Then I get an email last Friday. From a woman I know professionally, she works for a major Scandinavian bank. And her company decided to outsource their funds business to a major US bank (not my prev. employer, but very similar).
She heard of my reputation (I specialised in project management of mergers/outsourcings for my prev. employer and managed many big europe-wide deals over the past 10 years).
So....i went in to talk with her today. she is desperate for me. Desperate!
She is offering me to start in September, so I can enjoy my summer with my kids.
She is offering me as many hours as I want to work per week. 20-30-40...
She told me to "name my salary" and "it should not be a problem" as they need my experience.
Ugh. Ugh.
I basically can earn a nice 6 figure salary working a 20 hour work week, with the 7 weeks vacation and other usual benefits.
Shit. I am so conflicted!!! I was not looking at all - this just fell into my lap wrapped up in a bow.
and damnit, none of my clothes fit! i felt like a sausage this afternoon. i would def need to lose 10 pounds before september LMAO!
A six figure salary for me would be like winning the lottery so I'm trying hard to put it into perspective, kwim?
Is Bert's job secure? Are you totally okay financially? Were you ultimately wanting to go back to work at some point?
My only concern would be if the 20 hours turned into more and you felt like you had to stick with it and lost the time at home you wanted. Would you be working from home?
Like I said, it's hard for me to put into perspective...would you have to sign a contract? Could you take the job and then if it wasn't what you were hoping leave? It's probably a big deal so you wouldn't want to do that but I am wondering if you could test the waters.
I could see it turning into a lot more hours than you were anticipating. But, dang, that's a lot of money.
I agree with Juni in terms of being concerned it would turn into more hours. BUT aside from that, it sounds like a great opportunity!! Congrats!!! It is awesome she was seeking you out.
Then again, I wouldn't want to go back to work for much of anything, so ITU being conflicted about it. Hard call, but it sounds to me like something that is worth a shot, and given the hours, benefits and pay, I would probably say go for it!!
Good luck making the choice, though, I know it won't be easy...
I think if you could work it by with 20 hrs a week and it stay at that. Go for it! It will still give you ample time at home with the kiddos. Now, like Juni said if it worked to be longer and longer hours, then maybe not so much.
Juni, yes, there is tremendous room for scope creep - it certainly could be a 40 hour week or more, especially around key conversion milestones. i would be compensated, but i really dont want that to happen. but i tend to be a type who does not do anything partially - so i could see myself slide into something with a lot of long hours. def. not what i am interested in.
and a six figure IS a lot of money. and to be honest, that is probably the biggest pull at the moment. it was a REAL hard decision to stop working for that reason. the inequality i feel with bert as i no longer am an income earner does bother me. i recently had to "ask" him for $30,000 to pay for my BFF's gastric bypass surgery as she desparately needs (the one with the brain tumour that causes her cortisol levels to go out of wack and as a result she has no metabolism and is over 300 pounds and the stupid effing insurance co wont pay the surgery, but thats a complete other saga...) but yeah, that was REAL hard for me to ask him for that money and possibly a big reason i have an urge to earn it back - mind you, he has no problem, this is all in MY head.
we are fine without the money. but heck yeah that is a lot...really... the annual salary goes real far in paying for a childs college education, pays a big hunk of our mortgage, etc. it certainly counts. and one never knows what the future holds - maybe we should save that money...
i could work 20, maybe 25 hours - in at 8, out at 1pm..... still lots of time with the kids. but i know it is "me" time that will be cut out and selfishly, i am liking my me time. *sigh*
another plus is it is something on my cv (resume) that keeps my experience curent if i ever want to work in the future. it is a step to being a consultant with flexible seasons/hours which interests me.
heck, i would not even mind a business trip or 2 to stockholm as i have never ever been to scandinavia....
the project duration is around 3 years. kicking into gear in the fall and really heating up in 2011. initial thoughts would be a one year fixed contract at the part time hours of my choosing.
Wow Megan that's a lot to consider especially since you were so comfortable in your new situation at home with the kids and enjoying your time for yourself.
Do you feel like you need to stay current/employed in the financial industry over there? If so, then maybe this would be the answer (part time) but as you said it could also creep to 20-30-40+ work weeks which might be inevitable if the euro doesn't stabalize
I know you will make the right answer for you and your family. Good luck, this is a tough one. :hugs
Well... FWIW, I just quit the "perfect job" that fell into my lap.
Saying no is hard, particularly when it means extra money. But you're a bright, capable and experienced person... if you say no now, it surely won't be the last opportunity that will come your way.
And I completely understand what you're saying about the money. I felt the exact same way, until this job opportunity I had actually started. As soon as I started working, our lives were total chaos, and I was totally strung out. So Damon and I had a conversation, and he point blank told me that he actually preferred to take on the extra pressure of being the sole breadwinner than seeing us live that way. Once I really had tangible evidence of how much my staying home really does benefit us (particularly him, since he's the one who's taking on the stress), I have been able to relax on this quite a bit.
For me, it came down to trying to predict 20 years from now what I would've wished that I would've done. While the extra money would be incredibly helpful, I feel like I'm in a very special part of my life right now that I will never be able to get back. I just couldn't shake the idea that if I went the work route, I would have been kicking myself for not recognizing these years for what they are.
