Got approached on linkedin

"Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs" (yowen)
06/25/2014 at 16:36 • Filed to: None

For a "Business Analyst" position, so far I've gathered it is somewhat related to what I do right now as a buyer, also it is in the field of supply chain mgmt/engineering. I was thinking of waiting another year before I make a career move from this, my first post-college job.

My question is, is it OK to still talk to them, hear them out? Is it ok to let them know that currently I am happy where I am, but am not entirely against hearing what sort of job it is and what they are offering? Perhaps it is actually a missed opportunity if I don't?

What do you think Oppo? What are the rules in entertaining other jobs while you are still employed elsewhere and it'd be a complete shock to everyone if you all of a sudden put in two weeks?

DISCUSSION (16)

cazzyodo > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs
06/25/2014 at 16:38

Knock yourself out. I'm in a similar field/situation as you and I've tested the water. My boss told me a couple years ago that it always makes sense to keep your eyes and ears open.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs
06/25/2014 at 16:41

Yep. I do it all the time.

I've talked to plenty of companies while continuing to be employed. I would, like you said, start with I'm happily employed but, I'm always considering great opportunities.

I also take it as a compliment when someone contacts me and I'm already employed, it's good to be in demand. Be smart about it, don't flash it around at work though.

Nibbles > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs
06/25/2014 at 16:41

Talk to them. The best that can happen is they offer you a sweet fucking gig. The worst, well you say "nah I'm good" and y'all part ways.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > cazzyodo
06/25/2014 at 16:42

Gotcha, I suppose there isn't much harm in taking the call from them, they mentioned they'd be willing to do so after 5pm.

I think the scariest thing is, if they come with an extremely cool sounding job that pays more and having to tell my current employer, haha. I work for a small company, so it'd be painful for them, as everyone's contribution is much more significant to the "whole" as it would be at a large company.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/25/2014 at 16:44

Haha yeah, I wouldn't tell anyone at my current employer for sure.

Have you at some point been happily employed, but then received an offer you couldn't refuse? Did you go back to your current employer for a counter offer? Would you (assuming you haven't had this happen)?

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > Nibbles
06/25/2014 at 16:45

Let's say I am not really interested, BUT, they offer a significant bump in pay over what I make now, should I leverage that with my current employer?

I suppose this wouldn't be relevant as I likely wouldn't get an offer if I say I am not interested in the position.

cazzyodo > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs
06/25/2014 at 16:45

I feel the same way but I have some people reminding me that when it comes down to it, it's a business. They'll get along without you IF things were to head in that direction and you gotta do what's best for your career.

I feel that my reluctance to look elsewhere and even the perceived loyalty to the company has cost me a little bit in my career. My friends surely believe this to be so.

Can't hurt to explore your options while changing nothing. It's like browsing CL with no intention of buying...but if a gem presents itself, who knows?

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > cazzyodo
06/25/2014 at 16:47

Haha I like the CL analogy.

I suppose also if, IF IF, it goes that far there is also the opportunity for my current employer to counter offer.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs
06/25/2014 at 16:49

I have. I was with another agency for 3.5 years, was promoted only about 5 months before the offer came in and was due a raise in another month. So, interviewed for another job months after getting a promotion and had a raise coming, was certainly happy.

When I was offered the job I have now (and have been in for 1.5ish years) it was way too good to say no to. I went to the boss and told him I had an offer. His response was "fuck" lol. He didn't want to lose me, asked what the offer was and he repeated the first word lol. He said I can go to HR but there's no way they'll give me that for you. I'll say he got offered this much and they'll say "GOOD FOR HIM!". So I was able to work out 3 weeks notice instead of 2. It was helpful to the company I was leaving (kept that bridge from catching fire) and also kept the clients happy. Also, I was a little more generous on the time because both companies service the same company and share clients.

Honestly the company I left has crazy turn over and on multiple times before that he figured I wanted into his office to talk about another job offer. He was happy he was able to keep me as long as he did. If you're in the OPPO Facebook group, feel free to have 505Turbeaux point you in the right direction to me on facebook if you want more advice.

cazzyodo > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs
06/25/2014 at 16:50

I have been at my current employer for almost three years now...two of which were under part time circumstances. I didn't get a full time offer from them until I informed them that I had a job offer being prepared from another company. Lo and behold they put an offer out first...I tried leveraging the two offers against each other but neither side budged. One had a higher base salary but lower bonus...it would have been a wash either way so I just stayed where I was but now as a full time employee!

It's tough to leverage, though. Doesn't always work even when you have been somewhere for a while.

Nibbles > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs
06/25/2014 at 16:52

Yes and no. You can use it as leverage, but don't just go flaunt it like that. Only do so if you're ready and willing to take the other company's offer. Schedule a face-to-face with your boss. Sit down, go over the offer with them and talk it over. They will likely do one of the following:

Well, we can't meet this offer. BUT I do value your work here and would love to have you stay; can we discuss this again in a day or two? (They then talk it over with their bosses to come up with a counter-offer)

Well, we can't meet this offer and understand if you want to take it. (They're not going to counter-offer, and probably don't really care, but you're now on their watchlist if you decide to stay)

Well, we like you too much to just let you go. What can I do to change your mind? (Meal ticket right here - don't go over the top but your boss just gave you carte blanche) (this never happens) (seriously don't expect this at all)

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/25/2014 at 16:53

Awesome, thanks for sharing.

And I've been meaning to get on that FB group! I keep forgetting because it's blocked here at work. Lol, any company that offers me FB access get's me to switch jobs... Just kidding.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > Nibbles
06/25/2014 at 16:54

Haha yeah, Option 2 would suck SO much.

But thanks for talking this through with me. I will at least entertain what they have to say.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Nibbles
06/25/2014 at 16:56

there is a 4th option of we can't meet the offer and really want you to stay. Happened to me, there was no way to match the offer from another company.

The others sound about right.

IF you bring an offer to your boss be 100% ready to take or don't go in their office. Then you look like you're playing games. And if you do get them to give you a raise, you most likely will NOT get another one taking this route in the future.

Nibbles > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/25/2014 at 17:16

I knew I was missing one

Kailand09 > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs
06/25/2014 at 18:36

not sure what others have said, but go through the full interview process. If it sounds better think about taking it. If it sounds equal or worse, go to your boss and mention you've been given an offer better than you make, but you prefer your job where you're at. See if they'll match it, but mention how much you like where you're at.

Be prepared to take the other job and get fired though lol. If you do that make sure you have the other offer first.