Has anyone here done it? What would it take financially for you to do it?

Let's say hypothetically you're already making 6 figures, but another company is trying to lure you away. How much compensation percentage wise did it take for you, or would it take for you?

Bonus question - if they also requested international travel, like Australia for 2-3 years, would you go for added incentives?

Just wondering -

Like a guy could live on 6 figures.
Sheez.

I usually don't keep the same job for more than a year. I get too riled too easy and have a tendency to tell folks where they can stick it. Go figure. While this information doesn't help or answer your question, thought I'd pipe in anyway.

I'd also like to add that 25 years of doing the same thing would drive me up the wall.

good question...there better be lots of perks

I passed on several international deals. They got funny laws in them places. Australia would be intriguing. Remember you come back before the ex-pat time for any reason and the tax man cometh with a backhoe. When you leave, you leave and stay gone for the minimum time.

Triton....I am single so I would be all over it. I don't know your age, but my suggestion is that if you are on the 50 side of 40 or beyond, look at the long term. Obviously, you are secure where you are. Upwardly mobile, or where you are gonna be? If the new job does not pan out for some reason, where will you be?

Also, the decison will, no doubt, be impacted by the current economic crisis. I think Obama is gonna win, and I really do think his economic plan will keep the economy in turmoil for a long time.

I would think that if international travel is required, and especially living overseas, that an increase in the range of 33% to 50% plus moving expenses would be reasonable.

Gotta remember that football down under is a strange game....but the beer is great, the women pretty, and the fishing good (stand back away from the shore for fear of the saltys).

It's hard to find loyalty these days, but the corporate model doesn't like to have "old dogs" around anymore because they will be paying their pension, where as new hires don't get the same treatment.

When raises come out, it's usually lump sum bonuses that are given to long term employees, rather than increasing their base pay....something that directly affects their retirement. (based on most previous 5 year average)

If a company offered a very nice package and a nice signing bonus, I would think that signing bonus could be rolled into an IRA, which would compensate later for the hit one would be taking on percentage points of their retirement for reiring early.

We're looking at those very percentage numbers you quoted.

I'll be 45 in Feb, and have 27 years of service. I'm vested, but will take an approx 15% hit on my retirement for leaving early.

Where in Australia? It does make a difference.

The ex-pat thing must be considered.

You should not go for less than +20%, and with a very generous buy out if it does not work. I've seen too many go with the money just to get "let go" because they did not fit in after all. They did not have buy out package to fall back on.

Good luck. Just remember that as in most things in life you won't know if you made a good or a bad decision till about ten to twenty years from now.

You are correct, but I am forced to wonder if, in light of the times we are in, companies don't attempt to hold on to the cash they have in hand and attempt to lure with some other form of compensation.

You are talking about my first marriage, right?

It's looking like 20+% just to change companies, and 35-50% for international. Usually a 2-3 year deal, and I will not move my family. I will make trips back home.

...and mine.

your going to need a pool boy

going to be made to go to Australia WITHOUT your family? Now that is just too sad to think about. Again, I ask where?

p.s., I know a very good divorce lawyer over in Southlake. After three years by yourself in Australia you might need one. Unless you are going to Alice Springs. Then you will just need a very good shrink.

Anything south of San Antonio is all a blur to me. I don't know the city, but it will be a major one.

Remember there are no Large Mouth Bass in Australia. Only those big rats with pockets?

Folks....I give you my poolboy.

Coolray personally removed 2 dead armadillos from my backyard when I was in Canada, and he keeps an eye on my place when I'm away.

The towns up north are more lay back and lots of fun. SE towns closer to England. Perth, the best combination of all, so I've been told. I've been all over "Down Under" but for Perth. Got close once. Landed at a RAAF base just north of the city. Beautiful country side.

I would not consider moving to Canberra. Lots of single women from the government offices, but other than that it is hot as hades and even though there are beaches, they are fenced off due to the saltys.

Want HOT? Try Darwin. The only place, as a Marine, I was ever stopped from running by the heat and humidity.

darwin is referred to locally as he77. For a reason.

We have an office in Brisbane on the Gold Coast...I have not personally been there but told it is very nice.

Still...for me not sure I would make that kind of move. Money is nice but to be away from your family is quite a sacrifice. As far as making trips back and forth that is a pretty grueling trip...something like 16-18 hours total in the air.

Even without the internatinal aspect not sure I would make the move unless I was sure I had no future with the current employer.

