[__ Prayer __] Pray for Pizza!

[Pizzaguy]

This may be hard to stomach, but it's true. You need to negotiate with them once the offer comes.

I'm going to hold that WHOLE post inside a few days (looks like a formal written offer is over a week away).

I'm not comfortable with your advice .... but I'm not comfortable with the offer that was verbally made, either.

Gimme some time for thought and prayer, and I'll ask you guys for prayer, too. The background checks should "be available" tomorrow, then we can skedule the physical and drug screening. A written offer will follow providing I clear all of the above.

It's a process, and WOW! does it take a lot longer to land a job in corporate America than in small business!

 

[reba]

Sounds kinda dumb to say 'Hey God remember the Pizza guy' being dumb aint so bad

 

[Mike]

Mark, I know it's hard to become comfortable with negotiating an offer. You don't want to come off as unappreciative or arrogant. This is why it's important to do something I was horribly neglect in omitting from my post. Before you present requests of any kind in the way of negotiation, you say something like:

"First of all, thank you for your generous offer. I have even more respect for this organization and excitement about this opportunity than I did when we first met. And that's saying a lot, because I started this process with much of both. That said, there are just a few things that I'd like to request, because I they are important to me at this time."

This does a few things. It shows them that you're not arrogant; that you truly appreciate their interest and offer. It also puts them in your corner. The hiring manager likes and wants you. As you said, this has been a long process. He's spent a lot of time on this. That's all the more reason that he wouldn't just pull the offer. He wants you to be happy walking in the door on your first day, and he will be your advocate when dealing with HR.

When they give you the written offer, thank them and tell them you always take a brief time to think it over. (This will also show that you are not impulsive.) Ask them when they need a response, and ensure them you'll do so by then. If it's possible, arrange for a face-to-face when you present counter-points. Remember, this is your one chance! I negotiate contracts for a living. You don't want to regret passing on your one opportunity that will impact vacation time or benefits or compensation for the rest of your employment there. All they can say is "We can't.".

All this is ONLY if you believe it's something you want and have earned in your career. :nod

 

[Pizzaguy]

I did not realize that I never came back to this thread to update all of you.
It has become a "praise" thing instead of just prayer. Two weeks ago tomorrow, I settled on a deal with them. (And thanks for the advice in this thread! ;) )

I resigned on the 5th with a last day of work this Wednesday. I start up there on the 24th. This is a very exciting time for me - this week will be emotional, I've never worked somewhere 11 years - and I THOUGHT I'd retire here. But I realize that the company just isn't likely to make it much longer. WOW, does this company have problems - and they all stem from the boss-owner's personality.

I wish the best to my current employer and co-workers, but I don't like what I see on the horizon. Praise He who got my attention and got me outta there!

ON ANOTHER NOTE: My sister has asked me to help her move this thursday. She has advanced M.S., her husband divorced her just last December. She's been living with him since then. Well, she finally got placed into a group home, one that she likes and it sounds like a good place. The owner lives in the home.

She lives about 45 minutes from me now, after moving, she'll be an hour or more away - but get this, she will be 10 minutes from her son and about 15 or 20 minutes from the facility I will be based out of! While I will be on the road most of the time, when I am working out of the office, she'll be close by. AND, the plan is for me to advance in the next three years to an office-based engineering position where I'll move up there and travel only about 20% of the time!

The timing of her move is really kinda cool! Both of us are starting over, or moving, etc. at the same time!

So, praise for the new job and praise for my sister getting out and away from her ex husband. I wish they'd stayed together, wish he was willing to care for her, etc. But it is what it is. My sister really sounded "up" and encouraged when I spoke with her.

 

[reba]

WOW so please to hear... God is good....

 

[Pizzaguy]

Got a snafu to deal with that could delay Deb's placement by 2 weeks to 3 months!

PRAYER FOR DEB PLEASE, that this gets worked out quickly. She was trying to be strong yesterday, but with M.S. it is very hard. I don't know how she does it, I swear I'd be dead by now. Seriously.

I almost think I could swallow poison or shoot myself.

 

[reba]

So easy to copy and paste. Not so easy for me to trust...He has not left Deb...

Luk 12:24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
Luk 12:27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Luk 12:28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Luk 12:29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
Luk 12:30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
Luk 12:31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Luk 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

 

[Pizzaguy]

Debi is VERY strong - and that fact made it very hard to hear her break down and cry Monday. She SELDOM does that.



There is just too much pain and suffering in this world for certain people to suit my taste.

