Returning to work...UPDATED

I was interviewed for a job yesterday. I applied for it, am for it, and have always wanted to work for the company. It is in midtown.

Here's the thing, there are definite pro's and con's. The pro's are that it is a globally recognised company, and the magazine has a readership of 3 million. To date the largest magazine I have worked on has had a readership of 250,000. The pay is slightly lower than what I would want to go to Manhattan, but the benefits are from day one, and they have wageworks, etc. My team would just be me an a manager, & I would be hired as an assistant manager (my title now).

CONS: The hours are 9 - 5:30. That would get me out the door at 7:12 am & back at 7:01pm IF .

It is in midtown, in a very busy touristy neighborhood.

Latenights are almost a definite.

There is no flextime, nor can we work from home.


So what should I do? My severance is over at the end of this month, and unemployment is not going to take care enough of the bills......

Should I take it or hold out for something that fits my lifestyle more?


UPDATED: I decided not to take the job. Even up until yesterday I was going to do it, and then when I told DH that I was going to take it he panicked. We discussed it at length & decided that even though it is a great opportunity it is not for me right now.
Thanks all for your honest answers.

Message edited 8/20/2007 2:01:51 PM.

Re: Returning to work...please do not move

I voted for take the job. If it's not for you, you can look for another job. I know that's easier said than done, but you'll be looking for another job if you don't take this one anyway, but at least if you take it, you'll be making money. And that's assuming you don't like the job. You might end up loving it. For me, I need to know where my income is coming from at all times. So that sways my opinion, too.

Re: Returning to work...please do not move

If you can't cut it on unemployment....I'd take it with the intention of continuing the job search. Better to have a job and find something else than to turn this down and have nothing. With the way the job market has been, you may not find the "perfect" job for a while. GL

Re: Returning to work...please do not move

I voted keep looking.

Re: Returning to work...please do not move

I forgot to mention that taking this job would leave my MIL or DH in charge of getting DS out the door to daycare, and DH picking him up from daycare every night. He'd be with him for 3 - 4 hours every night before I get home. Also, I am still BFing & would have to lug my pump back & forth from midtown.

A year ago I would not have even hesitated.....my how things have changed.

Re: Returning to work...please do not move

I don't know if I'd be able to keep those hours knowing that I had a newborn at home. It's not the run of the mill 9-5 job (being in the city and all).

You might want to take it as a temporary solution to the money problem but have your sights on other job opportunities at all times.

Whatever you decide...good luck!

Re: Returning to work...please do not move

I would hate the insecurity of not knowing I was getting a paycheck, so I would take the job. Give it a try, and if you hate it, you can keep looking, but at least you'll be making money in the meantime.

Re: Returning to work...please do not move

If you need the $$ to pay for bills then I would take it, but keep actively looking for something that would better suit your new life

Re: Returning to work...please do not move

OK... my 2 cents on this.

Pros:
- It's a job so you will bring $$$ home
- The company will look nice on your resume later on

Cons:
- It's in the City (it will lose it's appeal VERY soon after a little while you do the commute).
- The pay is not what you want
- You are BF (you need to carry your pump). Unless you buy another one for work and leave it there.
- You will be exhausted very soon from the commute.

Now, is the company's name/reputation enough to make the move? That's my question.

If you need the $, take the job and look for another solution while working there.

Re: Returning to work...please do not move

I am out of the house from 7.45 to 7.00pm every day... i also commute into the city from the NJ side. I went back to work when DD was 2 months old.
A few things are at play here:
1) We need the $$$
2) I like working (not necessarily at this job all the time, but I like- on a whole- what I do and being in a professional environment)
3) I have an advanced degree and by not working it would set up potential pitfalls for me to re-enter the workforce down the road...

so- those are my reasons- yours might be completely different... but know what ever you choose for you & your fam is the right decision... if right now you want to be home with DS- them I'm sure you'll figure out a way to work it out. If you want to get back to work- then go without guilt! Having DH pick up/drop off DS for daycare shouldn't be a detriment. My DH does this with DD and he loves it! It's his special time!

