To Settle Or Not To Settle?

[Guest]

Just over 2 months ago, I was on somewhat of a high. Newly employable, a victim of the layoffs dictated by the Sears/Kmart merger, I was exciting about the time I had to evaluate my situation, find new employment, perhaps even in my favorite area (Nashville/Jackson TN). But now, staring at just over a week left of my severance package, I find myself in a stomach-churning position.

I've been offered a new job. Excellent! But, it is in Elgin, in customer service, where I've been all of my career at Sears ... not in a different field or in TN as I had envisioned. They need an answer by Friday morning. But, I won't find out until sometime Friday if a company in Dickson TN (near Nashville) wants me to go down there next week for an in-person interview. I've already completed some testing/registration through Manpower's Elgin office.

So, not sure if I should take the job here in IL ... or take a chance that I'd be offered the position in TN. In the midst of this, I'm also discussing with someone the possibility of starting my own business.

The job in IL is good. It will be about $3K less than I was making at Sears, but I'm OK with that. They have indicated that they will attempt to work with me on allowing me time off this year to take my August road trip out east as planned. Benefits are good, some kick in right away, health insurance kicks in a month after I start (I'll have to have COBRA for a little while).

I'm still learning about the job in TN.

If I opt to not take the job here in Elgin, the possibility that I have to sell my MCs becomes greater. I've heard/read information that indicates that the expense of COBRA will mean that I will have to sell my MCs. And, no, choosing to keep one is not an option ... I couldn't do that. I know ... they are just cars ... but, if you know me, you realize that it's not that simple for me.

If I opt to take the job here in Elgin, I lose the opportunity to possibly make a move that I have wanted to do for sometime now. Over the last few years, I've wondered if a "fresh start" was something that would be good for me ... ya know, moving to a town where not everyone knows me ... where the history (bad and good) is minimal. Course, I read somewhere (don't remember where) that drama happens when a stranger moves into town.

*shrugs*

I've considered telling each company about this predicament to see if either would be willing to work with me (the company in Elgin agreeing to wait to hear from me until next week; the company in TN conducting an initial phone interview), but I'm not sure that is a good idea.

So.....do I settle because I have to ... or not settle, roll the dice so to speak, and take a chance? That, my friends, is the question. And, yes, I know: I'm the only one that can make that decision. And I will, in the next 24+ hours. Someway, somehow .


Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 31swm/pig valve/pacemaker
'72,6,9/'81,7.hobbies.chdQB = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/
MC Guide = http://www.chevyasylum.com/mcspotter/main.html
"It's time to take a leap of faith" ... Steven Curtis Chapman ... 'Dive'

 

[tobagotwo]

My two cents is take the job in Elgin, set to start a week late due to family business, and still go to the interview in TN.

In years gone by, I was very loyal to the companies I worked for. I've learned (very slowly) over the years, that they have no such loyalty for their employees. I've survived a number of "reorganizations," but friends around me have not, and I may not the next time. You being cashiered by Sears/KMart is an illustration of that in your own life.

Go for both, then take your pick.

Somewhat cynical, but certainly practical...

Best wishes,

 

[geebee]

Cort,

I agree with Bob. Take the Elgin job and simply tell them you can't start until after you would have heard from the Nashville company (of course, don't tell them that). Just tell them you have to go out of town to take care of family business.

I have had a few people, over the years, tell me they will accept a job and then change their minds at the last minute. I am sure it was for situations such as this one. It happens and life goes on for everyone.

You need to cover all your bases.

 

[Guest]

Bob,

Thanks ... and a friend of mine just called with similar advice. Definitely food for thought ... I just hate playing that type of game . But, as you and he noted, companies don't have the loyalty ... so why should we?

 

[Karlynn]

Great minds think alike. That's what I was going to advise also

 

[Guest]

*shrugs*

Guess it is unanimous, then, eh?

*EDIT:
Hey Ross, wouldya kindly delete this thread? I think I know what I need to/should do in this case ... no since keeping this up for others to see. My apologies everyone.

 

[hensylee]

what Bob said.

 

[epstns]

Yo, Cort -

Another way to think of it is this. . . "Do what's best for Cort." If you accept that job in Elgin, you KNOW you have a job, and you know what it brings you. If you are able to set it up so you can still pursue that job in Tennessee, you will at least have had the opportunity to explore it. If it works, go for it. If not, you can stay in Elgin for a while longer and look around in Tennessee at your own pace.

