what to do..

"OPPOsaurus WRX" (opposaurus)
04/21/2015 at 09:11 • Filed to: None

I think there is a 50/50 chance I am offered a job at a different company, still as a residential drafter. Right now, I work for a very small company, just my boss who does all the client meeting and designs, another drafter, and a couple space killers(his wife and a useless secretary). The houses are the equivalent to a Bentley, beautifully detail, 6000 sqft, 3 car garage on average. All I do is take his designs and product the construction documents. The new company i guess would be more like a Ford. Its your average house, 2000-3000 sq ft maybe a 2 car garage maybe not, but still a nice desirable house for the average person. However with this place there is room to grow, probably meet with clients, and eventually produce design work. So I guess it could be considered as a job either drawing Bentley or driving Fords.

Its questionable whether they pick me up or not because they were looking for someone with basic experience but I have so much more than that, it showed them a plan B that was never considered before and seemed quite appetizing. I met with a builder over the weekend and he thought it sounded like a good experience and even said after a couple years, i’d be the kind of guy he;d look to hire to run part of his business. (this conversation took place on his rear deck overlooking the water ~$3m house, neighbor had a Tesla)

We didn;t discuss salary but the big difference is health care, which assuming the same plan, would put about $800 a month back in my pocket (30% coverage vs 80%), they also have a 401k. Here I get to wear whatever I want and I get out at 330, where as the other place would probably be more professional attire and maybe a later release time. (I might ask to work from home 1 day a week) The down side is my commute would go from 25 minutes/15 miles to about 55 minutes 50 miles. Thats a lot of miles and I dont know if i want to do that to a WRX of just give no shits and do it. What do you guys think? Would you get rid of the WRX? would you take the job? HELP!!!!!!

DISCUSSION (35)

Party-vi > OPPOsaurus WRX
04/21/2015 at 09:17

If you go to work for a Ford-type company, expect to wear polos and khakis to work and to get there at 8am and leave at 5pm to battle with traffic. Also, if you have a 50 mile commute I’m thinking you’re going to spend 1.5hr on the road and not 55 minutes. Is it worth an extra $200 a week to drive the extra miles and spend the extra time?

At the same time, what would the benefit package look like? Vacation, sick leave, 401k contribution matching, etc. You should probably only worry about this if you get an official offer.

Leon711 > OPPOsaurus WRX
04/21/2015 at 09:18

Jetta TDI?

Milky > Party-vi
04/21/2015 at 09:28

wear polos and khakis

Kinja'd!!!

OPPOsaurus WRX > Party-vi
04/21/2015 at 09:29

I’m hoping to hear from them today so I want to have some sort of a response ready. They do 2.5% contribution to the 401k (versus 0% here) and I think he said they match whatever I put in to a certain point. I didn;t ask about sick time or vacation time but I’d assume it exists and can;t be any worse that the 2 week vacation I get here and sick time if your 9/10th dead required. The route is against traffic so I’m not anticipating any traffic at all. I’m fine with polo’s and kakhi’s I usually do polo’s and jeans currently. The $800 figure is based just on the difference in health coverage and doesn’t include any raise I may get.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Leon711
04/21/2015 at 09:32

a. it would be hard to take a 116 cut in HP and my mother-in-law drives a VW and although dumb, I dont think I could just because of that.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > OPPOsaurus WRX
04/21/2015 at 09:55

I don’t know what to say here, as I really need to upgrade from where I am drafting myself, but an hour commute is grueling stuff. Two of the reasons I haven’t upgraded are a sub ten-minute commute and some ability to set my own hours, but I’m probably overvaluing both...

Confused Miata > OPPOsaurus WRX
04/21/2015 at 09:55

I understand the allure of decent benefits and a raise. For me the work environment is worth more than an extra few thousand a year. Somewhere I'm happy and relaxed is far better. With your experience it sounds like you could get something even better a few more years down the road. Any chance you'll get to do more in your current position?
If you don't feel like driving the wrx every day why not buy a cheap economy car or a motorcycle?

Hey, y'all, watch this! > OPPOsaurus WRX
04/21/2015 at 10:04

If compensation and benefits are equivalent or better, I personally would take the job with room for professional advancement.

Depends on how much the commute/hours would bother you, I guess.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Confused Miata
04/21/2015 at 10:20

not a chance of advancement here any time soon. its taken the other guy about 15 years to start to get to that point so that gives me about 11 to go. Theres a dog here that barks at everything that moves, no hot water, the secretary is a waste and my boss’s wife is trying to hire a facebook consultant to do what a reasonable secretary should be able to do. its not that I don’t want to drive the WRX it just seems like a lot of miles for somewhat of an enthusiasts car. On one hand, i want to park the car and save it but on the other I would like to track the shit out of it (if there were tracks around here) The driving is fine, its mostly highway then over a bridge and through a seaside town. A retirement fund is important. this office gets uncomfortably, sweat in your seat even with 2 a/c’s going. I also have a house bills and kids to consider.

Kinja'd!!!

Party-vi > OPPOsaurus WRX
04/21/2015 at 10:20

They probably match your contributions up to 2.5% to your 401k. There is the possibility that your current company will offer you a raise when you turn in your 2-week notice as well.

