Professionals please give advise regarding job.?

Question

I am a professional that took time out of my career to have my baby. I'm now looking to go back to work (sort of). I've turned down some offers, but I had one last week that I thought would be good for my experience etc. They offered me the job but the money was less than I was asking. I thought about it over the weekend and then called back Monday as planned and told them I am interested in the job but I'd like more money than they were offering. The recruiter said he would pass it on and let me know. It's been 8 days now and he has not called or e mailed. He told me once on the phone that he always heard my kids making noise in the background and wanted to know if I was ready for this job and if that would in any way affect my job performance. I'm wondering why he has not called. The kids or the money? Any suggestions? My kids are my job right now and I don't see why it would be a problem for them to make noise in the background. But I'm open to any thoughts or suggestions.

Answer 1

I'm seeing more parents in the workplace today that are opting to take cuts in pay to take a day, (or even two off a week), to be home with their young children & infants).

I'm seeing employees actually turning down ovetime, and salaried staff basically refusing to work late or come in early - or on a week-end unless it is planned 3 or 4 weeks in advance, - because it interrupts "family life" at home.

In the last 5 years I have actually heard some of out brightests & best, who had recently started familys say - I have a child now - If you're asking me to make a decision between working overtime tonite because you did not plan ahead, - or going home to be with my family, - I'm going home. If that means you are going to terminate me - I do not feel that that would be fair, and you need to think about that. Next time, if you feel that you may be facing a "crunch" on a project - please let me and the others on the team know ahead of time - and maybe we - all working together can avoid the last minute Herculean effort to redo the entire Project. (The Conversation I witnessed was between a Senior Interior Desingner & a Firm Principal. Both are still there to this day - and they still are great friends - and respect one another)

So I guess there's a couple of lessons to be learned here.

1. When you are talking with a Head Hunter or a Prospective Employer, they are not interested in talking to "Mommy".

If you can go into the other room, (alone) do so, this is a time for you to be the profession al ADULT; - or if you need to stay in the same room as the children - then invest about $ 40.00 - $ 80.00 in a good telephone headset with a clear proximity microphone; (This is a headset with two padded ear phones that block out most back ground noise around you - but still let you hear a childs cry, - and a sensitive microphone that ONLY pics up the sound of YOUR voice - and nothing beyond the range of 2" - 4" from the microphone - short of a shotgun blast , jack hammer, or gas explosion.)

2. You made a fundamental mistake that a lot of "Professionals" - and most all "Blue Collar" workers make, and that is "Money" is necessarily the only way people get paid for their services.

Probably the best example i can think of to illustrate creative alternative compensation packaging was pioneered by a very shrewed actor who played trhe qunitisential Country Bumpkin on TV. When Buddy Epsein was finally cast as "Uncle Jed" and the cast selections we complete, the pilot was shot plus three or 4 episodes. All of the actors were paid union scale under their "employement agreements", (not Contracts). when the show turned out to be wildly popular - the Studio & Network began negotiating with the cast in bitter and heated battles for who was going to be paid what - (everyone made his/her own deal thru their own Agent. Every actor was a pain in the butt - during Contract negotiations - save one - Yep - that's right - Buddy E..

He had a unique proposition: He would work for scale plus a share of the post production profits and 10% of the syndication residuals. In other words; he would hitch his wagon to the sucess of the Project - and the studio; - and he would'nt make a dime over scale - which was about what the cafeteria worker's made, unless the studio and producer's made money, and then he was only asking for a little "taste", and as far as "Syndication Rights" go - well that was then basically only a Public Television domain, and most of those films were allowed to air "residual free"

So once again - the studio figured they were'nt giving anything away - so why not? Buddy got his way. Nobody ever dreamed of a liottle thing called Cable TV then. Buddy Epsen went on the become a fabulously wealthy man for royalties for every film he acted in - based on his unusual Contract arrangement - which most felt was idiotcy on his part.

Look around today. CEO's have Golden Parachutes with Millions in Stock options, Pro-Atheletes get Millions in "Signing Bonuses" and "Performance Perks".

Start thinking less in terms of your "salary", and more in terms of your "Compensation Package". Let's re-visit the issue of "money" from a new perspective - with the last Job opportunity that interested you. - where the "money" was less that you were willing to accept..

First of all recruiters can be invauable aides in
helping you find Opportunities - when they are working for you, when they are recruiters working for the prospective employers - then I look at them as glorified Personel Managers, who I don't want to deal with - because 9 times out of 10 they they are not empowered to hire you or negotiate with you - so what's the point? You want to talk to the person or people who can make it happen.

You need to get that initial interview - especially if the "salary" quoted isn't too far off the mark.

