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Would taking a lower salary position now hurt me in the future?

dpdwdpdw member
Sixth Anniversary 1000 Comments

My family and I just moved abroad for DH's job.  In the US I was working full-time and had a great career.  My company has an office in the new country and I planned to transfer, but we are not coming to agreement on the salary.

Their final offer is 17% lower than my current salary.  My fear is that if I accept this lower salary it will set a precedent for my future salary if/when we move back to the US.  

Does anyone have experience with a salary history that has gone up and down, especially if it is related to the something other than performance or bumps in the market?  If I stayed in the US I know my salary would continue to rise; just before I left I passed on 2 offers from other US firms with a higher salary.

Thanks!! 

 

Re: Would taking a lower salary position now hurt me in the future?

  • How does cost of living compare?
    Lilypie First Birthday tickers
    DS1 born June 2008 | m/c at 9w March 2011 | DS2 born April 2012
  • dpdwdpdw member
    Sixth Anniversary 1000 Comments

    imagevanillacourage:
    How does cost of living compare?

    Not even close.  The new city is listed as #8 in the world, whereas the US city is listed as #111. 

    Or perhaps a better perspective is the cost of housing & food.  Our apartment in the new city is 400 sq ft smaller than our US townhouse, yet costs more than twice our US mortgage. The cost of food is nearly 3 times what were were spending at home.  

  • Would your company give you other benefits such as a housing allowance or transportation benefits? As a US citizen you are going to be taxed on income earned (even abroad) and possibly taxed again in the country in which you are residing, if you are above a certain threshold. You might end up better off having a lower salary if you receive other perks.

    Also are you evaluating the salary in Euros or dollars? The exchange rate is about $1 to 1.67E. Since it sounds like you are moving anyways, keep the job, enjoy the experience. I don't think it will hurt you when you return home. Just think, you will have international business experience, which will look great on your resume.

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • dpdwdpdw member
    Sixth Anniversary 1000 Comments

    No, they won't give a housing allowance, but I might be able to negotiate more vacation leave -- thanks for that idea!!

    Because I will be working part time my salary will be lower than the IRS limit for global taxation, but I will be subject to the local tax rate which is 15%.  I've moved to a country in Asia with an exchange rate that is fixed to the US$, so I know comparing my local salary to my US salary is not a moving target like it would be in Europe.  We've already moved and don't plan to move back for at least 2 years.  Basically we'll stay as long as we like it.

    My hesitation at taking the job with the lower salary is:

    1) how will it look on my resume if they ask for a salary history

    2) my ego has taken a hit because my firm is lowering my salary to the same point as when I was hired, 6 years ago

    3) I don't "need" to work and I have 2 kids who could benefit from me being a stay-at-home mom, although they are both in school -- but I love working.

     

    What to do, what to do.... 

  • Do the other US firms who offered you a position have offices in your new location?  Are there any other firms you would be interested in working for?  Doesn't hurt to check them out if salary is important to you. 


  • I'd probably take it and then look for another job while I was there.
    Lilypie First Birthday tickers
    DS1 born June 2008 | m/c at 9w March 2011 | DS2 born April 2012
  • I would think about whether not working for at least 2 years would impact my career more or less than a possible impact of accepting a lower salary. Some industries can change a lot in two years and not working may make potential employers wonder if you are current on industry knowledge and/or skills. Other industries may have no changes in two years. Personally, I would just enjoy my time overseas. But I can't claim that I love working. LOL!
  • Well, my DH was laid off from a job and took a lower paying one to get back in the workforce.  Two jobs later he hasn't made it back up to the original salary.
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • Let me get this straight - you're going from full-time to part-time and it's only a 17% drop in salary?

    If that's correct, grab it!

  • dpdwdpdw member
    Sixth Anniversary 1000 Comments
    imageRoxyLynn:

    Let me get this straight - you're going from full-time to part-time and it's only a 17% drop in salary?

    If that's correct, grab it!

    I wish!  No, it's a 17% drop from the annualized amount.  If I accept their offer I'll be working 60% time with a 57% drop in salary (rather than 40% drop) 

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