So I have a bit of a dilemma here regarding my job search. I have been out of a job for about two and a half months, and while my last employer gave me a six month severence package (I know, crazy right?), I am very anxious to get back to work because I am driving myself crazy. I have been interviewing pretty heavily the last couple weeks and I am (hopefully) near the end. I know this is just a decision I have to make, but maybe you guys can shed some light on something I'm not seeing here.
Here's my dilemma: I have 2 or 3 jobs I am looking at, and it appears as though one wants an answer right now. However, I don't have all the details on all my options yet.
Company 1: They have extended me a job offer, and actually want me to start tomorrow (Monday 2/18). Here's my good/bad analysis on this company:
The Good
* Firm job offer, immediate start
* Extremely high salary, likely the highest base salary I will receive
* Fortune 500 company which will likely be around for a long time
The Bad
* Hourly pay rate
* Through temporary employment service; no benefits
* Will be competing with one other new hire for a permanent direct-hire position (direct hire will receive benefits and salaried compensation, though)
* Company does not know when they will make their full-time decision
* 2nd shift (3pm-11pm) interferes with my current school schedule
* They produce parts for automobiles, and their production is directly linked to forecasts of the major auto makers, which has taken a hit lately
* Took a loss every quarter for 3 years except for 4th of 2007 (could be a good thing?)
I told them I am extremely interested in the offer, but I need to make arrangements with my school schedule before I start. I honestly don't know if I have any options besides just missing every class (would be a problem for one of my classes), but I will see. In the meantime, I am interviewing with two other companies.
Company 2: I have not received an offer yet, but I was on a second interview on Friday and got along with the hiring manager very well. I am meeting with his supervisor Monday (tomorrow) morning. Hiring manager said they have only interviewed one other person, and honestly, I like my chances.
The Good
* Company provides extremely good benefits package, including tuition reimbursement eligibility on date-of-hire with max they can offer before tax implications (huge for me), profit sharing, 401k, health, dental, vision, and life insurance. A lot of PTO available on day of hire.
* Facility is extremely nice, including gardens bordering all aisles, their own gym, and chefs/kitchen available almost all day.
* Located in a pretty nice suburban area. Even though their facility is huge, they are near several malls and restaurants in a fairly big city.
* Seems like a very friendly corporate culture; even the CEO sits in a cubicle.
* First shift/regular business hours will not interfere with school.
The Bad
* No firm job offer
* Salary is unknown; it could potentially be up to 30% lower (trend is for smaller companies not to have as competitive of salaries)
* Company is mid-ranged (~$500 mill annual sales), see comment above
Misc. Info
* Company is located about 15 miles north of home, which is about 25 minutes in clear traffic and an hour in rush hour. That is pretty standard and not a problem.
* One thing I found interesting is their demographic. I found it humorous that 75% of their staff looked like 24 year old sorority girls fresh out of college. I know that shouldn't factor into my decision making, but it kind of stuck out.
Company 3:
This one is barely an option, but still on the radar. I have a second interview with them next week. I don't know quite as much as I have not met on-site with them yet; the first interview was over the phone.
The Good
* Solid company which makes good money
* Facility is closest commute
The Bad
* I already know salary is 20% less than what Company 1 offered, although this will include a solid benefits package
* Timeframe on starting is longer away as I have not even had interview yet.
Company 4:
This one is barely an option. I had a phone interview from their HR rep, and they want to bring me in for an interview in 2 weeks for a group-type setting.
The Good
* Most interesting company (they make ERP solutions)
* Work as a consultant (probably big $$, lots of travel which is cool to me)
* Opportunity to work with cutting edge technology, as well as with many other companies (lots of networking and good for the resume!)
The Bad
* They want 2nd interview in two weeks
* Date of hire would be April 1, still a big long shot
* No idea how successful the company is as they are private and foreign and do not release any sort of financial statements
For right now, what I have done is said I would like to work for Company 1, but I need time to reorganize my schedule with the school I am going to. In all likelihood this will not be an option. So the question is, do I drop school for this semester (signing up next semester with a more convenient schedule) if they will not be flexible with my schedule? Or stop going to class and just take the exams?
In the meantime, I have interviews set up with Company 2 & 3. I think I will probably taken the job at Company 2 if I get an offer, even if it's a pay cut, because it looks like a fun place to work and has a lot of good benefits. Company 4 looks like it would be the best opportunity, but the HR rep may have just done her job well by selling the company the best. I may keep that in the burner as a thought.
