"Secret skimping is out, like false bosoms." - Marjorie Hillis, Orchids on Your Budget, 1937.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

as;ldfhaslhdgowi'oainv!!!

Holy shit, y'all. Remember all my it's-now-or-never, throwing-caution-to-the-wind-and-not-looking-back, I'm-young-and-I'm-free-and-I'm-JUMPING-with-or-without-a-net proclamations?

I GOT AN OFFER.

And just in time for my 100th post, no less.

I feel not at all unlike Jessie Spano in her classic "I'm so excited! I'm so excited! I'm so... scared" freak out. And just to clarify, I'm excited to be leaving this place, and scared of the possibility that I'm trading a not good known quantity for an even shittier situation.

The deets: The field is just different, not more interesting - it's not my dream field. The pay is hourly, as opposed to salary. I get paid less than I do now. My health insurance costs will be deducted from my paycheck, as opposed to being paid in full by my employer. I get a week less vacation.

Maybe I'm crazy to be considering this job (considering it seems that I'm losing much more than I'm gaining). Or maybe I'm crazy not to have accepted right away (considering that there's a chance I may not be miserable there, whereas I know for a fact that I will continue to wallow in misery if I stay here). I have until tomorrow to think about it, whereupon I will give notice (and yes, I'm hyperventilating just thinking about it), or not. I would love... LOVE any input.

10 comments:

me in millions said...

I'm confused. It doesn't sounds like this new job is an upgrade in any way (salary, benefits, field...). Will this make your happier?

ekingout said...

I know, it sounds like a bad decision, doesn't it? But then I remember how badly I want out. I've spent the last 3 years being bitter, resentful, hateful, and sad as a direct result of my job. Frankly, my bosses tend to be absuive pigs, which is probably why the benefits package remains so cushy while they cut down on other things. Anyway, it's ruining me, and no one in my life has told me yet that I shouldn't take the offer, despite the pay-cut, which says something.

QL girl said...

It sounds like you're doing the same thing, just in a different field? If your work *conditions* right now are making you miserable, I say take it. At the very worst, you find out you don't like it either and quit along the same time line you had set for yourself before, but at least you give yourself a chance to NOT be miserable! (just my opinion based on the details I have)

Meg said...

I say take it. You wanted out bad enough to leave with *nothing* to fall back on. Here, you have something that can get you out now, and if it doesn't pan out you certainly aren't in much worse of a position than if you quit with no offer.

Really, the way I see it, you don't have anything to lose. (This doesn't mean you have to give up searching for a better/more dream job, either, right?)

JennMK said...

Hmm...

It seems like you aren't getting what you want in your current job, and at least taking this new job would be a change, and there is a chance it might be a change in the right direction. It may just be a stepping stone, and an externally unappealing one at that, but sometimes you just need to move on...to the next thing. And you certainly aren't getting there in your current position.

Your current job situation sounds unhealthy, so even though this new one doesn't carry as much weight in the external rewards area, it may still be worth it for a little more happiness (whose rewards will carry over to other areas of your life).

Best!!!

Christopher said...

I'm just happy to hear you have a safety net. But then again, I'm the cautious type...

Good luck with your decision (although I wouldn't say your choice is obvious)!

Investing Newbie said...

I guess I'm not in a position in my life where money doesn't move me, so I wouldn't know how to respond. I mean the offer package is definitely a lot worse. But I guess your mental and emotional stability is more important than money. Good luck in your new field. I hope even with the cuts it is a better fit for you.

Revanche said...

This is too late, innit? Oh well.

My thoughts are twofold:
1) Quality of life can't be measured in an offer. As previously stated, you were going to jump ship with nothing to go to, right? That means you were tres miserable and hatred in the job can smear the rest of your life pretty messily.

but

2) Make sure that there is at LEAST an opportunity to learn more, to grow more, or advance in SOME way at the new job. You've got to make sure that while you're securing quality of life, you also don't screw yourself out of further advancement in the future. If that's what you want, at least.

Helping Ordinary People Make Money Online said...

I've always said I would not work for somebody I didn't like nor somebody who didn't like me. So good for you.

The older you get the harder it is to give up a job for your self satisfaction. But being young allows you to chase happiness without as much worry.

Best of luck to you.

ekingout said...

@QL girl - That was exactly my thought process.

@Meg - That's the only risk - that I'll get distracted and become satisfied with the status quo.

@JennMK - I hope it does provide me some level of satisfaction, but honestly, not too much. I don't want to make the same mistake I made before and forget to keep moving.

@Christopher - I knew you would be!

@Investing Newbie - I stayed for over 3 years because of the money. That's how they got me. I was afraid I'd stay forever because I couldn't make what I was making elsewhere for the same kind of work. I do believe they planned it that way.

@Revanche - 1) exactly. 2) The way I'm approaching this new position is that it's only temporary. I fully doubt it will be a meaningful contribution to any of my aspirations, and I'm worried that I've decreased my asking price a bit, BUT there are a few positives: it's a 5 minute walk from my apartment (as opposed to my former HOUR commute, each way), plus I will have every other Friday off. That means more time to focus on me.

@Helping - I'm trying to remember that, at 25, I'm still young enough to make some serious changes without much risk. Thank you.