Interviewing for a few jobs next week and I'm not sure what would be the best career move?

18 Comments

1. AnonymousDecember 31,2022 at 4:14PM UTC

   It depends on your finances. Can you bear the burden of relocation expenses? I would not pay relocation expenses for a nonpermanent position. Most companies pay your relocation expenses so I wouldnt take the contract position banking that it may lead to something permanent. The mid-level position sounds the most desirable.

2. AnonymousDecember 31,2022 at 5:39PM UTC

   Thank you, Anonymous. It would be stretching my finances but I do have the money to relocate. Down the road, I wouldn't but if offered the opportunity in January, my savings would suffice.

   The contract position requires a hybrid work environment. It's the highest salary and I feel has the most potential for growth. That being said, with NYC's large companies laying off employees that gives me cause for concern.

   You're right in saying that the mid-level role in my current location has the most security. The only problem with that position is it's not a company that I'd want to stay in long term. That would require job searching again in the future and after months of looking, at this time, I can't imagine starting the process again.

   The two with the most long term potential are the VP role and contract position. The problem with those are the VP's lower salary and contract's relocating expense. While in other situations, I would take each interview separately and then consider my options if offered the role, I'd find out in two weeks if I was given the contract role while the other opportunities would require additional rounds and decisions at the end of the month or mid February. That's why I'm considering my options ahead of time. Thank you and I appreciate your advice!

3. AnonymousDecember 31,2022 at 8:57PM UTC

   A lot of sound advice already. Just to note: NYC is VERY expensive to live.

4. Cyndi RosenblattDecember 31,2022 at 4:29PM UTC

   Those are wildly different options, so I don't think there's an easy answer here. If you are financially secure and can handle the potential for downtime, the option that brings you experience in the field you cared enough about to pursue an advanced degree would be the best step forward to fully pivot in that direction. If you are not getting many opportunities because they want direct experience, at some point you'll have to accept the lower salary or give up on moving in that different direction. If you need to build up your finances before you're in a position to do what you really want, focus on the most secure position with the highest pay, bank as much as possible, and plan your career based on when you'll be able to handle taking the financial hit that's expected when you completely switch fields. I would recommend against the contractor position if it requires relocation, unless the company will help pay for the cost and/or you can easily absorb the costs PLUS there are generally better opportunities in the new location. That seems like a big risk and expense to undertake with no guarantees that it will be more than exactly what the initial contract entails. As for the VP role, a lower salary that's not moving you in the direction you want sounds like a poor option all the way around unless you're desperate for any job you can get. Good luck!

5. AnonymousDecember 31,2022 at 5:31PM UTC

   Thank you, Cyndi. I appreciate your advice. I have savings so that afforded taking the time to look for a position. I didn't disclose that the director position in my field would also require relocating. I'm living in an area that doesn't afford a lot of opportunities unless your in specific fields.

   The contract position is in NYC that would open up doors not only in terms of that position but it's a company that often people on LinkedIn list x staff member. I've always wanted to work there so it could provide a foot in the door opportunity but you're right, I'd need to take into account the expense of relocating. The highest level pay is actual the contract position so that make it more difficult. The second highest salary is the mid-level position but that would require a level lower than my last role.

   The VP position is in my former field so that would move forward my experience level and while it's not a high salary, in disclosure, it is higher than I was making previously due to the title. I appreciated your advice and options to consider if I was to be offered any of the positions.

6. AnonymousDecember 31,2022 at 6:17PM UTC

   All of these opportunities are great in their own way in certain situations. I would suggest you map out your personal and professional goals for the next 24 months (beyond that things get too uncertain/unpredictable). Give yourself some space to define your unique alignment in your life.

   This brainstorming will enable you to see more clearly where your needs and wants intersect and then you can prioritize the details ($, benefits, remote work, travel, time off, etc). This will make your choices clear as they relate to you, individually.

   If you receive actual written offers you will then be able to vet the offers and negotiate based on what you know would work according to you personal priorities.

   It's nice to have options and the ability to define your trajectory. Good luck!

7. AnonymousDecember 31,2022 at 7:09PM UTC

   Anonymous, great idea and I'll make a list of goals to provide more of a life plan than only focusing on the positions. I like being able to work towards the future rather than only the present.

8. AnonymousJanuary 1,2023 at 4:08PM UTC

   I think it's time to get out the whiteboard and start the list of each position and list the pros and cons of each. Then apply a weight to each. When the offers come, use the math to see which one is more like what you are looking for. Use this if you get multiple offers in a short period of time. In similar situations, this helped me to decide which offer to take. Usually, I ended up taking the first offer, as that was the only one with any semblance of a guarantee, and the others were too late to be considered. That always ended up being the best decision for me.

