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Ask HN: High paying job or better position and comforts

6 points by kapitanjakc ↗ HN
Hello people, I need some help in deciding what to do next ?

I have a job offer which pays 85% more compared to my current salary, but the down point is that I have to migrate to another country for it. And another down point is that there I'll have to do basic development tasks.

My current job, is in my city, offers work from home, offers me freedom to do freelance work, and has offered manager position.

I am currently single, looking to start a family so thinking to have some stability prior to that.

I am confused, can someone help with what they do to decide in such situations ? Any comment, or suggestion or advice is appreciated.

18 comments

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robin_reala
The 85% increase: does that cover any associated costs? Typically to go up that much you’d be looking to migrate to the US, but that would mean, for example, paying for medical insurance that you might not have to do at the moment (outside of your taxes of course).
kapitanjakc
Hi, that increase is just that, it does not include insurance, I'll have to get that on my own. The company does provide the insurance, but it's a basic sort of thing. To have proper insurance I'll have to get it on my own.

Along with that housing expense and eating etc are also extra expenses that are there, I don't have those here.

drKarl
With the information you provided it's very difficult to compare both options, specially if you would have to move to a different country with most likely a much more expensive cost of living. Would the company pay for the moving costs? Salary could be 85% higher and taxes + cost of living could amount to 150% more so you would be worse off, also it seems they would not be providing any standard benefits like health insurance and others, so I suggest you try to figure out your costs including rent, health insurance, electricity and gas, broadband and day to day expenses and then compare to your current situation. It seems you live with your parents so you don't have to pay rent and food etc, so even if you wanted to move out of your parents house in your country z costs would most likely be much lower than in the country of the opportunity you are considering, so calculate those costs as well.

Also you say on your current position they offered you to become a manager. Don't think of that as a promotion, but a lateral move, it's a completely different job with a completely different set of skills. You could be a good developer and a terrible manager, and also you might enjoy coding and maybe you would hate day to day work as a manager which mostly involves meetings with your reports and with your bosses and stakeholders and other people, Jira, Excel, mails... Again, this is personal, maybe you would thrive in a managerial role, but don't think it's a promotion, as it could as well be for the worse.

kapitanjakc
For costs, yeah, if I take the job there, I'll be saving what I make here, for taxes I don't have to worry as that country has no taxes (Gulf region).

Food and rent are costly though so that's correct, I live with my parents yeah, and don't need to move out as I have the house in my name and I have bought it.

I'll do the calculations, but roughly it's going to be like what I make at current job is what I am going to save there. So in a way it's going to be the same.

As for the manager part, your point is hitting a bit close, I love coding, hate Jira and Excels, but that's already what I am doing even now, like 90% of my time goes in meetings and mails and excels and 10% in coding and management of tasks to others. But that's a good point, I'll think on that too.

MilnerRoute
I remember once looking and looking for a job offer, and having trouble getting one. It made me worry I was going to have trouble finding a new job -- so when an offer finally came after a long search, I took it. That job involved relocating -- just to a new city -- but that was stressful. (Starting a new job and moving involve a lot of mental work, and doing them both at the same time was just a bigger challenge than I thought.) I never really settled into the job -- my skills weren't a good fit, and the company was a little dysfunctional in ways I hadn't expected.

What I came here to say is that if you got one job offer -- maybe you can get another? You don't say how long you've been looking, but if you're in the tech field, you're probably "in demand" right now. So it might be worthwhile to see if you can find another offer, and then you'll have two to choose from.

It's a total cliche, but sometimes it really is useful to remind yourself of the old saying: "There's other fish in the sea."

kapitanjakc
Oh I wasn't looking, this just came of sorts, I already have a job and am quite happy with it, as mentioned it is already in my city and it allows me to be with my parents and stuff and also let's me do freelancing work.

The new offer is a lot more money (which isn't an issue as of now) so was considering, but I get your point, to relocate is sort of a stressful task and mentally exhausting.

sloaken
You really need to do a spreadsheet covering the monetary differences to validate the difference in pay. I personally do as such, and I include things like housing / food / transportation (need or own a car? Car insurance etc), hours per year to earn.

My current job was a 15% pay cut from prior. But the side benefits made up the delta- significantly less hours (so pay per hour was close to equal on a per hour basis), cheaper health and life insurance.

If you take the job can you use it as a stepping stone for a better job back home?

When you get a dis-likable job that pays a lot more, it is easy to get addicted to the money. If you take the job, I recommend you try to save 75% of your pay increase. Failure to do so will ensure you cannot afford to go back.

kapitanjakc
Thank you for the response, those are good points, I'll try to make it in that manner and then consider.

I don't think I can use it as a stepping stone back home, I've already got the skills one needs to be in top of my field. I am no mad coder, but still I can make it work the best in my area.

Thanks :)

sloaken
Surprisingly people often pay you what others are willing to pay you.

Boring personal story:

I was working at company A. I was worried about my future - boring work - not bleeding edge. It was my opinion right or wrong.

I went looking for a new job. Company B was excited about me after the interview.

Company A found out. Company A then gave me a raise. Best raise I had received since working there.

Company B offered me 10% over Company A raise amount.

2 years later Company C offered me 15% over what Company B was paying me.

Then 2 years later I took a job making less money but much less hours and better healthcare etc.

Not sure these days how much of a salary offer is based on your salary history?

End point is by taking other job, would you be able to come back to possibly the same company doing the same job but for more, because some other company was willing to pay you so much more?

kapitanjakc
That is the angle I am thinking of exploring today.

Will tell my current company that I am getting this much amount.

And even if they come close to it I'll stay here.

sloaken
Three things to be concerned about:

1) Current employer might pay you more, until they can find a replacement. So the wording is important.

2) Have a quantitative number in mind. They need to offer at least 100 for me to be happy. 90 I will stay but not be happy. 89 I am definitely going. Based on the fact that you posted here, you are enough in doubt that a 20% raise would easily tip the scale.

3) Think of non monetary items that you would like. Parking space, breakfast, no overtime or at least no free overtime.

kapitanjakc
Hey, thanks for this. All good points. I've decided a number as per you suggested.
thegginthesky
When I moved countries I looked at 3 things

* Quality of life assuming same standard of living * Culture and things to do beyond tourist stuff * If I saw myself in the place for at least 5years

Going to a new country is a huge move, so be 100% sure you will like the city you'll settle and the company you will work for. Once you are there, going back will be financially and emotionally expensive.

Work is work, the pay seems good, just check the true conversion beforehand in sites like this https://neilkakkar.com/salary-calculator-by-city.html

Also make plans to visit your folks regularly if money is no issue.

In regards to the sort of job you'll be performing, maybe you could apply your skills to automate the boring stuff?

Besides that, make sure to be flexible about what you eat and find friends outside work. Invest in building a social circle. I have seen many foreigners that were miserable because they never made real effort to make the new country home and kept missing the old country.

kapitanjakc
All valid points, will take the culture and city aspects into consideration.

Finding a social circle there is probably going to be a bit hard, but will check that too.

Thanks

marssaxman
What would you do with the extra money?

Will that make up for all you would lose by taking the job?

kapitanjakc
TBH, it won't make a difference, I have all that I want here.

A house, parents, friends etc.

Extra money won't offer much apart from future safety.

goethes_kind
Don't ever upend your life for a salary increase. That is just not worth it. If you are single in particular, consider that it might be much more difficult to find a partner in a different country, where maybe you don't even speak the language, and the culture is completely different.
kapitanjakc
True, that's one of my main worries, I won't be able to find a partner there.