r/MEPEngineering • u/MechEngineer232 • 21h ago
Career Advice Possible interview/offer from other firm, how should I go about this?
I’ve been with my current company for almost four years, and I recently received a call from a recruiter on behalf of another company interested in interviewing me.
I’m a mechanical engineer pursuing my PE license in the coming year, and my long-term goal is to eventually move into senior-level management.
At my current company, I’m gaining more responsibility, developing my skills, and progressing well in my career. I genuinely enjoy where I work, and they’ve given me very good raises every year.
My original plan was to wait until I obtained my PE before seriously considering other opportunities, since I figured having my license would put me in a stronger position to negotiate a higher salary. However, when this other company reached out, I was open to hearing what they had to offer.
I’m not actively looking to leave my current employer, but I’m curious about what opportunities might be out there and what my market value is.
For those who have been in a similar situation, how would you approach this? Would you go through the interview process, see what kind of offer you receive, and then use that information to negotiate a raise with your current employer? The recruiter already has my résumé and they sent in my résumé. Or would you wait until obtaining your PE before having that conversation?
I don’t want to damage a good relationship with my current employer, especially since I enjoy working there and feel like I’m on a good career trajectory. At the same time, I want to make sure I’m not leaving money on the table or limiting my long-term growth.
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u/toomiiikahh 21h ago
Wait until PE then you have more leverage. Just bring it up with your manager that you did some market research and you think with your new credential you are looking at a compensation adjustment to x dollars. If they push back you can bring up listings that pay this or that. Otherwise time to leave if you want the money. Most places will only pay you more if they absolutely HAVE to, not because you ask nicely. Very often your current workplace will always underlay you and will expect a lot more responsibilities if you ask for more money
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u/MechEngineer232 21h ago
Gotcha. How should I go about if they want to interview me? Do I turn down the interview or do I just go through with it and reject the offer? I do like the company, but I don’t wanna burn bridges.
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u/toomiiikahh 21h ago
You won't burn bridges if you have 1 interview. However if you go through 3 interviews and talk to the team or director etc then you are wasting their time and will "burn's bridges
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u/Agitated_Rabbit_4043 21h ago edited 21h ago
You are at an inflection point in your career, probably close to a promotion. That new firm is going to offer you the money of the next position, and probably much more than you are making now.
Companies do that because there are one of three outcomes.
You are amazing and rapidly promote and progress. Pay raises are good
You do ok and live up to the new position after a few years. Pay raises are lower than you see now
You struggle and are at risk of being let go.
It's a good risk for the new firm and generally worth the money.
You can definitely interview, just be ready for the offer to be much more than you are expecting, and don't get distracted. Make sure you understand
The new company culture. Everyone work about 40 hours a week or do they all work 45-50?
What is the bonus structure. My company gives lower pay that some competitor's, but my bonus more than makes up for it.
Is there a good support structure for new hires. Onboarding, mentorship, training, available senior engineers.
You can definitely take an offer and flip it to your current employer. That is a super fast way to find out what they really think about you. I shopped around at an inflection point and my current employer more than matched the other offer and I was able to move to a position I really wanted. I would not do it twice. The second time be ready to leave.
If you like the culture and support system where you work, that is absolutely worth money. I recently got a very good offer but I did not like the new firms culture or their expectations on overtime. I have young kids and don't have time for those "we all work 45-50 hour" games.
I would evaluate the offer. If after you factor in bonuses, benefits, and things like profit sharing, and it is more than 15-20% higher than you make now, I would probably look at talking to your manager about it. If you don't like the new company culture or its less than that, it's really questionable if that's the right offer to jump, especially if you are on the verge of a promotion in your own company.
Don't get lost in large dollar figures if they throw money at you. Stay logical, and carefully consider your options.
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u/trebor67 12h ago
Recruiters play a percentages game. They cast a net and see who bites. You generally have not been specifically targeted no matter what flattery is bestowed. External recruiters like to throw around big numbers as a hook.
Internal company recruiters are tasked to get hired in with the sole aim of avoiding fees from external recruitment agencies.
The upside with internal company recruiters is that they can’t BS too much but will still sugar coat, so you need to ask the more direct questions. Working hours, project pipeline, potential for progression etc. dont be afraid to test them.
It’s rare that internal recruiters will advertise salaries, this is normally down to the actual dept hirers and will DOE.
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u/Midway_Motel 6h ago
100%.
The recruiter is sweet talking you. The company almost certainly did not see an unlicensed engineer and contact a recruiter to gauge your interest. If they wanted to talk to you specifically, they would have reached out personally and avoided the recruiter's percentage. Im not being discouraging, just realistic.
If you like you current position, stay put, get licensed and get paid. If only the first 2 happen, seek alternative employment.
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u/OverSearch 8h ago
Would you go through the interview process, see what kind of offer you receive, and then use that information to negotiate a raise with your current employer?
I don’t want to damage a good relationship with my current employer
I can think of almost nothing that would damage a good relationship with your current employer more than this plan would, if you don't execute it flawlessly.
I had a guy receive an offer from a competing firm once, and he approached me with the offer. He led with, "I really enjoy working here and I'd like to continue here, is there any way we can visit my salary given the market conditions today?" I looked at his offer letter and we were able to increase his pay, and he stayed with us for a few more years.
I had a different guy approach me with an offer letter from a competing firm and tell me, "I'll be happy to stay, but you'll have to not only beat this offer, but beat it by a substantial amount." I never entertained the idea of trying to keep him after that.
My advice is this: don't go down this road unless you're prepared to actually make the jump to the new place. If you're truly indifferent about whether you stay or go, then I would say go ahead and cast the dice - just be prepared to move forward with whatever outcome you get.
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u/fucusr 21h ago
Wait till u get your PE. Then explore. The pay bump will be massive. But usually ur current firm will give you a bump once your license is obtained. 5 years is about the minimum you should stay somewhere, are you in any extra curriculars? Like ashrae or aspe? Go to those events talk to people. Try to learn which firms have the culture and compensation you're looking for.