 

[Pizzaguy]

First day on the new job!

All smiles here - gonna be a challenge, but all smiles here!

Praise Him!

 

[reba]

 

[Mike]

I hope the day went well for you, Dabney... ahem... Mark! Seriously, even a new job you are excited about can carry with it some stresses. By the end of the day, you want to crack the perma-smile from your face and not shake hands with anyone for a month!

That's good news as is the future plans with the company.

Regarding your sister, not good news about the delay, but it too sounds like a good long-term solution. As far as your comment about how you'd handle her deal, I think you'd surprise even yourself. Her 10 on a pain scale of 1-10 is still 10 to her. And your 10 is your 10. But this isn't to take anything away from her courage and strength. God bless her.

 

[Pizzaguy]

It looks like she'll be able to move soon... maybe two weeks??? No one knows, just hanging on.

Yea, the job is gonna be a challenge, I can tell that the Senior Engineer is working hard to see what I know and how I face tests. I think they have listened, they know I want to be more than a tech, and I think a promotion to engineer may not even take 3 years.

But I'd be willing to work for it that long, no problem.

It's a TOTALLY different environment. So professional. I have so much to learn about company policies! And so much to learn about the specific technological product lines of theirs!

I'm going to have fun with this, I'm gonna earn my pay, but I think this will be the best career move of my life.

Thanks for your prayers, everyone. With the long commute, I"m gonna be hard to find for a while, until I relocate.

Thanks again!

 

[theLords]

This thread has made me happy! :D

 

[Pizzaguy]

It won't be long before I relocate. The commute is killing me.
Two hours to get to work, almost three to get home (made a mistake and followed the GPS both times. WOn't do that again, my route is the best and only route to take - period.)

But a total of 3 to 3 1'2 hours a day will be the norm. The gas cost is outta the question. So, it won't be long...

Please don't read into this "bad news", it's not. I knew this was coming.

 

[Mike]

It won't be long before I relocate. The commute is killing me.
Two hours to get to work, almost three to get home (made a mistake and followed the GPS both times. WOn't do that again, my route is the best and only route to take - period.)

But a total of 3 to 3 1'2 hours a day will be the norm. The gas cost is outta the question. So, it won't be long...

Please don't read into this "bad news", it's not. I knew this was coming.

In the mean time - books on CD + public library = awesomeness :yes

 

[Pizzaguy]

Ok, have not talked to her, but Deb was supposed to move today. I'll call her in a bit, when I get back to the motel.

MOTEL?

Yes, the commute was too much, I am staying at an extended stay motel (about $55 a night, very nice, just remodeled!) But I "close" on a rental condo tomorrow night and move this weekend. I'll be 6.5 miles from the office. But I won't commute much - the week after next, I go on my first adventure, 5 days in PA at a nuclear power plant putting in a trunked radio system.



Oh, the condo? It's about 1600 square feet, 2 car garage, in an over 50 golf-tennis community. No lawn work, no noise, no kids, no crime and the HOA president is across the road - already met him and we hit it right off!

God is good, and I am more sure now than ever that He used my illness to move me.

I STILL think he struck me down with illness. May never know for sure in this life.... but I really think so.

He is in control - just gotta learn to listen to Him.

 

[Gazelle]

Oh good to see you on... I was just going to ask for an update.

WOW that's a nice condo buddy! My little home is only one car garage (SFH, detached)

Yes, God is good ALL THE TIME!

 

[Pizzaguy]

Ok, closed on the condo, negotiated (well, my agent did) a lower rent and some concessions in the lease... I will try to sleep there tomorrow night. I'm going to order a mattress delivered and buy a "bed in a bag" set at WalMart tomorrow!

THen, this wekeend, I'll move completely and the mattress will be in the guest bedroom - I'll get a bedframe, etc. later!

Deb moved yesterday and she sounds great on the phone! I may go see her tomorrow night, if not, I will next week!

Within a week, you all will be seeing my posts on here again.... gotta run, they limit internet access to 1/2 hour per hour at this motel! ;)

 

[handy]

Ah, the busyness of it all! Praying this continues to work out well for you and for Deb too!

 

[Pizzaguy]

Yea, I'm going to see her in HER new place tonight after work.

I'll just pick up an air mattress and a couple blankets at WalMart... then friday after work, I drive back to Griffin to pack uip and get a Uhaul and trailer for the car.

Thanks for the prayers everyone.


I should be back to posting here more often by late next week (gonna go without internet until thursday).