Decisions, Decisions…

26 November 2007, 18:56 UhrCareerSingle Ma18 comments

As you know, I’ve considered leaving my current employer. For six months, I’ve burned the candle at both ends. I don’t mind doing this occasionally, especially when I’m fairly compensated, but this job makes six figures look like peanuts. If you count the time I spend IN the office, plus the hours from HOME on the laptop and crackberry, my job consumes 90% of my waking hours. Cray-zee!

At one point, I was beginning to dread going to work. Only thing that kept me motivated was the eye candy. LOL! Man, let me tell ya! Bring him into a room and Single Ma would perk up like someone just announced a 75% off shoe sale at Nordstrom’s! LOL Nah, seriously. Despite all the things I hated, I refused to half step and gave them everything I had in me. The epiphany came when the eye candy was no longer enough. *ok, I was only half joking about my reliance on the eye candy* So the hunt for a new gig began…

After a lengthy search (long before I publicly announced it) and several rounds of interviews, I had two written offers and one tentative. When the offer I really wanted came through, I knew it was time to have a heart to heart with my boss before formally accepting.

Lateral move
Same title
Same salary
Same benefits
Same geographical area
Similar commute

…based on interview Q&A and confirmed by inside informant.

More organized office
Fewer demands
Less stress

And most importantly, a better quality of life.

The events to follow blew my mind. The corporate grapevine traveled fast and I got wind of the direction to “do whatever it takes to convince her to stay.” After several discussions about my concerns, I was presented with a ridiculous compromise that I never ever expected. The words “retention bonus” and “please consider xyz” were foreign to me. Then the pressure was on to make a decision. I tried to front like I had it all together, but ya girl was perplexed! Like whoa! Thank gawd for holidays! T-day was a perfect diversion to consider my options.

…and today, I made the final decision.

I’ve “chosen” to stay with my current employer. I emphasize the word “chosen” because I have several options but this is where I want to be. I must admit, I don’t love it as much as my last job, but with the planned adjustments, I hope it will grow on me if I give it a chance. It’s an excellent opportunity that will shape my career as I continue to grow and prepare for the next level. Besides, learning that you’re highly respected is a nice stroke to the ego. LOL

Now that it’s behind me, this experience taught me several lessons:

1 – Quality of life trumps money all day, everyday.

2 – If you work hard smart to become a valuable asset, your needs will be met.

3 – Even when you’re in a position to call the shots, arrogance may be tempting but choose the road of humbleness. It will take you further.

4 – Apply 1-3 in your career FIRST and the money will come.

*thinking* Did a PF blogger just insinuate that money wasn’t important? LOL

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    18 comments:

    1. Ms. MiniDucky, 26 November 2007, 20:29

      Girl, you are truly blessed. I hope that you DO grow to love the improved work environment. And if you decide it’s still not for you, it’s obvious you’re too valuable to float for long!

       
    2. meeegan, 26 November 2007, 23:04

      Well negotiated, Single Ma!

      I’ll quibble only a little with Lesson #2. It applies when one is working in the for-profit world. But if you’re in non-profit, it is definitely another planet… one on which you may get lots of strokes, but financial needs don’t get met no matter HOW vital, admired and treasured you may be.

      I’m just sayin’.

       
    3. sfordinarygirl, 27 November 2007, 3:06

      You are such an inspiration! I admire your dedication, commitment and work ethic!

      I’m job searching at the moment and keep wrestling with all the choices whether to move forward. Thanks for the wise lessons!

       
    4. nikki, 27 November 2007, 3:51

      Congratulations!I’ll have to agree with Meegan. In the non-profit world salary is an issue. My salary needs are not being met, so once I finish grad school I am going to have to make a move to get the money that I want/need.

       
    5. Single Ma..., 27 November 2007, 3:52

      @ mini – Yes ma’am! Worse case scenario, I will gain valuable experience and lay the foundation for future opportunities. Many of which, so far, have been a direct result of career planning: advanced degree, pursuit of challenging situations that most people avoid, networking, a little risk taking, etc.

