How much do you value one vs. the other?

3/4/2015 10:53:34 AM

i envy the extra salary of my manager, but then i look at the shit she has to deal with everyday and quickly forget about it

3/4/2015 10:55:31 AM

You'd have to pay me $texas to supervise people.

3/4/2015 11:09:46 AM

I'm a federal employee and got aggressively recruited by a top banking institution and they ended up offering me 50% more money but I turned it down after speaking with friends in the industry. They make 30% more than I do now and they said it's not worth the stress, extra hours, competition, etc. and they envy how relaxed my job is, even if it pays less.

made sense to me to stay where I'm at

[Edited on March 4, 2015 at 11:18 AM. Reason : .]

3/4/2015 11:17:07 AM

I don't get paid enough for the stress of my job on most days. Then on other days I can take off early or schedule a three day weekend if I need to. High stress, but flexibility when I need it.

3/4/2015 11:21:18 AM

^you're an attorney right? I've always heard the stress goes down and the salary goes up as years go by.

I have a flex schedule so I can come in between 7-10am and work 8 hours. It's frowned upon to work more than 40 hours a week. I usually do 10-6pm. I can also telework and I have an office with a window. The bank job seemed like a cubicle farm in a competitive (cut throat) environment where I'd likely be working 50-60 hours a week for that extra cash.

3/4/2015 12:09:22 PM

heavily depends on the cause of stress - in general i thrive in stressful situations but if it is due to a level of stupidity involved then it all breaks down

i'm happy with my balance right now - was happier last year though

3/4/2015 12:35:52 PM

I go through phases. A lot of it depends on my particular project/assignment. There are times I sit back and think "I'm making solid $ for what I have to do at work" and other times I'm like "I am not getting paid nearly enough to deal with this".

I am at a crossroads though since I am always someone who wants to improve. I am wanting to move up simply because I don't want to stagnate, but I also realize the next threshold for my line of work is a lot of added stress, travel, and time with an unequal amount of added pay. I've been pursuing that next step the last year or two and now that it seems like it is very rapidly materializing, I am getting cold feet wondering if that is what I really want. Mainly because I really value my personal time for hobbies, traveling, etc. with my wife and friends and I can already do all that now with very little concern of cost, so a little extra money won't be life changing but it will potentially come with a lot of negatives. I just don't think I'd be happy or maybe even 'safe' career-wise trying to skate on in the same role I am in now forever.

[Edited on March 4, 2015 at 12:57 PM. Reason : ]

3/4/2015 12:51:35 PM

Eh...right now I think I'm at a good balance at work. We go through weeks in our clinic where I'm bored to tears, then shit happens (need to send people out to the ER, difficult patients) and I realize I get paid what I do for my nursing knowledge and scope of practice.

The next step up from staff nurse is into management at most clinics, and I'm not sure that's worth the hassle (always being on call, scheduling, putting out fires, etc.) With the exception of being on call, I like leaving work at work.

3/4/2015 1:31:21 PM

There is a reason I got out of consulting. Of course I am still making close to the same I would have been (maybe 10% less) but I don't have to travel every week, I don't usually work longer than 40-45 hours a week vs 60-80, I can actually use my vacation, and I don't have to spend hours upon hours editing bullshit PowerPoint decks. Well worth it.

3/4/2015 1:47:42 PM

the pay is high enough for the low level of stress that i don't feel any need to leave my job

could i make more? yes, definitely...would that higher pay come with significantly more stress? yep.

3/4/2015 1:53:30 PM

^^my friend was at Deloitte and now PWC and said the same thing. he was telling me how cut throat it is that people will throw you under the bus to get ahead. I asked for an example and asked if he had done that to anyone and he reveled in a story about how he and a colleague just railroaded multiple people so they'd get higher project ratings and move up.

^that's exactly what I'm feeling right now. I have zero stress but know I could make more. I'll move up the GS chain and get more comfortable but the amount I could make in the private sector is definitely enticing but I don't think I'd be happy.

3/4/2015 2:22:16 PM

My job is pretty stressful, money fluctuates wildly too, most of the time I still like it better than being in corporate america.

