As my Mom used to say, “You can’t have your cake and eat it too”. Of course, as I say that, a large chocolate cake sits in our office kitchen area awaiting my fork. That aside, my point here is to address a common request from many of the candidates with whom I work with on a daily basis. Specifically, many professionals in the IT industry endure long hours for extended periods, and except for a relative few, most people don’t prefer working 50, 60, or 70 hours a week. What they do like though is the pay that can come with it (if you’re not being compensated for those long hours then we’ve got a bigger issue altogether). In general, in today’s competitive world companies love the person with those great ideas, but they expect you to work harder, longer and faster the more you’re paid (40 hrs/wk doesn't get you 100K).

Here’s the rub. Most companies to some degree compensate (although not necessarily with money) for these long hours. While people often seek a better work/life balance (i.e., shorter work weeks and greater flexibility in work hours), they often don’t seek less compensation ($, time off, etc.). So what’s more important, time with family or your next raise? Weigh your options carefully and remember, it’s all about choices. More specifically, it’s about you setting priorities and making choices that mirror those priorities because maybe, just maybe you can eat that cake and have it too.