Job offer?

[kathianne]

I got a job offer, I think

Well, first let me start by saying that I haven't worked at anything full-time outside the home for over 10 years, so I felt really insecure about applying for a job.

I decided to get my feet wet in the job market by attending a job fair, less stress than an actual interview. I went to the job fair last Tuesday, prepared, dressed nicely, resumes, etc, but no real pressure on myself, told myself I was "window shopping". Well, I had better luck than I thought--4 companies were truly interested in me. One invited me for an in-house interview the following Thursday, which was yesterday. Well, they offered me a job on the spot at the end of the in-house interview. My jaw just about dropped to the floor. Sounds pretty good, starts at $12.50/hour, lots of benefits, will start next week.

But, I have cold feet. What do I really know about this place? How to reaearch them as an employer? Isn't it kind of unusual to make an on-the-spot offer? And she just assumed I would work for them, said "you're hired" not we'd like to extend you an offer, please think it over and respond by a certain date (well, that's how other jobs I've had in the past have done it, a verbal offer, then some time to think it over, a requested time to respond). Also, get this, she didn't tell me anything about the pay, benefits, schedule, etc, all that I had to ask. Perhaps all that will come out later, I'm scheduled to meet with an HR rep next week to fill out paperwork, drug screen, etc, but still......rather a snap decision? I'm not that great! Also, she said something that has me wondering"we ask that you stay at least 90 days"

I was planning on a permanent job, not something seasonal. I asked is this a ft permanent job? Oh, yes, then I asked if there's a high attrition rate, answer was no, attrition was 2-5%, most people who leave do so during the 90 day training period. Well, ok...still, she just assumed I would work for them without knowing what that involves, pay, benefits, schedule, etc.

I realize I've been out of the work force for over a decade, perhaps things are done differently now? But it is a life-changing decision, not to be made hastily. That's why employers are turned off by the "desperate" job seeker, someone's who's been laid off and needs some way to make his house payment, he will take anything. Well, I'm not in that position, I still can pick and choose. Let me say that we really do need some extra income, but we're not desperate. On the other hand, they seemed desperate, wanting someone to start right away, they wanted me to start the next day, i told them I needed at least a week to make arrangements, etc.

On the other hand, it does seem like a nice job. I interviewed onsite, had a chance to interract with other employees, people seemed in general to be at ease, atmosphere was in general a positive one nice facilities, short distance, good pay and benefits, so what's to not like? That funny feeling you get that tells you something's not right here.......you know what I mean?

Well, I have a week to think it over. I wish I could find someone who works for them or knows someone who works for them, aka a reference. Lets face it, its a two-way street, they want to check me out, I also want to check them out. Of course, I could just take the job, if I find out its not for me just quit, but then I've let other opportunities go by, like I said, 3 other companies at the job fair seemed to be interested in me, I want to give all options a chance.

So, how would you go about cehcking out a company, anyways? Am I looking a gift horse in the mouth? Or looking before I leap?

 

[becky_AK]

First, congrats of the job offer!

I always check out potential companies by googling them, looking them up on the Better Business Bureau and trying to find out information from the local chamber office. If it is a company in your current hometown check the newspaper archives.

Hope that helps a little bit. I've only had to relocate for one job, but that is what I did to find out info before making the move.

 

[kathianne]

Good ideas, will look into.

Actually, accepting the job is low-risk, since I'm not relocating. The first 2 weeks are paid training, so, if the job doesn't measure up to mu expectations, I just quit (well, actually, I would give notice, fair's fair). I can still investigate other offers, but it seems like a reputable company. Job offers with full benefits don't just fall off trees, especially in this economy, maybe I should grab the bird while he's still in the bush!

 

[kathianne]

I'm still on the fence about this company. something doesn't sit right with me about it. I've never been offered a job right during the interview, without even being told the salary, benefits, schedule, etc. come to think of it, they didn't even specify if it is full or part-time. Well, the next step is a meeting with an HR person, sign paperwork, etc, perhaps then I will have a better picture of what it is I will be doing. Maybe I just have cold feet. But you don't get those feelings for nothing, lots of red flags.

