I'm hoping that maybe some of you can offer insight for me, maybe help me see anything that I'm not seeing right now.  Today I had a phone interview with a non-profit.  5 minutes after I got off the phone, I had a phone call from the local office asking me to come in that day and do a face-to-face.  So I quickly made arrangements, got myself ready, and headed out.  After the face-to-face, the director asked me to come back in tomorrow for the final stage of the process; it's a panel style interview and I would have to give a 5 minute presentation.

I have 2 options -- continue after this job opportunity or tell them no thank you before continuing on and wasting everyone's time.

I was told the fundraising events I would be working on would be in my county (where I live) and the 2 counties just west of me (about 30 minutes depending on where I go in that county).  Training would be for 6 months including several day trips to Indianapolis (1 to 2 hours away depending on where and the traffic) and some overnights to Michigan to the district offices.  After training I would split my time about 1/2 at the office (a 1:15 commute one way) and 1/2 my time in the counties where the fundraising takes place, so not quite so far from home.  While I would not get 1:1 comp time, there is some flexibility in my schedule so that when I have evening meetings if nothing else was scheduled in the morning I could come in later.

There is more money at this job than what I had at my last my job.  I would get benefits -- health, dental, vision, life, time off, company matched retirement, etc.  However, b/c of the commute there is some additional time away from home thrown into the mix.  I would have to hire someone to walk DD to & from school as my DH cannot do it.  Really I would want someone who could -- no offense to my DH whatsoever -- also make sure DD's hair is fixed in the a.m.  (Pamelaw, do you know how to clone yourself?!?)  We would have to have some convenience foods; we have very few of those right now b/c I'm home to cook.  We would have to spend more in gas (though anything done while at work I would get travel reimbursement from).  My biggest concern, and there's no way to judge this until I'm in the job, is how much time I would lose with DD.  Of course, I also want to feed DD and clothe her and give her an adequate home to live in, which I will need a job to do.  I'm okay right now $$ wise; I could probably go another 3 months or so before worrying about using too much from savings.

I'm trying to remind myself that jobs are not as frequent in this economy, that b/c of DH's disability I am the main breadwinner, and also b/c if something happens to DH it is imperative that I have a job.  B/c of his disability he is uninsurable and his SSDI would simply vanish so we (DD & I) would lose that income stream entirely.  I think I'm also having a bit of a lack of confidence in myself.  That and I've really enjoyed being home the last couple of months.

Even if you've got no insights, your prayers are appreciated.

It sounds like an interesting proposition ... with some challenges. You could ask DD how she would feel about you going away at times? I'll keep you in my prayers for how this is figured out.

 

I think you really need to weigh the pros and cons and what your gut feelings are about the job.  I don't know if most of the jobs in your field are similar and if this is a really good opportunity.  at some companies there would always been something in the morning so you can't come in late. also why is this job open and how long was that person at that job is good questions to find out.

I would ask more questions at the next interview. how many events etc.  also is a non profit you are excited about?

My first job after the kids was good but wasn't perfect and I got laid off just before xmas but right after xmas I replied to a simple ad and it turned out to be the one I have now which is great. flexible with the kids, nice people etc.  dh is gone from 7-5/6 so I am the one doing the school runs etc.  There is not at a lot of flexible pt jobs out there but I got one and so did my friend after a try at another job.

so there is hope!

 

Wow - First of all Congratulations. Second - prayers being sent. Third - Go to the final interview. My theory is this. Even if you don't accept the job, your getting valuable interview experience. You may learn something new about the company at this final interview that you may not be sure about now. Use it as your last opportunity to scope out things before you commit. Pay close attention to the atmosphere of the place - does it feel happy? stressed? bored? busy? frantic? depressing? Keep us posted.

I have never been in a situation like that don't forget the winters with all of the snow and going to Michigan could be a challange.  Your dd just started socker would the job allow you to still be able to attend her games?  I know you have to think about things like your dh and keeping food,clothes and shelter for your dd there are a lot of travel time involved in that job but the benefits sound great and you said you would make more money you will have to weight the pros and cons hope everything works out for you and your family.

I would discuss it with family get their feedback and then I wouild Pray .. God has a way solving problems

Help me understand this: you  are the breadwinner and you have  roughly 3 months of savings left before you run out, your husband is home all day to help with the kids, and you are wodering if you should take this job? My dear, if you were in california, there would be 500 people applying for the same job.i think you can teach hubby-dear to do daughter's hair and you need to take the job.So maybe it is something you really don't want right now, but it will pay the bills and you won't loose your home.People are loosing their homes, here.  By all means, take the last intetrview and take the job-you never know where it might lead.Do this before they find someone more qualified than you, and in 3 months you willl be out of savings and then what are you going to do?   (take the job!)

First of all you must make enough $$$ to replace tires, etc., for your car and also to replace your car because of the additional mileage and wear and tear on your car.

Second, you are not used to driving in Indiana's winters including snow and ice and blizzards. I am not trying to be a wet blanket, but what would/could you do if you ended up in a bad auto accident while you are driving in bad weather conditions ?

I realize that this is not the type of work you want to do, but if you worked at a place like McD's, you coukl work hours similar to your DD's school hours.

Since you like to read, have you thought about applying for a job with your local library ? This just might be the sort of job you'd enjoy.

I really do not think that you would like to be working in a job that involved so much driving. Think back to the headaches of driving on I-64 and all the traffic snarls plus the breakdowns near the tunnels. Indiana's roads would be much worse.

Have you looked into taking classes online ? You might be able to find some college courses you'd enjoy.

I have a funny feeling that in time you can find a job with better hours nearer your house.

 First, my prayers, too, are with you.

A couple of thoughts - how many days a week would you have to make the long commute to the office? Can they flex on that? The time spent half an hour away sounds not so draining of your time.

I also wondered how the lack of confidence you mentioned at the end has to do with your questioning this job. That's quite normal, more so if you've been away from the work place. If they are interested in you and want to hire you, they obviously know you can do the job.

Could you compensate for the lack of time with DD by schedule more time with her, say, on weekends?

One more thought - you might try asking yourself how you feel things would be in a year or so if you do take the job and have the other matters worked out. Would you enjoy it? In the end, what would be best for you (and hence, for your family)?

My own leaning would be that the security offered to you and your family is very important, and that the other details can all be worked out, given that this commuting will not be too tough on you.

I know the right decision will come your way, and agree that you should indeed go for the second interview. You've nothing to lose here.

I will look for a post from you.

I agree that you should absolutely go to the final interview.  Find out all you can.  If you do decide to turn the job down, you do not need to feel guilty about it or that you were wasting their time.  After all, if they don't select you, they wouldn't feel bad for wasting your time would they??

Anyway, as far as whether you should take it, that is a question that you and your family will definitely have to answer.  One thing to consider though is the job market where you are . . . would be tough to turn that job down and not find something else for months.  Job markets vary though, so if there are lots of opportunities where you are, you may not need to consider that aspect.  Either way though, if you take the job and decide it's not the best fit, you can always start looking for something else that is a better fit.  I always think it's easier to look for a job when you have one already . . . easier to compare pros and cons and you don't feel like you have to take the first thing that comes along when you are already working.  And I don't think you should feel badly about that, people change jobs these days for lots of reasons.  If you don't do it constantly, it doesn't look bad to have job changes in your history.

Good luck!  Jobs are always tough decisions.  Congratulations on the successful interviews though-that's awesome!