WEIGHING YOUR CAREER OPTIONS: A LEAN SIX SIGMA APPROACH TO SELECTING THE BEST JOB OFFER FOR ENGINEERS

1. WEIGHING
YOUR CAREER
OPTIONS:
A LEAN SIX SIGMA
APPROACH TO SELECTING
THE BEST JOB OFFER
DAN TRUPP & DALE DE STENO

2. /02
INTRODUCTION
Engineers are in high demand across the globe. And thanks to
today’s rapid innovation in many industries, that demand is set
to grow even more, especially for those in the civil, petroleum,
biomed, environmental, and nuclear disciplines.
In the U.S. alone, nearly 46,000 civil engineer jobs will be added before 2023—
a trend that’s likely to be similar in Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world.
The occupational outlook for engineers is so positive that according to the 2014 Kelly
Global Workforce Index™, 75 percent of engineers worldwide are confident they’d be
in a good position to secure similar or better jobs if they were to change employers.
Along with growing opportunities, there’s also an increasing need among engineers
for a solid method to evaluate job offers—one that doesn’t focus solely on monetary
compensation, but takes many more aspects into account to ensure a well-informed,
holistic career decision.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
In this ebook, you’ll
learn how to evaluate
and compare job
offers based upon:
• Financial Considerations
• Company Culture and
Work Environment
• Job Challenge and
Growth Opportunities
• Location
• Global Opportunities
• Counteroffers

3. /03
PART I:
FINANCIAL
CONSIDERATIONS

4. /04
PART I: FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
There are two types of financial considerations to take into
account when evaluating a new career opportunity: those
related to compensation and those related to expenses.
Let’s take a closer look at each.
COMPENSATION
EXPENSES
82%
of engineers considered
financial aspects a major
factor when accepting
one job over another.
In the U.S., the national
average salary for an
engineer is
$91k
$63k COST OF LIVING
The average starting
salary for an engineer
after graduating is
LOCAL AND
STATE TAXES
TAX EXEMPTIONS
COMMUTING AND
PARKING EXPENSES
SALARY
BONUSES
BENEFITS
401K
STOCK OPTIONS
RELOCATION PACKAGE
PERKS:
• Education reimbursement
• Day care
• Gym memberships
• Commuting expenses

5. /05
PART I: FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Compensation
The 2014 Kelly Global Workforce Index shows that 82 percent of engineers considered
financial aspects a major factor when accepting one job over another.
Here are the main points to take into account when faced with a financial offer:
Salary: In the U.S., the national average salary for an engineer is $91,103. The average
starting salary for an engineer after graduating is $63,000. To evaluate the salary
offered, compare the annual sum to the going market rate for your experience in
your discipline. Also consider when you’ll be eligible for a raise and how much that
raise will be.
Bonuses: Many companies offer bonuses, for example a signing bonus or performance-based
bonuses. Calculate how they would add to your income.
Benefits: Carefully evaluate the benefits packages. Evaluate what types of health,
dental, life and disability coverage is offered and how it pertains to both yourself and
your dependents.
Sites that can help you
benchmark average
salaries include:
• Career One Stop
www.careeronestop.org
• Salary.com
www.salary.com
• PayScale
www.payscale.com
• Glassdoor
www.glassdoor.com/
Salaries/index.

6. /06
PART I: FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
401K: Assess the 401K plan, examining aspects such as which investment company
manages it, the fund options, how much the employer matches, and what the vesting
schedule is.
Stock options: Some employers offer stock options. Assess how much the
offered options are worth by multiplying the current stock price by the number
of shares offered. Bear in mind that the resulting sum can fluctuate based on rising
and falling stock prices. Find out what the vesting schedule is, as well as what
restrictions apply to exercising your options.
Perks: If the employer offers perks such as educational reimbursement, day care,
gym memberships, or compensation for commuting, determine how that would
increase your disposable income.
Relocation package: Many employers offer relocation packages to cover the costs of
moving yourself and your family to a new area. Consider aspects such as reimbursement
for professional movers services, realtor assistance in buying and/or selling a home,
and travel costs.

