HELP Multiple Job Offers - Anxiety Over Making Wrong Decision and Choices
- Thread starter Builk
- Start date
SirTimberWolf
BANNED
- Sep 13, 2013
- 69
- 92
Hey there,
First, congratulations on getting a job offer, much less several. Keep this in mind as you continue down the line because this means something; your skills are good enough that companies are willing to hire you. Not just the place you interned for or some mom and pop place noone's ever heard of but large companies. This is big. Very big and you should be proud of that.
Now, on to the dose of reality.
Companies, regardless of who you work for, are always, always, always going to try and pay their people as little as humanly possible to get your absolute best work. Every time. It's the nature of employment, so don't feel as though your only prospects are these. Since you haven't signed to anyone just yet, the future is wide open.
Having been in a similar situation several years ago, I went with what I /wanted/ to do. I joined up with a company that didn't offer me much in the way of benefits or pay (I was making near minimum wage) but the people were great, the field was something I knew and enjoyed working in and it also had a lot of (paid) off time. I used that time to farm out the skills I had learned in life and on the job as an independent contractor. This gave me stability and an easy fall back if I couldn't find work, which did happen occasionally.
Between my independent jobs and the firm I worked for, I pulled in about 65k a year. There were times of famine and times of plenty, but given a chance to do it again, I wouldn't even think about hesitating. As an independent contractor, you have a lot of control over the amount of pay you receive for your work. You take on a lot of responsibility too, but that's part and parcel for any business (which you would be). If you're going to do this, though, get good at accounting and saving.
All this said, decide what your long term goals are. Where do you want to be in five to ten years and what method would get you there fastest while not turning something you enjoy doing into something that you hate. Put some feathers in your cap when you can but don't sign yourself over to something that'll become drudgery, burnout is dangerous and can turn even the most passionate of loves into a nightmare.
Not the silver bullet you might have been hoping for, I know, but it's something that only you can really answer. I hope this was in some way helpful and wish you all the best of luck.
First, congratulations on getting a job offer, much less several. Keep this in mind as you continue down the line because this means something; your skills are good enough that companies are willing to hire you. Not just the place you interned for or some mom and pop place noone's ever heard of but large companies. This is big. Very big and you should be proud of that.
Now, on to the dose of reality.
Companies, regardless of who you work for, are always, always, always going to try and pay their people as little as humanly possible to get your absolute best work. Every time. It's the nature of employment, so don't feel as though your only prospects are these. Since you haven't signed to anyone just yet, the future is wide open.
Having been in a similar situation several years ago, I went with what I /wanted/ to do. I joined up with a company that didn't offer me much in the way of benefits or pay (I was making near minimum wage) but the people were great, the field was something I knew and enjoyed working in and it also had a lot of (paid) off time. I used that time to farm out the skills I had learned in life and on the job as an independent contractor. This gave me stability and an easy fall back if I couldn't find work, which did happen occasionally.
Between my independent jobs and the firm I worked for, I pulled in about 65k a year. There were times of famine and times of plenty, but given a chance to do it again, I wouldn't even think about hesitating. As an independent contractor, you have a lot of control over the amount of pay you receive for your work. You take on a lot of responsibility too, but that's part and parcel for any business (which you would be). If you're going to do this, though, get good at accounting and saving.
All this said, decide what your long term goals are. Where do you want to be in five to ten years and what method would get you there fastest while not turning something you enjoy doing into something that you hate. Put some feathers in your cap when you can but don't sign yourself over to something that'll become drudgery, burnout is dangerous and can turn even the most passionate of loves into a nightmare.
Not the silver bullet you might have been hoping for, I know, but it's something that only you can really answer. I hope this was in some way helpful and wish you all the best of luck.
Thank you so much SirTimberWolf for the congratulations and actually bothering to read through my worries and reply so thoroughly! I am aware my life is of no importance to anyone on here so I really appreciate you giving your insight and personal experiences to try and help!
That is really inspiring what you've said as I will also able to work independently as a freelancer but obviously wont be earning as much as you have haha
Can I just ask whether the higher paid job opportunities you were given were similar or completely different roles and if you chose the one purely on the environment,people and happiness?
What I'm stuck on is the fact the job at the well known shoe company has no future prospects but is exactly up my street and will look excellent on my CV. I will be able to go into similar job roles after but I don't feel I would advance much and will stay as a junior but I know I love the subject matter crazy SHOES! The skincare company who are less well known in the UK are international. It wont be exactly what I'm looking for in terms of subject but the job spec is what I want to do. I know it will give me better prospects of advancing up the career ladder rather than staying in the same position so I feel will be more beneficial for my future.
I think I have decided to go with the skincare company and just try to keep in contact with the other places. As I've only just graduated I feel I should do something to get myself grounded first and give up what I want to do for now as I may have the opportunity to do something I really really love later on in life that has a the whole package (wishful thinking but I am positive I will do other things!) I still feel like I'm trying to convince myself but I guess life is about risks lol.
Thanks for your help!
That is really inspiring what you've said as I will also able to work independently as a freelancer but obviously wont be earning as much as you have haha
Can I just ask whether the higher paid job opportunities you were given were similar or completely different roles and if you chose the one purely on the environment,people and happiness?
What I'm stuck on is the fact the job at the well known shoe company has no future prospects but is exactly up my street and will look excellent on my CV. I will be able to go into similar job roles after but I don't feel I would advance much and will stay as a junior but I know I love the subject matter crazy SHOES! The skincare company who are less well known in the UK are international. It wont be exactly what I'm looking for in terms of subject but the job spec is what I want to do. I know it will give me better prospects of advancing up the career ladder rather than staying in the same position so I feel will be more beneficial for my future.
I think I have decided to go with the skincare company and just try to keep in contact with the other places. As I've only just graduated I feel I should do something to get myself grounded first and give up what I want to do for now as I may have the opportunity to do something I really really love later on in life that has a the whole package (wishful thinking but I am positive I will do other things!) I still feel like I'm trying to convince myself but I guess life is about risks lol.
Thanks for your help!