Need help deciding between 2 jobs that both have pros and cons
December 21, 2016 9:35 AM Subscribe
Both seem interesting in their own way, I'm not too motivated by money
I've been looking for a job for the past 3 months with no luck and so of course, 5 days before Christmas I have 2 potential jobs that I have to decide about within the next day or so.
As you can see from my previous questions I suffered through a toxic dysfunctional workplace earlier this year and I definitely don't want to repeat that. The two jobs I'm deciding between are:
Job 1) editing job in the film industry.
Pros:
-- Good for an introvert like me as most of day will be spent on computer with headphones
--- Sounds interesting, and fun, and I get 2 months of paid training
--- I dont have to be an administrative assistant and be put through emotional labour, YAY!
--- The pay is not very good but is still enough to survive
--- After 3 months I get company RRSP
Cons:
--- Its a maternity leave position that only lasts 1 year
--- The pay is way lower than what ive been paid for admin jobs. (>$20/hour). 15$ an hour for the training and then after that I'm paid piecework (though I've been told that I will make a higher hourly wage during the piece work)
Job 2) Executive Assistant in a fascinating (truly fascinating and relevant to my interests) non profit philanthropic foundation
Pros:
--- The directors of the org have Phd's and law degrees and know how to run an organization and seem like truly fascinating people to be amongst. However, I have a tendency to go weak in the knees when faced with highly accomplished intellectuals.
-- The field is like I said, utterly fascinating
-- though the position is similar to my last one, the managers seem to have exponentially more competence and experience and better judgment
-- the woman who interviewed me showed a lot of respect. She seemed genuinely interested in knowing me as a person and understanding my goals and aspirations.
-- Pay would be better than previous job
Cons:
-- it's an open concept office = introvert/ socially anxious person's nightmare!
-- From the two interviews I've had, it seems like they expect the EA to be the "Save us from emergencies" person as well as doing all the admin stuff. the woman who interviewed me actually asked me if I would mind being yelled at if she misses a meeting in a foreign country even if it's not my fault. I found her honesty very comforting , but at the same time, the question she asked is quite alarming!
-- the organization's branch in my city is relatively new, and I have no way of knowing how established or organized they are.
option 3) Decline both offers and keep looking while hoping to God I find something before my EI runs out in March.
My questions for you, my dear mefis:
1) Is it too late for me to ask for better pay at the first job? (I was told that the pay is determined by industry norms). I know that I have quite an impressive resume by now, so I feel like it might be worth it but I'm not sure if this is a faux pas at this point?
2) Does the second position sound like a nightmare?
3) I've recently decided I want to become a web developer/designer as a long term career goal, but at the moment I have to pay my rent. Which option seems more aligned with that career aspiration?
I've been looking for a job for the past 3 months with no luck and so of course, 5 days before Christmas I have 2 potential jobs that I have to decide about within the next day or so.
As you can see from my previous questions I suffered through a toxic dysfunctional workplace earlier this year and I definitely don't want to repeat that. The two jobs I'm deciding between are:
Job 1) editing job in the film industry.
Pros:
-- Good for an introvert like me as most of day will be spent on computer with headphones
--- Sounds interesting, and fun, and I get 2 months of paid training
--- I dont have to be an administrative assistant and be put through emotional labour, YAY!
--- The pay is not very good but is still enough to survive
--- After 3 months I get company RRSP
Cons:
--- Its a maternity leave position that only lasts 1 year
--- The pay is way lower than what ive been paid for admin jobs. (>$20/hour). 15$ an hour for the training and then after that I'm paid piecework (though I've been told that I will make a higher hourly wage during the piece work)
Job 2) Executive Assistant in a fascinating (truly fascinating and relevant to my interests) non profit philanthropic foundation
Pros:
--- The directors of the org have Phd's and law degrees and know how to run an organization and seem like truly fascinating people to be amongst. However, I have a tendency to go weak in the knees when faced with highly accomplished intellectuals.