I just turned 30 and got to thinking about how I would like to retire at a decent age. Longevity is not guaranteed in my family. So now I am looking at ways to plan for that and still maintain lifestyle now. The only solution is to work harder.

3/4/2015 2:24:30 PM

Quote :

"I just turned 30 and got to thinking about how I would like to retire at a decent age."

that's part of it for me, too...if i stay with my company (and the current setup doesn't change), i'll have full retirement when i'm 54

even if i moved to a job that paid more, i'll never have the kind of career that will allow me to retire young, so i'll take stability and low stress as long as i can

3/4/2015 2:29:22 PM

Quote :

"^you're an attorney right? I've always heard the stress goes down and the salary goes up as years go by. "

Yes, I am an attorney. I don't think stress goes down, just changes. Different type of stress as a managing partner than as an associate. But pay will, hopefully, go up. It's not bad now, by any stretch of the imagination, just could be higher.

3/4/2015 4:02:12 PM

Quote :

"I am at a crossroads though since I am always someone who wants to improve. I am wanting to move up simply because I don't want to stagnate, but I also realize the next threshold for my line of work is a lot of added stress, travel, and time with an unequal amount of added pay. I've been pursuing that next step the last year or two and now that it seems like it is very rapidly materializing, I am getting cold feet wondering if that is what I really want. Mainly because I really value my personal time for hobbies, traveling, etc. with my wife and friends and I can already do all that now with very little concern of cost, so a little extra money won't be life changing but it will potentially come with a lot of negatives. I just don't think I'd be happy or maybe even 'safe' career-wise trying to skate on in the same role I am in now forever."

I am with you on this. I am scared to leave academia. But I don't have a choice now, I need career mobility and a nice pay raise. I don't know what the culture is like in industry.

3/4/2015 6:05:05 PM

This post ended up being longer than I expected, so apologies for the wall of text...

I've been at the same company for 10 years on April 1st, starting as a Tier 1 billable resource and have now managed a team of principal consultants for the last 5 years.

During that time, I've had plenty of opportunities to make choices that really come down to salary vs. stress.

When I started, I had aspirations of one day being a CTO or other executive at a big technology company. Over the years, I've come to understand that I'm not the same kind of person those people are. I've only met a very small handful that aren't complete narcissistic sociopaths.

I enjoy my current work/life balance and I enjoy being friends with my co-workers and especially my team members. My best friend is also a manager in the group I'm in, we have offices next to each other, so I actually enjoy going in each day.

I think the furthest I am willing to take salary vs. stress would be my boss's job. I could handle being the Director of a technical group, over 50-100 people, but I think that's about where I could hold the balance steady.

Quote :

"You'd have to pay me $texas to supervise people."

I think it also matters what kind of people you supervise. I'm really lucky, the people on my team are brilliant programmers/engineers/architects who all act like responsible adults and we all get along really well.

There have been some tough discussions along the way and I've had to deliver shitty news more than once. There have been a few things that have bothered me enough to keep me up at night. In the end, it will be a very personal choice, and I think you will know when you feel the right balance.

One of the guys on my team used to be a manager, but decided to step down because the politics and shit storms bothered him so much he started hating work, enough to step back into a lower role with lower pay.

3/4/2015 9:13:36 PM

The stress would be fine, if I could just leave it at work. While my job is supposed to be M-F 7:30-4, a big part of my company is available 24/7 so people just assume I am too.

Since I'm out in the field a lot, I can basically make my own daily schedule. So if I need to take off for Dr appointments or kids get sick at school or something, I just go. Don't have to notify anyone or anything. So that flexibility is nice.

My pay is roughly 70% salary and 30% bonuses I have to earn. When I started at this job, as long as you were decently competent at the job, you would hit all the bonuses. And it was fairly rare that someone would miss a bonus. However, last year they made some changes and made it significantly harder to hit bonuses. I've still been able to hit all of my bonuses so far (only one other person has done that out of the 10 people in my same role. Most everyone else has only been hitting 25-50% of their bonuses). So even though I'm still hitting them, the stress has gone up significantly.

So while I'm not actively applying to jobs daily, I do have my "antennae up" for something else.

