Hi all,I interviewed with EY and IBM around the same time in Oct after a layoff. I received a verbal from IBM in early Nov and was kept in limbo with the physical offer letter. I also received an offer with EY and because I didn't hear from IBM, I accepted and joined EY. Lo-and-behold IBM finally sent their letter out recently. My dilemma is I recently started as a Mgr at EY. I tried to negotiate my prior base salary. The best EY could do is short my salary and give a sign-on bonus that made up the difference. I'm hoping to become Sr. Mgr next year to recoup actual take home pay. With IBM, they offered my old base+10K as the same level at my old job, Sr Mgr. Both roles are equivalent.I've been reading this thread and have read some good advice to take to heart. I've been told the next possible rank for me at EY is Sr Mgr no less, unless I perform horrendously...I've been working roughly only a month and enjoy the collaborative environment. My wife wants me to quit EY because my take home pay is lower than IBM's. My argument is I can possibly recoup the loss within a year and grow in my position and be happy. With IBM, even the added 10K is not enough for a growing family and I have a sour gut feeling after being in limbo. IBM's bonus and pay rise is not great. Although, I'm unsure how the companies actually compare. Wife would tell me to look again for another opportunity. I hate the idea of having to quit so quickly at my age and career.Any ideas? I'm trying to make this a win-win for a happy life with a happy wife and kids. Would you quit or stay?Jason

I think EY is better than IBM, as IBM's future is not so sure;As you wrote that you will be promoted with over 50% posibility next year, why not stay. You like them.Try to convince wife, you are a consultant !

One in hand is better than the two in bush...although it is true that EY is a better brand than IBM, and may be you get better consulting assignments, you cannot really depend on the promotion..it looks like u have 10K additional in IBM as base salary..and I think promotion at both the orgs would take the same time..even if u dont get promoted, you will get some hike which would also be comparable in both, but it will be a % hike on a 10K greater salary at IBM...I feel 10K is a significant difference, so unless the only reason to stay at EY is better brand, dont stay..please dont take a decision based on a promotion possibility as, that doesnt happen so easily and quickly for people joining from outside..!

Thanks Dinglestedt and Cloudnumbernine4u for offering up great suggestions. So I have 1 leaning for IBM and 1 for EY. Based on the 2 options below, which would you choose with your family in mind? I'm starting to lean more towards blue.[b][u]EY[/u][/b]Pro: Better brand, collaborative, more projects, FS, tech-agnosticCon: Low salary, unhappy wife & kids alright, step down from previous job, 1-3 years for promotion[b][u]IBM[/u][/b] Pro: Better salary, wife & kids happy, small rise/bonus on better salary, technologyCon: IBM tech focus, not only FS industry, 2-25+ years for band 10 or higher, pay freeze if capped at current level Note: The work I currently perform is neither industry or tech specific which is my strength and Achilles heel. I reckoned I would try specializing in something rather than being a master of none.It's a ridiculous question to ask but will I be blacklisted never to be rehired?

Frankly, you are the better judge of your situation. I would make my family happy as if they are happy, I am happy too.But more than the family decision, this is my own experience that you should never take a decision on what would be if you get promoted than what you have already got in a confirmed offer.In this unfortunate situation, since you have already joined EY, it would be a bit unprofessional to leave immediately within a month, and effectively burning the bridge...I was in exactly the same situation a few years back, and decided not to take the 10K higher offer from another in fact better mgmt consulting brand, just because I thought its unprofessional on my part to leave an org. in a month of joining.However, I have repented enough on my decision as the same ' promotion' carrot doesnt really work in spite of getting the top rating in appraisals. they always come up with some excuses..!So think ...I know it s a difficult decision, but frankly after few years no body (I mean EY or IBM) would care other than you and your family..

Shouldn't you at least be open and discuss your situation with EY, no matter what your ultimate decision?Best case: they somehow match the better offer, or give you some other tangible reason to stay.Somewhat positive case: you discuss it with them, and still decide to stay despite no upping of the ante on their part - you've shown loyalty to a new employer.Worst case: you leave, which you would have done anyway, so actually you lose nothing, (if anything you gain, as you involved them in your decision, rather than rocking in one morning and packing your desktop flowerpot out of the blue).In more general terms though, would OP's potential departure from EY (or anyone else's in the same situation) necessarily have to be acrimonious? Granted, it would take a level-headed, clear-minded hiring manager to accept a decision to turn around and leave after a month completely acquiescently. But don't human beings like that have a place in the ranks of large consulting firms?I mean the case is quite simple, and grown adults shouldn't try kid themselves about why people work (particularly as consultants) in the first place. The "I've a family to provide for" spin surely helps to externalise the decision too.Is it REALLY so unthinkable that person would just.... understand? Even if they (claim to) disagree, with retorts like "you're not thinking about the longer term", etc?

If you go in as Snr. Manager at IBM the next step from there is Associate Partner. That is a significant jump and can be anywhere from 2-5 years. IBM does look after it's Snr. Managers. Bonuses start to be very good at Associate Partner level (Glassdoor figures fairly accurate, £30K - 50K).As far as brands go, I'd say Google industry reports such as IDC Business Consulting reports. You'll likely find that EY is not in the top 5 - however IBM is. This is something you can easily do in 10-30 mins. Here's one to start you off... [url]http://idcdocserv.com/239484E_IBM[/url]. I don't buy into EY, that's just my opinion. I'd put Deloitte, IBM, Accenture, PwC and even KPMG ahead of EY. Others don't buy into EY (do your research as opposed to isolated comments from 1 or 2 people like me!)... and the fact that you're asking if you should move means you don't completely buy into EY as well. Good luck.

My wife and I decided I must leave EY to support my family and their best interests, specifically my kids education. However, I will stay with EY for an additional 2 months to show my work. I have to request a 90 day performance appraisal and get feedback for promotion readiness/increase. Our intent is not to get me blacklisted in the future if I attempt to return at a higher exec position. If EY blacklists me, then it was never meant to be and I will owe my family several expensive vacation trips.Thanks again for your feedback!Jason

Ha! That's one way around the issue. "Sorry dude, my wife's making me leave.""The boss back home"... "the ol' battle-axe".Has it always been the case that wife jokes are the preferred/approved form of banter among corporate execs... the comical safe ground? Something I just noticed recently. I've made a point of keeping track, and about 75% of all jokes cracked among my bosses, and by senior execs during presentations, are somehow wife-related. The older ones like to make fun of their bad knees/hips.I can't imagine it working for female execs though: "Jeez my husband would beat the cr@p out of me if I told him we had to move to Belarus"

The older ones like to make fun of their wives knees or hips...!???Oh, wait a minute - I think I've misinterpreted a pronoun in there somewhere.

If only! I could listen to that all day.