Career advice needed. (1 Viewer)

[Rayderr]

Some of you may remember my returning from vacation and learning that my job is going away thread. If not, here are the tdoss notes: Right after labor day, was told that in 2 weeks, our jobs were going away as the DoD moves to a new communication system. Well date got pushed back, suspended all together, then told a year, then told in a couple weeks, and so on.

Now, the system I worked on is officially dead, but now working on a temporary system, because, oops, that new communication system still isn't working.

So, now I'm good through at least the end of March. It may be longer if the new system doesn't work and there's a "possibility" that we will go over to the new system once they get that working. I do like my current job and I do like the company I work for. The potential losing of the job is coming from DoD, not the company.

So, now I got a job offer from another company with a contract across the street. Offering the same salary, though I'd have to pay about $3k more for the insurance. and their contract lasts for about 4.5 years. Buuuuut.....

They have 7 available positions over there. Why do they have 7? Because 7 people (all but 1) left to go work for another contract that was expanding to 24/7 (I applied over there, but didn't get an offer) Why did those 7 people leave? Because this past summer, when the contract was up for bids again, the company way underbid in order to keep the contract. Once they got it, they cut everyone on the contract's salary by $10k. So they all bailed because new place was paying them about what they were getting before. The offer to me is about $5k greater than the salaries they left for, and $13k more than what their original offer to me was (which was also the reduced salary of the people who left.)

So concern with new company would be how long would my salary actually be good for before they come up with some excuse to lower it or get rid of me as soon as they find someone willing to do it for cheaper. The recruiters for the company have been calling me like they're debt collectors, and come across as used car salesmen as they pressure me into working for them. One guy even went so far as saying "Well, we started your background check, you can't back out. You're legally bound to us. "

So, hope for the best with current company, or take a chance on a more sure thing with crappy company?

 

[hagmania]

Keep looking imo

 

[flapgreen]

Keep looking imo

 

[Angry Beavers]

Keep looking or tell them to double it

 

[The Z Machine]

Why lock yourself into this semi-closed network of companies that are bidding on the same crappy contracts from the DoD?

Do you have transferable skills to a company not reliant on the DoD? Can you sell yourself as someone that can bring expertise and experience to a company that needs some more senior level technical people?

Recruiters, used car salesmen, and realtors might be the sleaziest of the non law breaking professions

 

[Rayderr]

Why lock yourself into this semi-closed network of companies that are bidding on the same crappy contracts from the DoD?

Do you have transferable skills to a company not reliant on the DoD? Can you sell yourself as someone that can bring expertise and experience to a company that needs some more senior level technical people?

Recruiters, used car salesmen, and realtors might be the sleaziest of the non law breaking professions

Yes, I can take some of my skills outside of the DoD world, however, it does not pay nearly as good as the DoD world (seriously, I'm getting like $20k+ more that if I were working in the commercial sector). I have decided to start getting my engineering certs to make me more attractive to the commercial sector for positions that would pay close to what I am getting now.

 

[Flying V]

One guy even went so far as saying "Well, we started your background check, you can't back out. You're legally bound to us. "

Dealbreaker. Never work for a company that insults your intelligence before you've even signed on.

 

[mr roboto]

Keep looking or tell them to double it

This.

 

[Hilts]

Keep looking imo

 

[belljr]

This all sounds like government contract contractor bull crap. Contract is up , new company wins contract we would love to keep you but you need to take a 10% cut to stay. It sucks because they know they have you if you want to stay on

 

[fatness]

The recruiters for the company have been calling me like they're debt collectors, and come across as used car salesmen as they pressure me into working for them. One guy even went so far as saying "Well, we started your background check, you can't back out. You're legally bound to us. "

So, hope for the best with current company, or take a chance on a more sure thing with crappy company?

It's difficult to imagine any good "sure thing" with the crappy company if they're hounding you and lying to you before you've even been hired.

 

[pats3in4]

Doesn't seem like they value quality of work. Everyone is a commodity.

Work for a company willing to recognize the value you bring and thus won't yank your chain on salary when they underbid on contracts.

 

[jon_mx]

It is a crappy company, but you could probably get 4 years of work at a decent pay. I doubt they cut your salary as the contract is still good. The chance of a raise is about zero. I would take it for now, but you can always jump ship despite what the idiot tells you.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

One guy even went so far as saying "Well, we started your background check, you can't back out. You're legally bound to us. "

This doesn't sound like the kind of employer you'd want to work for.

 

[Quez]

here's a "possibility" that we will go over to the new system once they get that working.

This is called dangling the carrot. I'd jump ship to the company that is hiring even if the insurance cost are a little more. First off, everyone's insurance is changing almost every year, so the current company could very easily change their insurance soon. Second, they told you your job was going away, so they shouldn't be surprised at all that you took an opportunity that has a better outlook than a year. If you leave on good terms there is always a possibility you could go back.Is there any wiggle room for negotiation? It may be worth something for them to not have to go through the re-hire process.

 

[Rayderr]

So, After a whole weekend of arguing with myself, I've decided to pass on the job. The only benefit I saw going over to them was that the 5 year contract (which I actually suspect is a 1 year contract with four 1 year extensions which is more typical) Just really got the feeling that it was only a matter of time before they would screw me over. Looking through their handbook, I've never seen a company that cares so little for it's employees. Hope I'm making the right decision here.

 

[Hilts]

So, After a whole weekend of arguing with myself, I've decided to pass on the job. The only benefit I saw going over to them was that the 5 year contract (which I actually suspect is a 1 year contract with four 1 year extensions which is more typical) Just really got the feeling that it was only a matter of time before they would screw me over. Looking through their handbook, I've never seen a company that cares so little for it's employees. Hope I'm making the right decision here.

Any company which would try to strongarm you into working for them isn't a company you should want to work for. I don't know what will come next for you, but I'm pretty sure you would have been miserable with that organization. You made the right decision.

 

[glock]

So, After a whole weekend of arguing with myself, I've decided to pass on the job. The only benefit I saw going over to them was that the 5 year contract (which I actually suspect is a 1 year contract with four 1 year extensions which is more typical) Just really got the feeling that it was only a matter of time before they would screw me over. Looking through their handbook, I've never seen a company that cares so little for it's employees. Hope I'm making the right decision here.

 

[Quez]

See ya back here in a year.

 

[Rayderr]

See ya back here in a year.

Entirely possible. However, it really was just that particular company that was giving me serious reservations. The other jobs I've applied for I would've loved to have been able to take. I've been on federal contracts for 15+ years through several companies. I've never seen a company give so little to it's employees. I had better benefits from the company that was in bankruptcy. And some of the stuff is just mind bottling. only 3 sick days a year? Max life insurance pay out of $50k?

 

[Quez]

Figure out a way to get on workers comp before the year is up.

 

[Johnny Rock]

I believe you made the right decision. However, if the actual company asks I would tell them how the recruiter mishandled it. They may not know.