3/4/2015 11:53:59 PM

Being mid-30s and getting antsy for something new, but content with pay and balance, I try to remember the age curve. People should start dying / retiring very quickly at an alarming rate soon. Just need to sit tight, enjoy what I have while I have it, because the flood gates will open at some point and I'll likely be pulled into something way more stressfull and less balanced.

3/5/2015 5:00:11 AM

^this. I'm a local govt. employee & it's fairly low stress for the most part (except for having to go out in this rain today to pick up an ozone analyzer & calibrator from a monitoring site ). I could easily be working for a private company or move on to EPA/other states with potentially higher pay, but I prefer location and comfort level over any of that. Plus, decent benefits and very flexible sick/annual leave makes up for that.

But I know that turn over will happen soon in the AQ field, and it's probably gonna be a doozy

[Edited on March 5, 2015 at 9:15 AM. Reason : ]

3/5/2015 9:14:30 AM

Jobs aren't stressful. Jobs might have pressure or high stakes, but how stressful any given situation is comes down to how well you can react or cope with the situation.

Some people just can't cope with unexpected situations or being outside their comfort zones. Some of those people have disorders that cause it, but I'm convinced that most people who are overly stressed are just soft.

I definitely thrive under pressure and in high stakes situations, and seek them out. Hell my entire job exists solely to deal with them.

Quote :

"When I started, I had aspirations of one day being a CTO or other executive at a big technology company. Over the years, I've come to understand that I'm not the same kind of person those people are. I've only met a very small handful that aren't complete narcissistic sociopaths."

early in my career I had similar aspirations. I'm in a role now where I rub shoulders with senior execs on a regular basis. While I wouldn't characterize any of them as narcissistic sociopaths, I've seen enough that the money isn't worth the tradeoffs that they make. I have no desire to live out of a suitcase 6 months out of the year, never truly be able to disconnect from work, and have to pretty much give up the idea of being anything more than a part-time parent.

[Edited on March 5, 2015 at 9:58 AM. Reason : . ]

3/5/2015 9:52:20 AM

I understand what you are saying, but haven't you ever been good at something you didn't really even enjoy much?

That's how I feel at work a lot. I do well and have continually been given more responsibility in the office and now in the field on the construction sites. The majority of my job when I'm on a site is reacting quickly and appropriately to issues outside of my comfort zone or items I may not be 100% familiar with. Everything out here is a darn code red, ASAP emergency. However, at the same time, it stresses me out because it's not really what I'm passionate about anymore even though I have succeeded in my career so far based on my own metrics.

If I am doing something I am more passionate about then I fall more into your category of feeling the pressure but actually being more energized than stressed about it.


[Edited on March 5, 2015 at 10:14 AM. Reason : ]

3/5/2015 10:13:58 AM

Even though I'm 100% commission, I love my job. Base pay sucks in that there is none, but my potential is through the roof and being your own boss is awesome. If I want to take off a day, week, month, who cares. As long as I'm producing, everyone is happy, especially my boss (wife).

With that said, even though I have grown my income year over year (63% last year alone), you can get in a funk when you don't close a deal for a month or two. You just have to be smart and budget and not blow money just because you have it. I'm a commercial real estate broker and you never know when the next down turn will come and my feast could turn into famine. I started right when the bottom fell out in 2007 and have enjoyed the upswing of the recovery, now we just need to sustain it.

With that said, I do give up 40-50% of my income to be associated with a large company. I could close half as many transactions or make more money working on my own, but I love the comradery shared in the office and could not be happy working by myself from home.

I would say my job is stress free, other than when a big deal goes sideways. Usually depression is short lived and I find another solution - I've only had this happen one time when it totally blind sided me. With that said, it is part of the game/business.

3/5/2015 11:57:12 AM

I'm actively researching residencies that are lower stress than others even with massive pay differences...

