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Did I Make the Right Decision?
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 5:59 pm
by RutgersLaw17
Long Story Short,
I'm currently an Associate with a Small Firm (6 Attorneys) in a specialized field of Law. My Whole Resume is dedicated to one practice. Recently I wanted to make a transition as I've been at my firm for over a year and wanted to work somewhere where I could grow, as a small firm growth is limited.
Currently Making around $75k.
I recently had two Job Offer; one with a State Government Agency; offering in the $95k range, with 8 Weeks of Paid Time Off. Pension and all.
Second Offer was with another small firm offering $110k and Bonus. However a crappy PTO Plan (5 Days).
What's the Right Move? I feel like the State Agency is the better move due to prestige of the field I practice and better exit options compared to another small firm on my resume.
Any input would be great thanks!
Re: Did I Make the Right Decision?
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 6:03 pm
by QContinuum
I think you were right to choose the state government offer. The job security, lack of billables, 8 weeks (!) of PTO, and pension more than make up for the relatively small upfront pay differential*. Further, as you note, you already have small firm experience on your resume; adding a second firm doesn't add much (if any) value, whereas adding government service actually adds something different.
*In fact, the PTO differential itself accounts for 100% of the difference in base pay: Divide $95k by 44 weeks (52 weeks/year minus 8 weeks off) to figure your weekly salary of $2159 per week. Multiply that $2159/week by 51 weeks (the amount of time you'd work at the second small firm), and you get $110k. So the base salary is really the same between the two jobs when accounting for the PTO difference.
Congrats on the very solid offer and enjoy your new gig!
Re: Did I Make the Right Decision?
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 7:04 pm
by objctnyrhnr
QContinuum wrote:I think you were right to choose the state government offer. The job security, lack of billables, 8 weeks (!) of PTO, and pension more than make up for the relatively small upfront pay differential*. Further, as you note, you already have small firm experience on your resume; adding a second firm doesn't add much (if any) value, whereas adding government service actually adds something different.
*In fact, the PTO differential itself accounts for 100% of the difference in base pay: Divide $95k by 44 weeks (52 weeks/year minus 8 weeks off), meaning you're getting paid $2159 per week. Multiply that $2195 per week by 51 weeks (the amount of time you'd work at the second small firm), and you get $110k. So the base salary is really the same between the two jobs when accounting for the PTO difference.
Congrats on the very solid offer and enjoy your new gig!
QCont with TCR as usual. I concur and for the same reasons.
Re: Did I Make the Right Decision?
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 7:45 pm
by JohnnieSockran
I just feel like 8 weeks of PTO is so hard to pass on...you have to take that.
Not to mention, with 8 weeks of PTO you could start a small side hustle if you really want some of the extra cash that would've come with the firm job.
Re: Did I Make the Right Decision?
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 8:29 pm
by lavarman84
8 weeks of PTO? That sounds heavenly. Jump on that.
Re: Did I Make the Right Decision?
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 10:01 pm
by Wubbles
Yeah, this sounds like one of those unicorn jobs people go searching for. Best of luck!