9. AnonymousJanuary 1,2023 at 10:49PM UTC

   Thank you, Anonymous. That's a great suggestion and I agree regarding the first opportunity. It's a bit stressful as the ones that I feel are the best long term wouldn't be offered until after the others. I'm excited yet nervous about this week while hopeful that something happens.

10. Crystal HowellJanuary 1,2023 at 4:30PM UTC

    All salaries are negotiable, ask and you shall receive. What is your passion at this time? Which job will serve that passion?

11. AnonymousJanuary 1,2023 at 10:46PM UTC

    Thank you, Crystal. The two positions that have the most long term potential are the contract and VP role. That being said, I'm worried about NYC layoffs after relocating. The VP position in my area, I already discussed salary with HR and it's fixed. The Director of PR affords growth but that would require relocation as well. I decided to take each interview separately while considering my options if needed. I appreciated your advice.

12. Crystal HowellJanuary 3,2023 at 12:09AM UTC

    It boils down do you want to relocate and risk a layoff and come back home, or stay home take the VP job in your area, recoup your savings, master the VP job, it's a strength on the resume, and you can slide back if needed, and explain your decision at that time in talking points if you chose to leave it. Good Luck and thanks for keeping us posted, what is the industry your are applying for, just curious?

13. AmandaJanuary 2,2023 at 2:28PM UTC

    Honestly, you can analyze the crap out of each opportunity. I would say you gotta go with your gut. Always make sure you get a chance to meet with the manager and management you'll be working under. They will be the ones dictating and supporting your growth/development. If you get a good vibe from them, jump on it.

14. AnonymousJanuary 2,2023 at 10:10PM UTC

    Thank you, Amanda!

15. ChrishoggJanuary 2,2023 at 8:09PM UTC

    Just out of curiosity, are these actual job interviews?

    If they are, and you don't know what you're looking for or what kind of job would best suit you, why are you setting up and actually going on job interviews?

    If these are informational interviews, then just go and ask 3-4 relevant questions.

    Finally, I have no idea how to answer the questions you ask here, and doubt that anyone else does either. But they are very good questions that you need to answer.

    Until we know where we're going, it's really hard to get there.

16. AnonymousJanuary 2,2023 at 10:10PM UTC

    Chrishogg, without knowing the full situation, you've nailed the problem. I'm having to settle for what's available rather than what I want as I need a job. I'm making the best of my options and trying to consider the pivot it would require. They are all jobs and while two are informational, the others are final rounds. I've taken the additional informational interviews that are more align with my background as I'm getting closer to an offer from the other companies. I wanted to consider my options before possibly signing a contract. After spending months looking for the 'right' job, I'm now focusing on what's best for right now while what would set me up better long term. The VP position would strengthen my resume but also make it too high of roles to go back for Senior Manager or Director positions. The contract role is more money but require relocation but in a city that offers more opportunities for my background. It wouldn't be just moving for the job but providing more options for the future. The Director of PR position is in my field and while it requires relocating to the WC, I'd be able to utilize my master's degree. While I don't need an answer, I'll need to make a final decision for myself, considering my options and receiving objective advice is helping!

17. Cindy GrossJanuary 2,2023 at 9:35PM UTC

    It sounds like you see lots of shiny objects - I'm very familiar with that world. My experience is it's a sign you're avoiding something. Maybe none of these positions feel right to you. Maybe you have an underlying emotion or instinct you haven't truly listened to. Maybe you are thinking any one of these options cut off all other options, including something you really want. What has helped me in shiny objects situations is to talk through it with someone who listens without inserting their opinions, reflects back when you sound most and least excited, and asks questions that help you summarize and articulate your actual underlying goals, needs, boundaries, and purpose. Seek out friends who explicitly agree to do this within the parameters above, or hire a coach. #BefriendingDragons

18. AnonymousJanuary 2,2023 at 10:01PM UTC

    Cindy, I appreciate your thoughtful feedback. You're right as I'm seeking what's best while in a perfect world wouldn't be considering any of the options. I had savings when I lost my job that are rapidly dwindling. I need to move from what I would want into what's best for right now. I'm debating the options as if I'm offered a few roles or even one, if it's the best decision for my future. I've debated these scenarios with family and they suggest focusing on the one that's the highest salary but that requires possibly looking again in a year. If at all possible, I'd like to avoid that scenario as that requires relocating as well.