7. PART I: FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS /07
Expenses
The flip side of the coin pertains to expenses. Depending on where the job is located,
you could have higher or lower costs.
Cost of living: Use CNN Money’s cost of living calculator to assess the cost of living in
the new location in comparison to your current location.
Local and state taxes: Local and state taxes vary, so visit the appropriate state and
municipal websites to find out what the tax rates are in the new location.
Tax exemptions: In an attempt to attract more business, some cities offer tax
exemptions to employees of certain types of companies. Find out what tax exemptions
are offered and for how long they apply.
Commuting and parking expenses: Depending on location, commuting and parking
expenses can be anything from a negligible amount to a considerable monthly expense
that should be taken into account when calculating costs.

8. /8
PART II:
COMPANY
CULTURE
AND WORK
ENVIRONMENT

9. /9
PART II: COMPANY CULTURE AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
Company culture and work environment
go hand in hand, and it’s important to consider
whether they’re a good fit for you.
Take the time to speak with current employees to gain a good
impression of the company’s culture and work environment.
Consider the following aspects:
Corporate values: Study the company’s mission statement and history to gain an
impression of its values, and evaluate whether they match your own. Commitment to social
and environmental responsibility, innovation, diversity, and employee advancement are
important aspects to take into account.
Company reputation: Assess the company’s reputation in the industry and in the
business world in general. You can also visit Glassdoor to find out what current and former
employees say about working for the organization. Ask yourself how working for this
employer will impact your brand and career.

10. /10
PART II: COMPANY CULTURE AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
Public or private company: Is the company public or private, and how will that affect
your job security, income, and the types of projects you’ll be working on?
Matrixed or vertical organizational structure: The 2014 Kelly Global Workforce Index
shows that almost a third of workers prefer a matrixed organizational structure to
a traditional vertical one. Ask about the company’s structure and gauge how it matches
your preferences.
Management/leadership: Find out who your direct report will be, as well as which
professionals form the leadership of the company. Can you work with them?
Culture of innovation: If a culture of innovation and creativity where the status quo is
challenged is important to you, find out if the company offers this by assessing the kind of
projects it takes on and what type of work procedures are utilized.
Opportunity to work with knowledgeable colleagues: Working with knowledgeable
colleagues can help you enhance your skills and advance your career. Inquire who
your peers will be, as well as what type of collaborations between departments and
organizations the company offers.
Almost 1/3 of workers
prefer a matrixed
organization to a
vertical organization.
Vertical: Employees seeking
advancement within the
organization have a clearly
defined “career ladder,” with
each layer of the organization
representing another rung the
employee attempts to reach.
Matrixed: fewer layers of
management and greater
reliance on the use of
cross-functional teams
and collaboration.

11. /11
PART II: COMPANY CULTURE AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work-life balance: A good work-life balance can help you perform better in your
job. Determine how the employer supports work-life balance by asking about things
such as flex work and telecommuting options, onsite day care and gyms, vacation or
personal time off, overtime policies, and employee support.
Collaborative or highly individual work: Some companies encourage highly
individual work while others foster collaborative environments. Ask whether you’ll
be working predominantly solo or as part of a team, and assess whether that matches
your preferences.
Cutting edge technology and top notch equipment: The technology and equipment
a company uses says a lot about how cutting edge your work will be. Inquire about
the types of technology and equipment the employer uses, as well as how often new
developments are incorporated into the workflow.
Hours, attire and office space: Find out if the hours are reasonable, what kind of attire
is expected, and what your office space will be like.