 

[JuneChickie]

Whats the Job ?

just curious

 

[kathianne]

Its a combination accounts receivable/customer service job for a phone company, essentially in a call center

 

[PrincessKsMom]

IMHO, for future interviews, you need to keep in mind that they are interviewing you, as much as you are interviewing them. It's a two way street and, once their "presentation" was made, you should have asked questions. If they weren't comfortable answering those questions during the interview, then you need to nicely tell them you aren't interested. Everyone's idea of benefits, especially, is different. Does it include, health, dental, disability, retirement, eyeglass, long term care, etc.? I think you need to get this straightened out first thing Monday.

 

[kathianne]

Yep, you're so right, I'm interviewing them as well as they are interviewing me!

Only after I asked did they give me a run down of the compensation, stated the hourly wage, then handed me a sheet with benefits. The benefits look great, medical, dental, vision, percsription, vacation, 401k + 4% company match, tax-deferred savings plan, all the "big corporation" benefits! However, no specific details. sometimes those benefits aren't really all they seem, for example, you can sign yourself up for the insurance, not your family, etc. guess that will all be spelled out when I meet with the hr person next week.

But what concerned me the most was her comment 'we ask that you stay at least 90 days" Huh? I was planning on sticking around for quite some time! Also, did I mention there were about 10 parking places in front reserved for new applicants? Not just a temporary sign, I mean permanent signs. I know those signs cost money, its a multi-use parking lot, they pay for parking so it makes sense to them to use a portion of their parking spaces for new applicants? Sounds like a revolving door.

Oh, but its tempting, really nice atmosphere, not too far from home, says flexible shcedule so I could probably arrange it around my kids without too much hassle (there again assuming, need to get it clarified)

you know, the whole thing hit me all at once. I just decided, for various reasons, to re-enter the job market. I felt unsure of myself, so I attended a job fair to get the feel of interviewing under low pressure, like I said, I considered it "window shopping" I guess I just wasn't prepared to be made an offer so soon. If its what it claims to be, its a great opportunity. The pay, $12.50/hour, is decent, not an executive salary, certainly, but decent to start, especially if you can advance. Also, you can get bonuses for certain things. Ah, well............I will just attend the orientation meeting next week and see how I feel then. They say first impressions are the most lasting, but perhaps I just didn't have enough information or was so nervous I was selectively hearing what was said. Also, a red flag is that they wanted me to start right away, I said I needed a week because Spring Break is this week, didn't have prior arrangements for my kids, they were understanding. So, will continue to consider.

hey, at least its an ego boost, to go to a job fair one day, withing 48 hours have a job offer. At least it makes me feel good about myself!

 

[kathianne]

Whats the Job ?

just curious

cutie pie bunny!My kids would love him!

 

[ASFCurly]

If it is a call center people might not stay long because a lot of people don't want to work there. They don't like calling people only to be hung up on, things like that. They might have a lot of people that take the job just because they need a job and still look for what they want and it takes a lot to train people they don't want to train someone for two weeks and then only have them work for a week or so after that. I had a job that said I HAD to stay for 90 days once and while it wasn't for me, it wasn't a bad job in general, so I wouldn't be nervous about that, just make a list of questions to ask for when you next talk to them.

 

[kathianne]

I don't know why I am having cold feet, just that I didn't expect something so soon........I was hoping for something around the beginning of summer vacation, then I could arrange something for my kids, right now I'd be at a loss for after-school child care, with such short notice, so why did I bother to apply in the first place if I wasn't employment ready? don't know, I guess I under estimated myself, thought no one was going to hire me, anyways, so, just window shopping. Well, I certainly don't want to look a gift horse in the mouth! Currently, I do some work-at-home jobs, the pay varies, its unpredicitable, no benefits. This would be steady pay with benefits. Just what to do about the kids? Well, it says flexible schedule, so I need to see just how flexible, maybe husband could drop the kids off and I could start early in the morning, say 6 am, finish about 2 pm, be home in time for the kids to come home? I truly appreciate the juggling act working mothers do every day, my hat goes off to them!

