Turning down an amazing professional opportunity

the dog should be a non issue. Find a family member to give it to, if you take the job. You can give it to a shelter, but they'll just eventually put it down most likely. So you'd have 48 hours in your home a week.

Thats very little. If you take this job you'll have no relationships outside of work. It could be cool at first to travel like that and see different places, but not if you are working all day. Ultimately if you want to start a family, you probably shouldn't do it. You're in your 30s and I assume you want to meet a so within a few years of your age. If you work this job until your late 30s or 40s, that could become an issue unless you don't mind gold diggers or the job allows plenty of time to run/stay in shape.

Thanks for the response. I don't think any of my friends or family members would take the dog. And giving him to a shelter is not an option.

Starting a family and having relationships is important to me. You're right about the impact that this job would have on my life outside of work.

What about the possibility of taking the job for 1-2 years and then looking for something more stable?

Do you care about the actual job or not? Unless you're really struggling financially, 30% pay increase and bullet points on a resume are really not that big a deal in the grand scheme of things.

There's nothing wrong with putting priority on lifestyle, and in the end if that's the case for you, it'll bite you in the arse if you avoid facing that. Put yourself in an environment that makes you consistently feel happy to get up in the morning. At the same time, be constantly mindful of being productive and taking initiative, and sooner or later good opportunities come knocking one way or another.

bonksy wrote:

Put yourself in an environment that makes you consistently feel happy to get up in the morning. At the same time, be constantly mindful of being productive and taking initiative, and sooner or later good opportunities come knocking one way or another.

This is a great point, thank you.

Without my dog, and without running, and without some of the day-to-day lifestyle aspects, I would be pretty miserable.

This isn't the only job out there for me (though it is the most prestigious one). There are other jobs that are offering me great opportunities (while still retaining some of the lifestyle essentials).

PetGuy wrote:

Thanks for the response. I don't think any of my friends or family members would take the dog. And giving him to a shelter is not an option.

Starting a family and having relationships is important to me. You're right about the impact that this job would have on my life outside of work.

What about the possibility of taking the job for 1-2 years and then looking for something more stable?

I agree that the dog should be a non-issue (unless you love the dog so much you can't live without her).

Throw a post up on your Facebook and the dog will be adopted in two hours.

Also, traveling this much will not hinder your ability to meet someone. It will hinder your ability, however, to settle down and start a family.

You said you were in your "30s". That is a huge age range from a family perspective.

How long is the travel 100%? If it is only a 2-3 years and you are in your early 30s, then I would do it.

You mention, as things important to you, running, your dog, and starting a family. The new job takes you away from these things. While the new job would bring additional money and prestige, it doesn't sound as if these things are important to you. I would really think about the things you value, in both the short and long run, and decide if the new job brings you closer to further away from these goals. Good luck.

100% travel is ridiculous. You aren't making 30% more because you are basically working 24/7. So you are making way less per hour if you take this job.

Don't be a sucker.

You didn't identify a plan B or C in your message. What's the "opportunity cost" if you pass on this great offer? Skills and experience are more important than working for a "name" company. (That's one appeal of working for a start-up.) Can you get the equivalent skills/experience with a different opportunity that doesn't have as much travel and accomodates your personal life better? It's hard to stay at a job long (especially with a move or lots of travel) if you aren't enjoying it and dealing with burnout, etc. Don't assume that it will be easy to leave after 1-2 years. You might ask about the career plan/path with the company and when the travel could be reduced. Think about how will the 30% bump will help you (e.g., paying off loans, purchasing a house, etc.) and if that's really a factor.

