Same base salary

[Bullett]

Would you change companies for no increase in base salary but a potentially better overall package and more interesting role?

[Iceman82]

Yes indeed. I'm doing that very thing myself.

I think that if the work is going to be more interesting and you can see a better career (as I can) then it makes sense. A base salary rise is lovely but you have to think about the long term as well.

[Ozzie Osmond]

Bullett said:

Would you change companies for no increase in base salary but a potentially better overall package and more interesting role?

Yes-ish.

What kind of pension scheme do you get in your current job?
How long have you worked there?
What's your age?

If it happens you are currently in a good pension scheme with several years on the clock the "value" can be significant. Or to put it another way, the "cost" of changing jobs can be very high.

[Bullett]

Contribution based pension, they match what I put in up to a point.
2 years ish
early 40's

The company is a software house/vendor and I've worked on the SI side up until now. They are growing faster than average and have no debt and a cash surplus. So look pretty safe from a financial point of view. Reasonably local as well. Big in the US not so big in Europe, the product is well thought of and analysts put it in the same sector as the big boys.

It's not a step up the chain immediately but if they continue to grow it could prove a good move. Widens my experience of different products and it's final link in my path from end user to vendor...

[matt28]

It sounds like it's a sensible move, then, as far as the role is concerned. Is it just the salary that's putting you off?

Presumably you were put forward at a certain salary (current plus a percentage more), and they have come back and said they would only match your current? Did they give a reason?

[Ozzie Osmond]

Bullett said:

Contribution based pension, they match what I put in up to a point.

OK, sounds like pension is not a significant factor.

Personally, I'd go for it!!

[Bullett]

Not got to interview stage yet. They have been upfront that they couldn't offer me more base than I'm currently on.

[matt28]

In that case it depends on whether you're currently being paid a fair/good rate for your role if that's what their top level is.

I would expect a company with a product that's in the big boy sector, and a cash surplus, would want to attract a better than average quality of employee, so would need to offer a better rate than average. Otherwise something doesn't quite tie up.

If you see the role as a stepping stone to a promotion, either there or elsewhere, then fair enough. But if it's your ideal role to stick with, then it's worth noting that you're already on the top end of their salary scale (which may or may not be desirable to you).