-- The field is like I said, utterly fascinating
-- though the position is similar to my last one, the managers seem to have exponentially more competence and experience and better judgment
-- the woman who interviewed me showed a lot of respect. She seemed genuinely interested in knowing me as a person and understanding my goals and aspirations.
-- Pay would be better than previous job
Cons:
-- it's an open concept office = introvert/ socially anxious person's nightmare!
-- From the two interviews I've had, it seems like they expect the EA to be the "Save us from emergencies" person as well as doing all the admin stuff. the woman who interviewed me actually asked me if I would mind being yelled at if she misses a meeting in a foreign country even if it's not my fault. I found her honesty very comforting , but at the same time, the question she asked is quite alarming!
-- the organization's branch in my city is relatively new, and I have no way of knowing how established or organized they are.
option 3) Decline both offers and keep looking while hoping to God I find something before my EI runs out in March.
My questions for you, my dear mefis:
1) Is it too late for me to ask for better pay at the first job? (I was told that the pay is determined by industry norms). I know that I have quite an impressive resume by now, so I feel like it might be worth it but I'm not sure if this is a faux pas at this point?
2) Does the second position sound like a nightmare?
3) I've recently decided I want to become a web developer/designer as a long term career goal, but at the moment I have to pay my rent. Which option seems more aligned with that career aspiration?
The first job sounds better for your mental health, speaking as someone who has watched EAs at nonprofits get abused and be in crisis mode at all times. The interviewer at Job #2 is being honest with you about being yelled at, you should take her at her word.
There's nothing preventing you from using the year you're at the editing gig to find a longer term more stable job. Sounds peaceful and something where you can leave work at work, unlike Job #2, and possibly even find a new gig while you're still working. Normally I am risk-averse and gravitate towards stability, but based on your past question and the run-down here, I say, kick the can down the road and take the first job.
posted by juniperesque at 9:44 AM on December 21, 2016 [6 favorites]
There's nothing preventing you from using the year you're at the editing gig to find a longer term more stable job. Sounds peaceful and something where you can leave work at work, unlike Job #2, and possibly even find a new gig while you're still working. Normally I am risk-averse and gravitate towards stability, but based on your past question and the run-down here, I say, kick the can down the road and take the first job.
posted by juniperesque at 9:44 AM on December 21, 2016 [6 favorites]
Best answer: I was rolling along thinking "take the steady sure thing that doesn't have a built-in end date" right until I got to "open-concept + introvert" and then I was worried, and then I hit "do you mind getting yelled at?" and noped right the hell away.
Unless you are prepared to be yelled at often and in public, and have no work-life boundary because you're putting out fires all the time, I'd take the first job and use the year it's buying you to network and get training for your next job hunt in a year.
posted by Stacey at 9:52 AM on December 21, 2016 [8 favorites]
Unless you are prepared to be yelled at often and in public, and have no work-life boundary because you're putting out fires all the time, I'd take the first job and use the year it's buying you to network and get training for your next job hunt in a year.
posted by Stacey at 9:52 AM on December 21, 2016 [8 favorites]
Job #1 sounds like a better fit and you will come out with concrete skills that will land you another job like it, if they do not extend you past the 1 year mark.
posted by rmless at 9:54 AM on December 21, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by rmless at 9:54 AM on December 21, 2016 [3 favorites]
Do not take job #1 unless you actually, seriously want to be a film editor. End of story. (I have lived in LA all my life, most of my family is in The Industry, I was myself for several years before getting out, and my husband just got his 40-year acknowledgement from IATSE.) The entertainment industry is dog eat dog, every damn day, forever. You are signing up to be a wage slave, a cog in the machine, not all that different from a worker on an assembly line in a factory. Do not do this unless you are absolutely driven by your artistic needs to be a part of this precise process.
So: you answered your own question. You do not want to become a film editor. There is seriously no reason for you to take this job. If you want $15/hour you can become a babysitter in LA.
