the Third Interview

I’ll say this for third interviews: by the time you’ve gone to the company three times, with your good clothes and fresh resumes, and have three times found the office, greeted the secretary, signed in; three times walked 1-2 miles; and three times ridden the train round-trip, you get to feel pretty comfortable with the place.

HR apologized for the drawn-out process, which they’d planned to be short, and they gave me a gift and offered to reimburse me for my train/bus rides for this and previous interviews (yes, I’m taking them up on it: $23.50). They also promised this would be the final interview and that next time I hear from them, it will be good news/a job offer.

Right now, the only question remaining is salary. This morning, the third VP I met with asked what kind of pay scale I’m expecting—he wanted to know what other offers I’d be comparing this to.

I could’ve given him a specific number, but, truthfully, I want to know what they think I should be paid. “I’m sure I’d consider any reasonable offer,” I told him. He tried again, but I wouldn’t budge. I said that it’d be too hard to give one range, since I’m applying for such diverse positions: all sorts of factors come into play—city vs. suburbs, big vs. small organization, industry, etc. Thankfully, this reasoning worked.

Also: I took the bus from Union Station and found that was FAR easier than walking—especially on a hot day. I think, if I caught an express train and took the bus, I could shave my one-way commute down to one hour.

Now I just have to wait and see what they offer.

***UPDATE: Just a few hours after I left their office, the company called and made me an offer. An extremely low offer: $31,000 (after promising they “pay really well”). I told HR Guy I’d think about it and respond by Friday. Unfortunately, according to my calculations, this would not at all justify the time and effort involved in the position. This is good, though: at least the decision is easy.

Persistence

I had a great interview this morning (not to be confused with the third interview I’ll have tomorrow). Today’s potential job involved a 20-minute commute; a business-minded, laid-back boss; and here’s the best part: an opportunity to start a new writing department at the company, from the ground up.

As in: I’d hire writers to work for me. I’d manage the company’s entire content. I’d have flexible hours, benefits, autonomy.

The company owner, who interviewed me, posted a listing on Craigslist almost two weeks ago. He said he received more responses than he could read (!). Why did he call me back? I e-mailed him twice. (Thank goodness I did!)

He’s interviewing a total of four people, and he’s still considering what salary to offer. Fingers crossed!

The cost of commuting

As I mentioned in the last post, I have a third interview Wednesday with a company downtown, WA, which contacted me through my school’s e-recruiting site. Though this is the third interview, I have not had the courage to bring up specific salary expectations, and I’m largely only going to this (I hope) last meeting to find out what they offer.

The office is located in Chicago, south of the Loop. I’d have to take a train from the ‘burbs, then take a bus or walk the additional mile to the company. The position’s 40-hour work week then stretches into an easy 60 hours away from home, not counting what-I’m-sure-is-required overtime.

Today I did a rough breakdown of costs, assuming a $40,000/year salary. (I have no idea if it will be more or less.)

Commuting costs:
Monthly Metra pass: $116.10
+ Daily bus fares for an average 22 days/month: $88.00
= Total monthly cost: $204.10
Total yearly cost: $2449.20

Time costs:
Work hours: 40/week (+5 for lunches)
+ Commuting: 15/week
+ Overtime: variable
= Total monthly cost: average: 60 hours
Total yearly hours: more than 3,180/year

If I divide the yearly hours into the yearly salary (less commuting costs), I arrive at my average hourly rate, assuming no extensive overtime: $11.80. Less than I’ve made for temp-ing, and less than I’d make proofreading from my house.

Maybe this would be worth it if the job were something I’d dreamed of having. But it isn’t. It’s an industry I’m not interested in. It’s a company that likes required social activities—Christmas formal, family picnic (all of which I’d be planning). And mostly, it only sometimes involves writing; largely, it’s a HR-marketing-personal assistant role. If it were closer, if it didn’t require so much time… maybe. But as it is? I’m pretty sure it’s not worth it.

I’m still going to the interview Wednesday, just because I’d always wonder. I’m not especially optimistic.

random thoughts

ON LAW SCHOOL: Last June, I took the LSAT and seriously considered law school for fall ‘07. Since then, I’ve decided against the idea for a lot of reasons, mainly money; nonetheless, it’s interesting that a school just offered me a large scholarship: they’d give me $20,000/year of the tuition’s $25,888/year. Basically, I could get the entire J.D. for around $16,500. Tempting, a little.

ON THE INTERVIEW: Lots of pros and lots of cons about yesterday’s meeting. The biggest drawback is the commute: 1.25 hours each way. Good pay and benefits, good opportunity for advancement, nice people.

ON GAS PRICES: If I had the energy, I’d make this a post of its own, but can I just put in another plug for my fabulous, inexpensive, diesel VW Jetta? I’m paying $2.89/gallon, here in Chicagoland. My friends and family are paying almost $4/gallon for their gas. My car gets 50+ miles to the gallon, and it’s reliable. Best gift I was ever given.

interview 5 or, fear

I don’t mean to make this harder than it is, but here’s the thing for me with job-searching:

When I graduated from undergrad in 2004, I moved home and job-hunted. I applied for all sorts of things, but hoped to write or edit. After several weeks of nothing promising, I got called about an editor position within a private investigation company.

The woman I interviewed with was fabulous: she and I had so much in common, and the job she described sounded good. They offered it to me, and I took it.

