Friday, May 11, 2007

Job 1 vs Job 2

So I start my new job on Monday. I am beyond excited. It will be so good to get up every morning and have some place to go. It will also be good to have someone other then the pets to talk to. As much as I have tried to have conversations with the pets, they just don't respond to me and look at me like I have lost my mind. For a while there, they were probably right about losing my mind.

At the same time I interviewed for this job I interviewed for another. Let's call them Job 1 and Job 2. I am due to start Job 1 on Monday and like I just mentioned, I am very excited. My interview with Job 2 went really well. It's for an Executive Director position and could be a huge boost in my career. My interview for Job 2 was over an hour long and I was feeling pretty good about it until they told me the salary. Because it's such a small agency they could only pay me so much and with no health insurance benefits. I explained to them that I would need a certain amount for my salary and because health insurance is so expensive I would need some assistance with that as well. They said they would talk with the rest of the board and get back to me. Well, I didn't hear from them. I assumed they were not able to meet my salary requirements and gone with someone else. In the mean time, Job 1 called and offered me the job and I jumped on the opportunity to work for this company.

When I got home from my orientation for Job 1 on Tuesday there was a message from one of the board members from Job 2. He explained that the salary was the same, but they could assist me with health insurance. I talked it over with a couple friends and we all agreed that Job 1 would be the best for me right now. I kept meaning to call them back, but didn't get around to it.

About an hour ago I got another call from Job 2. I explained to the board member that I could not financially afford to work for the amount they were offering me. He asked what it would take for me to come to work for them. I gave him a number (about $6000 more then what I am going to be making at Job 1) and that I would need some assistance with health insurance. He said he was getting ready to meet with the other board members and would be calling me back this afternoon.

I would love working at both places. But money is a big factor right now. Now I just need to decide (if Job 2 comes back and agrees to my counter offer) if I will take Job 1 or Job 2.

It is a good feeling knowing that I can be assertive for my needs and tell them exactly what I want. Oh, and it feels good knowing that an agency is so willing to hire me that they will do whatever it takes to get me there.

7 comments:

Minnesota Nice said...

Good manuevering, girl! BUT...go with the job you'll be happiest in for the long run, because that 6K won't be worth two cents if you don't like where you are. Also, when a place is stretched to give you extra $$, you might find you're not looking at any raises for quite a while! I've learned this one the hard way!!!

SassyFemme said...

Wise words from Sandra.

One Messed Up Chick said...

I say follow your heart! And sandra had some good points as well.

yankeegirl said...

Way to go Caroline! It's so great and feels so empowering to take care of yourself, doesn't it. (Im learning this lesson too)
Good job, go w/ your gut and choose the one that will make you happy.

Lynilu said...

Yeah, what Sandra said. Really, it is more important to be happy actually doing the job and knowing that there will be room for incremental raises. Those raises are crucial for your self esteem. If you think job #2 would make you happy, ask if there will be annual raises.

When all else fails, toss a coin!! LOL

Me. Here. Right now. said...

It's good to be in demand! Hope it works out, but go with your gut!

Caroline said...

sandra--that's a very good point. i had not thought of that.

sassy--yes she is very wise

eye--i am so excited about job 1, so i will probably take that job. i don't remember being this excited about a new job

yankeegirl--it does feel great. and i can't wait until my first paycheck..YAY

lynilu--i did not hear back from that other job yet, so right now my choice is job 1, which like i said..i am very excited about

hahn at home--yes it does feel good to be in demand. thanks for the comment.