Take job #2 and be prepared to bail if necessary, and keep looking for more work.
posted by BlahLaLa at 9:56 AM on December 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
So: you answered your own question. You do not want to become a film editor. There is seriously no reason for you to take this job. If you want $15/hour you can become a babysitter in LA.
Take job #2 and be prepared to bail if necessary, and keep looking for more work.
posted by BlahLaLa at 9:56 AM on December 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Blahlala-- does it make a difference that I'm in Montreal and not LA?
And it's not editing film exactly, but editing subtitles and captions. It's more editing words and sentences than strips of film.
I know I'd be a cog in the machine and all that but doesn't the second job seem even more nightmarish? At least as an editor no one's going to yell at me because their guest, a wannabe rock star has-been, forgot his bottle of vodka in the back of a taxi in Cannes (TRUE STORY)??
posted by winterportage at 10:01 AM on December 21, 2016
And it's not editing film exactly, but editing subtitles and captions. It's more editing words and sentences than strips of film.
I know I'd be a cog in the machine and all that but doesn't the second job seem even more nightmarish? At least as an editor no one's going to yell at me because their guest, a wannabe rock star has-been, forgot his bottle of vodka in the back of a taxi in Cannes (TRUE STORY)??
posted by winterportage at 10:01 AM on December 21, 2016
1) Could you negotiate performance-based compensation; raises after a number of months or projects? Maybe worth a conversation.
2) EAs are tasked with putting fires out; a lot of thankless behind the scenes legwork. I've learned to take peace of mind over money.
posted by mountainblue at 10:03 AM on December 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
2) EAs are tasked with putting fires out; a lot of thankless behind the scenes legwork. I've learned to take peace of mind over money.
posted by mountainblue at 10:03 AM on December 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
the woman who interviewed me actually asked me if I would mind being yelled at if she misses a meeting in a foreign country even if it's not my fault.
Yikes! Noooooo. This kind of thing can happen in any organization/with any boss, but if it's reached the point where they are openly incorporating it into their business planning, it's out of control.
posted by praemunire at 10:05 AM on December 21, 2016 [5 favorites]
Yikes! Noooooo. This kind of thing can happen in any organization/with any boss, but if it's reached the point where they are openly incorporating it into their business planning, it's out of control.
posted by praemunire at 10:05 AM on December 21, 2016 [5 favorites]
I would take job 2, but only if you can establish boundaries with someone in authority.
Q: "Would you mind being yelled at for things that are not your fault?"
A: "Yes. We are not going to have a professional relationship that includes that behavior."
I would also keep shopping for other jobs because while job 2 sounds better than job 1, it could be a hot mess.
posted by 26.2 at 10:07 AM on December 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
Q: "Would you mind being yelled at for things that are not your fault?"
A: "Yes. We are not going to have a professional relationship that includes that behavior."
I would also keep shopping for other jobs because while job 2 sounds better than job 1, it could be a hot mess.
posted by 26.2 at 10:07 AM on December 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
Is it too late for me to ask for better pay at the first job? (I was told that the pay is determined by industry norms). I know that I have quite an impressive resume by now
Unless your resume is filled with things specific to the editing position, it doesn't really matter. If it doesn't make you perform better than any of the large number of people that will take almost any position to break into the video industry, it's unlikely to boost your pay.
posted by Candleman at 11:08 AM on December 21, 2016
Unless your resume is filled with things specific to the editing position, it doesn't really matter. If it doesn't make you perform better than any of the large number of people that will take almost any position to break into the video industry, it's unlikely to boost your pay.
posted by Candleman at 11:08 AM on December 21, 2016
Best answer: I would not assume that the PhD/lawyer types are organised and know how to run an organisation. Especially if they have to ask if you mind being yelled at for problems outside your control.
