Should You Take A Pay Cut For A New Job?

Some time ago, I talked with a QA Engineer who I presented an opportunity with a company I
worked with. The company wanted an QA Engineer with at least 5 years of experience with IVD, FDA 21CFR 820, ISO 13485, 14971, 9001 for a site position.

The QA Engineer I present has 6+ years of experience. IVD laboratory analyzers. FDA 21CFR 820,  ISO 13485, 14971, 9001 experience with MDSAP/SAP, QSR, CAP, SCAR, PFMEA, Six Sigma
Methodologies, IEC 60601, Clinical and Regulatory Affairs experience bachelor’s degree in biology, master’s degree in clinical research (specialization in Regulatory Affairs!). The candidate was willing to relocate to the city where the position where the company was based.

Yes, the company interviewed and loved this person. They wanted to hire them, but they would
have to relocate to the site location. The candidate also wanted to work for the company and would relocate. The company made an outstanding offer! The candidate ends up turning the offer down due to family needing to move to another state. All of this happened during the offer process. The candidate took the latter offer and moved to the other state.

The candidate and I stayed in touch.

 

The latter move has worked for them.

 

They asked if I would talk with them about their career? I agreed.

The candidate was an accomplished QAE, but their interest was regulatory affairs which they worked in briefly.

They wanted to know if they should try to move to a regulatory affair position at another company?

I asked if they moved to a regulatory affairs position would it be starting over in a new position? Would they make less money?

They are in a senior position as a QAE now. They are an accomplish Senior QAE. They said it would be starting over and stepping down.

I also ask if they could make this kind of move?

Is making less money a consideration in their decision? They said making less money would be tight!
Here is what I suggested to the candidate regarding a career move for a lower paying position.

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This may not be a step down!

 

You must review your own situation first. If it’s money and nothing else this is not your opportunity. That’s necessary!

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Do your homework regarding the position, company, company offerings and opportunities. Review what is being offered, bonus, more vacation time, better 401k etc…

 

This may be a step up with future growth and accomplishment. If regulatory affairs is where you want to go, you must do your homework!

 

All of these things must be a part of your consideration. This move may give you an opportunity to increase your work experience, knowledge, and self-satisfaction!

 

Taking a position that offers lower pay you must review what the position offers. It may offer you more to gain more than what you lose!

 

The career experience could be exceptional! A trained QAE/RA is what so many IVD companies want and are hard to find.

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The candidate would be more valuable, career growth, wellbeing and happy!