topic Long commute means good opportunity... in Career Discussions

Long commute means good opportunity...

ericgeater — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 19:52:38 GMT

If an opportunity to commute 140 miles per day also presents a great chance at learning and team membership, and includes at 25% increase in pay, would you take it?

Asking for a friend.

Re: Long commute means good opportunity...

cindelicato — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 20:07:34 GMT

I became unemployed, unexpectedly, in 1997. My oldest was 11 mths old when it happened, and he had several health issues. I was let go the week before Thanksgiving, so hiring had slowed to nil through New Years; talk about a perfect storm.

I landed a job that started in February, and it had a 110-mile commute. I took it because I needed it. Every day it was a 2-hour drive, each way. It sucked. But I did it for 17 years, every day. It was a good job, it was great pay, and I was fortunate to have worked with some terrific people. I adjusted my schedule to 0630-1530, which enabled me to participate in kid's evening activities, including studying martial arts.

In the next 5 years, I drove 62 miles and thought it was an easy commute.

It's not ideal- I'm the first to say that. But if the opportunity is indeed good, you can make it work.

Best of luck.

Re: Long commute means good opportunity...

rslade — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 21:36:52 GMT

> ericgeater (Community Champion) posted a new topic in Career on 10-23-2020 03:52 PM in the (ISC)Â² Community :

> If an opportunity to commute 140 miles per day also presents a great chance
> at learning and team membership, and includes at 25% increase in pay, would
> you take it? Asking for a friend.

Do you have to drive the 140 miles per day, or can you take the train?

Is it a good train? (Is wifi available?)

Does the extra 25% pay (less taxes) cover the cost of the train?

I'd probably take up book reviewing again ...

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Re: Long commute means good opportunity...

ericgeater — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 23:49:45 GMT

I wish there was a train! But no, it's just me and the other traffic, listening to Smashing Security and Security Now!

Re: Long commute means good opportunity...

dcontesti — Sun, 25 Oct 2020 19:54:38 GMT

What you don't say is: main highway, 140 miles = 2 hours or 3 each way.

I had the opportunity one time to take a job in Toronto that was paying substantially more (probably about 30% than I was making) but didn't take it.

Rationale: I did the math. From Hamilton (where I lived to downtown Toronto was an additional 1 1/2 to 2 hours each way (which included a car ride to train, a train to central station, a subway to work and then a short walk). That meant that my day was now 11 to 12 hours (and potentially longer). When I divided the hourly rate to include my travel time, I found I would be making essentially the same money....okay maybe a little more, however, I then did the pros and cons.

The Pros of staying seemed to outweigh the cons (in my case). I had a job, the money was about the same (remember to count in lost PTO or vacation or sick days.....in my case, I would have lost two weeks vacation).

Other factors to consider: do you like your boss, is he/she fair or are they totally out in left field.

Doing the pros and cons (and remember something can be both) often helps in these situations.

Good luck to your friend.

Re: Long commute means good opportunity...

Steve-Wilme — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 11:01:12 GMT

I used to commute weekly 1040 miles each way by train, air and taxi. It took 6 - 8 hours each way. Most of it was dead time. I could maybe do 2 hours work on my laptop, but given the cramped conditions and limited battery life that was about it. I did get to read a lot of novels though.

Re: Long commute means good opportunity...

CISOScott — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 13:34:32 GMT

Yuuuuup!

Yes. I currently commute 70-79 miles (one way) and it takes about 1 hr. 45 min to 2 hr. 30 min ( I work at two different offices) so that wouldn't be that much to me. But I also live in a rural area on 6 acres of land. Couldn't find that closer to where I work for what I paid for this place. Couldn't find a job paying this much closer to the rural area I live in. So yes I would.

Take in to account what @dcontesti said. List the pros and cons. Think outside the box too. It's not just about leave and benefits. Would this set you a new high for salary? People are often willing to pay you a greater salary if you have made close to that amount before. Few people like to be the person that takes the risk of hiring someone for a six figure salary if they only made mid five figure salaries before. Would it be a "title" type of a position, i.e. getting you into a C-level title role? Some things do not have an immediate benefit but will help out for the future.

I currently have my eyes on some jobs in a large metro area about 3 hours from my home. If I could get one of the jobs I have my eyes on I could retire in 10 years versus working until I'm 67 (17 years away). So for me I would be commuting now to save time later. It would involve a bump in pay of about 12% initially but would be 25% more than what I make now in 3 years. So the rise in commuting costs would be taken care of and a pay raise would be in the future, but the thought of shaving 7 years off of my retirement date is worth it. It would also add to my retirement account. Plus it would raise the amount my retirement is based off of, so it is a win-win-win for me. Yes the longer commute would suck (no trains so driving is basically the only option) but the wife and I have even discussed several scenarios such as getting a cheap apartment or hotel in the the metro and stay a few nights a week and then come home on the weekends. She could come stay with me during the week some too.

There is another area that I am interested in with the same commute as I have now but at the same or potentially slightly less pay. Why would I consider it? This opportunity would allow me to get a Master's degree for free and some of the other jobs I am eyeing require a Masters degree. Plus it would benefit my retirement situation and PTO situation. So again I am shooting for longer term benefits rather than a lucrative boost now.

So there can be creative options to work out if it makes sense.

Re: Long commute means good opportunity...

ericgeater — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 14:35:02 GMT

The 25% was a miscalculation. Starting out, it's only 20%. But at the end of the graduated increases in a few years, it will be an overall lift of 40% from current.

Plus, mandatory comp time for everything worked after-hours. Overtime is verboten.

Plus, education for any subject made available through Global Knowledge.

Plus, the two interviewers are both CISSP certified. The new org is already prone to security in strategy.