12. /12
PART III:
JOB CHALLENGE
AND GROWTH
OPPORTUNITIES

13. PART III: JOB CHALLENGE AND GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES /13
How challenging a job is and what growth opportunities it
offers can have a significant impact on how engaged you are.
Some companies are better suited to challenging work and career advancement
than others.
Let’s take a closer look at what to consider:
Responsibilities in relation to skill set: Evaluate your responsibilities and day-to-day
duties in relation to your skill sets and what you want to be doing. Do you understand
your responsibilities and are you capable of performing them well?
Challenging work: Will the role challenge you to expand your skills and capabilities in a
direction you want to go? Does it offer opportunities for you to contribute in a manner
that brings projects to the next level?
Impactful work: Find out whether the projects you’ll be working on will have an
impact within your company, industry, and even society as a whole. Will you have the
opportunity to work on projects that can affect the status quo in a good way?
BEFORE COMMITTING
TO A POSITION, IT’S
ADVISABLE TO LEARN
ABOUT THE CAREER
PATHS OFFERED WITHIN
THE COMPANY.

14. PART III: JOB CHALLENGE AND GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES /14
Two-thirds of
engineers consider
training and
development
opportunities when
choosing between
two jobs.
Training and development opportunities: Almost two-thirds of all engineers consider
training and development opportunities when choosing between two jobs. Inquire if
the company offers training programs, and if so, what kind. Does the employer support
continued education? Will you have access to a mentorship program and if so, what kind
of professional will be your mentor?
Opportunities for advancement: Before committing to a position, it’s advisable to
learn about the career paths offered within the company. Some employers also offer
career management support to help you advance in a direction that benefits yourself
and the company.
Tenure: Especially if you’re applying to an educational organization, ask if it offers tenure
to engineers. If it does, inquire how many tenured positions are available and what the
tenure-track program entails.
Recognition: Being recognized for your contributions is extremely important.
Investigate whether the company highlights individual contributions within the
company and whether it includes individual recognition when publicizing company
accomplishments. It’s also advisable to discuss company policy regarding contributing
to trade publications and other extra curricular activities that can enhance your
credibility as an expert in your field.

15. /15
PART IV:
LOCATION

16. PART IV: LOCATION /16
Location plays an important role when weighing
your career options.
It can impact many things, including your health, future career options,
and housing situation.
Local businesses: The presence of companies that attract innovation to the area can
play a significant role in the kind of projects you’ll be working on. At the same time, the
more innovative companies there are in the area, the better your prospects in the event
you want to move on to another job after a few years.
Job market: If your partner or spouse is relocating with you, he or she will most likely
want to find a job in the new location. Check out the overall job market, since local
unemployment can be high or certain professions may not be in demand.
Schools: If you have children, research the quality and rankings of the public and private
schools in the area. Great Schools is a good resource to get a general impression of local
educational institutions. For more detailed information about rankings, you can contact
the state’s Department of Education.
LOCATION CAN
IMPACT MANY
THINGS, INCLUDING
YOUR HOUSING
SITUATION, YOUR
FUTURE CAREER
OPTIONS, AND
YOUR FAMILY’S
EDUCATIONAL
AND EMPLOYMENT
OPTIONS.

17. PART IV: LOCATION /17
Healthcare: Assess whether the area offers the level of healthcare you require. Are there
good family practitioners, dentists and hospitals? If you or one of your dependents need
special care, are those specialized services available?
Housing market: Find out what the housing market is like. Assess whether it’s a buyer’s
market, and compare the prices to those in your current location. Speak to a local realtor
to find out if you’re likely to recoup your investment if you buy a home now and sell
within a few years.
Crime rate: Especially if you have a family, it’s important to consider the crime rate in
the new location. Contact the local police department for detailed information on crime
statistics, or reference a crime-mapping website like Crime Reports.
Infrastructure and commute: Research the local infrastructure to gain an impression of
how long your daily commute will be, whether commuter rails are offered, and how close
the nearest airport is if your job will require extensive travel.
Travel: If business travel will be a large part of the job, find out how often, how far, and
for how long you’ll be traveling. Consider how it will impact your performance, as well
as your personal life.