I've zero interest in super type-A, high stress residencies ... I'd much rather relax, drink my coffee, and talk to older folks about being compliant with their medications


so stress level is much more important to me than salary ... but then the difference to me between $200k and $400k is an absurd difference that I don't even consider .... $200k is far and away enough to live the life I desire

3/5/2015 12:40:49 PM

I'd be much more comfortable with another $20k a year, but I fucking love my job. Eventually I'll compromise and move to a mgmt position for another 10k or so, and likely leave this industry/start my own business in my late 30's if I feel like I've hit a ceiling.

3/5/2015 7:09:07 PM

^^what kind of doctor do u want to be? May work harder during residency to work less hard later (dermatologist, podiatrist, etc)

3/5/2015 7:43:30 PM

^^^

my wife had a few of your type in residency. Expect to be despised by everyone around you. Being a resident is hard and comes with long ass hours. There's a gradient, but even if you don't choose surgery or anesthesia, even internal med, family med, etc still comes with a tough residency.

actually radiology might be your bag. i've heard some radiologists even work from home. and good pay too.

Quote :

"I understand what you are saying, but haven't you ever been good at something you didn't really even enjoy much?"

yeah i totally get you there. I guess when i've been in that position, i mentally categorized it more as misery than stress, but regardless it sucks.

3/6/2015 10:02:32 AM

My priority is definitely low stress and stability vs salary.

That said, the hassle at my current job is really starting to exceed the pay grade.

3/6/2015 11:58:00 AM

Quote :

"^^what kind of doctor do u want to be? May work harder during residency to work less hard later (dermatologist, podiatrist, etc)"

I'm almost assuredly going to go PM&R or Family Practice residency and then a sports med rehab fellowship.

low stress, motivated patients, more rewarding life style, no call .... win all around

3/6/2015 1:57:54 PM

Quote :

"While I wouldn't characterize any of them as narcissistic sociopaths, I've seen enough that the money isn't worth the tradeoffs that they make. I have no desire to live out of a suitcase 6 months out of the year, never truly be able to disconnect from work, and have to pretty much give up the idea of being anything more than a part-time parent. "

I probably went too strong calling them narcissistic sociopaths, just due to some stuff going on right now. I've come to realize there are basically two types of C-level people.

The first group is brilliant, nice, and personable. These people have worked their entire career to honestly climb the ladder and their achievements speak for themselves.

The second group want to see their name in lights. They talk a whole lot of bullshit that people fall for, then somehow find a new job before it comes time to see the wreck they have caused. They honestly don't care about anyone else at the company except for getting ahead themselves. Some of them even believe they are these super effective executives that just 'get shit done'. In reality, they leave a wake of destruction and low morale 6 months after they've implemented their changes.

3/6/2015 3:22:41 PM

^It's way more complicated than that

3/6/2015 7:32:16 PM

Quote :

"You'd have to pay me $texas to supervise people."

This. I like my job currently in IT. It's 8 to 5, i can get long lunches (i usually go to the gym if i can). I work maybe one weekend out of the year. I get PTO, etc.

My company sent out a "leader" position last week. I would have to do what i currently do, plus manage 10 guys (performance reviews, etc) with NO pay increase - increase would only be considered in 2016 Q1 performance review. super fucking retarded.

3/7/2015 8:37:01 AM

I lied at my last performance review and said I'm interested in moving up.

I just want to stay where I am for now: supervising a small group (14 or so), good (imo) pay, low stress, buffered from meetings/wrath/BS of upper mgmt which my manager and assistant manager are not

[Edited on March 7, 2015 at 9:54 AM. Reason : ]

3/7/2015 9:54:26 AM

Ugh! This is the best thread to blow some steam!

I was laid off in May. It didn't bother me. I actually got an interview pretty quickly. The first company that interviewed me said they have a slow HR department. Turns out, a month later I contacted the manager and he said, "We haven't filled the spot yet. You're definitely qualified. It might be a week, or two yet." The job is M-F 8-5. A second company that I interviewed with is managed by an ex-classmate of mine from college. He recognized me at the interview today and pretty much said they are going to pick me over the other people. He said they'll push it through HR quickly because they need the help. The problem is the job is M-F 11-8 and they often work OT and don't like you to take vacations in the summer. My coed soccer teams play on the week nights at 8:15 pm. I'll have to quit coed, if I take the job. Tomorrow I am going to visit a company that is taking walk in applications from noon to 4 pm. They said no phone calls, or e-mails. Another company contacted me after I sent them an e-mail tonight and said they want to interview me. The last two companies I mentioned are M-F 8-5. I'm just stressed because my last choice is the one that seems to be able to quickly push things through HR and they really want me. The others that I really want are taking waaaaaaay too much time to hire me. I don't want to work past 7:30 pm, but I don't want to pass on the job that is going to be offered to me, only to find out the other 3 places don't want me.