Well, I have the next week to get things together. I just wish there was some way I could research this company, find out what it truly like to work there, could be great or awful. I've tried searching, only thing that comes up over and over is their website or versions of it, also, they're constantly advertising on Monster, other job-search boards, so could be a revolving door, wonder at who's choice, do the employees leave because of lack of job satisfaction, or does this company just churn their labor pool to have a steady supply of entry-level pay workers with no benefits? From what I understand, you aren't eligible for benefits until after 90 days, perhaps that's all the longer they plan to keep you? Also, I understand if you don't work at least 90 days you don't qualify for unemployment benefits, some companies just keep their employees under that 90 days so they don't have to pay unemployment benefits.

I guess what makes me skeptical about this place was the remark "we ask that you work at least 90 days". Strange, if they were planning to keep me longer? Don't know.............

 

[Mom2m&k]

Call center work is just plain not much fun. There does tend to be a lot of turnover because people think they can be attached to a phone 8 hours a day and then they can't.
Don't get too worked up over the remark about staying at least 90 days. Keep in mind that they will be training you, and that will cost much more then the $12.50 an hour they are paying you. My company had a 6 week training programs and it costs thousands to train a person. It is hard for a company to lose someone that quick after all that money to train them.
Hope that gives you a little more insight!

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I'm sure you will be what is considered "employment at will" which basically means you can leave whenever you want and, on the other hand, they can ask you to leave whenever they want, no reason necessary. Sort of a double edged sword. Give it a try; if it works out GREAT; if not, you're in no different a position than you are right now. Have confidence in yourself and your abilities and be happy they wanted you so quickly. I find the benefits thing odd though (not until after 90 days)? Then again, I've always only worked in legal, so it's different. We have benefits beginning immediately, but don't become permanent until 90 days. Until that point you're on probation, so maybe that's why your company doesn't begin benefits until after 90 days. Best of luck and don't feel bad if it doesn't work out, there are always other opportunities just around the corner.

 

[kathianne]

Call center work is just plain not much fun. There does tend to be a lot of turnover because people think they can be attached to a phone 8 hours a day and then they can't.
Don't get too worked up over the remark about staying at least 90 days. Keep in mind that they will be training you, and that will cost much more then the $12.50 an hour they are paying you. My company had a 6 week training programs and it costs thousands to train a person. It is hard for a company to lose someone that quick after all that money to train them.
Hope that gives you a little more insight!

That give me some confidence, they won't just let me go before 90 days unless I give them reason, they've made an investment in me, so...I will give it my best shot. I think I misunderstood the 90-day thing. I asked about benefits, then she said they ask you to stay at least 90 days, I think we got our signals crossed, she meant 90 days to be eligible for benefits, I thought she meant they only wanted me for 90 days, then they'd find someone else It did seem kinda strange they'd go to all that rouble just to hire someone for just 90 days...............I think they wait 90 days for insurance to begin just to keep people from starting work today, then have a major surgery the next day and they can pay for it! They do have to cover previous-existing conditions if you meet all the HIPPA qualifications, that's just to keep people from working one day and getting group health! Or at leas that's what I'm thinking, if you can go 90 days, you didn't have a serious health problem to start with...........

Ok, I've been thinking, in this economy and recession one shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. My husband is a paralegal, currently works at a law library, great benefits, low pay, he's being recurited by a law firm, it would be an almost 3x increase in pay, but no medical benefits, so I could work for the benefits, otherwise, we're tied to his lower-paying job just for the medical. And, also I'll be making income, its really a rather pleasant atmosphere, being tied to a phone all day isn't exactly a thrill, but could be worse, so I'll go for it, I was just concerned it was some sort of temporary job masquarading as a permanent job, but it seems to check out ok.

 

[lila]

You should ask to talk to someone who would be a peer. Whenever I am offered a job, I ask to speak to someone who is at the level I would be coming in about their experience. I do the same for recruits, and am always honest about the pros and cons. I would encourage you to ask HR to arrange it.

I tend to do a lot of job researching on vault.com, linkedin and similar sites. Good luck!

 

[kathianne]

You should ask to talk to someone who would be a peer. Whenever I am offered a job, I ask to speak to someone who is at the level I would be coming in about their experience. I do the same for recruits, and am always honest about the pros and cons. I would encourage you to ask HR to arrange it.

I tend to do a lot of job researching on vault.com, linkedin and similar sites. Good luck!

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[kathianne]

Any more ideas, how to check out an employer? Thanks!