Slickdeals is community-supported.  We may get paid by brands for deals, including promoted items.
Forum Thread

The Help emelvee Find a Job thread. Update post 628

41,172 2,080 July 8, 2010 at 04:50 PM in Help
tl; dr: emelvee is still looking for a job.

Not "official" or anything. Just figured I'd save you guys from me making multiple threads whenever I have a new job lead. Smilie I appreciate the help I've received in the past, as far as information on specific areas I've looked into. I'm still looking for a job, and two came up this week.

I really prefer to stay in North Carolina, hopefully around Raleigh, where we are now. But I've been looking for a solid year, and there isn't much happening in construction around here. I want to stay in construction - that's what I know and enjoy; I've been a Controller for four firms over the past 19 years, so I'm looking for a similar position.

One potential job is a decent sized electrical contractor in Omaha...yes, Nebraska. laugh out loud I'm willing to go just about anywhere for a job that I love (at least that I think I will love). But the midwest is near the bottom of my list of preferred locations.

The other is a general contractor in Los Angeles...just a couple miles from LAX. Larger company than the one in Nebraska, and at least twice the size (by annual revenues) of any company I've worked for in the past. I used to live in San Diego, and would consider a return to SoCal.

Both jobs are similar pay when adjusted for cost of living (the Nebraska job is a bit lower than my previous pay, but equivalent based on the cost of living; the L.A. job is a lot higher than my previous pay, but equivalent based on the cost of living). Of course these cost of living calculators are far from perfect. Both would have similar job duties.

I know most people would think I'm crazy to even compare the two locations. But the location is truly only one of many factors in the decision. Sure, it would be nice to enjoy the SoCal weather again. But I dread the traffic; masses of people; economic mess in CA; etc. I haven't even had a face-to-face meeting with either company yet, but I'm anticipating that will happen soon.

Since I know LA more or less (though I haven't lived in SoCal for ~13 years)...Omaha is the unknown. Can anyone that's lived there give their thoughts?

Community Wiki

Last Edited by emelvee November 16, 2010 at 07:19 AM
Originally this was L.A. vs. Omaha. Then emelvee was offered a job in High Point, NC. Took the NC job; got let go after 22 days of work.
Back on the job hunt: interview for a company in Rockville, MD on October 4.

In-person interview in Lakeville, MN on Monday, Nov 22. Cold

635 Comments

Your comment cannot be blank.

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Joined Aug 2005
Green
> bubble2 16,205 Posts
634 Reputation
KTMay
07-22-2010 at 08:24 AM.
07-22-2010 at 08:24 AM.
Quote from emelvee :
Dammit... after sleeping on it, I'm leaning towards taking the NC job and just planning on toughing it out for a bit. I told the CPA that's helping them with the search that I would respond today or tomorrow.
We're driving out there today to look at more houses, and I'm going to try to meet privately with the two accounting people that would report to me to see if I can get some honest answers about how they feel about their jobs, the president, and the company.

My wife is actually pushing more to turn down the NC job if I'm not at peace with it. I'm not desperate for work - I can do consulting work to support my family. We just can't plan a permanent move until I have a regular full-time job. She doesn't want to start another school year here if we can avoid it.

I told the CA company that I really need to make a decision very soon. I told their recruiter that I'd like to get a job offer. I didn't really get the feeling that they're that far along in their process to make an offer by tomorrow, but we'll see - the CA company does know about the NC offer, but the NC company doesn't know I'm talking to the CA company.

Does the CA company have any clue as to when they will be able to make a decision?
Reply
Joined Aug 2005
Baldilocks
> bubble2 41,172 Posts
2,080 Reputation
Original Poster
emelvee
07-22-2010 at 08:50 AM.
07-22-2010 at 08:50 AM.
Quote from KTMay :
Does the CA company have any clue as to when they will be able to make a decision?
They said they'll probably get back to me today or tomorrow (through the recruiter). I told the recruiter last night that I'd like to see an offer as soon as possible. I suspect they might balk at the salary (I've requested to be at the top of their range) and the fact that I'll require my relocation costs to be reimbursed (probably about $15k).

I was able to talk to the guy that just left the position in NC after only 3 months. I actually got a good feeling from him. I had expected him to talk about the long hours, but he said the main reason he left was that it's more of a "hands-on" position than he wanted; he prefers to manage others and delegate work.

So now I'm leaning to accepting the NC position, pending a meeting with the accounting staff tomorrow morning and a couple of other questions I sent to the company.

