The New Job
Posted by Richard | Filed under Richard
So, I started a new job when I started doing this blogging. And now, the family is looking at yet another new job. Jane’s reconsidering her employment.
She left an office job two years ago for her current placement, and it’s been two rewarding years, with great experience for her, and lots of new people met. But it’s also physically harder on her, and continues to be set back by injuries related to her work place. She feels like she’s getting nowhere quickly in terms of promotion opportunities, and she misses using the computer skills she had cultivated.
So, she’s using what time she can find to go back to the job market and consider her options. She’s polished her resume, and is going to placement agencies and head-hunters to see what is out there for her.
The biggest motive for all this is we want more money. We’re making enough to save for the distant future. We’re making enough to cover present expenses. But Jane has read the budget tea-leaves, and no matter how she arranges things: we’re not pulling in enough to cover the “middle” savings. Going for vacations, improving our furniture, nights out… it just can’t be done with the current set up without doing something drastic like giving up fruit.
Add to that Jane’s carrying a consolidated loan from prior to us meeting each other that she’s anxious to pay off: and she’s not having the opportunity to build up a significant enough lump to do that.
So, what do you do when you want your budget to do more, but can’t trim any further: you increase revenue.
I’ve got to say, I admire Jane’s tenacity in this: she’s looking away from where she’s comfortably established, and going back to questions like “what do I really want to be doing?” And “What kind of future do I want, and how can I make it happen.”
Those are big questions to confront. They are questions a lot of people put energy into avoiding, because they don’t leave a lot of space to hide from uncomfortable truths.
Well… bravely, bravely into the future… right?
But I’d love to hear: have you got a good story about changing jobs/careers to find what was right? Jane could use some inspiration.
Thirty and married, Richard and his wife, Jane, don’t have kids yet, but are hopeful. Currently renters, Richard and Jane are saving for a place of their own. Richard recently lost his job. “This was a hard blow to take.” He’s since found a new job. Yeah Richard.
April 24, 2012 at 10:19 am
Hi Richard,
I am in the middle of doing a similar thing. I have a great job that pays exellently but my creative side is being stifled. I have recently heard that I will be getting an article published in the local paper and also have another assignment coming up in a couple of months. Since my regular job pays so well, and I do live in an expensive city, it is difficult to go from one to another but at least I am finding a little balance and eventually, I hope the transition is for good but it will take some time. I am quite a bit older than you guys so if you can do it earlier, it is much better.
Good luck to you both!
April 24, 2012 at 11:16 am
Hi Richard
1.5 years ago I realized the office world is not for me and started doing what I loved on the side in an attempt to change my circumstance. I started doing photography on the side. I now run a “part-time business” in the evenings and weekends. At the moment I still work full time at my boring day job and sometimes it’s really hard to focus when I have photo shoots to edit at home but I’m making strides to replace my day job with my business. It likely wont be for a few more years yet but in the mean time I am making extra money to help my budget. Warning however working on the side is NOT for everyone! I’m only 27 and have no kids yet but I do have a husband and a dog that need a lot of attention so work life balance is a constant priority. My goal is to finish payiing off my debt and work full time from home on my business and eventually have children.
Good luck to Jane!
Amanda
April 24, 2012 at 3:03 pm
I’m 55 in a few months and STILL wonder what I should be doing! After 14 years as a Stay at home mom, I found myself divorced with limited job options. I needed ‘paperwork’ to prove that I was capable of administration/payroll positions, things I had done in the past. Returning to school at 46, I combined three 2 year programs and obtained Diplomas in Business Administration, Human Resource Management and Marketing in 3 years. I won numerous scholarships, based on my single parent status, high marks and volunteer efforts. I attended the Career Fair of one corporation who’s scholarship I had won two years in a row, assuming that they would be thrilled to have me in their offices – no ‘recent relevant experience’! I was offered a job, however, and turns out I do like it – have been there almost 6 years now. But, I work long hours on my feet, night shifts and deal with a lot of shenanigans from people – I am a dealer in a Casino. Recent injuries – broken ankle and subsequent knee surgery – have made me rethink my career future. I think I would relish a Monday to Friday 9 – 5 job, but after the months of no offers 6 years ago, and now being even older, I doubt my options are very good. I did nothing with my three diplomas, which I regret even spending the money on, and likely don’t remember much of it! I also make good money, since I am employed by a Crown Corporation, have awesome benefits, seniority, and a substantial employer matched pension! What to do? On the up side, I have always sewn/crafted, and make decent money on the side with that hobby. It is something I will do a lot more of when I ‘retire”, particularly my quilting. I also have a part time job that I work 15 – 20 hours a week, which I eventually hope to use completely for savings. I don’t want to give that up either, as it tops up my benefits at the full time job, and I get an employee discount on everything at Superstore! So, until I see something offering about $5,000 a month, it is not worth the switch and disruption to my life. Doubt any of this helped, but it was good to let it all out!
April 26, 2012 at 11:30 pm
I left a job that I was in for 8 years last year to take a term position that paid better was more in line with my training and was essentially a promotion. I worked hard and now they are keeping me on, plus my network has increased substantially. It was a bit risky because it wasn’t permanent, and the pension isn’t as good, but the other job was taking me nowhere, plus I was bored and frustrated. I figured the move would benefit me in the long run and I still believe that it was the right choice and I’m much happier. Tell your wife to take the right job, not just any job. Trust intuition and much luck to both of you!
April 27, 2012 at 11:16 am
in 2007 after I finished my masters degree, I picked up and moved across the country, without a job, but headed to Vancouver where construction was booming. It was the single bravest thing I ever did, to find a place where a career and a life in balance were important things. Then I did the opposite and moved back to Toronto. I have been lucky to continually find work, but am wondering now, if there’s a place with the right type of work for me. I have a passion for healthcare architecture, and doing commercial architecture just doesn’t feel as satisfying. I guess if I’ve done it before, I can do it again!
April 27, 2012 at 11:56 pm
Hi Richard,
I was once asked to describe my dream job. If I could do anything in the world, what would it look like? What time did I go to work and when did I get home? Where was I? In an office? In homes? In my car? What did I wear to work? What did I feel at work? What was I doing? Was I on a computer? Was I on the phone? Was I making presentations? ..etc.
This really helped me find my way, I hope it helps Jane find hers!
Christi