Not that long ago, if a candidate haggled about anything at all in the interviewing process, it was about salary or hourly rate, and that was only after he or she felt confident that an offer was on the table. Other than a base wage and a traditional benefits package, not much else was offered to entice a candidate to accept a position.
What Comprises a Compensation Package Today?
Today, the components of a compensation package for IT professionals are anything but traditional. They can consist of a base salary, bonus pay, stock options, 401k matching, health benefits, continued training, free parking, free memberships, free lunches, commute time, limited travel, extended vacation time, work-from-home options, and much more. It is difficult to pinpoint the exact components of all compensation packages because they vary by industry and company, and a lot of it also depends on the employee’s ability to negotiate effectively.
Capitalizing on Opportunity – A Growing Trend
As often as we see people make career moves for higher base salaries, we're seeing a growing number of people trading high salaries and high stress for better situations. Some people prefer to be employed closer to home, while other are looking for more flexible schedules that will allow them to spend more time with family.
As part of our ongoing commitment to being your leading provider of information concerning the IT industry, JDA Professional Services, Inc. makes a point to stay in touch with candidates and to understand why they leave their respective positions and/or employers. In the three case study scenarios which follow, the individuals cited reasons for making career changes as pertaining to “better situations,” and starting salary is not always the motivating factor. Instead, other compensation components help sway the employee, as you will see.
Case Study 1
JDA placed an Oracle DBA supervisor from a high-profile position into a staff-level position for $5,000 less than she was making.
Reasons:
(1) The commute from home to her new company took ten minutes; whereas, her former commute took an hour or more on a good day.
(2) Her new employer allowed her to leave at 4:00 p.m. to make Little League games.
Case Study 2
JDA placed a network administrator who doubled his compensation to join a consulting firm in a position requiring that he travel up to 100 percent of the time.
Reasons:
(1) Having a life outside of the office was not a priority.
(2) Money was the most important factor.
Case Study 3
JDA placed an IT professional whose base salary did not increase significantly; however, the employer offered to send the candidate to Oracle DBA training that would eventually result in 20 to 30 percent increase in earnings.
Reason:
(1) Future earnings potential was much more important that starting pay.
(2) Continuing education was important for career advancement.
Decide What’s Important to You
If you’re considering making a move, you need to get a good understanding of what’s important to you now and in the future. To help with this decision, ask yourself a few questions:
ABOUT JDA
JDA Professional Services, Inc. is a Houston-based IT staffing firm specializing in the recruitment of strategic-technical to executive-level professionals. We provide IT staffing solutions through full-time, contract, and project-based placements. Since 1981, we have been helping companies build great IT departments while helping IT professionals find the right career opportunities.
Through our extensive client base and our ability to navigate the hidden IT job market, JDA can help you find the best opportunities available in the least amount of time.
JDA is Houston’s #1 Source for IT Jobs & IT Career Information
In addition to being one of the leading providers of IT jobs in Houston, JDA is a top source for information on the local IT employment market. Be sure to take advantage of all that our website has to offer. Visit our IT professionals section for a complete list of IT jobs available in the Houston area in addition to helpful information regarding local IT salaries, current industry hiring trends, and proven “best practices” for managing your IT career. For a comprehensive list of industry trade group meetings and seminars occurring in our area, check out the Houston Hi-Tech Event Calendar.