The Plus(es)
The firm is owned by a sista. It's a small firm in DC, right around the corner from the White Hous.e...I could be brunchin' it up with Michelle O. and everythang! The lady even mentioned that its her goal for all of us to meet the President. Although it is not my plan to live in DC, the change of scenery and potential excites me.
It's in my field, but it seems that the projects would be much easier than the type of commercial design that I was doing before. The firm specializes in "green design" which was something that I wanted to be more involved with b/c I want to be at the forefront of this whole green movement. She was saying all the right things...she wants to put me in Project Management courses so that I can get my feet wet in that area and she wants me to train under a new software package (that my former employer didn't even want me to touch). In other words, it seems that she wants to invest in building me up and is not trying to hold me back.
PLUS, and here's the BIG PLUS...this woman is from Bat.on Rou.ge and is trying to build up an office down there! She asked if I could travel and help her to get that office off the ground, requiring travel to BR 2-3 months at a time. (BR is an hour and a half away from New Or.leans). I explained to her that I could only do that during the summer b/c I'm a single mom and J usually spends the summers with my dad. Otherwise, I have school to be concerned about. She said that that may work. She even said that she likes to get a group from the office together to go to the Bay.ou Class.ic during Thank.sgiving. My mouth literally dropped! When I said that I wanted to be able to go back home more often, this is not what I had in mind, but would certainly work for me! I mean, it just seems as if this job is tailored for me, BUT...
The Minus(es)
Pay and benefits. I didn't think that we would discuss salary, but it came up. I gave her a number to account for the increased cost of living. She looked up in the air and had to think about it. Hmmm...and then she asked me about benefits. I'm used to my health insurance being paid, my 401K being matched, and 3 weeks of leave (annual, sick, and personal). She said, "People don't really get sick around here." And as far as annual leave, she said that they usually get the week off for Christmas. I'm hoping that I missed something. I have worked for a small firm before and I swear that I only had 3 days off a year, not including holidays. She said that she's flexible, but I'm not so sure. She understands that I'm a single mother (she should b/c her 2 y/o was present during my interview, trying to rip up my resume). Then there's the matter of making a move to be closer to the office, renting out my house, finding a new (GOOD) school for J, etc. What if after I do all that, the firm runs out of work?
She said that I should hear back from her within 2 weeks and she also said that she wants me to start when a project begins in a month...I mean, it sounds like she all but offered me the job, but I feel somewhat uneasy. It seems like a great experience, but I refuse to starve over a great experience.
I'll be researching and waiting for her to call, but I'll also keep looking in the meantime. Who knows...she may surprise me.
Any thoughts?
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9 comments:
It sounds like a good opportunity but the minus that you listed is HUGE. "People don't get sick around here"?? What does that mean? What about when our kids get sick? I don't know ... you know what you need and you shouldn't settle for less. This could be first of many offers. Keep looking.
That leave time thing had me scratching my head. People need "sick" days just for mental relaxation. The travel back home thing sounds great. And I know a couple people who do project mgmt and it seems that field is very lucrative. So that's a good thing to get your hands on, but I'm still thinking about those days off. What about when you just want to take J on a vacation or something? Or a girls trip? What do you do then? Also, what kind of feel did you get from the other people in the office? B/c sometimes working for women can be pure d hell!
She had her kid present during the interview??? That's soo...odd. Well you definitely have to weigh the benefits. If you're traveling home on business that saves you money...other receipts could be use for tax purposes.
While I wouldn't want to see a decrease in salary, you should always weigh out the other benefits. Learning that new program, seeing family more often, gaining new contacts, etc..
I'm excited about the possibilities for you.
Good luck no matter where it is. I'm biased cause I dont have kids. I'm free like the wind lol. Aside from the pay it does sound like the right fit. If you can find a decent place to live & school for J in the area then I'd say its a no brainer, if all goes well you'll be getting salary increases anyway (just be on your Ps and Qs so neither you and J get sick lol) Oh and can you google her?????
You got a lot to think about, best wishes either way.
I'm concerned about that "people don't get sick around here", yeah,but kids do and what happens when your boy gets sick. Plus that just sounds dumb.
Yay! About the Project Management and the new software package.
But the time off issue as well as your (justified) request for certain $$ due to the cost of living increase being met with a "hmmm", I'd say you have valid concerns. ...sorry I was no help.
I came over here looking for the bantu knot photos..:)
I'm co-siging with the, "what's with the people don't get sick" folks....what's up with that? I hope it all works out though because the plus side sounds really great.
Hi there!
Just dropping by and checking out some blogs that I haven't been to yet!
Congrats on the job offer!
If you absolutely HAVE TO have this job then take it...you can always quit... but if you don't HAVE TO have it then keep on looking because you seem to have some serious reservations about the entire package.
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