UPDATE: Hypothetical Job A or Job B?

[Deleted]

UPDATE: Job A called me today and made an offer! I had a third interview this week, where I met the COO and made a presentation, and they liked me! Now to the nitty-gritty.

Salary at Job A is disappointingly lower than what I was hoping for. I asked for 10k more and the HR guy said he will call me back on Monday. The cost for healthcare for me would be $1k/year, and $3k/year for me and DH (he's covered through his graduate assistantship so I'd likely only insure myself). They do quarterly bonuses, but only if the company is profitable, and I was told to expect $5-7k/year in bonuses. The retirement match is 4% up to my first 4% contribution. The vacation days are the same as Job B.

I still have no update from Job B. I called and emailed them today to tell them Job A's offer came in, and haven't heard back yet. If I am offered the position there, the base pay is $6k more, I get a 10% retirement match for a 5% contribution, and 70% tuition assistance which is a huge perk to me. But, I am not at all excited about the actual position of Job B so I would be doing it just for the tuition benefit so I could get a better job in a few years.

I'm still in the Job A camp, but the salary was a bit of a blow since I was hoping (expecting) for so much more. Anyone have any final thoughts?


You may recognize me as the executive assistant who was fired by the crazy university Dean. Here's my most recent update, and a poll.

I have two very promising leads for new jobs. I know I'm putting the cart before the horse as no offers have come in yet, but I could be at a real crossroads here if I am lucky enough to somehow snag both.

Job A: Training and Development Specialist at the corporate headquarters of a franchise that is in 40+ states and 4 countries. I would write the training program for the customer service representatives who work in every franchise location around the world. They have a current training program that only 35% of the franchises currently use, and within the next year they want to write and roll-out a new program. My degree is in education, and I taught high school and community college for six years. I walked out of each interview feeling like I nailed it, as this position fits right into my skills and experience. I got a great vibe from the team members I met too. I want to use my education degree but don't want to be in the classroom full time anymore, and this seems like an incredible opportunity for me. ETA: I don't know a firm salary yet, but I'm expecting $10-15k more than Job B which is huge to me.

Job B: Administrative Assistant at the university that fired me. This is the same lab where I recently had three interviews for a different position (anyone remember they commented on my nervous laugh and grilled me about my old office? I did get a weird vibe from this office). I didn't get that position, but they called me today and asked me to apply and interview for an Admin Asst position. I am not enthused about the job itself, but this may be a good path to take long term. This university pays 70% of tuition for their employees, so I could get a Master's (I haven't decided what program yet) and get a better job in a few years. This would be an easy job to do while I am in school. DH is a student here, and we could drive together, meet for lunch, etc. He will also likely find employment here when he finishes school next year. The university has a 10% retirement contribution no matter how much you contribute, free healthcare for your entire family, and I'd be in the union (which couldn't help me much when I got fired since I was still in the probation period). Plus, I just generally love being on campus.

I'm leaning toward Job A for the immediate gratification of having a great job over another Admin Asst job, but I feel like it would be crazy to turn down Job B if it's offered to me since the tuition coverage is such a great benefit. Thoughts?

Paging gogreengowhite since I always update her.

[gogreengowhite]

Oh, that's tough.

You did get a weird vibe right from the beginning with the university job.

Liking the people you work with is so important. Trust your gut.

If you like what job A does and you got a better feel for the people, I say go for it.

[Deleted]

The more I think about it, the more I lean toward Job A.

Job A is a great job now. Job B has definite room to grow into a great job when after I go back to school, but I think it would be a mistake to pass up a great job now with the hopes that Job B will lead to one later. I just have so many emotions wrapped up in Job B; I want to go back to the university and prove myself after my first position there was such a disaster, and it has always been an ambition of mine to have a Master's degree and I hate the idea of passing up the chance to have the tuition covered 70%.

I really just need to stop thinking about this since no offers have come in yet anyway.

[irene adler]

How important is career advancement? I am in a university staff position that is part of a union. Tuition coverage, great benefits, and stability are wonderful, BUT there is zero room for advancement/zero room for salary growth/merit raises (outside of mandated raises everyone receives). There is a campus wide morale problem here, mainly because there is little incentive to go above and beyond. If this is a driving force for you, I would strongly consider job A.

HOWEVER, I took this job at a time I was craving stability, and it was a great fit. Once I felt settled, I was able to pursue outside interests (starting a business/pursuing fitness goals) in a way I couldn't handle if I had a job where the expectations were not so even keel.

[irene adler]

Also, lots of employers have programs that give educational benefits. The university job does not have a lock on that benefit.

eta to fix the awful laying in bed while typing grammar/punctuation.  Damn. 

[Deleted]

Job A!

[Deleted]

Job A, no brainer for me! I think it sounds a lot more interesting and fun, and better pay helps too. If you are worried about retirement contributions, you could always put some of that extra pay into retirement on your own.