Re: Returning to work...please do not move

I vote other. You have to really listen to your gut and do what makes you comfortable. It's hard for me to say because I don't know what your true goals are. This is a great move for your career but are you truly OK witht he hours and travel.

On the other hand I am also looking for employment and there is nothing on LI and you could be out of work for a while.....

Re: Returning to work...please do not move

I'm gonna be honest and say your tone in the posts makes it sounds like the cons are out weighing the pro's in this situation , and I tend to agree....I think I would look for something more flexible.

I have seen you with your son, you love that little boy so much, I think it would be too rough on you to be gone soo many hours just to work for a reputable company KWIM?

Re: Returning to work...please do not move

Re: Returning to work...please do not move

Re: Returning to work...please do not move

If you do not take the job will you be:

1. risk putting yourself in debt
2. regret missing the opportunity

Re: Returning to work...please do not move

Will unemployment REALLY not cover the bills? I am on unemployment too and even though I get $200 less a week then when I was working, I still do not have to commute, pay for day care or pay for the city life (I worked in midtown as well). Things are tight around here, but not horrible. Eventually, I will have to go back to work, but we are ok now.

Personally, I'd take the unemployment and look for something else more flexible and more of what you want. It is hard, I know

Re: Returning to work...please do not move

Re: Returning to work...please do not move

Thanks every one.

I am just really POed b/c I took a job on LI with the idea that they had day care on site, benefits, I knew the product etc. NOW I was laid off after my maternity & am soooooo blind-sided that I have to interview and find a job while I am supposed to be home with my son. I have worked in the city before, and I have to say I HATE working in midtown. I was exhausted after my little 1 hour interview yesterday

I guess I know deep down that it is a great opportunity to come at the wrong time. I think I just needed to vent it out to really know for sure.

Plus DH is leaning toward me not taking it to the extent that he offered to get a second job. I love him

Message edited 8/17/2007 9:56:57 AM.

Re: Returning to work...please do not move

Posted by MsMBV

Thanks every one.

I am just really POed b/c I took a job on LI with the idea that they had day care on site, benefits, I knew the product etc. NOW I was laid off after my maternity & am soooooo blind-sided that I have to interview and find a job while I am supposed to be home with my son. I have worked in the city before, and I have to say I HATE working in midtown. I was exhausted after my little 1 hour interview yesterday

I guess I know deep down that it is a great opportunity to come at the wrong time. I think I just needed to vent it out to really know for sure.

Plus DH is leaning toward me not taking it to the extent that he offered to get a second job. I love him

Re: Returning to work...please do not move

I would take it.

You wanted to work for the company. The pay and the position wlll only increase. You may learn that it's a GREAT company to work for, you may learn it's not all cracked up to be. I say give it a chance. Give it 3 months before you decide you hate it. I say 3 months because it usually takes a few weeks to adjust & the first 2 months are adjusting to leaving your son every day.

Is it going to be hard, exhausting & suck in the beginning? Yes but then you'll get into the groove. Baby G will be staying awake longer hours & you'll see him more.

You're not always going to be breastfeeding forever (or maybe you will?). If you are express pumping, yes, you'll have to lug your pump back & forth. It's no heavier than carrying a laptop every day.

If you find you hate it, add it to your resume & start looking.

eta. Also SLEEP on the train.

Message edited 8/17/2007 10:05:57 AM.

Re: Returning to work...please do not move

I would say take it too. You don't have to lug the pump back and forth - you can leave it at your desk and then just take the BM home daily. And like the AP mentioned - you can catch up on sleep on the train - or even decompress so you are ready to play with DS right away when you get home!

Re: Returning to work...please do not move

I say hold out. It is easier to look if you don't have something already holding your down. I work in midtown, and though I don't live out the island, I am away from DS for 10 hours a day and it is a really long day. Especially with no flexability.

ETS: I hope you find something soon!

Message edited 8/17/2007 10:31:32 AM.

Re: Returning to work...please do not move

Oh one more thing....we are totally having lunch if you work in midtown.

Re: Returning to work...please do not move

Posted by nrthshgrl

Oh one more thing....we are totally having lunch if you work in midtown.

Re: Returning to work...please do not move

omg its tied