An offer

[cjsmith]

Companies T, X, MP: resume submitted, never a peep. Probably not a fit.
Company G: wants a phone call early next week but has not yet scheduled it.
Company Z: usually does two interviews. I've had one and then took off for the East Coast for a week. May be interested in seeing me again or may think I rate somewhat lower than boogers.
Company V: interview tomorrow.

And job offer number one of the 2006 Job Search Season is at company M, a place so small and so deep in stealth mode that their web page has nothing on it but a logo. It's verbal so far, by which I mean spoken, and I don't think they're even going to bother checking references before putting it on paper. They want an answer from me ABSOLUTELY RIGHT NOW, as in "start Monday".

I pushed back on answering before tomorrow afternoon's interview at Company V. That one had already been scheduled and I didn't feel at all right about:
- saying yes to Company M and ditching the V interview last minute
- saying yes to Company M and going to the V interview, wasting their time
- saying no to Company M without any time to think
or, honestly, simply being pushed to decide so fast.

So I'm now expected to call as soon as I get out of V's building and tell M what I have decided. Deep breath. I hate being rushed, but it does look appealing...

If I say yes, I break things off with V quite suddenly, and I cancel the call I'm supposed to have with Company G early next week (marking the second time their process has simply been too slow to catch me, thus probably blacklisting me forever in their eyes), and I tell everyone else (including some recruiters) I'm out of the running.

If I say no I... well, what is this, do I want a job or don't I? I mean, they want me, and they want me to write code, and for this they will pay me a salary. What am I looking for, flowers and a serenade?

Time to sleep on it a bit.

Comments

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

'half in jest and full earnest'

I like that phrase! *grin*

It's not an especially good time to be a NASA contractor whose background is in unmanned astronomy missions.

I hear ya. I like the fact that you found one that you are sure is not going to be cancelled. That's got to be one of the worst parts of working on something like this: it could all get shelved at any moment. I'm glad you're not likely to face that with this new position.

So is it a dream job? No, not really. Is it a good job? It is. It'll do, and it'll give me good experience....

That's how I'm feeling about M. It's not *perfect* but it's quite good. It will give me lots of experience I can use later. The salary is competitive, the tasks they'll have me do will be opportunities to learn, they *want* a generalist whose job is "learn and then do", the people are friendly and I think I'll fit in. It's a good job.

Thanks!

[wcg.livejournal.com]

You're welcome!

So, have you decided?

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

I still have that interview at Company V. Unless V is spectacular, though, I think I'm going to take the offer at M.

[wcg.livejournal.com]

I will stay tuned for further developments!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

DANG! V looks good too! I have another hour or two before M starts to wonder why I haven't gotten out of my interview at V yet.

[wcg.livejournal.com]

And your decision?

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

M. I called and left voice mail for the guy at M. (I'm a little surprised he hasn't called back yet, actually; he was so all-fired anxious to hear, and he hasn't checked his office or cell voice mail.)

*deep breath* nervous! Plus, last two days of "freedom" start right now. Many things to tidy up around here so's I feel ready to focus.

[wcg.livejournal.com]

I wish you all the best with it CJ.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much! :-)