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f/u to job interview - need advice!
I am the most confused girl on earth right now I think!
THEY OFFERED ME THE JOB! Woooohoooo, right? I definitely feel happy that they offered me the job on the spot, but there are a few problemos:
1. Location - It's definitely an hour away. I know for some people this isn't bad, but I'm used to driving 4 miles to work so it would be quite a change. Quarter tank of gas and two hours of driving every day makes me a little worried. Eventually I would be able to spend more and more time at the local office, but for several months at least it would be an hour commute each way.
2. Pay - it's so weird! Base pay is $6K a year less than I make right now - and I don't make much! But then they pay commission-based on top of that. If I did well, I could making up to $10K more than I do now, but if I struggle then that would be a major pay cut.
Now for the PROS:
1. It is in the field of law that I definitely want to get into, and there isn't a huge demand for it, so it's a great opportunity.
2. If everything went well and I was able to bring in my own clients, eventually I would basically run the local office myself/make lots of money. But that is at least a year or two down the road, if ever.
3. I really really like the people. A very young, fun and relaxed firm which can be hard to find in this town (although it's not really in this town, soo....)
Anyway. I am changing my mind about once an hour as to whether I want to accept it or wait for something else - which could be a while. If you managed to read this far, THANKS and I'm dying for everyone's thoughts and what the heck to do.
Re: f/u to job interview - need advice!
Yay!!! Congrats!!! That's awesome they offered it to you on the spot.
Can you currently afford to take the pay cut? Will DH salary still cover all your bills?
As far as the commute, you get used to it, and it's probably only temporary. I used to drive 15-20 min to work and now I have over 30 min. It's something I've gotten used to.
If this is something you really want and have wanted for a while (which it sounds like yes) I would say go for it. Nothing says you have to stay there forever.
Hmm - tricky.
If you and DH can financially handle a potential 6k pay cut (worst case) then i'd say go for it. i dunno what you drive but if you have a car (as opposed to an SUV) and it's mostly highway it'll still suck but not be tooo bad.
those are good pro's and if it's something you want to do forever then i'd say the pro's def out weigh the cons here. yeah money is obv a big thing but if you can trim the fat for a year or two then it's going to be worth it in the long run. the way i look at is work your butt off while you are young and don't have too many responsibilities.
anyways - that's just IMO - but good luck either way and congrats!!!!
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First of all, congrats!!!!!
My first reaction though is...you are taking a pay cut to drive farther away???? Can you negotiate the salary or some flextime?
But, only you know this better than we do, if the job is going to make you happier and present growth opportunities in the long run, then it might be worth the sacrifice of the money and your time. When I left the accounting field for the higher education field, I toook a gigantic pay cut, but it was totally worth being happy at work. It changed my entire well-being.
I know the feeling you are having right now, and I've been there...and I hate that feeling!!! In the end, trust your gut. If it doesn't feel right, and you are not entirely excited and comfortable with the move right now, wait it out. Good luck!!!
This.
I essentially took a pay cut with my job now, but it was my "dream job" what I went to college to do etc. I was way more happy with my coworkers/duties. I agree with some of the PP's...can you negotiate salary. They obviously really like you and want you...so maybe there is some wiggle room there. Also...I make way more money now since I have been there for 2 years and have been promoted.
Also if your DH is really supportive and feels like you should do it...then I'd say do it!
That's what helped me make my move!
Well, yea, congrats lady! Obviously you're a fantastic asset in your field. Yay for that! : )
You need to sleep on it for a few days, talk it over (a lot) with the hubby, and try to figure out which item means more to you. Commuting is a big reason I didn't go anywhere else than my current job, because I only drive about 2 miles right now, and it is fabulous. How would the traffic be on the "hour" commute? Does that hour include traffic? Going from not commuting to commuting would be really hard, and I would just hate it if you started to feel animosity towards this career change. If you know you would be way happier and the commuting would get to you too much, then I would say go for it. I was on commission-based pay on one of my jobs during college (yes, I was a Kirby salesman...haha), and I did really well, but I just hated the idea that I could be "working" all day and not make a dime. So, at least you would have a base salary to keep things running smoothly on the financial front at home. I'm rambling...crap, I was supposed to help you, not make it worse!
Congrats!!
My only advice is to not base your decision entirely on salary/money. You're young, you're going to be working for many many more years, and the most important thing is to find a job/field that you really enjoy, even if it means temporarily taking a paycut. As long as they can assure you that there is good opportunity to increase your pay in the future, I would say a $6K paycut isn't that bad, in this economy, switching fields. Although of course it couldn't hurt to ask if they would at least match what you're earning now.
The commute is another issue since that impacts quality of life. I can say, having done long commutes in the past, you just get used to it, but it can be stressful. Is moving somewhere a bit closer an option? This is what DH and I are doing once my office moves later this year.
