I need to clear the noise from my head.
Yesterday I got a job offer.
Long story short I was head and shoulders above the other two shortlisted candidates and they would love to have me.
I am very conflicted about accepting this job or not.
I have until Wed 1st to decide (normally I'd know immediately) and since I woke this morning having dreamt about it (I don't ever have disturbed sleep) I need to sort out my feelings so I can relax about it.
Salary only R21 000 more per annum which is less than R2000 per month, cost to company (in other words, gross, not take-home pay). If it was a position at another company, just on that note alone, I'd decline.
In my view, no matter how fabulous the job itself, I need to be compensated for the stress of a new job :)
I asked when the next salary review would happen but he doesn't know so I have to speak to HR. If I stayed in my current role, it would be 1 Dec, but the lines blur when you move internally.
Then the work hours and flexibility. Currently I work 6 hours in the office and finish at home at night. This is not going to fly in the new area. He did say he is happy-ish (but I think he's just saying that to get me) that if I arrive before 8:30 I can leave at 3:30. BUT the BIG BOSS is American (no offence but you guys work way too hard for my liking) and is not all that into results vs time in office.
Which means big alarm bells for me. I know I deliver - that really is not the question at all - but I know how hard it is once someone has an idea of you to break that perception.
E.g. in current role, my wonderful boss reported to a BIG BOSS who acted like he was cool with me but I know he didn't think that much of me. Again, nothing ever said, but I work with people and am trained to read nuances, body language, etc. and I believe if it were different, I would have been further. Anyway, no hard feelings since I was also not "all there" due to my one goal above all else the last couple of years, FALLING PREGNANT.
It's not the actual working hours - it's the feeling of not having freedom. Can I get used to that again after 5 years of having the ultimate working nirvana as far as time is concerned? Freedom is my number 1 value.
There is some travel involved - this is actually the biggest bonus. I love travel - all sorts - and can do in short bursts. At the moment this team is doing work in one African country...
So yesterday when I drove home, I thought about current Wonderful Boss and I cried thinking about leaving him. Yes, I'm a big old sop. But honestly, will I ever find such a fantastic person to work for again?
Even yesterday in the office, I told him that it was worth waiting for him to review an email to a client because even though I waited a day longer than I was comfortable with (I really value feedback and communication), the final email was beautifully written. He said, "Oh thanks, Marcia, that's why I keep you around" Awwww.
We are very good at working together!
My actions
Find out what net pay would be
Find out when my salary would be reviewed again
Find out how these working hours will work in practice.
Things to think about
Am I just being undisciplined about work time?
Am I romanticising working for Wonderful Boss?
What do you think I should do?
Which factors should I take into account? And what additional questions should I ask HR/ new boss?
Please help!
LinkWithin
I would TRULY take the work travel into account. Jon and I both love travel. We DO NOT love his business travel, particularly since we both work full-time. His travel is consistent, which means I am a single mom almost every week. It is very tiring. FOr us, it's worth it bc he works from home when he's not traveling but I would seriously consider what it means for the other spouse for you to be gone, frequency of travel, etc.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
I'm way to comfortable and resist drastic change. The idea of pursuing a new position is very not me.
ReplyDeleteI also put my family first, so if the time issue is that big maybe it is best to pass. I hope you find some clarity, and some more $$$!
Sidenote-
What do you mean we Americans work too hard? Have you seen the shambles our economy is in? I do have to agree though, I would definitely love to move out of the country.
Mandy, a small example... the minute you start working at a company here in SA, you start acruing leave and you can take the leave almost immediately. We get at least 3 weeks leave every year. I have a friend (in fact, it's my wonderful boss's ex-PA) who now lives in Vegas and she says it's standard to only get 2 weeks leave after you've worked two years. Something like that.
ReplyDeleteNumber 2 - this is all perception but I get the feeling that in the US, long hours are the culture whereas not so much in SA. We love our relaxation time - outside, food, etc,.
P.S. If it were up to me, I'd like to only have deliverables and be in the office x hours. I sooo don't believe in being there just to be seen. Life is for living!
ReplyDeleteMy opinion: work travel is not leisure travel- it actually is a "down" especially if it is one country only.
ReplyDeleteFlexibility and hours not at the office is the absolute first prize with kids. As they get older and school issues set in, you'll understand what I am referring to. I have flexibility because I own a part of the company, but I do not have the hours as our clients function between 8 and 5 - I wish I could go home at 3:30
My opinion: work travel is not leisure travel- it actually is a "down" especially if it is one country only.
ReplyDeleteFlexibility and hours not at the office is the absolute first prize with kids. As they get older and school issues set in, you'll understand what I am referring to. I have flexibility because I own a part of the company, but I do not have the hours as our clients function between 8 and 5 - I wish I could go home at 3:30
(LOL - my word verification phrase here is "sushi" - I kid you not! Now I want some.)
No way - I wouldn't do it. I think you have THE best job around right now, and from my experience the grass is not greener. Maybe you forfeit a bit of pay but the upshot is you get home early, you have a wonderful business community/environment/boss (I've met him so I can vouch). It's not like you're jumping from the skorroskorro into the jaguar...with this new job. I don't think there's that much upshot to warrant this. My 3 cents worth!
ReplyDeleteTo me working for somebody I like is WAY more important that R2000 gross per month. I have worked for people I dislike and it SUCKS. It is really hard to find a good working relationship so when I do I tend to stick around.
ReplyDeleteSounds like your commenters are pretty unanimous in their opinions! : ) I have a lot of flexibility and wonderful co-workers in my current job, and I know it would take a LOT for me to leave those benefits. (Flexibility and understanding bosses are sometimes hard to find in the business world here in the states!)
ReplyDeleteI know you'll make the right decision for you and your family. Just a thought...but if you pass up this job, it might make someone higher up think about what it would take to get you...and might eventually lead to better offers??