Tough call...

Why is it always a about a nice package for you?

Everyone needs a hobby.

solid B
Gay, but still a B.

I try to tailor my responses to the interests of the individual poster.

the grass isnt always greener on the other side of the fence. Family, stability, secure future, and knowing what to expect 5 years down the road would be my decisive factors to consider. Extra Pay is nice, but you cant take it with you when you part this world.

My wife was not in the six figures by any means. She quit her job of about 12 years for a better paying one. That company was bankrupt within two years and she has not found a good job since then. She will not admit it, but she was a lot better off in her original position.
She is just waiting for her present employer of six years to quit doing business, so she can retire.
.

So true! I know from experience that the grass on the other side of the fence, although lush and green, can wither away in a heart beat once you've crossed over .

If it were me, I'd voice those concerns to the company courting me to see if they'd sweeten the pot, and give you a guaranteed salary for 1-2 years regardless of the outcome. The beauty of asking for may seem to be too much, is you already have a job that your happy with so you really have nothing to lose.

Company loyalty is gone. I'm sure it exists somewhere, but if you think for a second that if during tough times the company wouldn't replace you for a much cheaper substitute, you're kidding yourself.

Even though most places don't have pensions, and 401ks are dogs right now, as part of your compensation, I would insist in being fully vested from day one.


Aside from that, I'd be packing my tanning oil and brushing up on my boomerrang skills.

Tman its hard to know what path to take these days. I started years ago as a machinist, worked my way through college holding various "engineering" positions then finally graduated as a mechanical engineer with honors. Then after two years had the "opportunity" to go into sales.

So basically I have had three career changes in my life and the transitions have not been easy but feel that the variety of experiences has better prepared me for these ever changing times.

In order to stay ahead of the game I feel that it is vital for us to constantly strive to find ways to reinvent ourselves. Yes I work for a large corporation and have heard the same about the old guys being pushed out at 55 due to pension concerns. So at 46 my next step is MBA, Chinese language (maybe) I already speak Spanish but who knows, then going into business for myself.

I know how to build it, engineer it, and now I know how to sell it. So the next logical step is my own business whatever that is.

Before the recent current events I would advise staying the course. However due to the current situation in our country living in Australia or New Zealand is looking really good right now.

Working on my G-day mate already.

Well, in the event that you actually take the job and head off to Aussie land, this may help you interact with the locals...

http://www.koalanet.com.au/australian-slang.html

I've lived in a number of countries and you have some extentuating circumstances that I never had to deal with:

A young daughter on the verge of entering college.
Deep roots in the community.
Established family in one place.

I've spent time in Australia. Great place and unlike most foreign countries, they genuinely like Americans.

My experience with people/families moving abroad is that if EVERYBODY INVOLVED doesn't have a sense of venture in their heart about foreign places, you're going to have a REAL tough time. And when I tell you Australia/New Zealand is a long way away, it is a LONG WAY AWAY. Look at a map and airlines schedules.

Agreed, it would be a tough decision. Australia certainly isn't the only International location, just one of the hottest in this particular job market. It's certainly an available option if I was to choose, but there are many other locations and options available.

I'm definitely out on Mexico City, and that's a hot spot too.

We are living in some EXTREMELY unstable times right now both politically and economically. I would be very cautious about making any drastic moves.

Dr. Vinny Boombotts
OT Life Coach

I never give career or maritial advise to anyone,
I am not worth a darn at either one
But Good luck to you Tman on making the right choice

point taken Dr.

Owning a 2 thousand dollar blowup Carrol Dragon doll for Friday night tailgating does not autonatically make you an established member of the communtity. (Don't tell Tman).

Hater

I stand corrected.

I rest my case. With the help of the Coppell Cowboys.

Ouch!

No right or wrong answer here, just a calculation of risk.

I was on the "Legacy B" side of the house for 7 years before moving here & I know a lot of people that have taken positions with other companies/start-ups right before they got their 30yrs & they are kicking themselves now.

If you bolt before you get to 30, try to get as much money as you can in advance from the new employer (cash, not stock). Sometimes the new hires are the first to go. Also, the upside can be huge

Either way, I wish you the best

You want to avoid Mexico City.

Yep at all costs. Actually AT&T has wanted me to go there for 2 years now. Just no desire for me to go there.

Mexico is a great place. Mexico City is a dump. Airborne diseases, traffic, and general yuck.