I know some of you probably think I talk too much bout my personal life here. I only talk about it because quite frankly I could use someone else's unbiased ear from time to time.
So it is like this. I just started working two jobs within the last week. These are both part-time, one is for a local computer repair place through a friend. This person knows that I am on the hunt for FULL time work with hopefully some benefits. She actually offered me a full time job eventually make around $12 to $13 an hr, but I declined because I am looking to do other things. She understand this; she knows it isn't personal. The second is Seasonal full-time at Lowes Hardware as a cashier. After training I can expect 39 hours a week.
Those other things don't include lifelong retail, just trying to make it through until a full time job opens it doors to me.
In the meantime, I may very well be receiving two job offers tomorrow.
One (the part time state job) I feel is definate as I got word that they checked my references today.
Job 1 is with the state of NC through the local water utility.
Pluses - All the people there seem like good eggs and match me personality wise. It is technically a state job that is eligible for the NC retirement system. After many failed attempts at getting on with City or State jobs, it looks like this is my opportunity.
Minuses - It is in their collections department, a position that just short months ago I failed at miserably. The again, it was for a RENT TO OWN furniture company. People need water to live right? All the employees look happy there too. The person that previous worked this position is still there, just part-time. The position is a job share so I would be working the other half of her shift
Pluses/Minuses - The pluses are even though it is part-time, just 20 hours a week, the salary is $14, 117 breaks that down to a little over $14 an hr. Not bad at all for a college town and a part time job to boot.
Pluses- It is my entry to the State job system.
Down side, with budget cuts what if I get stuck in part-time forever? On the other hand, from my research the utility is growing and the employee reviews seem pretty positive.
Down side, still working two jobs.
Job 2 is a full time admin job for a national blind/home furnishing franchise chain. This job is much closer to what I am good at, and I feel I have a much better shot at keeping it... The job is full time with health insurance, bonuses, and a salary. I don't know what the salary is yet, but money wise it should be more overall at least in the inter rum because it is full time. There is also the option of my working for them part time as well. So maybe I coulld do both? Then again I don't want to do that as I see it being a forever part time trap....
More pluses, I know the owners so I know what I am getting into.
The downside is their Sales Manager is visiting this week from across the country and is wanting to hire IMMEDIATELY. As in, he is calling the person tomorrow and from teh sounds of it he expects that person to accept immediately. What if the utility calls first before I have a chance to hear from the blinds franchise? He asked me if I had any prior commitments. I told him than other the part-time jobs I did not. One knows I am looking, the other I haven't actually started yet. Tomorrow will be second day of orientation. I didn't say anything about the interview for the state job
Do you have any tips on my giving the stall without losing the cheese. Would you take a part time job, even one less than ideal for the possibility of better things down the road? The retirement benefits are the biggest draw so far. The possibility of eventually going full time with full benefits is even better.