Negotiations, or Nothing Is Easy in These Foolish Things

Ughhhh. Why is negotiating for a job so stressful?!

In a series of stressful events, I’ve not only gotten an offer from the company I’ve been talking with (let’s call them The Cool Cat Company, or CCCo.), but I’ve negotiated my vacation, which was no biggie since they’d originally only offered 2 weeks and I asked for 3, and the title, which was pretty huge for various reasons, and I’ve even gotten a bit of a bump in salary, but it’s still a lot less than what I was making at Cutie Pie.

The pros are going to be that it is a work from home situation, which is still a little bit of a bummer because I like to get dressed and go into an office - BUT I can also consider moving if I want to. I still have it in the back of my mind that I might move back to my former city. Maybe? I guess I have a little bit of time to think about that.

The huge con is the medical benefits, of which CCCo. will pay 50%, and my part is still $550/month (!), plus a super high deductible and the highest out-of-pocket I’ve ever seen! It’s almost worth it for me to stick with COBRA from my last company - the difference in out-of-pocket and prescriptions, etc. is nearly $7K annually!!

Even with all of that, a job is a job is a job…and I need one (in addition to wanting one - I’m pretty sure that most of my anxiety will quell once I’m working again full-time). I will likely start either Monday or Tuesday since they are asking me for my absolute final answer tomorrow.

BUT!

For some crazy reason, and I’m not questioning it AT ALL, I was contacted by not one, not two, but THREE additional prospects yesterday - on Friday the 13th!

One company is probably not worth talking with since the job is based in Houston and it’s in-office and Houston is my unlucky city (tragic and horrible things have happened when I’ve visited there), and I understand the job doesn’t pay well at all.

One company’s top range is now $10K less than what I’ve been offered at CCCo., but their product is incredibly prestigious.

And one company I’ve talked with before and their VP of HR specifically asked the recruiter to reach out to me. I like this company a LOT. The job is right up my alley. It would also be remote with some East Coast and International travel AND their pay range STARTS at $20K more than the top range of CCCo.’s salary and I’m sure their medical benefits are much, much MUCH better than CCCo.’s

So I will accept CCCo.’s offer tomorrow in order to have a job (I know, I know…I did this with Cutie Pie, but I also know CCCo.’s players already - I’ve done work for them), and I will continue to figure out WTF I’m doing with my career.

WHY can’t anything ever be smooth, easy and seamless?

I think that’s what I’ll start manifesting next - successes that come easily

What do you think?
GS

Last updated October 14, 2023