      @ meeegan and nikki – At what point should I tell you that I work in non-profit? :-)

      @ ordinary – It wasn’t an easy decision and it took a lot of soul searching (ask anyone who has talked to me over the past 3 weeks LOL), but in the end, my gut instinct helped to finalize the decision. Listen to your 6th sense.

       
    6. BK, 27 November 2007, 5:04

      *hugz*… I know the struggle you went through with this one!!!! Whew.. I’m sure I’ll hear about all the good things that led to you staying.. because I’m sure your quality of LIFE is expected to get better.. I’m sure they took into account all of your reasons and made amicable resolutions for you to have “chosen” to stay..

      I’m so happy for you ma!!! So can you go ahead and let off some of that “retention bonus” on a sista.. I’m just saying.. I need some cushion for our brunch.. LOL

       
    7. MsJayy, 27 November 2007, 5:37

      Good for you Single Ma! I know that’s a weight off your shoulders. I’m sure the planned changes willl work out for you. QUALITY OF LIFE is soooooo important. I tell people that all the time when they’re chasing paper. Great post to read as I head out for 1 of 2 meetings with headhunters today. Be well!

       
    8. Sistah Ant, 27 November 2007, 7:01

      wow, what an experience. i am happy that you’re wanted and that you reached a decision you’re satisfied with. thanks for sharing that!

       
    9. HC, 27 November 2007, 7:10

      It’s great to know that you are wanted.

      I hope they keep up their end of the bargain, QoL-wise.

      Now enjoy that retention bonus!

       
    10. Just Me !, 27 November 2007, 9:23

      u go girl – I definetly believe quality of life is more important than anything else ! this is what i struggle with on the daily !

      Congrats sis !

       
    11. krystalatwork, 27 November 2007, 9:29

      What a great story! It just goes to show you that when you work hard, you will be rewarded. Congrats! :)

       
    12. Call 2 Arms, 27 November 2007, 13:30

      This is a fabulous story. This speaks extremely well of the skills you contribute to a company. You’ve been there under a year and they are willing to make accomodations to fit your need for a life into their need for a quality employee.

      I’m sure you already know how wonderful that is but I’m delighting in knowing that there is payoff for those who do a job well. This is amazingly inspiring because so often we hear about those who aren’t rewarded, appreciated or recognized.

      Well I do work for folks who feel they were wrongfully terminated so perhaps I hear more bad stories than the average person.

      Congratulations on your continued excellence!

       
    13. Dimples, 27 November 2007, 15:18

      *sigh*

      I so feel you on this one. I too have chosen to stick it out with my current employer. The flexibility and ability to work from home that I currently have is too good to give up right now, especially being a single mother. In the meantime I plan on working on improving my skills and making myself more marketable. Then when I am ready to make that leap of faith I will be armed and ready.

      Thanks for the post. Definitely what I needed.

       
    14. Terri, 27 November 2007, 20:11

      I like your words of advice. I’m sitting here struggling to put together my personal strategic plan for my organizational behavior class and it reminds me of what I expect in life.

       
    15. Chief Family Officer, 27 November 2007, 20:51

      Congratulations! It sounds like you’ve worked out a great deal for yourself :D

       
    16. Kesha, 28 November 2007, 0:45

      Yes, Single Ma, great story! I just knew you were going to say you bounced! Congrats on your blessings. Continued success!

       
    17. KimPossible, 28 November 2007, 5:41

      KUDOS Single Ma! That is awesome. I have left many jobs because I was not happy. I was on jobs for six and seven years and really hadn’t moved up. I thought to myself this is a joke right? I am staying in my comfort zone because of a check. When I can position myself to make better moves for myself. Sometimes we can get so comfortable that we forget about risks. My grandmother was mad when I left my very first job. She said “Honey it’s stability and it’s a job.” I told her “Grandma, my generation is not like your generation. I have to be happy as well as stable.”

      Single Ma, it is good to see that you can make it happen in unfavorable work environments. DO IT!

      KimPossible

       
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