What to do about job offer?

[GJM]

The company that I have worked for 26 years is closing, has closed, just a few of us left clearing things up. I sent out a resume for a job offer that was a temp. job for 8 months and went for the interview today. The people were so nice and offered me the job and even increased the pay.

My problem - They would want me to start right after I leave my other job, I can't leave that job before they let us go or I will lose my severance pacakage. I think I would like the other job, buy now I'm thinking maybe I should take some time off, I really just wanted a month or two to do some things around the house and I really wanted to take DS to Disney. He starts lst. grade in Sept. and with a new job I probably won't get vacation right away.

Sorry if it sounds like I am rambling. This is just all new to me, I started my job while I was still in High School and never had to look for a job, it is going to be so hard starting somewhere new.

Do I decline the job offer and hope something else comes along and take some time off, or just take the job and forget about Disney for now. I just worry I won't find a job when I really need it.

Thanks for any advice you can give.

 

[golfgal]

I would explain to them what you told us that you would lose your severance package if you left early and was planning on taking a vacation. Tell them you would be able to start on what ever date and see if they are still interested. If they want you, they will wait. If not, you have time to look for something else. Another thing to remember, with 26 years of experience, most companies will take that into consideration and you can probably negotiate extra vacation time from the start.

 

[GJM]

Thank you for the advice, I have to call today with an answer and I keep going back & forth about what to do. My DH said if they really want you they will hold the job, but the person that will train me is having a baby and leaving in March. I know there are other jobs out there.

 

[PlutoPony]

What are the chances that you'll get another offer for a good situation if you turn this one down? If you think you'll have no problem getting one when you want it then you can probably "afford" to turn down the new job. Unfortunately I know many people who were got way too hung up on severance $$ (not saying you are!) thinking that the company owed it to them and they HAD to get it - so they turned down good jobs. In the end they had to wait quite a while to find a another good job and would have been much better off financially if they'd lost the severence and gone right into a new job. If you do decide to decline the job, you might want to hold off applying for other jobs until closer to the time you want to go back to work as you don't want to be in a situation of turning down a good job again....

 

[jfulcer]

How long are you planning on needing to hang around at your old job? If it's not that much time, I'd ask if the people that offered you the job can wait.

I had the same thing - was one of the last to stick around for a company closing and got a decent severance package at the end. I had a really hard time finding a new job and worked sporadically for the next 10 months and used up all of that severance just trying to live.

If the company is willing to wait, but not while you 'take some time off', I would plan your vacation some other time and be happy that you have a job. If you pass it up, you may end up in the same position I was and using the whole severance up.

 

[hiwaygal]

You said this new job is a temp. job?

Personally, I would ask them to wait for the severance package, but I would hold off on my vacation until after the temp job is over.

On the other hand, can you give them an exact date you can start? I would just give them the date and leave it at that.

 

[ChibiJones]

Personally, I would go with the bird in the hand and skip the vacation. Disney isn't going anywhere. Plan a trip to celebrate his completion of his first year of school instead. If I had everything book & paid for, I would explain that to my new employer and ask for the time off unpaid.

Do you know how your vacation time will accrue at the new job and how much you will get? If not, those are legitimate questions to ask.

Maybe you can work it out that you can go in part-time for training while still working at the first job. I'd focus on working something out to keep the severence package rather than taking some time off. When is the company shutting down for good?

 

[GJM]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I can't let the severance package go, it is a week for every year. I am sure I would be able to get another job offer. I guess I just get so worried I won't and I am sure I will.

I was thinking of working Part Time with them and staying at my place Part Time, that would be great.

I can wait on the vacation, it's just that it has been a tough year and I guess I feel like I just need a little break.

I appreciate the replies, I have never been in a situation where I had to look for a job and never thought I would get offered one so fast and on the spot.

 

[chell]

Is the job only temp because of the lady having the baby? If so, what if she decides not to come back? Maybe it could turn into a permanent job for you.

Wishing you the best. Too bad they are not giving you a little more time to think it over.