Honestly, the tuition thing would be a better incentive if you had a specific program/goal in mind, but it doesn't sound like you do. I wouldn't take that job with the vague notion that you might want to get a MS at some point, KWIM? It sounds like there is a lot of potential there, but potential may or may not actually amount to much. I'd take the job that is good NOW. I also think that since you are iffy on the vibe of the office in Job B and lost a similar position at the same organization recently...it might not be the best fit. Even if they love you and want to keep you forever, are YOU going to be happy in that environment?

[Deleted]

A for sure. B kind of sounds like a step back for you.

[aurora]

I agree with RockNVoll - it's pretty obvious from your 1st post (even before your follow up) that you like A better. There are other ways you could go back for your masters later if you decide you want to. Good luck!

[leeluu]

Job A. There is a career path there, whereas admin asst often does not have an obvious job ladder. It can be hard as an admin to transition into other areas.

Also, depending on the cost of the degree you want and the company's tuition reimbursement, you will likely come out ahead financially with job A.

Plus, it's hard to put a price on interesting work and good coworkers.

[Deleted]

Thank you all for the advice. DH is leaning Job B, I think mainly because it's his university.

Everyone else is in the Job A camp, including a surgeon I was formerly an administrative assistant for. He has been at his university 30+ years and is a leader in his field, and he still told me "go corporate."

I asked the Job A company during my second interview if they do tuition reimbursement or assistance and they said no, but that they do offer professional development.

Now let's just hope something good comes out of all this worrying!

[egishere]

Job A sounds really good. Is there a lot of travel involved though?

[Deleted]

Job A emailed me to come in next week for a third interview! (They emailed just before 5pm, and I was out running errands and just saw the email)

egishere, I need to ask about travel. It has not been mentioned yet, and the posting did not mention any travel, so I don't think that is a big factor in this job. I would teach classes here at the corporate office (franchise owners are required to attend classes here before they open their franchise) and I would write curriculum that is sent out each franchise that is then taught locally.

Stan, I understand what you are saying, but my husband is studying Student Affairs Administration. His goal is to either work here, or the other big university in our state which is 60 minutes away. There is an excellent chance he will be able to find a position at this university. His program is among the highest ranked in the nation, and his assistantship and internships are all helping build a network and experience on campus.

I have considered the same program, but haven't decided yet since after I left teaching I haven't felt committed to any certain career path (although not knowing my career path has caused me a lot of stress).

PS - I love that the poll is at 54:1.

[Deleted]

UPDATE: Job A called me today and made an offer! I had a third interview this week, where I met the COO and made a presentation, and they liked me! Now to the nitty-gritty.

Salary at Job A is disappointingly lower than what I was hoping for. I asked for 10k more and the HR guy said he will call me back on Monday. The cost for healthcare for me would be $1k/year, and $3k/year for me and DH (he's covered through his graduate assistantship so I'd likely only insure myself). They do quarterly bonuses, but only if the company is profitable, and I was told to expect $5-7k/year in bonuses. The retirement match is 4% up to my first 4% contribution. The vacation days are the same as Job B.

I still have no update from Job B. I called and emailed them today to tell them Job A's offer came in, and haven't heard back yet. If I am offered the position there, the base pay is $6k more, I get a 10% retirement match for a 5% contribution, and 70% tuition assistance which is a huge perk to me. But, I am not at all excited about the actual position of Job B so I would be doing it just for the tuition benefit so I could get a better job in a few years.

I'm still in the Job A camp, but the salary was a bit of a blow since I was hoping (expecting) for so much more. Anyone have any final thoughts?

[Deleted]

B's base pay is $6k more than the first offer from A.

I'm hoping A will meet me in the middle with $5k more so it's right about where B is, but it would still be less since healthcare is not free. Job B allows negotiations too so it may even come in higher yet.

I am still torn, but leaning toward Job A. I called Job B because I want to know if I have options, and also to just put an end to this whole debacle. If Job B doesn't offer me the job then I'm clearly accepting Job A, and if Job B does...well, then I think I'm still taking A but I will stress over it a little more first and then I can also let B know to pursue other candidates if/when I turn them down. I have been talking to Job B for two months now over the course of their four interviews and I have updated them that I am now interviewing elsewhere too.

Honestly, I was very upset to hear what the salary for Job A is, but we can certainly live on that much. I was just expecting so much more from a "better" corporate job when compared to a public university secretary job. Plus, I looked at BLS.gov and what they offered me is $15k less than the state and national averages for this position.

[gogreengowhite]

Congratulations on the offer!

I hope they will come up on their offer and it will be obvious this job is for you.

Have a great weekend!

[aurora]

What about opportunities for advancement? If you take A, will there be more chance for raises in the future?

How badly do you need the money? Most of us here have said we'd take a lower-paying job that we like a lot better if the difference in $ didn't hurt our families.

ETA - congratulations!

[vigurl]

Still job A