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Dave, Figure out where you want to work the most. Don't be a fence-sitter in this regard. Follow your gut. Next, let that company know that you have another o

Dave, Figure out where you want to work the most. Don't be a fence-sitter in this regard. Follow your gut. Next, let that company know that you have another offer that is better than theirs. Explain that you really want to work with them and ask if they would be willing to match the offer. Negotiate for more vacation time as well, but do it all at once. If they don't match the offer then see what the best they can do actually is and take it. A few dollars here or there aren't going to change your life in the long run. Go and be happy.

gt565k 11y ago
Can't upvote enough. Many people I know, including myself, made the mistake of going for the highest salary / best benefit package, disregarding other factors. Big mistake! Taking an extra $5000 on your salary, while you might think is good, doesn't necessary translate to a better work environment. I see this problem a lot, where people go for the highest monetary offer. Some places have more to offer than a few extra bucks. They can offer a long career plan, smarter/better colleagues, and ideally a place where you will continue to learn even 3-5 years in. I highly encourage you to take partisan's advice. Waking up every morning and being excited to go to work is much more important than making some extra $$ and having low morale.
- toomuchtodo 11y ago
  Can't stress this enough. I took a 30% pay cut from my previous employer to work at my current job, and I could not be happier. Work from home, interesting/hard problems, flexible hours, and most importantly, I could not find team members as smart or kind as I currently work with. You spend a third of your hours alive working (roughly speaking); enjoy them.
x0x0 11y ago
the key is a few dollars though Even $20k is going to be $12k/year after taxes. Four years of that not only means your next job will negotiate against a higher base, but will be $50k in your pocket, either for savings, a down payment, or to take a year off of working during your one and only life to see the world, write a book, learn something interesting, give you the time to start your own company, or who knows...
- partisan 11y ago
  You are right and I was speaking purely from my experience. In the past few years, I just about doubled my income, but it hasn't made me much happier at all. It comes down to priorities. For some people, the priority is money. For others, it is happiness. If money is going to buy you happiness, then I guess the choice becomes easier.
  - Raphmedia 11y ago
    Studies (mobile browsing, I have no sources nearby, google it, sorry) says that happiness peaks around $75,000.
    - brianwawok 11y ago
      Do you think happiness living in SF peaks at 75k? Disclaimer- does not live in SF.
      - Raphmedia 11y ago
        There is no happiness in living in SF.

gt565k 11y ago

Can't upvote enough. Many people I know, including myself, made the mistake of going for the highest salary / best benefit package, disregarding other factors. Big mistake! Taking an extra $5000 on your salary, while you might think is good, doesn't necessary translate to a better work environment. I see this problem a lot, where people go for the highest monetary offer. Some places have more to offer than a few extra bucks. They can offer a long career plan, smarter/better colleagues, and ideally a place where you will continue to learn even 3-5 years in. I highly encourage you to take partisan's advice. Waking up every morning and being excited to go to work is much more important than making some extra $$ and having low morale.

toomuchtodo 11y ago
Can't stress this enough. I took a 30% pay cut from my previous employer to work at my current job, and I could not be happier. Work from home, interesting/hard problems, flexible hours, and most importantly, I could not find team members as smart or kind as I currently work with. You spend a third of your hours alive working (roughly speaking); enjoy them.

x0x0 11y ago

the key is a few dollars though Even $20k is going to be $12k/year after taxes. Four years of that not only means your next job will negotiate against a higher base, but will be $50k in your pocket, either for savings, a down payment, or to take a year off of working during your one and only life to see the world, write a book, learn something interesting, give you the time to start your own company, or who knows...

partisan 11y ago
You are right and I was speaking purely from my experience. In the past few years, I just about doubled my income, but it hasn't made me much happier at all. It comes down to priorities. For some people, the priority is money. For others, it is happiness. If money is going to buy you happiness, then I guess the choice becomes easier.
- Raphmedia 11y ago
  Studies (mobile browsing, I have no sources nearby, google it, sorry) says that happiness peaks around $75,000.
  - brianwawok 11y ago
    Do you think happiness living in SF peaks at 75k? Disclaimer- does not live in SF.
    - Raphmedia 11y ago
      There is no happiness in living in SF.