[wylde1]

Is the job closer to home a negotiable salary?

I'm not sure what it's like down there, but up here everything is negotiable. You just need to be confident in what you want, and fully upfront and honest about it. I've never been looking for work without my current job knowing about it. A lot of times that has resulted in raises to keep me where I'm at. But most of the time people realize it's nothing personal, and you're just making the decisions that will be best for your family. My last job that I left, my old boss was my #1 reference and gave me a glowing one at that. But he understood I made the changes for the same reason you are. Less time on the road, more living, less working, more family time.

My advice is that you go to the interview for the one closer to home and be straight up with them. Tell them exactly why you are looking to change jobs, even tell them about your other offer. BUT have a "deal breaker" number in mind. You still might have to take a bit of a pay cut to be closer to home, but maybe you can soften the blow and get the best of both worlds. Instead of 65% of your current pay, maybe you can get them to 80-85%, or hell even tell them you won't take less than your making now. They are people too, and 99 out of 100 times they'll understand a 40% pay cut is pretty devastating. Being up front and honest about it has always worked for me. I went up 20% moving into my current job a year and a half ago when I was expecting a pay cut. Now I work less and make more! I know that's not everyones situation, but all you can do is ask right? if they say no, you'll find something else.

The best career advice I ever got was don't ever be afraid to ask. Don't demand anything, but be confident in what you are looking for, and if you're going to ask be sure you can handle what you ask for! if you're confident in what you want, your employer will have the trust to give it to you. If you're shaky and unsure, how would they be confident you're a good investment? That has always served me well.