Need advice BADLY ***UPDATE***

Ok so - I've been out of work since January. At the time I was pregnant - and now I am not (had the baby in April). I started my job search at the end of April mainly because unemployment is no longer cutting it. Bills are piling up..etc. As much as I would love to stay home, I can't


I went on an interview on Monday at a Lawyers office and yesterday at a hospital. Both looked VERY promising. The lawyers office I wasn't too sure about because the interview was so short, but the typing test I took - I did excellent on. The hospital interview went well and I was told I'd be moving forward to the 2nd round of interviews which won't be until after Memorial Day. If I could have my pick - I would prefer the hospital, but at this point I need something! Anything is better than unemployment

Well..today I got a call from the Lawyers office asking me for references and at around 6pm I was notified that I got the job. I was excited. I was told I would be paid the hours I worked and given the amount I'd be paid per hour. I was also told about vacation time, benefits, but sick time wasn't mentioned so I'm a little confused about that. I am supposed to start on Tuesday - I guess I can ask then? I've just never heard of being paid by the hour - literally. What happens when it's a holiday etc? Do I not have sick time?

Here's the thing - the hospital is going to call me to set up the interview - and at that time I will be working. I can't possibly take time off for that - especially since I would have just started. Another thing - I'm scheduled for surgery on June 10th. It's ambulatory but still I'd need a day off or more - depending on how it goes. So what should I do?

A) call up the hospital recruiter and be completely honest with them, letting them know I was offered a position, but am extremely interested in their position and wanted to see if there was a date they had set for the 2nd round?

B) tell the lawyers office I won't be able to start until the week after to leave myself open for the hospital and tell them in the excitement I forgot I was going away?

C) just go to the job - let them know about my surgery, see how it is, and take it from there?

I hope you all don't think I'm ungrateful, because I am most certainly not! I am happy that I found a job, but worried about ruining my chances with the hospital. I know there are many people out there struggling to find work, and here I've only been looking for a few weeks and I found something. I am just completely torn.

Please help me decide what to do? Thanks Ladies.

***UPDATE***

Well I had called the lawyer two times AND sent an email to her and she NEVER bothered to call me back or email me. How rude! I guess it's better - and it was a sign of who I would have been working for.

Anyway, I ended up getting called back for a 2nd interview at the hospital and went on that today - and I was basically told the job was mine! Today was supposed to be the last day of interviewing for me, but the chair of the department decided he wanted me to meet with the physicians I would be working with. SOOO, I'll be going back again this week.

After that, there is - the background check/drug test etc - which I'm not worried about. I'm so excited ladies - I'm one step closer to getting off of the unemployment line!!! I was even offered the SAME amount of money I was making at the job I was laid off from!

Thank you all for your advice! Please pray for me!!!

OH - I forgot to add - after I left the interview with the hospital I checked my email and guess who wrote to me? THE LAWYER! LOL! They moved on to the next candidate. I thought it was so funny that she responded at 11am - the day I was supposed to have started!

Message edited 5/26/2009 5:25:56 PM.

Re: Need advice BADLY

I would tell them that you were so happy to hear you got the job that you completely forgot that you're having surgery on the 10th, is it possible to come in a little to train, but start after the surgery?

Re: Need advice BADLY

I don't think you sound ungrateful at all. It honestly doesn't seem as thought you're crazy about the job at the lawyer's office. If I was you, i'd call them and discuss the sick time and tell them you had a few personal issues to take care of and wouldn't be able to start until ((whatever date)).

Good Luck to you!!

Re: Need advice BADLY

I would tell them that given the surgery, which is supposed to be ambulatory, you would prefer to start on June 10th. From an employers perspective, they would be better off starting you post-surgery.

Then I would call the hospital & set something up as soon as possible because you have an offer & they are your first choice.

Is it a large firm? Do they have an HR department?

Re: Need advice BADLY

Re: Need advice BADLY

If its a job through North Shore-LI Jewish Health system - its definitely worth checking out - their benefits package can't be beat!!!!!! I would try and go for that 2d interview just on case....

Re: Need advice BADLY

I would see if you can push back your start date at a bare minimum to accomodate your surgery. But regardless of what the hospital's next move is, I wouldn't want to lose out on the law office. You should be up front with them abt your scheduled surgery and what it entails, and you should ask about sick time. It sounds however that since it is an hourly position, you won't get paid for the days you are there, and you may have to take "vacation" for your medical leave. But that won't be known for sure till you speak with them.

GL and CONGRATULATIONS on getting an offer!!

Re: Need advice BADLY

Re: Need advice BADLY

You may need pre-op testing so make sure you account for that when figuring out time off. You could probably use the pre-op testing day for an interview if necessary.

Re: Need advice BADLY

Also consider follow up appointments after surgery.

Re: Need advice BADLY

THANKS EVERYONE!

Re: Need advice BADLY

I would tell them about the surgery before hand..

Re: Need advice BADLY ***UPDATE***

Bumping for update