Whee
Reply
Joined May 2005
Proud Barner
> bubble2 36,606 Posts
1,385 Reputation
TigerStar
07-22-2010 at 09:18 AM.
07-22-2010 at 09:18 AM.
You should be good at a 'hands on' position.
Reply
Joined Aug 2005
Baldilocks
> bubble2 41,172 Posts
2,080 Reputation
Original Poster
emelvee
07-22-2010 at 09:24 AM.
07-22-2010 at 09:24 AM.
Quote from TigerStar :
You should be good at a 'hands on' position.
yes, I have LOTS of experience. Blush
Reply
Joined Jul 2009
L6: Expert
> bubble2 1,156 Posts
426 Reputation
boatymcboatface
07-22-2010 at 03:07 PM.
07-22-2010 at 03:07 PM.
Hi from Greensboro!!!
Reply
Joined Aug 2005
Baldilocks
> bubble2 41,172 Posts
2,080 Reputation
Original Poster
emelvee
07-22-2010 at 08:17 PM.
07-22-2010 at 08:17 PM.
Quote from bk12321 :
Hi from Greensboro!!!
wave
Reply
Joined Aug 2005
Baldilocks
> bubble2 41,172 Posts
2,080 Reputation
Original Poster
emelvee
07-23-2010 at 05:46 AM.
07-23-2010 at 05:46 AM.
I talked to the former controller at the NC job and feel much better about my concerns. It will definitely be more work than my last job, but I was very spoiled there (see my post count laugh out loud). I'm meeting the accounting staff in private in 15 minutes just to see if I sense anything to be worried about (though I don't expect complete honesty from then since they don't know me). I drafted an email to the L.A. job, removing me consideration, which I expect to send after I meet at the NC job.

The NC job has 3 weeks of vacation a year...I just hope I'll be able to take it. Whee
Reply

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Joined May 2005
Proud Barner
> bubble2 36,606 Posts
1,385 Reputation
TigerStar
07-23-2010 at 06:03 AM.
07-23-2010 at 06:03 AM.
Quote from emelvee :
I talked to the former controller at the NC job and feel much better about my concerns. It will definitely be more work than my last job, but I was very spoiled there (see my post count laugh out loud). I'm meeting the accounting staff in private in 15 minutes just to see if I sense anything to be worried about (though I don't expect complete honesty from then since they don't know me). I drafted an email to the L.A. job, removing me consideration, which I expect to send after I meet at the NC job.

The NC job has 3 weeks of vacation a year...I just hope I'll be able to take it. Whee
You're Irish? Or do you have consideration locked up somewhere?

Congrats! Looking forward to not seeing you around here as much woot


okay, not really.
Reply
Joined Nov 2006
A hui hou!
> bubble2 13,701 Posts
9,954 Reputation
hawaiiandawn
07-23-2010 at 07:13 AM.
07-23-2010 at 07:13 AM.
Applause Oh M, I am so excited for you!! Grats to you! But your first order of business is to figger a way to be here in the lounge posting as usual. Otherwise the job has to go. You must be mindful of your priorities, after all. nod
Reply
Joined Aug 2005
Baldilocks
> bubble2 41,172 Posts
2,080 Reputation
Original Poster
emelvee
07-24-2010 at 04:32 PM.
07-24-2010 at 04:32 PM.
16 days 'til the new job. Whee
Reply
Joined Aug 2005
Baldilocks
> bubble2 41,172 Posts
2,080 Reputation
Original Poster
emelvee
07-24-2010 at 04:43 PM.
07-24-2010 at 04:43 PM.
The other nice thing about the job I accepted it is the title is Chief Financial Officer. Might not seem like a big deal, but it's better for my career long-term - especially if this new job doesn't last. I told them that a CFO title commands more authority/respect from clients and vendors (which is often true) but that I understand the duties of the job, which are much more traditional Controller duties (which is also true).
[/brag]
Reply
Last edited by emelvee July 24, 2010 at 05:12 PM.
Joined Sep 2004
Fighter of Foo
> bubble2 21,321 Posts
1,084 Reputation
zmarko
07-24-2010 at 06:39 PM.
07-24-2010 at 06:39 PM.
So what town are you moving to? Bigeye Am I going to have to lock up my pets?
Reply
Joined Aug 2005
Baldilocks
> bubble2 41,172 Posts
2,080 Reputation
Original Poster
emelvee
07-24-2010 at 06:40 PM.
07-24-2010 at 06:40 PM.
Quote from zmarko :
So what town are you moving to? Bigeye Am I going to have to lock up my pets?
Does it matter? We'll be somewhere in the Triad, so I think you know the answer.

We're making an offer on a home near Wallburg.
Reply
Joined Jun 2006
Jambi-rific in Seattle!
> bubble2 31,436 Posts
2,810 Reputation
Zoe Moon
07-24-2010 at 06:55 PM.
07-24-2010 at 06:55 PM.
Quote from emelvee :
I talked to the former controller at the NC job and feel much better about my concerns. It will definitely be more work than my last job, but I was very spoiled there (see my post count laugh out loud). I'm meeting the accounting staff in private in 15 minutes just to see if I sense anything to be worried about (though I don't expect complete honesty from then since they don't know me). I drafted an email to the L.A. job, removing me consideration, which I expect to send after I meet at the NC job.

The NC job has 3 weeks of vacation a year...I just hope I'll be able to take it. Whee
Nono You didn't run this by the other pun committee members. VQ, GG, Redjen and I have to approve this first. I vote no.
Reply

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Joined Aug 2005
Baldilocks
> bubble2 41,172 Posts
2,080 Reputation
Original Poster
emelvee
07-24-2010 at 07:06 PM.
07-24-2010 at 07:06 PM.
Quote from Zoe Moon :
Nono You didn't run this by the other pun committee members. VQ, GG, Redjen and I have to approve this first. I vote no.
I think many other Loungers would vote yes. laugh out loud
Reply
Page 13 of 43
Start the Conversation
 
Link Copied

The link has been copied to the clipboard.