[quote=paramount]Of course DC is bubbly, that’s where all the gov’t babies move to when they can’t make it in California.
A Sr. level person from the DC area in general would be considered jr to mid level in California.[/quote]
Yeah, but that Sr. level person in DC still gets paid a Sr. level person salary… Think about that one. If you’re a junior person that can get away with doing junior level work while getting paid as a senior level, you’re obviously doing the right thing. If you’re a senior level person who can’t get distinguished from a junior level person, it’s really time you find another position, because they don’t give a shit about you.
I have friends that moved from socal to maryland/dc area who work in the defense biz.
Not only did their cost of living go down, their salary went up, and they only work 8-6 no weekends…Makes you think who’s really crazy and who’s not.
I think San Diego really has the opposite problem. People are artificially suppressed in their career. It’s a hidden sunshine tax. Someone who could normally cut it as a director elsewhere probably won’t be able to see a director position here for many many excuses (and the only real reason is because their isn’t enough competition among companies here)…
Take a look at some of the big companies. Do they really promote/grow organically these days people into director positions locally, or do they hire “experts” from outside and bring them in on top of you? I think it’s really the latter. That’s why sometimes it’s just better to quit, go elsewhere with fancy title, and then get hired back with a hiring promotion, then sitting and waiting your turn to see who above you quits/gets fired/dies before they let you move up.