I'll be interviewing for the job I mentioned last week. Unfortunately, I am pretty sure I no longer want the job. The benefits they offer are significantly worse than my current ones in almost every way (5-10 less days vacation time, 4% less employee match on 401(k), extremely limited sick time, something like 6 days a year (compared to unlimited where I currently am), no work from home capability as far as I can tell, etc- the only benefits that MIGHT be better are the health insurances, which, as a relatively healthy 26-yo without plans to start a family any time soon, don't really interest me - oh, and my company currenlty pays for my cell phone, so I would have to buy one, which is a tangible increase in my own costs immediately) not to mention an additional hour tacked on to my commute, oh, and the recruiter has told me not to expect anything more than a 15% raise on my current salary (yes, I lied to her about my current salary), probably something closer to 10%. If I do the math on: increased gas, mileage, and the cost of me being in a car 10 more hours a week; me taking on new phone costs; me now paying taxes in two states; my loss on the 401(k); my loss on vacation days; plus the intangible costs of no longer being able to work from home, the stress of moving to a new environment, etc, etc, etc - a 15% raise on my "current salary" doesn't actually cut it. I wouldn't need much more than a 15% raise, about 19% is what I've calculated to be my "bottom number," but the fact is that I do like my job where I am and I don't really feel like fighting to get financial compensation for perks that I sincerely enjoy as perks right now. So that has been on my mind. In other news, I went on a second date last night, and it went very well. We watched Wes Craven's Deadly Blessing, which is available on Amazon Prime. Here's my advice to you: don't. Also, as a follow-up to my "Fuckin' Bookbinding, Yo" post ( elizabeth ) , I opened an Etsy store. It's here for those interested. I am skeptical I will sell much, tbh.
Two years ago I moved from walking-distance-to-my-office to 40-min-commute-distance without changing jobs, pay, etc, so I have an approximation of a controlled experiment. I thought I would hate it, because, well, why shouldn't I? I found myself not disliking it too much, because it gave me a chance to listen to the radio more, which I appreciate (though I would still walk given the choice). Then again, I moved because I was getting married and the wife didn't want to move back to the ghetto, so my effective income did actually increase (given that I was now only responsible for 50% of bills), so maybe I'm full of shit.
10 more hours a week!? That sounds miserable. Nothing wrong with an interview, but your current job sounds like a way better deal in just about every way. How long have you been in this job?
My commute right now is essentially negligible: 10 minutes if I choose to drive to work, so it would really be going from 0 to 10 hours, not "some amount" to "some amount plus 10." I agree, I think my current job does sound better. At least, the benefits are just phenomenal, I'm forced to admit. I've been in this current role for about a year and a half. The downside is that, due to what bank management is choosing to do with the bank overall for the next 2 years, we've been basically guaranteed that there won't be any promotions for that same time period (2 years). I don't personally believe in the direction snr management is taking us, and if it doesn't pay off after these 2 years, we could have spent a bunch of money with little to no payoff, which doesn't look good for my job/promotion potential either.
FYI: If I were to pick two years in the past 30 in which it would be good to have a stable, secure, under-paying job that's likely to be spared a layoff, those years would be 2008 and 2016. For purposes of resume-padding you can always ask for a title change at no additional salary. It demonstrates initiative, illustrates your drive and keeps focus on you at no impact to the balance sheet. And should the finance industry come crashing down (again) you've at least distinguished yourself a little compared to everyone else on the bread line. Also, if one were saving for a downpayment, an additional year or so of savings might reap substantial benefits in a down market. Just sayin'.
I don't have an idea about jobbing, but from what I'm seeing, you're not losing anything by staying where you are for the next two years. If it's promotions you're chasing - sure, change place, but it doesn't sound like it. If you like your current job, stay without regretting a thing; if you don't, you're better off spending more time looking for a better workplace than taking a worse choice just because it might pay off eventually.
That sounds empowering in a vague sort of way. Then again, I'm on a company laptop billing hours at a consultant's rate while I send personal emails and read hubski. And I don't feel much different than usual. Surely someone is getting screwed over by my semi-fraudulent behavior but I can't put my finger on whom.
I'm really excited to see that you've opened up an Etsy store. I fucking love art and artisan stuff, so I really hope things take off for you. Have you considered, in addition to Etsy, selling your stuff at shows and local fairs? Depending on the event, you can often rent a booth for a weekend relatively cheaply and can easily make your money back to cover booth costs so you can at least break even, if not turn a profit.
Hey, I have been meaning to get back to you from Day 1. It's a good question, and also thanks for your enthusiasm! I really doubt this will turn into anything much, though, tbh. I have absolutely considered trying to get in at local art shows or fairs. I'm interested in doing so, because I honestly think I'll have better chances actually selling anything at face-to-face events with impulse and holiday/birthday present motivation driving on-the-spot purchases. However, I know for most fairs there is an entry or booth fee. I haven't taken the next step of finding out what fairs are upcoming and what the cost to become a vendor would be. I also am not sure if it might not be better to have multiple kinds of art products, aka stuff besides books, if I were to go that route. I'm not sure. i could always sell my paint-by-numbers. The problem is that the income from each book sale isn't pure profit, so while I think you may be right that at a good fair I could net recoup my booth fees, I really doubt that I could gross recoup them and profit, unless I had significantly more stock than I do now, and maybe if it was a book or literary festival - themed, so the audience would be more likely to want artisan books. - Actually - that's not a bad thought.
Well, of course it's important to have fun above all else, but it'd still be pretty cool if things took off for you. :) Diversifying your product offerings is probably a pretty good idea, as it increases your chances of selling something. You should really go to some craft fairs and art fairs this year if you can, for fun and looking around, not for selling stuff. It'll give you a chance to see what other people are doing, the quality of their craftsmanship, and you'll get a good idea about fair market prices. Plus, if that's the kind of stuff you're even remotely interested in, it can be a lot of fun. The wife and I haven't hit up a craft or antique fair for a few years now. I think we're overdue.I really doubt this will turn into anything much, though, tbh.