You're not in the workforce to benefit some company, you're in it for yourself.

Of course, the usual disclaimers about free advice usually being worth what you've paid for it. . .

 

[MarkU]

I agree. The "bird-in-the-hand" scenario applies here, I think.

Mark

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I agree that "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush", BUT I have a "twist":

CALL the company in TN, tell them you have another offer that you need to make a decision on and see if they will grant you an earlier interview. THEN you can make a more informed decision without offending the company at home or your own sense of ethics.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Ross]

I agree with all of the above Cort. You must survive now for there to be change later.

 

[Sherry]

Cort, I think Al has offered good advice. See if you can force an earlier interview from the TN company. BTW, I just spent a week in Dickson at my son's fiddling camp. It's definitely a small town, but you would have easy access to Nashville, your favorite place, plus there's a beautiful state park right outside the city limits, Montgomery Bell. Best of luck to you, friend.

Oh, and for what this comment is worth, I can't stand the thought of you selling any of your "girls".

 

[perrybucsdad]

Ditto what Bob said...

 

[Mary]

Ditto what Bob said...

Double, double ditto!

 

[Glenda]

Cort I agree with what everyone else has said. I can't even say it as well as they did. You are young, go for it! ! Also, good luck for whatever you decide. Put you first for a change.

 

[gadgetman]

Cort,

Sounds like you've gotten good advice.

However,

DON'T GET RID OF YOUR MCs.

If necessary, I'll let you "sell" them to me for a buck and you can buy them back for fifty cents when things get back to NORMAL . Anyway, how would you make the August trip without them ? Wife still has August marked on her calendar for a (GULP) trip to Atlanta.

Good Luck and,

May God Bless,

Danny

 

[Guest]

*sighs*

Ya'll are too kind.

ROSS:
I thought I asked you to delete this?

I feel silly enough for posting it ... lol.


Anyway, don't have much time to type ... need to get going to Mt Morris....

BUT, a few things:

I'll be doing a phone interview with the TN either later today when I get back from Mt Morris (celebrating Gramps' birthday today) or tomorrow sometime. In the meantime, I am going to look out for me ... and tell the Elgin company tomorrow that I accept the position. If the TN company wants to meet me in person after the phone interview, I'll schedule the drug/fingerprint testing with the Elgin company around a trip to Nashville next week.

*sighs*

Steve,
In this case, I think the free advice ... is perfect .


Sherry,
Thanks for the report on Dickson . he he he....good to have friends all over the country, isn't it? . The lady at the Nashville manpower office told me it is a small town, but not all that far from Nashville ... so it'd be just about perfect for me . And, thanks for the support about my "baby girls" ... I know some others (even in my MC circles) are more of the thinking that I shouldn't have them all in the first place ... lol. But, they're just jealous (at least, that's what I keep tellin' myself...lol).


Pam,
Thanks for the additional tips on how to handle that "it's not working for me" scenario ... definitely appreciated....

 

[Wise]

Gee, there's a lot of smart people here! I add my ditto also.

Will be curious to see how this saga ends...or begins...

 

[Georgia]

Cort - congrats on getting a new job. Even if it's in Elgin (lived there, worked there . . . not bad, really). tee hee Good luck with TN interview.

Companies in general are really gonna be in trouble in about 15 years when everyone has caught on that lack of loyalty cuts both ways; employees are still attempting to be loyal and moral in their relationships with their employers - who are royally screwing them every chance they get. It's a really dysfunctional situation just now.

 

[Guest]

DON'T GET RID OF YOUR MCs.
If necessary, I'll let you "sell" them to me for a buck and you can buy them back for fifty cents when things get back to NORMAL .

My sister and her husband have the dibs on doing it this way....

Anyway, how would you make the August trip without them ? Wife still has August marked on her calendar for a (GULP) trip to Atlanta.

Whether I'm working or not, this probably won't happen anyway ... unless the company in Elgin is willing to work with me, and, from discussions today, it does not appear to be the case ... yet.


Georgia,
I agree ... very disfunctional ... in many ways.


Now, sir Ross, can we delete this thread ... please?