Turning down an amazing professional opportunity

You should like a really fun guy

You're a fool. You're just a piece of expendable property to him. To him you are nothing but a dumb dog. Sorry bowzer, you put your trust into the wrong guy.

Yeah it me!!! wrote:

PetGuy,

You know I luv ya and no one has been more devoted to you than me. Right? You know that is true. I thought we had a really great thing going on and that you really got something from our owner/pet thing. I look so forward to you coming home every night. I would HATE to lose you.

But, even though you are the best thing ever to me, I trust you and know whatever you do will be best. So if this job is something you have to do, go ahead and take it. Don't worry about me. You know I only want what's best for you! Its always been that way. I just appreciate everything you have done for me.

Good luck

(PS I hope you didn't mind I used your laptop)

I think that a 30% increase in compensation and higher prestige of the employer are pretty lame reasons to give up a dog, running, and a family in the near future. I'll bet that just about any expert on human happiness would agree.

So what else would you get from this job? Apparently, an "infinite number" of doors that would be opened. What's behind those doors? Probably not your dog, or running, or a perfect little family.

If you turn down this job, I think you may experience some anxiety that you made a mistake by passing on a job that you believe most similarly situated colleagues would choose. But I think that anxiety will be fleeting. Giving up your dog, putting aside your running, and delaying close familial relationships will produce much more heartache. At least they should, if you're one of the more well-adjusted members of your profession.

Maybe there's a really good reason for choosing this "amazing professional opportunity." I just don't know what it is.

Keep chasing that corporate carrot man! pursue the big 4 and your big salary and get molded into the truly sad, soul sucked person that they want you to be!

Here is some real life advice from someone who actually works for one of the Big 4. If you are traveling 100% of the time it sounds like you are going to be in Consulting or IT Audit. Consulting is a pretty nice gig, work there for a few years and then transfer to some kind of business development or corporate strategy job. The short-term loss would probably be worth the long-term payout. Now, if the job is in IT Audit, I really hope that you love that stuff, because a lot of people get sucked in by the Big 4 name spend and then spend the first two months on the job realizing how much they hate it and all the time after that is spent on how to get out. Your decision, but the Big 4 name still holds some serious weight if you really want to go far in your career.

Worst case scenario you take the job and don't like it. If that's the case you can always quit (who says it has to be long term). With the dog, your home 48 hours a week. The rest of the week you can pay someone to feed and walk the dog (may be a great opportunity for a younger family member, perhaps a niece or nephew make some extra cash and learn responsibility). The dog is really least of your worries. Worst case post ad on craigslist looking for loving family to take him.

I feel as though you've already made your decision, and are looking for feedback to feel justified when you finally pull the trigger. Never compromising on lifestyle was the first big lesson I learned when I entered the work force. I was struggling after college and I was finally offered a decently paying position. Coming from a low income background, all I could see was the number on the paper and not how much the position would uproot my lifestyle. I spent a year floundering and learned my lesson. I wouldn't recommend that to anyone though. If you have the necessary qualities to land such a good job offer, I have no doubt that you could hold out and land similar ones that wouldn't clash with your lifestyle trajectory so badly.

Good luck.

There have been a few updates:

1) My mother has offered to care for my dog from Mon-Fri.

2) I had a great interview with Company B. While Company B doesn't have the "Big 4" prestige, it's still an outstanding company. If hired by company B I would develop a desirable skill-set and gain valuable experience. Company B requires no travel, I would be able to retain my lifestyle balance.

3) I have until 11/26 to accept the offer from Company A. I am waiting for an offer from Company B.

Company B is my preference. It doesn't have the "name recognition" of Company A, but Company B would come with far fewer sacrifices. I hope to have an offer from Company B before 11/26. I'm not sure what to do if I don't get that offer (or if the offer is a bad one).

And despite having found someone to care for my dog, I'm still uncertain about the sacrifices I will need to make for Company A. I'm concerned about how I would handle being on the road Mon-Fri. I would spend a significant amount of time on my own, and I would give up a considerable part of my life.

Thanks again for your input, guys. It is much appreciated.

i run and stuff wrote:

If you have the necessary qualities to land such a good job offer, I have no doubt that you could hold out and land similar ones that wouldn't clash with your lifestyle trajectory so badly.

Good luck.

This is a good point, and I try to remind myself of this.

It's difficult to think that if I don't accept an offer from Company A or B, it could be 2-6 months before I receive another offer. However, I'm still employed right now (though unhappy), and 2-6 months is a small price to pay for a satisfying job.

Have you said anything to Company B to let them know you need a timely offer? That would help you and let them know you have other options, which may lead them to making you a better offer if they really like you.

You are your own person, but it sounds like Company B would be a better fit for you unless the offer is terrible.

Just want to say this is a great thread with lots of thoughtful input. As someone who had dogs, I could not imagine giving up one for a job. Having someone else within the family watch them is one thing, but giving them away to a stranger or just "getting rid of them" would not be an option. I also have intentionally avoided having any pets because of this sort of predicament though. I love dogs, but they complicate life, and my life is still to up in the air and transitory to warrant having a pet.

I will be revisiting this thread to see how things go. Best of luck to you.

Stay with your current job and see if they can match the offer?

Oh sorry missed point that you are unhappy.

Why not ask a if they could be more flexible about travel or more time to decide?

Screw the job offer. Keep the dog. Dogs are awesome.

What is wrong with you people? I grew up with dogs - but they are just animals. They are not people.

I feel as though somewhere along the line my generation has forgotten this.

A dog shouldn't impact your actual life plans. Grow up and learn to live without your stuffed animal. It will be dead soon anyway.

Guppy wrote:

Have you said anything to Company B to let them know you need a timely offer? That would help you and let them know you have other options, which may lead them to making you a better offer if they really like you.

You are your own person, but it sounds like Company B would be a better fit for you unless the offer is terrible.

I've thought about calling Company B and saying "I wanted to let you know that I'm still interested in the job and working for you is my preference, but I've received an offer from another company. Is there anything I can do to expedite the process?"

But I'm concerned about putting pressure on Company B. If they are on the fence about me, asking them to speed up their decision could have an unfavorable result.

Thanks for the well wishes.

What is the job offer for? Tax, audit, consulting, janitor, admin.. pls clarify

A 30% pay raise and all expenses paid but you can't afford a dog sitter?

The Champ wrote:

What is wrong with you people? I grew up with dogs - but they are just animals. They are not people.

I feel as though somewhere along the line my generation has forgotten this.

A dog shouldn't impact your actual life plans. Grow up and learn to live without your stuffed animal. It will be dead soon anyway.

The dog is no longer an issue, as my mother has offered to care for him during the week.

There are 2 primary issues as stated above:

1) Am I able to accept the lifestyle sacrifices of travel Mon-Fri?

2) I have until 11/26 to accept Company A's offer while I wait for an offer from Company B (which would not require travel).

BeenThereNowNoLongerThere wrote:

What is the job offer for? Tax, audit, consulting, janitor, admin.. pls clarify

Consulting