That's great!! Maybe you should hint around about the other job and see if they give you a really good raise!!! It sounds like you're pretty important to them.

I have a feeling I will be getting just the minimum 3% raise and no bonus this year. I was talking with our receptionist yesterday and she has heard through the grapevine that our company is having trouble even making payroll... some expenses are being paid straight out of the CEO's pocket.

After Scott told his boss that I was going to stay put for the next couple of months, his boss insisted he get my resume anyway. So I sent it to Scott yesterday, he gave it to his boss, and his boss said it doesn't matter if I want to stay here right now, he's going to give me a call anyway!

Anyways, Scott's company just signed a contract with a major mining company for 6 years of work. They're looking at getting 200 people from Scott's company to work on that contract ALONE, which is why they're in a hiring frenzy. And guess what? Scott's company has turned around and hired MY company to help out with some of the work. They're looking at 20 people from our office to work on that contract alone. We don't even HAVE 20 people in our office so hopefully it will mean more money, more upgrades, and more help.

I really don't mind staying here if I can. We've had one bad year but I think things are looking up now. I may get a small raise in January but if I get all the drafting work from this new contract I can really show how much I'm worth and hopefully get something more later in the year. Besides, even with my minimum raise I'll still be making more than Scott. I might take a pay cut if I switch jobs.

I hope if Scott's boss calls me, he's not too pushy. I'd like to leave the whole thing alone for now. Scott's Christmas party isn't until January so maybe I can schmooze and make some contacts then if I'm not happy here at that point.

Sounds like a plan, Lindsay!

So now his boss is taking me out for lunch next Wednesday so we can chat. He seems really nice, and I have to say the whole taking me out for lunch thing is a nice touch lol. But I still need to explain to him that it's going to be really tough for me to leave my company right now.

Oh yeah and I want to add... I'm really embarrassed and I feel like this might just be a "saving face" kind of deal... Scott told him that I thought I didn't get an interview just because I'm a girl. Obviously it's the first thing that popped into my head because I see that a LOT with engineering companies around here. But really, I can't believe he told him that. On the phone yesterday he said he wanted to make it clear that that wasn't the case at all and they have a recruiting firm that decides what they see and what they don't see. Anyways, I'm going to feel pretty weird now.

Lindsey, it's very noble of you to want to stay where you are to help your company, however, business is business. You don't want to burn any bridges, but if a better offer comes along, you owe it to yourself to do what you need to do for you. You're a smart young lady, and I know that you know this, but someone had to say it.

Enjoy your lunch Wednesday and be sure and let us know how it goes!!

I agree with Marilyn when I was working was totally loyal ( my boss was also a good friend) but when it came to the number crunching was out on my arse not a second look. My husband has just changed jobs the money originally on offer was lower than he was used to but they soon matched his pay when he said no. See what it is all about at least.

Okay.... that guy was REALLY convincing. He was very friendly, and we recognized each other from a course we had both taken together about 2 years ago.

He got right into it... basically saying he's sorry for the resume mishap and that he called the recruiting firm and gave them heck for throwing mine out before sending it to him. He said my resume is better than 90% of the ones that came through to him. He is having trouble finding ANYONE with my experience with this program. So he really really wants me there.

They have offices EVERYWHERE and I can request a transfer anytime and it's no problem. They're just opening an office in Perth, Australia, and he said "If you want to go work from Perth for a month, we'll send you there" and I said "I don't think I'd complain about that!" Hours are very flexible after the probation period is over. I could work any hours I want as long as I got in 40 hours a week. Also, after a certain number of years I could request to work from home. I could be home with my kids all day, or I could decide to move to a small town to raise my family, and still have a job with the company.

My position would be lead civil designer, so I would be responsible for the whole civil aspects of a project from start to finish. Junior people around the world would be working under me, and I'd be in charge of making sure everything gets done on time and on budget. I would actually be designing my own stuff, and engineers would just be doing calculations. I would come up with everything myself. That's something I haven't been able to do here, although I constantly ask for that kind of experience.

The downside is that I will NOT be getting a raise. Scott is at the top of his pay bracket there, which is 3% higher than my current salary. Where I am now, my minimum raise in January will be 3% (if not more). Since I've been here, I've never gotten the minimum raise. My first year was 20% and last year was 10%.

So my choices are:
Stay where I am, possibly make a lot more money with a lot less stress. I have seniority and can take time off anytime I want. Nobody cares if I'm a few minutes late in the morning or leave a few minutes early if I have something to do. When I'm not busy I can be online, on 4WT, on Facebook, as long as I'm available if work is needing to be done. And I'm never expected to leave town for work. BUT I'm pretty much as far up the ladder as I can go in this company.

OR

Go to the other job, gain a lot of experience and knowledge, with opportunities to move without having to find a new job, but don't make as much money. Stricter rules and regulations. MUCH bigger workload and more stress. I would be required to travel up to northern mines for 3 days at a time maximum to stay in a camp. But the benefits are a bit better, and it's got the cool vibe of being right downtown in a high-rise building. I'd have to take the bus to work, but it's cheaper than starting my car every day (especially in winter!).


What to do, what to do...

An offer is coming in the mail and he said it's as simple as saying yes or no to him.

Wow Lindsey, you have a lot to think about! Big decision!!

I'm kind of leaning more one way but I want to talk with Scott and my parents tonight about it!

We can't make this decision for you. Think it through carefully, as you are, and will be so hoping that you make the right decision whichever it is. Isn't it nice to feel wanted though, especially in this economy. That must be an ego boost for you.

Go girl!!!

After talking it over with both Scott and my parents last night, I think I've decided to stay put. The experience and benefits would be great at the other place, but I would lose so much freedom, and the biggest thing it comes down to is that I'd be working with Scott again. It has been great to be able to go home and be just US instead of still being coworkers. If the salary was better, I think I'd definitely jump to the other place, but what's the point of taking on so much more responsibility and stress for the same amount of money? And also I think I'd feel less important there... Here I am a big part of our small company, and there I'd just be a number in a company that employs thousands of people.

I think you have made the best decision! You're a smart cookie, Lindsey!!

Aww thanks Betsi! Scott is a little unsure of his new job there too. He says it's okay, he can do the work, but he gets SO BORED. He complains that nobody makes conversation or really talks at all. He emails me every once in awhile for conversation. I think I've kind of been spoiled at this company because I can basically do what I want :D I'm slightly too A.D.D. and I don't think I could last a full day without any distractions! I couldn't stare at one project and work on it all day because I would get too frustrated. Every once in awhile I need a trip to 4WT or facebook or hotmail or something so I can go back to the job a few minutes later with a fresh mind!