BenC (formerly Ape-X)
09-09-2008, 08:28 AM
Ok, here's the deal - I just finished college (b.a. in english). It was my second go around after a disastrous attempt at graphic design but that is besides the point. The point is, I'm interviewing for a job. And by interviewing, I mean a repeated and continuous battery of phone interviews, face-to-face interviews, take home questionnaires, psychological evaluations and an insanely detailed application.
For one job.
The job would be in the media department as a staff writer...and would (supposedly) pay well. But here's the rub. I've been asking around, talking to people who have worked at this place and almost everyone tells me the same thing - it's a rough place to work. It's very tense, very corporate and very "on edge". I've also heard of things such as no time off for a year and if you are more than 9 minutes late your name is circulated in an inter-office "shame e-mail". One person told me the hours involved were insane. Come in early, stay late, work weekends, etc. For what they pay, they expect to, essentially, own you. She said that as long as I didn't have a wife or kids it would be a great chance to make a lot of money and pad out the resume. Only problem being my Wife and I are looking to start a family and her family is out of town so we travel a good deal.
On the other hand, my current employer likes me. The pay isn't great but they feel confident about an opening in the marketing dept. that I would be perfect for. Plus I'd keep my seniority, benefits and time off. Hell, they even told me - don't accept any offers without checking with them first (I guess so they can make a contingency offer?)...
The pay for "potential new job" sounds swell and I would technically be writing for a living. But the environment and insane-o hours aren't thrilling. So I plan on seeing the (exhaustive) interview process through, giving them a chance to sway me...even though right now I'm just not "feelin' it".
Good idea?
For one job.
The job would be in the media department as a staff writer...and would (supposedly) pay well. But here's the rub. I've been asking around, talking to people who have worked at this place and almost everyone tells me the same thing - it's a rough place to work. It's very tense, very corporate and very "on edge". I've also heard of things such as no time off for a year and if you are more than 9 minutes late your name is circulated in an inter-office "shame e-mail". One person told me the hours involved were insane. Come in early, stay late, work weekends, etc. For what they pay, they expect to, essentially, own you. She said that as long as I didn't have a wife or kids it would be a great chance to make a lot of money and pad out the resume. Only problem being my Wife and I are looking to start a family and her family is out of town so we travel a good deal.
On the other hand, my current employer likes me. The pay isn't great but they feel confident about an opening in the marketing dept. that I would be perfect for. Plus I'd keep my seniority, benefits and time off. Hell, they even told me - don't accept any offers without checking with them first (I guess so they can make a contingency offer?)...
The pay for "potential new job" sounds swell and I would technically be writing for a living. But the environment and insane-o hours aren't thrilling. So I plan on seeing the (exhaustive) interview process through, giving them a chance to sway me...even though right now I'm just not "feelin' it".
Good idea?