What's Your Price? | Yakezie Reader Insights | Yakezie Forums

Hi all,

Most of us have day jobs we've been at for awhile.  We're comfortable and have our routines down.  If a job similar to yours popped up, what salary increase would make you move out of your comfort zone and on to greener pastures?  Of course there are tons of other variables, I am just focusing on a salary increase to keep things simple.

I actually need 2 things:

a 4 days schedule (which I currently have)

a 10% increase with obvious chances of increasing my salary over a short term period (such as 5% per year for the next 5 years if I perform well).

I'm more looking into long term growth and quick jump in salary. It's important to see yourself in the future with your job as you can't jump from on job to another each year :-(

My husband has made many job moves for increased salary.  Generally, it is at least 15 percent increase in salary, but bonus is also a big part of the equation, and sometimes stock options, and car allowance.  It is hard to state just in salary because there are so many different forms of compensation.

However, my husband has always switched jobs during 'good times'.  In today's economy, if he didn't like his job, his criteria for salary/general income increase would probably not be as high as it was before.

Regarding my job, nobody is going to give me what I want besides my current employer, so I can't even think about it.  (Not so much in money, but part time hours, working from home, choosing my own hours, etc.)

This one is really hard for me to respond to.  We have so many benefits as government employees (union, defined benefits pension, great health benefits, vacation, 36.25 hr work week, compressed work schedule).

Finding another employer with similar benefits/perks would be hard.

Assuming I could duplicate these benefits and work environment I would likely need about 10%.  If I were moving to private industry I think i'd want 50%. 

Interesting topic!  I absolutely love the non-monetary benefits of my job:  good work environment, friendly co-workers, a supportive supervisor, etc, so it's hard for me to put a price on leaving that.  I would love more vacation time, but I already have a pretty flexible schedule when I need it.  If only looking at salary, I'd have to have at least a 30% increase to even consider leaving. 

Hi TFB,

4 day work week, nice!  So the fifth day is dedicated to your empire?  Great point about the long term view.  Too often I only look at the short term.  Thanks for the reminder!

Hi Kris,

You're right.  There are so many forms of compensation which makes these decisions so complex.  To simplify, I am trying to create three categories.  Won't consider, have to consider, and ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND, TAKE IT! 

These are all post college answers: 

I left my first job for the second one for a 28% increase

I left my second job for the third one for a 15% increase

And my current position was somewhere around the same leap.

If I had to move out of state, it would take a total package…relocation, signing bonus, and and double digit % increase in salary.

Thanks SPF!  Lot of great factors to consider.  I'm guessing with Baby SPF on the way, changing jobs would be the last thing on your mind.  But using your criteria, if something did arise, would you take it?

Thanks Justin!  That's quite an impressive track record.  You must be in high demand.  Good for you!