I've received five calls in the past two days. Three of them are for contractual/ temp, possible to hire positions. Two would be part time; one is for three months and the other is to cover a maternity leave.
What. The. F?
And three of them want me. I only want one, so far. In all honesty I haven't met with one that sounds kick ass and another I 'meet with' over the phone next week.
The one I want, is full time, three months working on a huge local event in Dallas. Last year the event honored George Bush. Not that I'm excited about him, but that's just to tell you how grand this event is and more importantly how glam the company hiring is.
A week before my job peaced me out, I panicked. In a big way. I sent out an email to all my friends and vendors to see if there was anything out there being kept on the downlow. I sent out a similar email to all my vice president's contacts. He gave me the a-ok to contact them. None of them I've met.
One of his contacts emailed me back and she is hilarious. I loved her from the first e-hello. I still have yet to meet her. Let's just say this woman is connected. We've been emailing each other back and forth this entire time. She's my new internet friend. Monday, it paid off. New Internet Friend's friend emailed me telling me how she got my resume and she is looking for someone to join her in planning this huge local event.
The next day I meet with her. Let's call her Event Planner because that's what she does. And I looooooooooooved her. I kinda knew that she had to be cool, since Internet Friend was super cool. We clicked right away. Then in the middle of the interview this job goes from 3 month deal to possibly permanent! We ended it with her telling me to think of a pay rate and get back to her with it the following morning.
Therein lied the problem. Before me, she was looking to hire an intern, so we know she was looking to pay nothing and get the help for free. Whatever I told her my rate was, I know, it is x amount more in excess that's she was willing to pay. Still with me?
This kept me up all night.
I decided to tell her, $500 more than what I was making at my old job, per month. Yeah. I braved it like that. Here's why. No health benefits, I'd have to provide my own insurance. So, I figured let's aim high, she can counter if she likes, but at least I went there because I know my worth. And I got bills.
She didn't snub at it. But she's taking the weekend to think it over. Oh?
I love interviewing and meeting new people. I figure the more I'm out there, the more practice it is and it allows me to get out of my apartment and get dressed. Seriously. What I hate about it, is putting a number on what I'm worth. Someone told me I was low-balling myself; another adviced that I should always add a few more grand from your current salary because you always want to go up, not back; another suggests to take whatever they offer. And me? Well, from here on out, now I'll be telling folks the same thing I told Event Planner. I figure why, not? What do I have to lose? A job?
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2 comments:
So hey. When you become the big shot in Texas and start working around the country, think of me if you need any assistants, k? I'm excellent spectacularity at event planning and creative events.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.
At least you're well connected. I know an awesome job is coming your way. Just be patient.
And some of those temp to hires or part time gigs, even the maternity leave one, could possibly turn into something permanent. And if not, at least you get an opportunity to meet other people, this making further connections.
Good luck.
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