There, I feel a little better.

6/29/2015 11:14:37 PM

I'm a night owl to the max, I'd love those hours. I've found some others in my agency that do 9 hours M-T and then an 8 hour telework Friday. Then they do 9's the next M-Th and have the second Friday off. Might try to go that route. Or make the off day a Monday.

6/29/2015 11:20:12 PM

^My favorite shift at my last job was when it was M-F 10-6:30 pm for about a year. I could leave work and go to a 7 pm basketball game at the PNC Arena and play in my coed soccer leagues at 8:15 pm at the soccer center and then still sleep in. I really don't like working past 6:30 pm. That just eliminates too many fun things from life. I just want to be able to watch a basketball game, play rec sports, or go to an early movie.

6/29/2015 11:30:29 PM

I hear that. My current schedule is a flex 10-6pm. As long as I work 8 hours between 7am and 6pm it doesn't matter when I come in. i.e. 7-3pm, 8-4pm, 9-5pm, 10-6pm, etc. I'm lucky to have that but I'd really like to have a work day off twice a month to schedule chiropractic/massage appointments due to my fucked back.

6/29/2015 11:40:33 PM

^totally different from working past 8 pm.

6/30/2015 12:11:20 AM

Quote :

"but I'm convinced that most people who are overly stressed are just soft."

This.

My experience is all big corporations though, I'd imagine a small company would be different.

I can't relate to coworkers that get stressed, they have no perspective on how insignificant their task is big-picture. Often times people mistake my "not being stressed" as indifference or laziness, which annoys me.

6/30/2015 2:55:17 PM

I think a lot of stress comes with your pay, hours, and tasks. If you're doing something you don't like during hours you don't want to work and a wage that isn't enough, then you will feel stressed.

6/30/2015 3:20:03 PM

ncsuallday's job description sounds like we work for the same agency

6/30/2015 5:02:39 PM

are you under HHS?

6/30/2015 5:24:20 PM

nope

USPTO, but I telework and have flex scheduling, not much stress

6/30/2015 5:25:23 PM

interesting, is there a branch in NC or are you up in DC?

I feel like up there I'd move up much quicker, but I don't really want to move to DC due to the cost of living and just the general career-obsessed culture vibe I get when I'm up there. Have a great time when I visit, though.

6/30/2015 5:30:46 PM

I was up there for about 2¾ years in Alexandria, last October I started hoteling and moved back to Raleigh, so I work from home full time

We can move wherever we want in the lower-48 once we start hoteling

6/30/2015 5:32:38 PM

The one job I interviewed for today won't pay enough. The other one I had a informal meet and greet with the management, so I called the VP back and said we can set up a formal interview soon. I hope it works out. Eight miles from home is nicer than 30+ miles.

6/30/2015 7:44:08 PM

Quote :

"i envy the extra salary of my manager, but then i look at the shit she has to deal with everyday and quickly forget about it"

I envy my boss' salary

Then I think, "Oh yea, I should" because he makes at least 6 times as much as anyone else and rarely comes in more than 20 hours a week.

6/30/2015 9:00:56 PM

New job, better salary, less stress

6/30/2015 10:37:05 PM

I'm glad this thread got bumped because I reread my post and it reminded me why I am not responding to recruiters from a consulting firm. I could probably get a 15-25k raise by going there but I leave work at 5 almost everyday, get in around 8:45 and my boss is awesome. Once he leaves or some big changes happen I might make that jump again but I am really spoiled right now.

7/1/2015 8:34:57 AM

That's why I quit sales to teach pre-algebra. Low salary but zero stress.

7/1/2015 10:29:55 AM