So...
I had an in-person interview today. I made the drive up in about 1hr 30 min., which isn't too bad. Obviously, that will be a *lot* worse in the winter. Anyway, I think they're going to offer me something. I met both of the co-owners, and got along with them really well. I think they were impressed with my knowledge, not only about the work itself, but about my old company and what they want/need. I showed them several things about the programs I wrote, for which they were appreciative. Oh, and I was wrong about how long they've been in business - they just got their ISO certification *last week*. Still, they seem to have a really positive attitude about where they're going as a company, and I think they've got enough personal credibility in the industry, and enough connections, to make a go of it. They also have jobs they're working on already, which is great!
I've been thinking about what I would accept as an offer to work for them. I have a rough idea of base-pay, and the thought I had regarding the travel is asking them for mileage, *only* on the days I travel up there. It looks like there's going to be a lot of work down here at my old company so I'm hoping that I can work most of the time down here. Last I knew, standard mileage was calculated at $0.55/mile. It's a bit pricey for them, but the standard takes into account not only fuel costs, but vehicle maintainance, depreciation, etc. The other option I would consider would be for them to pay my hourly wage during travel time, but again, only on the days I travel up there. I don't know if they'll be cool with either of those, but honestly, I can't see taking the job without some kind of travel compesation. (Unless, of course, they pay me a *lot* of money!!)
I did tell (the younger owner) thatI was thinking of this as my own kind of "contract work", but that I'd still be looking for full-time work. I said that I would have considered moving up to his area if he had been able to offer me full time w/benefits, but that for the amount of work available, I couldn't justify it. He completely understood, and was cool with it. I also told him that it wasn't my first choice of locations, that I have family on the other side of the state, and that I'm looking to move over there, if possible. At that point, I mentioned that, even if I did move over there, I would be quite open to continuing to work for them, for example, on the weekends, if they had any on-site projects they needed done over there. He talked about possibly branching course instruction for the software we use. He's only got around 2 years experience with it, but I've got probably 7 or more. He has, however, done course "construction" (for lack of a better word, because I can't think right now!) and would have no problem laying out a teaching plan. I told him that I know the software really well, and with a plan, could easily teach it to people. I'm kind of interested in that as well, because it would mean lots of travel to different businesses/locations, which sounds kind of exciting to me.
I also found, during our lengthy conversation today (between meeting with the two of them, I was there for over 2 hrs!) that our basic philosophies regarding the work are almost identical. Very straight-forward, honest, even honorable, while being flexible enough to give the customers what they need. No compromise with results, though. I really dig that - I told him I'm the same way, that I save all my original results, password protected, and give out copies to the "customer". That way, if there's ever a question about the data, I can refer back to my originals. We also share the same thoughts about how to define the jobs, having "pre-project" meetings to develop a clear-cut direction before starting, etc. overall, I feel pretty good about these guys.
Still, I really need/want to find a full-time job. I'm going to the unemployment office in the morning to apply - I'm hoping that I can get them to give me back-pay, back to the day I lost my job, but I'm ok with it if they don't. If not, I've only got myself to blame for not applying sooner. I also have to find out how much I can earn and still get full unemployment benefits. From what I understand, I can even get partial payments, depending on how much I earn. What I'm hoping will happen is that between the unemployment pay & what I earn working, I'll be able to put some more money away into my savings account, in order to be able to buy a better house out east.
I'm feeling pretty good today - still wish I would end up meeting "someone" though...
*sigh*
10:46 p.m. - 2010-04-19
My profile
Archives
Notes
Email Me!
Random
others:
loveherwell
dangerspouse
catsoul
alethia
annanotbob2
life-my-way
fairybones
misfitstray
swordfern
warpednormal
elusive-you
lust-
comebacktome
ahopeinhell
silver4
kelsi
stepfordtart