Is there any possibility that the benefit package will change/get better? As you progress, does it change?
My advice would be to think about what you love doing. Are you happier where you are, or will you be happier doing this new job? Then take into consideration the pay differences (if any)? Whose salary is higher?
And then, sometimes, you just have to take a leap - even if it may look like you might fall.
It doesn't change or get better. It MIGHT in the future if they renegotiate, but that's not likely. Most likely the rates will just go up. The only thing that will change is that I'll get more vacation time eventually. BUT my vacation time (which I use for trialing) will be severely cut and it will take TEN YEARS before I get back to where I'm currently at with the station. X_X I also get a number of personal days at work, and the new job offers one a year... that's it. You don't get more personal days the longer you work there, you just get one personal day a year. Sick days are about even though.
I will probably be HAPPIER with the new job... quite honestly I am physically ill with my job right now. =/ But the finances are a big issue. The benefits especially. The thing is, the pay is exactly the same. I already know I will not likely make more money at the station for a long, long time, if at all, unless things work out and I DO end up getting the job change I have went for. As for the new job, I dunno when that one will result in more pay either.
So if both jobs pay the same and both jobs have a question mark when it comes to "will I get more money and when?" BUT the new job costs me more for worse benefits... the better financial move is to stay where I am.
The GM gave me some really good advice and he said to me "What you really need to ask yourself, above all else, is - is this going to take me where I want to go in life? Is this going to get me any closer to that goal?" And I was standing out in the yard with the dogs and thinking about that and I realized... no. It's not. It's not going to get me any closer, and may even set me back some with the benefits issues. From a practical standpoint I think it might be a bad move. I mean, in my head I'm thinking "okay, if I get a raise then it'll be more even." But what if I don't get a raise?? Then I'm right back where I started, looking and looking for a new job with better pay, except my benefits aren't very good and are expensive.
stupid frickin' GM giving me good advice.
also you can't wear flip-flops there. >=| this is a huge problem. (kidding. sorta.)
I think I'm going to turn it down. =< and I just have to hope something will pan out at the station or that I will find something else I guess. I want to cry, I mean I REALLY want to cry. I was so frickin' excited this morning when they called to offer it to me. But at the same time I also feel like this is the right decision. Like I honestly feel in my heart that turning it down is the right thing to do, besides my head telling me the financials are definitely shaky. I'm even trying to remember how many times I've wanted to just walk out in the last month and yet I still think turning it down is the right move.
ugh. but I may seriously regret it later.