The next week, I went to my first (shortened) day of work: 10-4. And, I hated it. Hated it, hated it. The small company only had a dozen or so employees, yet in cubicles. The job turned out to be more tedious than I’d expected: conforming copy to match a template, over and over again.

I went home, freaked out, and called Awesome Interview Lady to quit. I never regretted it.

What I did (and do) regret, however, is that I took the job in the first place. I wish I hadn’t gone through that whole process, disappointing Awesome Interview Lady and myself. So now, when I interview for jobs, I always have an image of that first job in my mind. I can’t explain what this process is like really, except to say I look for a feeling–just this sense that the job is the right one. Is this normal/good/healthy? I don’t know.

Today I interviewed with a not-for-profit in the area, for a project assistant/writer position. I’d be writing in a much more business-y format than I’d prefer, I’d be reporting to one particular (self-described unorganized) person, and the job description remains fuzzy beyond that because it’s a new one. That warm, fuzzy feeling I’d hoped for isn’t there, but should I wait for it? Or is it better to take what you can, even if your gut is hesitant?

Interview (4)

Yesterday morning, I put on my pinstripe jacket and black dress pants, slid into my pointy-toed shoes with the kitten heels, grabbed my Mapquest directions and resume and got in my car.

I wanted to be early, as HR suggested. Mapquest estimated a 20-minute drive; I left an hour before my scheduled interview.

Cruising up the expressway with only a little traffic, I somehow missed my exit. Then I couldn’t turn around for twenty minutes (who designs these roads??). When I finally recorrected myself, I made another wrong turn. I called the company but got voicemail. Ten minutes late. Fifteen. I called again: voicemail.

Frustrated, tired and confused, (feeling a lot like The Budgeting Babe recently) I turned my little car homeward: I called my friend and we laughed about it. I went home and slept for two hours. I took allergy medication and ate Matzo ball soup.

All that driving around gave me time to think about the job/company I was desperately trying to locate, and I realized something: I don’t want to write catalog copy (yes, that’s what it was). Through a resume I’d posted online, a company had contacted me—via e-mail and phone—requesting an interview for a job that may or may not be available. The pay was decent, the location near (though, turns out, hard to find) and they were very interested. So I’d agreed to an interview, while being totally uninterested in the job.

Sometimes this pays off, true. But for me, in this case, it just wasn’t worth it.

interview 3

Position: Associate Editor (though position not currently available)
Source: school e-recruiting site

I met with the HR rep at another magazine publisher today. She had me take some tests and fill out a company application. I like the office, the job description and benefits; I don’t like the 1.25 hour distance. If I were to get a job there, I’d have to look for a place to live in that area ASAP. I guess I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it; HR Lady said she’d contact me as soon as something opened up.

job-hunting 2.1 or, what I learned from this interview

My interview today was with a company located 40 miles away from my parents’ house. Thankfully I left two hours early—my Mapquest directions were wrong, and once I exited the expressway I couldn’t reenter without going totally out of my way for a while.  When I called the company, they couldn’t even help me. Miraculously I arrived only 10 minutes late. (Lesson #1: Double-check directions beforehand and always leave a big time cushion)

Then the next problem: my e-mail said “enter through the north entrance.” Do most people just know navigational stuff like that? I parked in visitor parking and went to the closest door; there, fifteen suited businessmen gathered together, touring the facility (?) with a guide. Simultaneously, flower deliverymen moved in and out of the building, bearing vases holding the longest, most beautiful roses I have ever seen—they brought in at least 20 bouquets. I still don’t know why.

I went back to my car and called the office: was there a tour going on? am I at the right place? Yes, she told me. Come back and push past the men. (Lesson #2: Always bring the business’s phone number along.)

I came back in, introducing myself to the secretary, and waited in the lobby. Another fifteen minutes later, a second secretary took me to a completely unadorned office where a young, suited man sat with my resume.  He asked me to “describe myself” and warned he’d ask “funny questions.” (Was this the weirdest day or what?) When it was his turn to describe the company and position, nothing was as I thought it would be: the job was different, the company style was different, and I knew I didn’t want to work there. (Lesson #3: You just never know what to expect with interviews.)

He never asked if I were still interested though, only promised he’d talk to his supervisor, as he ushered me out of the room, through the halls of roses, into the lobby.  He said the hours are 8:30-5:30, and he swears he usually lets them go by 6.  “I’m not a micromanager,” he said.

In order for me to consider the position, if it were offered, I’d have to relocate. The pay scale probably wouldn’t accomodate that, so this is an easy decision: no.

I don’t really know if I’ll be offered the job, though: the interviewer was concerned about my five weeks left of classes, realizing I’d have to leave early twice a week.

interview 1

Since I began the job-hunt a few weeks ago, I’ve had a few responses, but today was the first interview. I met with two senior editors at a local publishing company. Their organization creates three monthly magazines, dealing with construction, IT, and M2M. Though the subject matter doesn’t exactly intrigue me, I genuinely believe anything can be interesting if you make it that way.

I went in with an open mind, but the first interview, with ED #1, was unbelievable. He spent a good 20 minutes talking down the position, assuring me I would find it boring. He also didn’t smile—not once. His handshake was weak, his eye contact too long, and overall he was quite creepy. I had all but decided to forget this position, when I met with the second editor.

ED #2 was charming, personable, and smiled often. I liked him right away. He told me he didn’t have technical knowledge before taking the job, but as a writer he learned as he went along.

Sigh. Stuff to think about.