I always say that if you have three things in a job you're golden: work you enjoy doing, people you like working with, and a boss who you like and respect. If you have those things, the money will naturally follow.
Congrats girlie! The pretzel stance works again!
I'm also stuck on the pay cut to drive farther. Is there any way they can work with you on this? Especially since they do have an office closer, they just want you to work in the other office.
If you really see this as an opportunity that's not going to come up again and you would regret it if you didn't take it, then I would definitely take it. It may suck for a couple of years, but in the long run you'll be in the field you want and have some experience under your belt if you decide to move on to another firm.
Good luck and let us know what you decide!
To respond to as many of your questions as I can remember:
- Yes, we could totally be fine on DH's salary plus my base salary. But at the same time, we have a pretty comfortable budget going on right now and obviously we would like to keep it that way.
- I'm thinking I could maybe try to negotiate for the base pay to be the same as my current salary. That would probably make it worth it for me if they would be willing to do it.
- Is DH supportive? I don't know. He's kind of with me in the wishy washy stage. Of course if I was jumping up and down dying to do it he would support me, but he's also a very rational thinker so he's back and forth, too.
- No traffic! The traffic goes in the opposite direction so it is pretty much just a straight highway commute. I have a crossover so almost and SUV, but it's a very comfortable drive and the MPG isn't too bad.
bahhhhh. This is all very good advice and I am taking it to heart. Keep it coming!
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Well first, congrats on the job! That is great.
Switching from a short to a long commute is definitely an adjustment, I had to do something similar when I moved from Florida to NY. And I can see where you are coming from the pay cut perspective.
The pro's are definitely a huge weight for me. I am the type of person to seize opportunitties when they come across, because you don't want to be kicking yourself down the line when you want to get into the field and can't find an opening. Personally, if you and DH can work out the $$ situation, including the new cost of gas and the more frequent oil changes, I would go for it.
You seem to be on a roll with jobs, so if it doesnt work out I am sure you would be able to jump right back in where you are (even if not at that firm, one close by).
Whatever you decide, I wish you the best!
I say go for it! You are at the perfect place in your life to make this transition, i.e., no kids (besides Bruce). Sure the drive is going to suck but it's only for a little while vs being completely unhappy at your current job for God knows how long!
Do you know any friends that live in the town you have to commute to? Maybe you could stay at their house a few nights a week so the drive isn't so bad.
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Congrats on the new job offer!
Personally I drive an hour or more depending on traffic to my job (when there is no traffic I can be in in 35-40min) I'm used to the long commute but its rough esp at night when it comes to cooking dinner. I leave at 5:30/6 and don't get home till after 7 at which point I start dinner. Its better now that its light out but it is rough in the winter.
That being said I took this job to change industries and I love what I do.
If the work environment is better then the current situation then it might be worth the longer commute (sirus radio was the best decision ever for me).
Good luck with your decision.
Congratulations!!! It sounds like a great opportunity for you!!
I agree with what most of the other girls have said. It sounds like this new position would provide you with some big opportunities for growth and that it has the working environment that you were looking for! So long as you guys will be able to afford taking the paycut, I think it sounds like a great opportunity. Now, I'm in HR so I'm geeky about benefits and stuff - are the benefits as good or better than where you currently are? That's something to take into account too
But it sounds so exciting and that it would be a great step to get you to where you ultimately want to go in your career!
Although having a 1 hour commute wouldn't be as good as you have it now, but as long as you're not sitting in traffic the ride wouldn't be too bad once you get used to it. I've learned to love my 45 minute commute - it gives me time to gear up for a busy day, or to unwind after a stressful one!
Good luck - and let us know what you decide! And congrats again!
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I want to add my congrats to the fray!!! Woot Woot :-)
And now, to my "two cents":
I agree with PP for the most part. I also second the thought of not making the decision based solely on the $$.
You are young, smart and talented - you will make up that shortfall in no time. Next, unless you already own your home and know that you will be there for the next "x" amount of years, I wouldn't make the decision based solely on a commute either. Because you could always possibly move closer to your new job down the road, right?
And, say you do own your home already with no plans to move soon - I'd still go for it, Rach! There are few things that can compare to having a job that you enjoy, doing what you love, making a fairly decent living at it, and doing it with people whom you enjoy working with. If given a choice, I'd always put personal fulfillment and happiness first...everything else always seems to work itself out :-)
I think you have to look at the long term potential here:
1. Yes, you'll have an hour commute each way at first. But like you said, you may be able to switch to the local office after learning the ropes
2. Look at your finances and see if you can swing it. Do you have any kind of leverage with the base salary? Or do you pretty much have to stick to what they gave you.
Obviously you have a lot to think about. Bounce your concerns off your DH (and us!) and I think you'll find the right answer.
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