Looking for a job after 27 years... [updated 11/5, post #57] - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
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Looking for a job after 27 years... [updated 11/5, post #57]
Some of you will recall that this is of my own volition. I chose somewhat early retirement from teaching at the end of May. Joel and I took a quick trip to Universal Orlando, and I returned home and got started looking for replacement work/income. I signed up for one of those job search sites, and I applied for tons of stuff, both in and out of the box.
I’ll make this as quick as possible. I’ve had interviews but no offers until the past couple of weeks. Now, I’ve had two offers. The first, while it would have personally fulfilling, was such low pay that I just couldn’t make myself take it. My current part-time job has offered to up me to full-time hours for the fall season, all the way up to the holidays, and this other job wouldn’t even have paid that much. So, I passed on that one.
Today, I got offer #2. They offered good hourly pay, but zero benefits, because it is a small business. I can understand not offering insurance, and I can maintain my previous health insurance in retirement, but it would be nice to have a little paid time off. This place wouldn’t even support that. So, again, I passed.
In between these two offers, I got the chance to apply to the local utility provider. Now, that is a solid establishment, with excellent benefits and pay equal to offer #2. I’ve made it past step 2 of their 4 step process and expect to proceed to step 3 in about 2 weeks. This is a fine opportunity and a no-brainer, if they make me an offer. Plus, they are hiring 6 people, and I figure SURELY I make the top six, right? I mean, I have a lot of experience in customer relations, and that’s where I would start with them. So, I continue to pursue this and am fairly optimistic.
Then today, I got a text from my ex-husband, who works for the local city government. Yes, we’re great friends. He told me about a part-time opportunity that had just become available, and he said “Apply!” He knows the person doing the hiring, so he thinks he can give me a leg up. Yes, it’s part-time, but it is salaried, and let’s just say I was shocked to see the salary. I applied in about 5 minutes. It would be the coolest of part-time gigs, doing safety demos to school kids visiting the site, as well as general clerical stuff. Plus, I could easily maintain my current part-time job.
So, I’m in the mix for an excellent full-time gig with the utility company and an excellent part-time gig with the city government. In the meantime, week after next, I start working 40 hours a week at my current situation. When something else comes up, I can easily go back to limited hours.
Frankly, a couple of months ago I couldn’t imagine myself turning down 2 jobs, but I really feel I’ve done the right thing. I’m still unsure how it will all shake out, but I think I’m on the right path. Since our UO trip, we’ve just stayed put and not wasted any money this summer. We’re financially fine for several months as we are in our current situation.
Okay, so much for short and sweet. If you made it this far, thanks for reading.
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Wow!! What a wonderful dilemma to be in. Sending you that the perfect job falls right into your lap. Just wondering if either, or both, of these jobs would be adding to a retirement fund for your future. That might be something to think about in the benefits area.
Good luck!! Sounds like you have some great opportunities! I'm happy to hear about anyone having a good relationship with their ex. It made all the difference in the world when I was growing up that my parents were good to each other - they frequently told my sister and I "We love it each, just not like we should, and we really just can't live together." They were better parents apart than together. (plus, I got an awesome step-mama out of it!)
Yep, the ex and I are tight. I really consider him my dearest friend, and I just about always bounce ideas off him. He gives great input and insight. We realize that we love each other as friends. He loves to tell people how he made me the executor of his estate. He knows he can trust me to do the right thing, and I feel the same about him. I trust him with anything and everything I have. We really are lucky to have each other, and our son has benefited from that, as well. We’re just one big functionally dysfunctional family!!
The one thing we’ve realized is that we shouldn’t probably vacation together. We actually did that once, and he was miserable, so he made the rest of us miserable, but mostly on the last real day of the trip. So, we survived it, but we won’t do it again. Yes, we went to WDW. Safe to say, he’s a beach guy, but the others of us are theme parkers.
Thanks all, for the words of encouragement. I had a little angst about declining offer #2 this morning, but I now know it was the right decision. We’re good until I get just the right opportunity. I’m convinced, after so many years of the same job and being woefully out of practice with interviews, I must be doing well enough to have received 2 offers in 2 weeks. I really do feel one of these next two will probably be the one.
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Susan- Good Luck! I know something really good is on its way!
It is really hard to find a job that fits you- I am in the same boat as well. I hope your Good Fortune rubs off from you to me.... I could use some Good news for a change....
And I too TRY very hard to stay "friendly" with my ex too. Now that the both boys are in their 20's it is alot easier to communicate. And He & I with the kids did take a Disney trip together too, in June 2012. Never again! He got annoying by day 4.....
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Kate in PA All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them- Walt Disney
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