Progressive Boink

[Neil]

If they don't match the 401k contributions, don't bother. If they do, only go to the limit they match (don't pass up free money). Otherwise go with an IRA. This is general advice for everyone.

[webber Cooledge]

I obviously don't know anything about the salaries of comparable positions or how interesting this job is, but $30k sounds ridiculously low for a job that requires a degree. Plus a 5% raise means you won't be going too far very fast, and I'm not sure what a 3 year contract means, but either you don't get the benefit of being permanent or you are locked in for 3 years, which are both shitty things. I made the mistake of jumping at my first job offer after moving to a new place, and I really regret it now. I think you can probably do better.

Of course, if the job sounds like fun, ignore all of this.

edit: I'm not trying to deflate your excitement or try to come off as a hotshot or anything, it's obviously great that you have been offered this position. You just might want to give it some thought before accepting.

[Mike]

I know what you're saying, Webber, and I agree on most of it. It means I'm locked in for three years, and that's the only part that I'm worried about. The job is basically what I've been trying to do up here since I graduated and am currently only doing once a week.

I (and Karen, of course) think I'm worth more than that, but the Clear Channel job I didn't get also would've paid $30k, so maybe that's the standard down there for this job. If I wasn't signing to be locked in for three years, I'd already be packing, but I have to read that contract first and make sure it's reasonable. I've moved up relatively quickly up here in Philly (not salary-wise), so I expect to do the same down there.

[webber Cooledge]

Maybe you should ring around a few agencies down there and tell them that you are interested in this kind of job, and see if you can get them to tell you what they think a position like that would generally go for?

[Mike]

They negotiated to $33,000 and a two-year contract. The 5% increase after each year still stands, and they're throwing in $1,000 for moving expenses.

Holy shit you guys I'm moving to Florida

[mreow]

Yay, Mike! Congrats. I think if you can get by on that amount of money it will be worth it, especially with how long and hard you have worked to find something there. Maybe you can keep looking and find something better, but at least you will be there.

[Mike]

Under the contract I'm not allowed to compete within the Orlando or Tampa areas until six months after the contract is up. So either I'd get some kind of promotion or renegotiation there, or just quit and spend six months looking for another job. But I can handle two years a lot more than three.

[Kristen Smith]

This is so awesome. I am so happy for you Mike

[B]

ps use part of the 1,000 dollar moving expenses to come hang out with us in California

[Mike]

I start that weekend. I will call someone's cell and say hey guys.

[Hanstock]

voted my cell

CONGRATULATION

[Andy]

I am so happy that this mystical and fucking insane story has found its climax at last. Way to go Mike!

[Five Tools Playa]

Gah I go missing for a day and I miss this awesome news. Congratulations on this awesomeness!

[Karen]

WAITYOUARE MOVING TO FLORIDA!? WILL U B MY BF?!

[B]

Mike Fireball's Fucking Insane Job Hunt

[Casey]

WAITYOUARE MOVING TO FLORIDA!? WILL U B MY BF?!

too late, he is my bf and we have sloppy sex all the time

[Mike]

OK

OK, holy shit.

Remember Clear Channel? The guy e-mailed me today. Remember how he was leaving the company? He just wanted to tell me that the posting for his job is up.

That's like applying a job for a teacher and being told "We filled that position, but there's an opening for superintendent!" So yeah, not quite qualified for that.

BUT WAIT!

A few hours later, Clear Channel in TAMPA called me. Remember I applied for that as well while waiting to hear back from News 13? The guy said I was really highly recommended, and he wanted to interview me Friday. So I told him the deal, that I was offered a job and told them I'd start on the 22nd. Then I asked him about salary.

35-50k. OK holy shit.

So I asked him how quickly he was looking to fill this position, and how much of a chance I have for this.
All he said was that he'll reschedule the interview tomorrow, since I needed to know quickly.

All the girls are fightin' over Mike Fireball. 'Sup, ladies?

Interview tomorrow!

[webber Cooledge]

Hooray!

[Andy]

awesome, this is like the bachelor, only without all the allusions to getting your schlub dubbed in the bushes.

[Mike]

Wow, what a great interview. Dude calls me on his cell phone driving through a tunnel and I lose him.

Unfortunately I had him call on my home line, so I had to leave him a message at work.

Pfft. Whatever. I'm moving to fucken Florida in like nine days.