Job hunting in a down economy

For the past few months I've been actively job shopping. Due in part to a demotion and a pay cut. But times are tough, but not as bad here in the mid-west, unless you work in aircraft. I've had a couple of job offers that I've frankly had to turn down. They were good offers with good companies.

Some wives are great at holding up mirrors and keeping their husbands somewhat in check. Mine is one of those. I'm normally a rational and pragmatic guy. I have to be, I work with computers. Computers don't care if I hope that a piece of code will work or not, either it does or it doesn't. Systems are the same way. Life in IT is generally a two-state system. Either the computer/system/program works as it should, or it doesn't. But I'm an emotional creature too with a bit of an ego.

Yes, being offered a position is a bit of an ego booster, and being handed the "thanks, but no thanks" letters is a bit of a let down. I just got another one of those too. So why turn down a position?

The answer is not as simple as it would appear. It is not always about the salary or the position. Benefits and stress play a huge portion of the equation too. Some benefits are tangible, 401(k) contributions, paid time off, vacation time, etc. Others not so much, the boss, coworkers, challenges within the job and overall stress. And, I'm not getting any younger. Not that I'm slowing down, but my direction on life is in a much different place than it was 10-15 years ago.

Salary and title are not the single most important items on the list. What is important? Stress, relationships with coworkers, bosses, and the mission of where one works. Taking a step back the latter seems to be more important than the former.

Overall where I work is still a good place to be. The benefits beyond the salary seem to out factor just the salary alone. Some would say that I'm lucky to have a job. Luck is the law of probability taken personally, I don't believe in luck. I know that I'm talented and frankly I just need to calm down a little and all will be okay. Irrational fear is not a good thing. Always look at things objectively keep focused and things will be okay in the end.