For reference week before last I was part of a team hosting a bunch of other global teams in my organisation. The most senior person (msp) there, about to retire, managed to travel to Switzerland without a coat, from Chicago, where it was also snowing. This being Switzerland they were not in cars all the time and he spent a few days feeling cold. I had to pick up msp and the 2nd most senior person from their hotel and take them to the main station and put them on the right train because MSP's ea was so worried they'd not make it to the station on public transport alone. They were being picked up the other end as well. I'm a sr manager, chap picking them up is also a sr manager...we've spent years in higher education, professional training and have got 20+ years professional experience between us but this was deemed to be a good use of our time.
So don't assume that specialist knowledge implies the kind of practical competence that comes with organisational management or project management. And this chap at least would never yell at anybody.
posted by koahiatamadl at 11:14 AM on December 21, 2016
For reference week before last I was part of a team hosting a bunch of other global teams in my organisation. The most senior person (msp) there, about to retire, managed to travel to Switzerland without a coat, from Chicago, where it was also snowing. This being Switzerland they were not in cars all the time and he spent a few days feeling cold. I had to pick up msp and the 2nd most senior person from their hotel and take them to the main station and put them on the right train because MSP's ea was so worried they'd not make it to the station on public transport alone. They were being picked up the other end as well. I'm a sr manager, chap picking them up is also a sr manager...we've spent years in higher education, professional training and have got 20+ years professional experience between us but this was deemed to be a good use of our time.
So don't assume that specialist knowledge implies the kind of practical competence that comes with organisational management or project management. And this chap at least would never yell at anybody.
posted by koahiatamadl at 11:14 AM on December 21, 2016
Best answer: The correct answer to the interviewer's question for Jon #2 is "Not if you don't mind be shouted back at."
This is NOT YOU. And that is not a bad thing but this is a bad job for you.
posted by DarlingBri at 11:17 AM on December 21, 2016
This is NOT YOU. And that is not a bad thing but this is a bad job for you.
posted by DarlingBri at 11:17 AM on December 21, 2016
Best answer: I would not assume that the PhD/lawyer types are organised and know how to run an organisation. Especially if they have to ask if you mind being yelled at for problems outside your control.
This is very important. I practiced law in firms and corporations for 17 years before joining the nonprofit world. Lawyers are notoriously horrible managers. Nonprofit management is no picnic either, and between the two, you might be in for a very dysfunctional ride. I'd take the "do you mind being yelled at" seriously, and not view it as a fresh breath of honesty. You already have said you don't like the job duties of being the emergency admin person and you don't like the office environment. I suspect you will feel stressed out and miserable every day. The other job gives you an introduction to new work you want to pursue and a better working environment. Use the time there to look for a better paying job. Perhaps you will even have expanded opportunities there after the leave is finished if it's a good fit.
posted by gateau at 2:15 PM on December 21, 2016
This is very important. I practiced law in firms and corporations for 17 years before joining the nonprofit world. Lawyers are notoriously horrible managers. Nonprofit management is no picnic either, and between the two, you might be in for a very dysfunctional ride. I'd take the "do you mind being yelled at" seriously, and not view it as a fresh breath of honesty. You already have said you don't like the job duties of being the emergency admin person and you don't like the office environment. I suspect you will feel stressed out and miserable every day. The other job gives you an introduction to new work you want to pursue and a better working environment. Use the time there to look for a better paying job. Perhaps you will even have expanded opportunities there after the leave is finished if it's a good fit.
posted by gateau at 2:15 PM on December 21, 2016
Best answer: I would take job #1 and web dev classes. Job 2 will exhaust you and not respect your off time, which will delay/torpedo your longer term goal.
posted by pazazygeek at 4:36 PM on December 21, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by pazazygeek at 4:36 PM on December 21, 2016 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks for your advice everybody! I'm going to go with job #1 and study web dev and design on the side.
I'm so glad I asked because it seems like it could be even worse than I had feared.
Hurray for making it out of the admin assistant trap.
posted by winterportage at 5:25 PM on December 21, 2016 [4 favorites]
I'm so glad I asked because it seems like it could be even worse than I had feared.
Hurray for making it out of the admin assistant trap.
posted by winterportage at 5:25 PM on December 21, 2016 [4 favorites]
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