EXAMPLE:

What would it be worth to you to have your office on the beach on Maui, with a Company Day care on-site - where you can see your children playing not 100 feet away? Your co-workers are all people you admire - and who treat you with nothing but respect and kindness. You have a company car and access to a company ski-boat, Yacht, and Plane. The Company is subsidizing your home loan, (upto 5 million ay 0% financing. All your expenses are covered, including cell phone blackberry, laptop, and anything else you need , You have 8 weeks of paid vacation a year, all holidays off, work a 7 hour day,no weekends, full benefit & insurnce package, full 401 K contribution and company pension plan. You are fully vested after a year, and you have full medical/dental with no decutable, and your childrens' college educations thru Master's programs are paid as long as you are with the firm for 10 years or more. You recieve 2% stock as a signing bonus, and are eligable for bousus of up to 500 % 0f your salary every quarter - depending on company profitablity which has been a top 100 performer in the USA for the last 10 year running. Problem is your starting salary is only $ 50,000.00 a year, and you're used top making $ 85,000.00 a year living in Erie, PA. What do you do?

Ridiculous example right? Yes it is, - but it just goes to show that there are other ways to get compensated for your work - by an employer - other than cash.

You need to be your advocate and negotiate - not just sit there and let the employer "dictate the terms of your employment" to you - especially if your skill set is in demand, is highly skilled, and is more "art" than just production. They make an offer - you counter offer. some employers get "hung up" on a salary limit - OK - work around that - say OK - "Look I can agree to a 6 month trial period at the temporary salary cap that you've arbitrarily imposed - to show you what I can do, and why I am going to be worth much more than that to your firm, by helping you produce a larger income stream, with more professional graphics, (or whatever), using more up to date technoliogy with some simple software changes, while maintaing the physical plant that you are currently using for production. What I propose as a temporary offset to the difference in salary is that the company provide me with a new VIO XL 2120 -23 Series Laptop with wireless remote and the software packages I need to turn the Marketing and advertising departments around, a Blackberry cell / PMA, and expense allowance for marketing clients & vendors of $ 2,000.00 a month, (average) and a company car during the 6 month trial period.

If at any time during the review period, you feel that I am not performing up to or exceeding your expectations,; or I feel that you are not utilizing me, or allowing me to work uo toi the full extent of my abilities, You terminate my employment, or I resign my position, and I return your property, and we have an exit interview to see if we can find out how we failed to meet each others expectations. I propose in the meantime we meet every friday morning at 6:30 am for a breakfast meeting off site to evauate how I am prgressing, and I give you a report of my progress, and plans for the up coming week.

I know this is a lot for you to consider , why dont' you take the week end to consider my offer and call me with your decision. My number is on the card - you can reach me any time of the day or night at this number - please do not give it out to anyone. I look forward to hearing from you, I think we can do exciting and profitable things together. I'd like to see Loren & McMurty lead the change in the direction and look of Advertizing in this Market, and I'd like to be a part of that team.

So there you have some ideas. You be a Leader. But a Team Leader. You be a Visionary, with High Standards, You be a Take Charge Self-Starter. You hit the ground running, but you do so with the Boss's blessing.

You keep yur eye on the prize and develop a strategy to get it - but you keep the boss advised on your plan of how to capture it, and enlist his aide and wisdom in the planning & timing.

You schmooz when you nee to, spend money when you need to, you don't ever say "Well I could'nt get that informantion - because I could not connect with this guy" - nonsense - we all gotta eat - right - take him to lunch, or breakfast, or dinner - or whatever - a ball Game.

Your going "back in" raise the bar, go in as a "Star Player" - do all those things that you've always thought the big boys SHOULD be doing. Use your chance to try your ideas! Dare to make a mistake! Good luck Sister. I'm pulling for you.

Answer 2

1. You're speaking with a professional. Although your job is being a mother, your children should be off somewhere else while handling a business matter. Hearing them in the background could give the employer the impression you're not being serious or professional.

2. Asking for more money was likely your downfall. Maybe you felt you were worth more, but the company was only able to offer so much. If there's one thing that irks me about moms, it's that they still think they're worth what they left with when they chose to have more children or a child if it's their first. You stuck your foot in your mouth, came off unprofessional, and ultimately cost yourself the position.

If you really want something, take a little less than you'd like and work your way back up the ladder. You've been out of the workforce for some time, you're not going to be able to command the same pay you did before you took time off. Let that be a lesson.

Answer 3

He knew you were calling from home - your kids making noise there is none of his concern, and that was a very strange comment to make.

They might have had another candidate who also looked good to them but was willing to take the job for what they were offering.

You can't exactly go back to work "sort of" as a professional.

Good luck.

Answer 4

go to www.usajobs.opm.gov and check out the jobs in your area. Answer your phone in a quiet area and frankly it is none of his business about your kids nor is it his concern whether or not you are ready for a job that is taking his position as a human resources representative too far. He may even ask inappropriate questions at interview I wouldn't even worry about his foolishness.

Answer 5

You may be codependent. It's worthwhile to research that on the internet and see if maybe that fits you.