How would you guys handle this situation?
Here's my dilemma: I have 2 or 3 jobs I am looking at, and it appears as though one wants an answer right now. However, I don't have all the details on all my options yet.
Company 1: They have extended me a job offer, and actually want me to start tomorrow (Monday 2/18). Here's my good/bad analysis on this company:
The Good
* Firm job offer, immediate start
* Extremely high salary, likely the highest base salary I will receive
* Fortune 500 company which will likely be around for a long time
The Bad
* Hourly pay rate
* Through temporary employment service; no benefits
* Will be competing with one other new hire for a permanent direct-hire position (direct hire will receive benefits and salaried compensation, though)
* Company does not know when they will make their full-time decision
* 2nd shift (3pm-11pm) interferes with my current school schedule
* They produce parts for automobiles, and their production is directly linked to forecasts of the major auto makers, which has taken a hit lately
* Took a loss every quarter for 3 years except for 4th of 2007 (could be a good thing?)
I told them I am extremely interested in the offer, but I need to make arrangements with my school schedule before I start. I honestly don't know if I have any options besides just missing every class (would be a problem for one of my classes), but I will see. In the meantime, I am interviewing with two other companies.
Company 2: I have not received an offer yet, but I was on a second interview on Friday and got along with the hiring manager very well. I am meeting with his supervisor Monday (tomorrow) morning. Hiring manager said they have only interviewed one other person, and honestly, I like my chances.
The Good
* Company provides extremely good benefits package, including tuition reimbursement eligibility on date-of-hire with max they can offer before tax implications (huge for me), profit sharing, 401k, health, dental, vision, and life insurance. A lot of PTO available on day of hire.
* Facility is extremely nice, including gardens bordering all aisles, their own gym, and chefs/kitchen available almost all day.
* Located in a pretty nice suburban area. Even though their facility is huge, they are near several malls and restaurants in a fairly big city.
* Seems like a very friendly corporate culture; even the CEO sits in a cubicle.
* First shift/regular business hours will not interfere with school.
The Bad
* No firm job offer
* Salary is unknown; it could potentially be up to 30% lower (trend is for smaller companies not to have as competitive of salaries)
* Company is mid-ranged (~$500 mill annual sales), see comment above
Misc. Info
* Company is located about 15 miles north of home, which is about 25 minutes in clear traffic and an hour in rush hour. That is pretty standard and not a problem.
* One thing I found interesting is their demographic. I found it humorous that 75% of their staff looked like 24 year old sorority girls fresh out of college. I know that shouldn't factor into my decision making, but it kind of stuck out.
Company 3:
This one is barely an option, but still on the radar. I have a second interview with them next week. I don't know quite as much as I have not met on-site with them yet; the first interview was over the phone.
The Good
* Solid company which makes good money
* Facility is closest commute
The Bad
* I already know salary is 20% less than what Company 1 offered, although this will include a solid benefits package
* Timeframe on starting is longer away as I have not even had interview yet.
Company 4:
This one is barely an option. I had a phone interview from their HR rep, and they want to bring me in for an interview in 2 weeks for a group-type setting.
The Good
* Most interesting company (they make ERP solutions)
* Work as a consultant (probably big $$, lots of travel which is cool to me)
* Opportunity to work with cutting edge technology, as well as with many other companies (lots of networking and good for the resume!)
The Bad
* They want 2nd interview in two weeks
* Date of hire would be April 1, still a big long shot
* No idea how successful the company is as they are private and foreign and do not release any sort of financial statements
For right now, what I have done is said I would like to work for Company 1, but I need time to reorganize my schedule with the school I am going to. In all likelihood this will not be an option. So the question is, do I drop school for this semester (signing up next semester with a more convenient schedule) if they will not be flexible with my schedule? Or stop going to class and just take the exams?
In the meantime, I have interviews set up with Company 2 & 3. I think I will probably taken the job at Company 2 if I get an offer, even if it's a pay cut, because it looks like a fun place to work and has a lot of good benefits. Company 4 looks like it would be the best opportunity, but the HR rep may have just done her job well by selling the company the best. I may keep that in the burner as a thought.
How would you guys handle this situation?
