New Job Offer - advice needed

[Whickerman]

Believe me, before I ask this I know it's a good position to be in, and I recognise how bloody lucky this is.

I have a decent job. It's senior management level in a medium sized multinational, very autonomous, get a fair bit of travel and the job is very flexible. My boss gets annoyed if I work too many hours, so it's very family friendly. They support my further education, pay expenses quickly and without fuss, pay my family's private healthcare and it's not very onerous. The salary is the downside - it's enough to live on, but I'll never be rich.

I've been offered a job in a large pharmaceutical company, and this would pay about half again what i'm currently getting. The job spec shows an obvious increase in the amount of hours I'd have to work though, and I'd be entering a serious high-flying corporate company.

So - what's more desirable? Great family life with a small amount of stress, or a plunge into the unknown with great money?

[novalis]

You can't put a price/value on personal happiness and health. This has to be a decision for your family after you have taken into consideration all the very good advice which you will receive through this forum. I hope that you make the right decision for yourself and family.

Best of luck whichever you decide.

[ludwig]

I was recently in the same position, and turned down the new job. Pretty much as soon as I'd done it I started to regret it, and called them back a couple of days later to see if the offer was still on. Luckily it was, so I accepted. I'm still not sure if it was the right decision, but sometimes you have to make a choice and go with it and not worry about what might have been.
None of that helps you of course. Only you can make your decision, but you sound as if you're happy where you are. If that's true why look to change it?

[raysparx1]

Whickerman, you are a very lucky man to work for a company that appreciates you and what you do, I would stay where I was if it applied to me, happiness and contentment can't be bought by a higher wage, you will have more stress, be away from your family, be given unatainable targets that rise every few months, the stress will get more, you will worry, arguements at home leading to more stress leading to more arguments, unless you like being stressed of course.

I left London 28 years ago, I was earning good money, approx �200, per week then, which was very good, I moved to North wales earnt less than half but was so happy, quality of life is more important than material gain, I spent so much time with my children, that was priceless, good luck to you what ever you decide, just remember a good boss is hard to find, with the big company you will not be a name, you will be a number,
Ray

[Finance Guy]

If your present job allows you to live well enough and they appreciate family life enough to do all the things for you that you say, why leave?

I know many a person who, basically, abandoned their family in favour of career and money and not one of them is truly happy. No amount of Rolex watches, porsches, designer suits and flash restaurants will fill the void that can be left by a family growing apart. Dont get me wrong, they all began with very good intentions of making a better life for them and their families, but it just didnt work out that way, as they grew apart and the kids missed out on Quality time with their Dad.

Watch the movie 'Family Man' with Nicolas Cage, then make a decision!

Good luck

[Badger31]

Family life and less stress is an ideal that few of us every manage to achieve, however the same could be said about a satisfiying job with great benefits.
I belive you have to find the right balance between work and home life in order to be happy. One question you should ask yourself is this: Will I be happy settling for where I am now or will I regret not making the jump later in life?

After all is said and done, nothing ventured - nothing gained, and as the Dr Pepper ad says: Whats the worst that can happen?