18. /18
PART V:
GLOBAL
OPPORTUNITIES

19. PART V: GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES /19
According to the
2014 Kelly Global
Workforce Index,
36% of engineers
considered global
opportunities when
choosing between
two jobs.
With the current worldwide shortage of engineers and a
quickly rising demand, there are likely to be increasingly more
international opportunities available.
Yet however alluring the career benefits, international relocation should be properly
evaluated to ensure positive consequences for both your career and personal life.
Take the following points into account:
Regional business climate and opportunities: Study the specific area where the job
is located to determine whether the business climate is positive for your career. Is it a
region known for innovation and important work? Will you have access to resources or
opportunities you otherwise wouldn’t have? Will you be working with professionals who
can help move your career forward?
Geopolitical considerations: National and international politics can have a significant
impact on everything from the type of projects you’ll work on to how safe you and your
family feel. Investigate the destination country’s domestic and international political
situation, as well as its relationship to your country of origin, to gain an impression of the
political situation.
36%

20. PART V: GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES /20
Personal preference: Whether living overseas is right for you or not has a lot to do with
personal preference and ability to adapt. Ask yourself whether you and your family can
be happy in another country by looking at aspects such as culture, religion, gender roles,
etiquette, education, income levels, and crime rates. Also study the geography and
climate, and evaluate if you will enjoy living in that environment.
If you want in-depth information about what life is like for expats in various countries
around the world, visit Expatica, an extensive resource with articles about everything
from healthcare and home buying to schools and social events. To hear personal
experiences, it’s advisable to join the forums and connect with people who are living,
or have lived, in the country you’re considering moving to.
HOWEVER ALLURING
THE CAREER BENEFITS,
INTERNATIONAL
RELOCATION SHOULD
BE PROPERLY
EVALUATED TO
ENSURE POSITIVE
CONSEQUENCES FOR
BOTH YOUR CAREER
AND PERSONAL LIFE.

21. /21
PART VI:
COUNTEROFFERS

22. PART VI: COUNTEROFFERS /22
Engineers looking to leave their jobs often receive counteroffers
from their current employers trying to entice them to stay.
However, counteroffers are frequently made out of desperation, and oftentimes do not
end well in the long run. As soon as you receive a counteroffer from your current
employer, consider the following points:
Your reasons for leaving your employer: Remind yourself why you started looking for
employment elsewhere in the first place. Was it salary, lack of job satisfaction, problems
with management? Ask yourself how the counteroffer would change things in the event
you were to stay.
Reasons your employer is offering you more now: A counteroffer comes with career
advancement and increased compensation. However, if your employer isn’t prepared to
offer you those until you threaten to leave, evaluate what your chances are of getting the
career path you deserve with this company.
Your employer might doubt your future loyalty: Telling your employer you’re preparing
to leave isn’t conducive to mutual trust. If you stay, your employer might not put you on
high-profile projects or give you other responsibilities you want.
BEFORE ACCEPTING
A COUNTEROFFER,
BE SURE TO
CAREFULLY CONSIDER
THE POTENTIAL
RAMIFICATIONS.

23. PART VI: COUNTEROFFERS /23
LEVERAGING A COUNTEROFFER
Once you’ve received a counteroffer, it can be tempting to go to the prospective
employer and try to negotiate better terms based on the counteroffer. While it’s perfectly
acceptable to negotiate salary and other terms of employment during job negotiations,
using a counteroffer as leverage is not advisable. Your prospective employer might doubt
your commitment to the new position or even call your trustworthiness into question.
BOW OUT GRACEFULLY
Always be polite and respectful when turning down an offer. In the event you’re leaving
your current employer, communicate that you’ll do everything you can to make the
transition to your replacement a smooth one. Bear in mind that you might encounter
colleagues from your previous company again in your career—or need to call upon them
for references—so make sure to leave on a good note.

24. /24
PART VII:
CHECKLIST
A QUICK REFERENCE TOOL
TO HELP YOU MAKE THE MOST
INFORMED DECISION POSSIBLE.

