My previous post, “When Your Job Becomes Your Prison” seemed to hit a bit of a nerve with some of you out there, and I am grateful for the comments and sad to see that so many others recognized themselves in what I said. I concluded the article by saying that I am determined to avoid making the mistakes I made when I found new employment. Well, that day is here. Or almost.
A few weeks ago, I had my first job interview in nearly 18 years. I didn’t get a call-back, which despite all my best intentions of having low expectations and seeing it as valuable interview practice, left me a little downcast. Especially when the feedback came, wherein I was told that they liked me and I had the skills, but they had applicants with more experience.
Today went a little better in my second interview. Driving home afterward, I stopped for a coffee an hour into my journey. While sitting there I got the phone call offering me the job. Now comes the part that puts all of the talk to the test. You know the talk like “It is not about the money, it is more about work-life balance,” and “I want a place that will give me a challenge.” Because in the first case, the money is about 10K less than I was getting in my previous job. And in the second case, because the network I’ll be taking over is fairly small potatoes compared to what I’m used to – it is primitive to say the least – and the job is to essentially to treat the place as a greenfield and start from scratch.
So, will I be compensated with a better work-life balance? Hard to say. As I pointed out in my previous post, the issues I had in my last job were more about me than the job itself, although the environment did contribute. But this organization I interviewed with is a non-profit, working in the social services area. The people I met there all seem happy and kind, and based on the kind of difference they make to peoples’ lives, I can totally see how that can make the place a nice one in which to work. So maybe, yes, there is the possibility of a positive work-life dynamic here, but I have to work hard to help myself to achieve that.
As I sit here and type this, I haven’t said “yes” yet. I am going to sleep on it, but most likely I will accept. Only time will tell to see if it works out the way I hope it will. Less cash, but a happier life?
About Matthew Mengel
