do well to remember that you bring something to the table that they obviously want, otherwise there would be no offer to consider. All too often, IMO, job seekers lose sight of the fact that they have bargaining power when the offer finally happens, particularly if the search has taken a while.
Obviously you've got to proceed with a bit of caution so as not to scare off the potential employer, but if the new firm wants you (and is reasonable) they will listen to your concerns. This company has spent valuable resources to fill an opening and they won't want their efforts wasted by hiring someone who becomes unhappy and leaves shortly thereafter.
RE: Should I take this job offer?
RE: Should I take this job offer?
RE: Should I take this job offer?
Hg
Eng-Tips policies: FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Should I take this job offer?
RE: Should I take this job offer?
RE: Should I take this job offer?
RE: Should I take this job offer?
RE: Should I take this job offer?
If you foresee job happiness issues with your current job I would leave though. What could be better than a better job and more $$?
RE: Should I take this job offer?
Absence make the love grow stronger.
RE: Should I take this job offer?
Let the wife make the final decision...that way she can't get mad at you, right?
RE: Should I take this job offer?
My wife usually gets family to come over to help when I am gone. So it's not like I am putting to much pressure on her.
Zuccus
RE: Should I take this job offer?