Re: Long commute means good opportunity...

tmekelburg1 — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 15:50:01 GMT

Just depends on my situation. If I don't have a job and there is nothing in my area then yes. If I have a job then I factor in the Organization's purpose, mission, and vision as a first pass. On the 2nd pass, I'd factor in commute time, position responsibilities, etc. 3rd pass is the actual interview to assess if I'm a good fit culturally and pay typically at this point as well.

70 miles one way is not that bad but taking traffic into account it could be a major factor in the no column. The drive time could double or triple depending on the city.

Re: Long commute means good opportunity...

Steve-Wilme — Wed, 28 Oct 2020 13:14:46 GMT

It all really depends. I turned down a final interview for a position 75 miles away because being on call and able to attend site 24/7 for incidents was a requirement. There was no realistic way I as going to leave, set off on the 3 hour journey home to be called back in. And shortly after midnight there were no trains anyway, so it'd be possible to be stranded in the City overnight. It just wasn't worth it, as I was only 9K away from clearing my mortgage and had no desire to relocate to somewhere where the property prices were massively inflated.

Re: Long commute means good opportunity...

CISOScott — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 11:18:49 GMT

@ericgeater wrote:
The 25% was a miscalculation. Starting out, it's only 20%. But at the end of the graduated increases in a few years, it will be an overall lift of 40% from current.

Plus, mandatory comp time for everything worked after-hours. Overtime is verboten.

Plus, education for any subject made available through Global Knowledge.

Plus, the two interviewers are both CISSP certified. The new org is already prone to security in strategy.

Well that adds a few more to the "pro" column. If Education is free then that is built in career advancement. It will give you greater future options. The increase in pay should also help with your retirement deductions. If they match any of your salary, then an increase in salary means an increase in matching. It helps your retirement fund grow faster. So add those to the pro column and see how it stacks against your con column.

Re: Long commute means good opportunity...

RRoach — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 13:56:14 GMT

Long commute will only last so much. Sure you might get more pay, more experience but the negative side will be longer days (work + commute), more time in a seat, and traffic delays so by Thursday/Friday you will be mentally and physically drained and under more stress. It adds up (even if you take a train or metro). If needed to pay the bills or level up, make it part of your short term plan while keep searching for other positions and maybe look into the area to see if relocation is worth for the long term.

Re: Long commute means good opportunity...

dcontesti — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 14:48:13 GMT

@ericgeater

Let us know what your friend ultimately decides 😉

Re: Long commute means good opportunity...

ericgeater — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 14:48:56 GMT

This thread has been amazing. It's great to read everyone's responses.

Re: Long commute means good opportunity...

CISOScott — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 16:48:57 GMT

Some of have made the same move and can share our experiences. I remember working for the Federal Government (US) in the DC area. I moved to the DC area just for job promotion opportunities because there were so many (5 to 25 a day) versus the small town I was in (lucky to be 5 opportunities A YEAR!). I went from a GS 9 to a GS-14 in 7 years, where I may have never had that opportunity if I had stayed. The problem with fed gov hiring is that even thought I may have been qualified to work at the GS-12 level, If I had never been a GS-11 in the federal government, according to HR I wasn't qualified. So my career advancement would have been stalled if I stayed. So I moved my young family and made it work. I did the "Make a list of pros and cons" and it helped me make the move decision. More long term pros than short term cons. I went from making 35K a year to 75 K a year in three short years. That salary jump affected all of my future positions by setting a new high for me. I eventually moved back to my home town as a GS-14 making $105K a year. Ten my daughters decided to go to college in another state, so we moved again. I still do the pro vs. con list every time I come across an opportunity. I am now at my highest pay ever and have even had some offers for 130 to 145 a year, but the cons outweighed the pros so I didn't jump at those opportunities.

The move I made 15 years ago has had a positive ripple affect on my career. Not only was I able to get higher paying jobs, but they started coming with C-level titles, which has allowed me to continue to demand a high salary.

I also took a huge drop in my salary at one time (45K to 29K) to chase a career I love. I went from working everyday to enjoying everyday. I now make more than I ever could have at that dead-end job, even if I made Supervisor (which I was on track for). But my health is better (it was aircraft painting), my knees and wrists don't ache and I am enjoying work instead of dreading it. Good luck with your decision and do let us know how it goes.

Re: Long commute means good opportunity...

GerryS — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 19:04:52 GMT

it really depends on the situation.

In my case it would be a pass.

I'm at the point in my life where time with the family far outweighs the pay increase.

I only have about a 22 mile commute each way and that is over stressful most days.

Need to sit back, weigh the pros and cons and let that make the decision.

Re: Long commute means good opportunity...

Steve-Wilme — Mon, 02 Nov 2020 09:32:01 GMT

In many parts of the world the pandemic's making this a moot point. Here in the UK we're back under lockdown from Thursday. I can't go into work and work normally and some of the offices are shuttered. It looks like we'll be told to work from home on a more permanent basis and the offices will be disposed of as their leases expire. There are restrictions on travel too! Still at least I'm not working out of my bedroom like some.

Re: Long commute means good opportunity...

cindelicato — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 14:04:51 GMT

I get your point, sadly. However, on Monday I will begin a new position which involves me on-site 1 day per week and remote for the balance of the week. The drive will take me 2-2.5 hrs to get there; not at all ideal, but easy to do once/week.

Re: Long commute means good opportunity...

RRoach — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 14:43:24 GMT

good luck and maybe there is a commuter train option.

Re: Long commute means good opportunity...

cindelicato — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 14:56:28 GMT

The mixed blessing of living in a rural area: it would take me 90 mins to drive to the nearest station. Even still, it would take an Uber or two buses to get from the rail station to the office. I used to drive 2 hrs each way, every day, so this will be a cakewalk in comparison.