When Getting A Job

[Ash Wednesday]

So I have started interviewing for some design jobs to help start saving up for a haus and just wanting some stability... please keep me in your prayers that I find a good job, and that God can clearly let me know that it is the RIGHT job and the job that He wants me to do.

I recently interviewed for two, and both interviews went really well.

One is VERY well paying, though in part it is compensating for a London commute that is expensive throughout the year. But it is a job I'm not sure I'd be happy with in the longer term. I'm worried that after a while I will hate it and money would probably the biggest motivator in getting me to work every day. It's a bit of a stale work environment. It may also considerably hurt my abilities to do commercial art on the side because of the hours and commute.

The other job is lower pay but it is closer to where we live, and it would be my dream job as far as what I'm good at and getting to do the things that I want to do. It is an agency job, something I've always wanted. But I also really liked the office and the people. To me it was like going to the store and finding that shirt or outfit that you love and fits you perfectly. Hand, glove. It's the kind of job that I would really look forward to getting up in the morning and going to. It would probably also be easier for me to continue doing commercial art on the side.

I can't really get my hopes up too much about either one, because I've had interviews before that have gone well but didn't materialize. But the first job they were almost ready to make an offer but are having second guesses about level of experience they want in a candidate, and I would probably have to talk to one of their developers in a second interview...blah blah blah. The second job, I'm the final of just 3 candidates, for all intents and purposes the director says I'd be a great fit, he loves my work. So I'm pretty close on both.

[b]I need [size="7"][font="Impact"]PRAYERS[/font][/size] and advice ahead of time on this in case I have to make a decision and something is offered.[/b]

Special emphasis on prayers.

It's one of those situations where I'm at a point in my life where I have to "put aside childish things" -- as St. Paul said. There's a certain luxury in being a freelancer but I don't like the instability. I told my husband maybe I should just take the first job I'm offered, is that a viable way of knowing that this is the job God desires me to do? I kind of have my heart set on the second job but I need to think of other things besides myself. I would feel stupid if I turned down the first job in hopes of getting the second and came up empty. And you know what they say about beggars not being choosers. It's going to be a couple of weeks before I really know for sure what is going on here, I am really hoping that I get an offer on the second job first so that I'd know for sure, and I wouldn't be a foolish beggar. I'd be taking what I can get but it would be a job I love.
[b]
So this could all be for nothing, but I'd appreciate your thoughts on this, what your job search was like in the light of doing it according to God's will and knowing what was right. Even if nothing comes of it this go round, I could use some pearls of wisdom if I'm in for a journey here.[/b]

The first real salaried job I ever got didn't take a lot of searching, it was straight out of an internship and lasted many years. Then I ended up as a freelancer and contracting in part out of necessity and to see if it was what I was meant to do. So, heavy duty salary job searching in a way that affects your career in the long term wasn't something I have a lot of experience in.

All your prayers and advice on this matter would be appreciated. I love you phatmassers, you are wonderful.

Edited May 6, 2011 by Ash Wednesday

[Archaeology cat]

Praying

[Lil Red]

Praying and I would take the second job. Sounds like your heart wants it and after my experience of doing something for many years just 'for the money', I can tell you that it smells of elderberries your soul away.

[BG45]

Prayers!

[xSilverPhinx]

I'm reminded of something I was told long ago: it's better to work and love your job everyday of the month minus payday than work and hate your job everyday minus payday.

Though if the second job doesn't materialise and the first does, you could accept it and carry on looking elsewhere?

[Lil Red]

[quote name='xSilverPhinx' timestamp='1304709633' post='2238015']
I'm reminded of something I was told long ago: it's better to work and love your job everyday of the month minus payday than work and hate your job everyday minus payday.

Though if the second job doesn't materialise and the first does, you could accept it and carry on looking elsewhere?
[/quote]
Definitely being in a job you hate that stifles your creativity just plain suc[i][/i]ks

[MrsSlappo]

It is always OK to accept Job number 1 if they offer it, and then accept job number 2 if it is offered a week later, and put in your resignation for number 1. Just say you'd already interviewed for a different position before accepting #1, and they offered you the position. Give two weeks notice, or resign on the spot, whichever job 1 preferred (they wouldn't have fully trained you in the new position, so they might just want to cut losses and hire someone else immediately).

[Seven77]

[quote name='xSilverPhinx' timestamp='1304709633' post='2238015']
I'm reminded of something I was told long ago: it's better to work and love your job everyday of the month minus payday than work and hate your job everyday minus payday.

Though [u]if the second job doesn't materialise and the first does, you could accept it and carry on looking elsewhere?[/u]
[/quote]

this. try the 2nd one first.

prayers.

[Ash Wednesday]

[quote name='MrsSlappo' timestamp='1304713772' post='2238047']
It is always OK to accept Job number 1 if they offer it, and then accept job number 2 if it is offered a week later, and put in your resignation for number 1. Just say you'd already interviewed for a different position before accepting #1, and they offered you the position. Give two weeks notice, or resign on the spot, whichever job 1 preferred (they wouldn't have fully trained you in the new position, so they might just want to cut losses and hire someone else immediately).
[/quote]

This was what I asked my husband about, he told me that it be very unprofessional and would look bad. He said "people will talk" -- I understand the professionalism concern, but I don't agree about "people talking" in a place as heavily populated as London and southeast. But I could always delay when my start date would be, and if I accepted an alternate job in the interim then I don't think it would be as much of an issue. In any case I'm really hoping that I won't have to do this. I was supposed to hear back later today whether or not they were going to continue with the next interview on job #1, and I haven't heard anything so I kind of feel like the longer they draw this out the more it buys me time. And if they have decided to go a different route, I can move on.

I'm not accustomed to these decisions getting drawn out for weeks. Really honks me off to be honest, seems like back in the states you knew within a couple of days and that was it, you could move on. This might just be a test of my patience, though. The next couple of weeks will drive me mad.

Edited May 6, 2011 by Ash Wednesday

[MissScripture]

[quote name='Ash Wednesday' timestamp='1304718543' post='2238079']
This was what I asked my husband about, he told me that it be very unprofessional and would look bad. He said "people will talk" -- I understand the professionalism concern, but I don't agree about "people talking" in a place as heavily populated as London and southeast. But I could always delay when my start date would be, and if I accepted an alternate job in the interim then I don't think it would be as much of an issue. In any case I'm really hoping that I won't have to do this. I was supposed to hear back later today whether or not they were going to continue with the next interview on job #1, and I haven't heard anything so I kind of feel like the longer they draw this out the more it buys me time. And if they have decided to go a different route, I can move on.

I'm not accustomed to these decisions getting drawn out for weeks. Really honks me off to be honest, seems like back in the states you knew within a couple of days and that was it, you could move on. This might just be a test of my patience, though. The next couple of weeks will drive me mad.
[/quote]
Unfortunately, not everywhere in the States. I totally understand your frustration, as my husband is waiting to find out if he got promoted and if we will be moving or not. They told him when he interviewed it would be up to 2 weeks until he found out. Yesterday was the 2 week mark, and after he e-mailed them, they said it may be another 2 weeks. Definitely prayers for you!

[Ash Wednesday]

[quote name='MissScripture' timestamp='1304719368' post='2238091']
Unfortunately, not everywhere in the States. I totally understand your frustration, as my husband is waiting to find out if he got promoted and if we will be moving or not. They told him when he interviewed it would be up to 2 weeks until he found out. Yesterday was the 2 week mark, and after he e-mailed them, they said it may be another 2 weeks. Definitely prayers for you!
[/quote]

and prayers for you. Totally batty, I tellya. And I just love saying HONKED OFF!