I have been told that the rule for moving companies is at least an 11% increase in salary, but I have no idea what the basis for 11% was. I’m sure you’ll figure out if the move is the right one once you get an offer letter and benefits package. Have you done any research on the company? Google or Yelp reviews, news articles, etc?

OPPOsaurus WRX > Hey, y'all, watch this!
04/21/2015 at 10:20

thats really it. The benifits will be far better. the commute not so much. At least there will be no traffic.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Party-vi
04/21/2015 at 10:23

its 2.5% of my salery. I feel like to match what I’ll get at the other place, it would be too much for him to do. I havnt researched them but they said they have so much work they are already booked into 2016 vs next month with my place.

OPPOsaurus WRX > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
04/21/2015 at 10:29

yea i figured goin from 30 to 55 is rough but going from a potentially bike-able route to an hour is lot. I also feel like this could be enough of an increase so that I wouldn;t have to work at night and could study for my liscence

Party-vi > OPPOsaurus WRX
04/21/2015 at 10:31

Find out what their backlog is if they’ll tell you. It sounds like it would be a smart move for you.

Officer Jim Lahey is not a real cop > OPPOsaurus WRX
04/21/2015 at 10:33

I say eff it, rack up the miles on the Rex and enjoy it. Then down the line you can track it, guilt-free!

OPPOsaurus WRX > Party-vi
04/21/2015 at 10:49

it goes into 2016. i think they have had people turn away because of the wait. One of the things they said is that since I’m so capable they would possibly be able to add more clients into 2015. I think its a better job i just dont know about the extra miles. thats really the only down side for me. Financially it all seems like a positive move.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Officer Jim Lahey is not a real cop
04/21/2015 at 10:50

yea thats a good way to think of it. I have bad luck with high milage cars. I had to have my transmission replaced on my first vehicle, 95 explorer at 150k miles and a new engine at 100k in a 04’ Sport Trac.

Confused Miata > OPPOsaurus WRX
04/21/2015 at 11:01

Then taking that job is probably the better choice by far. I understand, personally I'd keep it. What about trading in for a Legacy 3.6R?

Officer Jim Lahey is not a real cop > OPPOsaurus WRX
04/21/2015 at 11:14

Common denominator: Ford Explorer.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Officer Jim Lahey is not a real cop
04/21/2015 at 11:23

yea, aside from that, especially the sport trac, it was a great truck. just replacing an engine is welll shitty

OPPOsaurus WRX > Confused Miata
04/21/2015 at 11:26

same mpg, same power, probably heavier, no hatch. i’d just keep the WRX.

Party-vi > OPPOsaurus WRX
04/21/2015 at 11:52

I meant more along the lines of the magnitude of their backlog. I can have projects to keep my company busy through 2016, but is it $1M in backlog over 2 years or is it $5M in backlog over two years? I would assume they are contracts for design work from builders.

I’m commuting 40 miles each way during the week. The only downside is rotating my tires more frequently and the cost of gas. If you’re getting 25mpg on the highway you might be looking at $300 a month in gas.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Party-vi
04/21/2015 at 12:08

they design and build all their work. They said they design one house every 2 weeks. its going to be a fairly large number.

Party-vi > OPPOsaurus WRX
04/21/2015 at 12:19

That sounds like a winning job. Figure out your commute and I think you have a good opportunity.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Party-vi
04/21/2015 at 12:36

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/hanov…

its this =/-. its also opposite Boston traffic so i should always be able to “go at the speed of traffic”

thanks for the input

Party-vi > OPPOsaurus WRX
04/21/2015 at 12:40

That...seems like a kickass commute. I’m jelly. My commute doesn’t look near as nice .

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > OPPOsaurus WRX
04/21/2015 at 13:25

Is the current boss/owner the kind of guy who won’t let anyone else meet the clients and work on design?

OPPOsaurus WRX > Party-vi
04/21/2015 at 13:51

yea it looks like a lot of heavily populated areas and HOLY CRAP A-10’s ?!?!? what do you do?

OPPOsaurus WRX > Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz)
04/21/2015 at 14:02

yea, hes 76, its his name on the door and he controls everything 100%

Party-vi > OPPOsaurus WRX
04/21/2015 at 14:15

I am a scumbag contractor at Andrews AFB. Project Manager (technically Field Engineer) for an Alaskan Native construction company. We build stuff for the airmen to abuse and eventually break.

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > OPPOsaurus WRX
04/21/2015 at 14:24

Gotcha, I know the type. Not one of those mentoring types who’d allow you work more with him on other aspects of the job since you want to. I’d say go to the new place, be able to work more on the design and whatever else you desire and if nothing else, you get the experience from it to bring to a smaller firm later on, if a smaller firm ends up suiting you better.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Party-vi
04/21/2015 at 14:28

sounds like it could be fun. what kind of ‘stuff’?

OPPOsaurus WRX > Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz)
04/21/2015 at 14:35

yea I kinda think thats what i’ll do.

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > OPPOsaurus WRX
04/21/2015 at 14:37

Good luck with it. Keep us all updated.

Party-vi > OPPOsaurus WRX
04/21/2015 at 14:46

Anything they request and get approval for. Evidence rooms to taxiways to basketball courts to 30T cranes.