This reminds me of a part in "Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman!" where Richard Feynman talks about how he was offered a job at the University of Chicago after he'd been at Caltech for awhile. He was very happy at Caltech and refused to open any letters from U. Chicago or talk to them because he knew he was happy and didn't want to be tempted. Finally someone from Chicago called him and just blurted out what they were going to pay him, which was about 3X his current salary at Caltech. He thought it was an offer too good to refuse but struggled with it a little. As he was walking across campus, he ran into one of the biologists on campus who had just made some big discovery and shared this with Feynman. Then he ran into another one of his friends/colleagues that had something interesting to share. He then realized he was happy HERE, at Caltech, that he LOVED his current life, and that it would be very stupid to go somewhere different just for money.

I'm not really trying to push you in the direction of declining the offer, but money is only one aspect of life. Sure, it's a big deal, but if you're already making enough to live comfortably and do most of the things you want, is the lifestyle change worth it to you?

Something else to consider, would you be able to get away from traveling so much after a year or two? If so, that might affect your decision, right? Have you tried talking with your employer about traveling? They might be able to work something out.

Just my input. Congrats on the job offer even if you don't take it.

mmmmmmmmmmm wrote:

100% travel is ridiculous. You aren't making 30% more because you are basically working 24/7. So you are making way less per hour if you take this job.

Don't be a sucker.

^This

Hope to Help wrote:

You mention, as things important to you, running, your dog, and starting a family. The new job takes you away from these things.

This reminds of me that move "The Family Man". Nicolas Cage breaks up a relationship with the woman he loves in order to gain wealth and power, but learns that money can't buy happiness. Sounds cheesy but it was actually a good flick. Appropriate for the holidays.

What is the Big Four?

Is your dog ok with other dogs and cats? I would adopt it. I have 4 cocker spaniels and 3 cats. My wife and I love animals.

Hope to Help wrote:

You mention, as things important to you, running, your dog, and starting a family. The new job takes you away from these things. While the new job would bring additional money and prestige, it doesn't sound as if these things are important to you. I would really think about the things you value, in both the short and long run, and decide if the new job brings you closer to further away from these goals. Good luck.

I place significant importance on certain professional considerations. I'd like to have a balance between personal and professional fulfillment. It seems like this job may skew that balance.

mmmmmmmmmmm wrote:

100% travel is ridiculous. You aren't making 30% more because you are basically working 24/7. So you are making way less per hour if you take this job.

Don't be a sucker.

This is an interesting point, thank you.

Carl Spackler wrote:

You didn't identify a plan B or C in your message. What's the "opportunity cost" if you pass on this great offer? Skills and experience are more important than working for a "name" company. (That's one appeal of working for a start-up.) Can you get the equivalent skills/experience with a different opportunity that doesn't have as much travel and accomodates your personal life better? It's hard to stay at a job long (especially with a move or lots of travel) if you aren't enjoying it and dealing with burnout, etc. Don't assume that it will be easy to leave after 1-2 years. You might ask about the career plan/path with the company and when the travel could be reduced. Think about how will the 30% bump will help you (e.g., paying off loans, purchasing a house, etc.) and if that's really a factor.

These are good comments, thank you.

I do have a plan B. I've been considering the "opportunity cost" if I decline this offer and go with plan B. Although I haven't been able to clearly define that cost...

I've recently interviewed with another company and I expect to receive an offer shortly. While this company lacks the "Big Four" prestige, it's still a well known and respected company. I'd still be developing outstanding skills/experience at company B.

So while company B doesn't have the same name recognition and prestige as company A, Plan B would be a significant step forward in my career with 0% travel.

Guppy wrote:

Congrats on the job offer even if you don't take it.

Thank you. And thanks for your insights.

Track Fan 1979 wrote:

What is the Big Four?

The Big Four are the four largest international professional services networks:

KPMG, EY, PwC, and Deloitte

mmmmmmmmmmm wrote:

100% travel is ridiculous. You aren't making 30% more because you are basically working 24/7. So you are making way less per hour if you take this job.

Don't be a sucker.

Not necessarily. He will be away from home 24/7 but he won't be working 24/7. It could be a great opportunity to travel and see the country on someone else's dime. It's all about perspective.