So I got this job offer, right? Except...I haven't received the "official offer letter" in the mail yet.
My interview was LAST Tuesday...I've already sent for and received an official copy of my transcript from my grad school. And I just sent that on Sunday and already got what I needed today.
The offer letter was supposedly mailed out on Tuesday (9/13)...it takes only one business day to travel from town-office-in-located-in to my town. I still don't have it today. You do the math...
My would-be-boss has been in email contact with me regarding a possible HR orientation day of this coming Monday but OH WAIT, that was cancelled...can you come Thursday afternoon for an orientation at our OTHER office (meaning today and he is telling me about this yesterday afternoon--WTH?).
Are you confused yet? In the meantime, I had already (at his request) placed a call to the HR contact to see about getting set up for orientation and to tell her that I have no offer letter (even though I already told HIM this and keep in mind, I'm not even an official employee yet).
At the end of the day yesterday, I was left with no call back from HR, no date for orientation, no offer letter AND...a final email from my would-be-boss asking me to "get in touch with HR and get orientation set up as soon as possible". As I write this, nothing has changed.
I've never had this type of hiring experience before. And it's giving me an uneasy feeling. I was already feeling anxious about the job in terms of scheduling appointments and managing kid coverage. But I was keeping my thoughts positive and feeling like it would fall into place..because we need money and I need this job!
I don't want to miss this opportunity but I'm a big believer in trusting my own gut-instinct. And my instinct is telling me that this hiring experience represents how I will feel as a contracted employee...and it doesn't feel good.
ALSO, after telling me my hourly rate, the would-be-boss already told me the offer would be $2 less per hour than what he initially said. I thought that over and decided to accept anyway because it's still worthwhile for me to have this job.
I'm having a hard time deciding how much to work with this situation...and when to say "Thanks but I'll keep looking". I am no closer to starting work today than I was before I even interviewed. Maybe I should just pursue another company? What would you do?
7 comments:
I would probably keep looking, just in case. And maybe they will get their act together in the meantime and start your employment soon, and that would be great. But you might find something even better if you don't stop looking.
Sorry you're having to be stressed about this. :(
This is a tough one. Is it a really large company? I worked for a large urban school district, and it was well known that the hiring process was a NIGHTMARE. But once you got hired, you rarely had to deal with that office anymore. You were assigned to your department and it was fine. It was just way too many logistics. So I guess it depends - do you think there are several contract companies in the area for which you could easily work? Or is this an unusual opportunity that you could try and always back out if it doesn't go well?
There are other companies that I could potentially work for but it is a bit of a gamble. I would have a hard time backing out after the fact b/c there are clients involved and I don't want to go into this feeling like there is a strong possibility that I will be unhappy.
Well, a couple of thoughts - what does Mike say? Make sure you are both on the same page with whatever choice you make. Second, they have already disappointed you with the financials, it's going to be emotional for you to start work and leave the babes and sound like they are going to be difficult as a company in general. That's a lot of tough pills to swallow at once. However, to play devil's advocate, they say it's always easier to find a job when you have a job, so maybe take it and keep looking. I know you said it would be difficult to leave 'cause there are clients involved, but your first responsibility is to be happy for YOUR family and if that means letting someone else down, then so be it.
So, no help at all, just a few thoughts to toss around.
I am in complete agreement with Alicia. I would continue with the job at hand and keep looking. If it all works out, great. If not you can entertain other opportunities at they come about.
ruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn away! quickly! back into the house and cuddle with the kids!
aaah.
I am fine with leaving the kids to do this job. It isn't like I have to leave them full time and I'm kind of excited to jump back into my field. It's the coordination of time/child care/dinner/homework/etc. that is stressful. And I just don't like that this job is giving me a headache and it hasn't even started yet!!
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