And feeling like I'm in a "special part of my life" also doesn't really make me the greatest employee ATM, LOL. I found that I had far less tolerance for bullshit and inefficiency than I ever did, even though ironically, I was getting paid by the hour now as opposed to salaried (and thus, if she wanted to call a BS meeting, it was her money... but I still didn't want to do it).
At any rate, it's a SUPER hard decision to make, and I can completely empathize. I have no doubt that you'll rock whatever you decide.
I love working so I'm not the best one to ask. I am a much better working mom than a stay home mom, that's for sure.
But, I would suggest if you do part time, I'd try to do Mon, Wed, Friday (or whatever that works out to) instead of 8-1. Everyone I know who "leaves at noon" ends up working all day anyway. If you have days on and days off, it's easier to say no to appointments that don't fit into your schedule.
It is such a hard call. I agree that if you say no to this opportunity, another will likely be right behind it but a part time opportunity may not be available.
Good luck with whatever you choose. Would you have to start right away? Do you feel that would be difficult with Cate?
Could I come to Stockholm with you? I'm reading the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series right now and I am dying to go to Stockholm. I'm a good travel buddy, I promise!
I agree with Sonya - you should consider 3 full days as opposed to 5 half days. You won't feel as pulled in either direction if you can give 100% to your kids on your days off or 100% to the job on the days your are working. This would be my ideal situation.
BTW Sonya, I am on the third book of the Dragon Tattoo series - I would love to meet your over in Stockholm!
Well... FWIW, I just quit the "perfect job" that fell into my lap.
Saying no is hard, particularly when it means extra money. But you're a bright, capable and experienced person... if you say no now, it surely won't be the last opportunity that will come your way.
And I completely understand what you're saying about the money. I felt the exact same way, until this job opportunity I had actually started. As soon as I started working, our lives were total chaos, and I was totally strung out. So Damon and I had a conversation, and he point blank told me that he actually preferred to take on the extra pressure of being the sole breadwinner than seeing us live that way. Once I really had tangible evidence of how much my staying home really does benefit us (particularly him, since he's the one who's taking on the stress), I have been able to relax on this quite a bit.
For me, it came down to trying to predict 20 years from now what I would've wished that I would've done. While the extra money would be incredibly helpful, I feel like I'm in a very special part of my life right now that I will never be able to get back. I just couldn't shake the idea that if I went the work route, I would have been kicking myself for not recognizing these years for what they are.
And feeling like I'm in a "special part of my life" also doesn't really make me the greatest employee ATM, LOL. I found that I had far less tolerance for bullshit and inefficiency than I ever did, even though ironically, I was getting paid by the hour now as opposed to salaried (and thus, if she wanted to call a BS meeting, it was her money... but I still didn't want to do it).
At any rate, it's a SUPER hard decision to make, and I can completely empathize. I have no doubt that you'll rock whatever you decide.
When I think about you Megan what is in red is exactly what I think - have your 3 older children and the blessing of sweet Cate. This is so where you wanted to be 2.5 years ago. The decision to walk away from your career was not an easy one for you but you wanted it so badly and you took a leap of faith and from what I can tell you love it!!
You are loving it and I'm sure your entire family loves having Mom around! Plus after so many years in the corporate rat race you are in a nice groove which not only allows you the time to be the wife and mother you were longing to be, it allows you time for you.
My vote is that yes, you can refuse it while letting her know that you are extremely flattered and could possibly be open to another opportunity if it presented itself in a couple of years but right now? Right now life is good and you can continue to soak up your children.
All of that being said . . . if you did go for it I would do the 3 days per week in the office for all the reasons the others have given.
-- Edited by kris on Monday 7th of June 2010 08:27:08 PM
my gut says take the opportunity. make sure it will REALLY be 20 hrs a week. i wouldnt be able to refuse career growth + income + not-full-time. it sounds ideal to me- i'd give my right arm (no i wouldnt) for this kind of op!!
you don't NEED the money. stay home and enjoy your babies before they are big! it all flashes by so quickly. you were so excited to have the opportunity to be home. cherish it! you can always try to go back to work in a year or two.
on the other hand, i totally know how you feel about not earning money. totally.
For the time vs money, I'd go for it. You can throw it all in the bank and save it. You could do it for a year or two and have a great college acct. With the economy the way it is, it can never hurt to have an emergency fund sitting there.
since you asked for advice, mine would be to enjoy what you have going now.
if you can help this lady out here and there, minus the six figures and 20 hr commitment, work as you're able and have the desire...that might be interesting
but it seems like something structured and super committed may not be a good fit at this point
p.s. marc said we got a big box from Ohio today. thanks love.
Ugh, I totally understand what you are going through since I am in a similar situation right now... I am being offered a similar salary (but not a 20 hr workweek :) and even though we do not really need the money, it is nice to be able to pay our mortgage off in couple of years and up our savings. At the same time I FEEL the lack of time I have with Christopher and it's killing me! and I am used to taking off and traveling which is not going to happen with a full time job!
Good luck on whatever you decide but I KNOW how hard it is to make a decision!
-- Edited by gogona on Thursday 10th of June 2010 09:48:43 PM
