Advise on a job change
 

Hello all..... My fiance and I have an interesting situation on our hands today...

My fiance Cecilia currently manages a Medical office, and wants to get into a job that she went to school for (Paralegal). She was offered a job tod ay that is an awsome opportunity, but hits quite a bit in the wallet. To start this job, she will be taking a $15,000 pay cut. This is going to be very hard on us if she takes it. The up side is, they are offering her a $5,000 raise every three months if she proves herself. I have no doubt that she will be nothing but the best at what she does... but a hit like that at a time when we are planning an engagement party and a wedding is a little discouraging.. I am completly willing to work the weekends and pick up the slack, because I want her to be happy with her job, and succede in what she does. I'm very skeptical because she has been burned before with promises of raises and what not... My idea was to try and get some sort of agreement with him on paper, that if her performance is acceptable that she will get these raises for the first 9 months.. I want her to be happy, but the budget doesent really leave room for that.. I'm not to sure what to do. Its a risk... Since if they don't like her than she will be without a job all together.. but over the next 3 years she can make double what she's making now.... Just wanted to see what you all thought.... too risky???

Golden handcuffs... well maybe silver ones.

$15,000 is a large cut... almost lifestyle changing, definitely lifestyle altering.

What's the definition of "proves" herself? Are there specific targets she's required to meet or is it just someone's "opinion?" What's plan B if she doesn't get these raises?

Well.. Just like any other job, she has to prove that she is on top of things, and can do 50 things at once, and learns quickly..all the good traits of a great employee... I know she already has this, as she has always gone above and beyond at all the jobs she has ever done.. Now, she will be in a field that actually interests her...

Plan B....... thats our problem right now... she won't be able to go back to the job she will be leaving.....

Forget about having an "idea" for a contract. It all needs to be on paper, including performance targets that are to be met, and the exact amounts of salary increase etc. Otherwise look for another opportunity. They'll be out there.

Absolutely. Tons of promises get made in situations like this, and if it's not in writing, there are frequently delays, and "Oh, gee whiz, the business isn't doing so well right now, so we can't do what we said."

It sounds to me like you're being lowballed. Why not counter-offer less of a pay cut, smaller raises that wind up at the same level at the same time, and stay at her current job if they don't agree?

I just get the idea they're trying to take advantage of you. It's not very realistic to expect someone to take a $15k pay cut.

That is a great Idea..... I'm gonna have to tell her about that...

I'm glad you liked it. Suggested verbiage would be something like, "I"m sorry, but I just can't make it on that much of a pay cut. If you could see your way clear to a starting salary of xxxx, with raises of yyy every three months after that, I could make that work."

Don't be surprised if they counter your counter. And, like I said, be prepared for them to say no.

You're in a good position with her being employed already. Have you thought about what you'll do if she accepts the job, gives her two-weeks' notice at her present job, and her employer offers her a substantial raise to stay?

Let us know what happens, I am interested if they go for the counter-offer.

They couldnt pay her enough to stay where she is.. the whole reason for the jon change is so that she can entere the field that she wants.

well then the answers is right there... they aren't paying her enough to stay there at the current rate... which means then the $15k cut is something you will just have to bite the bullet on.

Some times you need to take a step back to take three forward, but get it in writing.
remember money is not everything