25. FINANCIAL
CONSIDERATIONS
IMPORTANT
NOT
IMPORTANT
NEED
CLARIFICATION
ACTION
ITEM
Salary
Bonuses
Benefits
401K
Stock options
Perks
Relocation package
Cost of living
Local and state taxes
Tax exemptions
Commuting and
parking expenses
Other
/25
FINANCIAL
CONSIDERATIONS
COMPANY CULTURE
& WORK ENVIRONMENT
CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT IMPORTANT
NOT
IMPORTANT
NEED
CLARIFICATION
ACTION
ITEM
Corporate values
Company reputation
Public or private company
Matrixed or vertical
organizational structure
Management/leadership
Culture of innovation
Opportunities to work with
knowledgeable colleagues
Work-life balance
Collaborative or
individual work
Cutting edge technology
and top-notch equipment
Hours, attire, office space
Other

26. LOCATION & GLOBAL
OPPORTUNITIES
LOCATION IMPORTANT
NOT
IMPORTANT
NEED
CLARIFICATION
ACTION
ITEM
Local businesses
Job market
Schools
Healthcare
Housing market
Crime rate
Infrastructure and commute
Travel
Distance from friends
and family
Other
GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES IMPORTANT
NOT
IMPORTANT
NEED
CLARIFICATION
ACTION
ITEM
Regional business climate
and opportunities
Geopolitical considerations
Ability to adapt
Other
/26
JOB CHALLENGE &
GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES
CHALLENGE AND GROWTH IMPORTANT
NOT
IMPORTANT
NEED
CLARIFICATION
ACTION
ITEM
Responsibilities
Challenging work
Impactful work
Training and development
opportunities
Opportunities for
advancement
Tenure
Recognition
Other

27. CONCLUSION /27
Although the outlook for engineering jobs is bright, it also
means multiple opportunities can present themselves, and a
decision to accept or reject can be expected rather quickly—
especially in competitive industries that are booming.
But no matter how good an opportunity looks, you shouldn’t be left with the burden of
making an important career decision from the hip. So remember to put your professional
analytical skills to good use by making the most all-inclusive and informed decisions
when it comes to your job options.
Above all, be prepared to succeed by knowing what’s really on the line:
the advancement of your engineering career.

28. SOURCES:
http://salary.careerbuilder.com/engineer/
http://www.salary.com/tips-on-evaluating-a-job-offer/
http://guides.wsj.com/personal-finance/retirement/what-is-a-401k/
https://blog.wealthfront.com/stock-options-14-crucial-questions/
http://money.cnn.com/calculator/pf/cost-of-living/
https://www.crimereports.com
http://www.greatschools.org
http://blogs.hbr.org/2009/05/evaluate-how-you-fit-your-comp/
http://www.expatica.com
http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2012/03/26/why-you-shouldnt-take-a-counteroffer
http://www.forbes.com/pictures/efkk45ellkf/how-can-i-turn-down-the-counteroffer-without-burning-bridges/
http://www.glassdoor.com/about/index_input.htm
/28

29. /29
Kelly puts a new employee to work every 33 seconds, and every four
minutes one gets hired full-time by a Kelly customer.
Search for jobs on our Kelly Career Network®, join our
Talent Network, or visit www.kellyservices.com to get started today.

30. EXIT
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
DAN TRUPP is the Product Director for the Americas Engineering Product Center of Excellence
of Kelly Services, Inc. His primary responsibilities include leading strategic business development
of engineering workforce solutions throughout the West and Southwest regions of the United
States. He is an engineering subject matter expert for numerous industries including medical
device, aerospace, oil and gas, and semiconductor. Prior to joining Kelly, Dan held various
management positions with technical staffing firms in the United States. He attended Colorado
Technical University and is an active member of several associations including the Energy Professionals
Group, Colorado Governor’s Energy Board, and the Colorado Bioscience Association.
DALE DE STENO is a veteran technical recruiter for Kelly Engineering Resources®. His primary
responsibilities include new business development, account management and recruiting
process management. He recruits for positions in several industries including industrial product
manufacturing, custom equipment manufacturing, heavy off road equipment, and engine/
engine accessory design and development. Prior to his tenure in technical recruiting, Dale
worked in mechanical drafting and design, as well as inside technical sales, for several industrial
product manufacturing companies.
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