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Post Info TOPIC: What would you do? (moving, jobs, etc) ~UPDATED~
kenzie


Chanel

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What would you do? (moving, jobs, etc) ~UPDATED~
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So, good news! DH got a new job in Charlotte, NC. He starts in two weeks and he'll be moving down there ASAP. This is the first step to a transfer out to California in a few years, so I'm ridiculously excited. But, I absolutely cannot move until I have a job there. 

So here's my question(s)/situation.

Part 1:

I spoke with my current manager, and my current job might allow me to move down there and work remotely with a specific end date in mind (5 or 6 months out). This sounds fantastic, but I'm super apprehensive of that end date because I wouldn't be able to collect unemployment once time runs out and I might not have a job. Even if they don't let me straight up move down there, they'd allow me to travel there as necessary. 

The pros? I'd be in Charlotte or be able to go there easily, my employer would know what's up, and would be giving me the go ahead to interview, etc.

The cons? This job sort of sucks, I'm way overqualified, and the job ended up not being what the job description says it should be (and my employer admitted that), meaning that my skills and portfolio are stagnating which is not helpful in getting a new and better job.

This makes me very apprehensive about being able to get a job at a senior level where I should be since I essentially have this stop-gap job taking up space on my resume. And to be honest, I'm hugely dissappointed because had this job actually ended up being what the job description says, it would have been amazing.

Part 2:

A recruiter just contacted me about my dream job at a great company. In my current city. Within walking distance to my house. I have an interview next week.

The pros here- a huge resume boost and portfolio builder to help me get to my next job (something I can't say about my current position), and I'd be back up to working at the level where I should be at this point in my career (instead of in what is essentially an entry-level position with senior level pay).

The cons? If I take this job, this means I'll have to stay in my current city and DH will shuttle back and forth (his job will allow him to do this- he'll be out in the field Tuesday through Thursday and can be home Friday through Monday).  I'd probably stay at this job for at least 6 months and then pull the relocation card. Feasible, I could stay for a year (and by that time, DH may be up for relocation to California). 

I am absolutely torn as to what I should do if offered this job. I've also had one recruiter (in NC) tell me that I should live there to get a job there, but if I have a crappy job there that doesn't help my resume now (but pays ridiculously well because of the initial job description), how can I get a better job with the pay I expect?

I haven't had the best luck of with jobs and finding jobs in the past, so I'm just super nervous and unbelievably stressed. Honestly, I feel like crying.

I'm super excited to be able to move (finally!), but I just want to make the right decision and get out to California! Any ideas, thoughts, advice? 

~SCROLL DOWN for the upate~



-- Edited by kenzie on Wednesday 18th of January 2012 11:31:25 AM

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Kelly


Hermes

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RE: What would you do? (moving, jobs, etc)
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Honestly? I'd probably go with option #2 IF you truly think it might only take a year or so to get to CA. Being away from your DH wouldn't be fun, but it sounds like you'd still have three or four days a week with him. And if you have a sort of "end date" in sight (one year from now, relocating to CA or Charlotte) I don't think it would be so awful. Hell, a few nights a week to yourself might be nice for a while!

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relrel


Marc Jacobs

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Without a doubt in my mind, I would go with #2. Yes, it would totally suck to have your husband away from you but for the long term, #2 is just a better deal. Why continue to stagnate at a job that isn't doing you any more good than just giving you a paycheck each week?

My one caveat is time management, and take this coming from someone with a dog: can you handle the work of all the dogs (including the fosters) by yourself for three to four days a week? Have you finished school yet? I can't remember, but if not, that's another issue to in terms of time.

But regardless, my head and heart is screaming #2 for you. Get a job that actually challenges your skills!

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greendiamond


Marc Jacobs

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I'm also for #2.

It seems your employer isn't very dependable, so I'd imagine it would be more likely that you'd stay back and be able to visit your hubby as opposed to moving and working remotely. So long as you are going to stay back and not see him every night, you might as well be in a job that will get you places and not make you miserable. And, since your hubby will be able to come up to see you on weekends, I think for the sort term it would be better.

