Job interview UPDATED: Got the job!!
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katerkat · 12-18-2002, 10:03 AM

Some pixie dust, please! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] I have an interview for a job I really want (reporting, close to home) today at 3 p.m.

BUT -- my wisdom teeth are flaring up and hurting me... And (TMI alert!) it's the first day of Aunt Flo, which is my most uncomfortable day... So, a little extra pixie dust for that!

[ 12-20-2002, 07:29 PM: Message edited by: katerkat ]

Love 2 Laugh · 12-18-2002, 10:06 AM

Praying all goes well for you.

**HiddenMickey** · 12-18-2002, 10:51 AM

Good luck with the interview. I know you'll do great! -HiddenMickey

TINKN · 12-18-2002, 10:58 AM

Good luck! Hope you get it.

**LilMarcieMouse** · 12-18-2002, 11:43 AM

Good Luck and sending my pixie to help.

Heidi · 12-18-2002, 03:04 PM

Job pixie on her way. Good luck.

Teddysmom · 12-18-2002, 03:18 PM

Just found this post around 3:15. Hope that is a good sign and you are just talking salary. Here's your pixie dust~~~~~~~~~~**********~~~~~~~~~~~. Go get that job!

katerkat · 12-18-2002, 06:04 PM

Thanks for the pixie dust and prayers! It was a weird interview. She didn't ask me ANYTHING other than what I thought of the town, and what I like to write. Nothing about my past experience or anything. Then told me about the job and asked me to write a story. I get $20 for it! So I'll do that tomorrow. But she didn't let me ask any questions, which I really wanted to do, because I want to know how an afternoon paper works! Especially since I am NOT a morning person, and I think it may be necessary. And she only told me what they expect for the job -- not what I should expect ($$??)! So.... Weird. Don't know what to think.

Bert & Sully · 12-18-2002, 08:37 PM

Kat are you particular interested in the position; or was it just for "interview experience"?

katerkat · 12-19-2002, 07:53 AM

I'm very interested in this position -- I'm stuck in this town because my husband's in the Air Force, and this is where we are. And, my specialty is reporting! So, to find a job, reporting, in the town we live in, would be very nice!
HOWEVER -- I don't know anything about the job! What they plan on paying, what hours they're expecting, if they want me to work weekends, how an afternoon paper works hours-wise, how the paper works in general... [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]
So my gut feeling isn't very happy right now... It's a job TYPE that I want, but I'm not sure about the ACTUAL job because they haven't given me any information.

**HiddenMickey** · 12-19-2002, 09:48 AM

Sounds to me like the interviewer lacks interviewing skills. I hope this turns out for you. It could be just what you want. And as far as not being a morning person.....you'll adjust. I went from working night hours (5pm-2am) to getting up and to an office at 8am. It was a tough transition at first....but it soon became easy. -HiddenMickey

Bert & Sully · 12-19-2002, 08:43 PM

Hey Kat check your PM please.

katerkat · 12-19-2002, 11:23 PM

Well... I got the job. I have to let them know by tomorrow if I want to take it. Finally got info out of the editor about hours, etc. And... The pay is less than I want. Any tips on negotiating? The salary they offered is below the 25th percentile for a reporter with 0-1 year of experience, which I'm at the high end of (1 year of experience... Not counting three years of editing the college paper.) Basically, they offered $3K less than the median for the area, and it's a salary range where $3K is a BIG difference. AND, I won't be taking any of their healthcare (and the editor knew that before making her offer), which saves them money! So... Any tips on how to try for more money? I'm rather non-confrontational, so I'm nervous about this!!

Oh, and Elaine... Thank you so much! If I have any more questions I'll be asking you! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

September · 12-20-2002, 04:45 PM

First off, katerkat...CONGRATULATIONS!!

Now, as far as the financial side of things goes...the bottom line is that you want them to want to hire you. You don't want them to hire you because you're the cheapest, but because you're well qualified and would be an asset to their team. Let them bring up the $$, but, once it does, I would state--quite simply--that their firm is your first choice because (insert two reasons); however, you feel that your experience is comensurate with a salary of $____ (take median salary it sounds like you're shooting for and add 10-20%). Also, tell them you have personal obligations that require you to be in a certain income bracket. I would avoid mentioning things like insurance--yeah, they may be benefiting from not signing you up now, but--depending on what happens in your life--you could end up needing it in a few short months and they would be required by law to offer you benefits. It could leave a sour taste in their mouth.

I'm also not very confrontational...just thinking about it makes me sick. The important points to remember are (1) ANY employee (but especially you) are worth what you want them to pay you, and (2) this isn't personal...as a company, they are going to do what's right for them; however, they also understand that employees are going to have expectations and requirements to produce quality work.

Note: caveat to point #1...if you as for the $$ and they give it to you you need to really knock their socks off when you start the job!

Good luck!

katerkat · 12-20-2002, 07:28 PM

First off -- I gave them an offer and they counteroffered with what I was making at my last job... So I took it. Negotiation isn't that hard! Thanks for the advice, September!

And Elaine... [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] I probably don't want to know what your DH started at! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Reporting, it's such a well-paid career, huh? [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]