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Boots


Gucci

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As long as your DH can travel back to see you almost every week, I think option #2 is the best way to go. Lost of marriages have to deal with one of the spouses traveling for work and they survive (my BFF has been dealing with it for over a year now and she has 3 kids.) You have a possible end date which will make the process much easier. I think it'll take a lot of effort on both of your parts to keep the long distance a minor factor in the relationship, but it'll be worth it in the end, right? And if both of you are happy and fulfilled at your jobs, there will be less stress in other parts of your life (ie. your marriage.)

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Suasoria


Chanel

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I favor #2 also, but it seems premature to stress about it now. If they make you an offer, then you can stress out. :)

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kenzie


Chanel

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Suasoria, that's just what I was coming on here to say! Thanks for your input, everyone. I sort of favor #2 should I be offered the position (although, I'd say my chances are fairly good since nearly every other job I've ever had has been because of a recruiter). But regardless, my head says #2 is a good idea if I'm offered the job, but my heart says, "get the heck out!" I've been wanting to move away from this area since I ended up back here 7 years ago. And here's an opportunity right in front of my face to get out. DH will be able to travel back and forth for several months, but they are pressuring him for me to get a job there as soon as possible (new development over the weekend), so I don't think they'd be too pleased if I hung around up north for a year and he shuttled back and forth. As it is, I can't move right away with him because I need to stay back here and get our house renting situation in order and get our foster dog adopted, and all that, but they told him, it would be best if I'm down there within a few months.

Plus I had an incident this past weekend with the one other pet photographer in this impossibly small area freaking out, accusing me of copying her, and threatening to sue me because my style of photography (documentary style) is the same as hers. Which, she obviously can't do that because she doesn't hold any copyrights to that style, but she's obviously decided to be a thorn in my side for the duration of my stay. On its own, this isn't a big deal, but given all the other crap I've dealt with here, I'm just ready to move on and get a fresh start in a bigger city, you know?

But like you said, Suasoria, until/if I'm offered the job, the plan is to stick with the job I have now and just move. No decision needed yet.

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kenzie


Chanel

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What would you do? (moving, jobs, etc) ~UPDATED~
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~UPDATE~
So my current employer is not going to let me relocate with my current job. They are going to give me an extended end date (probably 60 or 90 days) since the scope of the position changed so drastically and they want to bring in someone cheaper and less experience. But really 60-90 days isn't that much time to get a job lined up. In which case, I'll be royally screwed, unemployed, and unable to collect unemployment.

Sooooo, I suppose in an effort for self-preservation, if I'm offered the IA job, I'll have to take it unless something in Charlotte comes up before then (not likely) and then continue looking in Charlotte and explain that I had to take another job here because my contract ended and I couldn't afford to be unemployed. This is awful. This is putting a string of short-term jobs on my resume (one from being laid off, another because the contract ended, and then possibly another because of relocation).

Is this awful or should I not be worried? Also, do you think it's worth it to put on my LinkedIn profile that I'm looking for a job in my current city or Charlotte with an explanation like my partner travels back and forth between the two and therefore, we can live either place (this isn't entirely true as we do need to relocate, but it's not entirely false either)?





-- Edited by kenzie on Wednesday 18th of January 2012 11:33:58 AM



-- Edited by kenzie on Wednesday 18th of January 2012 11:35:03 AM

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greendiamond


Marc Jacobs

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I wouldn't worry too much about a few short term items nn the resume so long as you can explain them. Lay-offs aren't uncommon right now, nor is contract work (I'm in a 1 year term position now, so I hope this is the case!).

As for LinkedIn, I'd just be careful how you word it so you don't scare off a future employer who thinks you will run when a you find a job in another city.

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Suasoria


Chanel

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I agree about the short term jobs. Things are different now...much different.

I think "available to work in x or y city" is perfect. (It seems odd to me that DH's employer is putting pressure on him for you to move and find work - what business is it of theirs how you arrange your personal life?)

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kenzie


Chanel

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Suasoria wrote:

I agree about the short term jobs. Things are different now...much different.

I think "available to work in x or y city" is perfect. (It seems odd to me that DH's employer is putting pressure on him for you to move and find work - what business is it of theirs how you arrange your personal life?)

That's what I said to DH. If I have to take a job here to make it work long-term, then that's why I have to do.

Incidentally, I my interview went really well and they really liked me. I'm hoping for the second interview next week and a job offer the following. If offered, I'll probably take it. I can't be unemployed, you know. And this would be a great opportunity. 



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