Well, I did it. I picked a job. After much deliberation, hair pulling, stress, aggravtion, and uncertainty, I picked a job.
I am staying at my current company, but taking a position under the highest producer in the office, and one of the top 3 producers in the whole state of FL.
In order to keep my, my manager coughed up at 23% increase in my base pay, plus .05 basis points. Basically, whatever many million $$ in loans we close, I get .00005% of that as a bonus. Not bad, right? Wait, there's more.
In order to move me that far, that fast...it took some fanagling, but also included a promotion to Senior Associate. The only SA in the office. Yup. I am joining the team in a position that puts me at a higher grade level than my shadow. Wow. Wow, wow wow! Say that for about 3 hours straight, and that's been my last 24 hours.
Bovine is a little surprised. Debbie, the Loan Officer I will be working with, went to Bovine today to let her know that when I became available & resigned, she first referred me to someone at my company, closer to my new house, but then realized she had the production to be able to keep me herself, and was doing that.
Man, did the cowhide fly after that! I accepted the position this morning, Debbie came into the office specifically to talk to Bovine, and then walked past, gave me the thumbs up, and left for the day. I went in to talk to Bovine after that, and I swear, the looks she gave me. I told her that's what took 3 hours behind closed doors with our manager yesterday. That this offer wasn't even legitimately on the table until then, and that when Debbie was able to meet my other offer, that for the next year, it certainly made more sense. I told her it wasn't personal, that I had fully intended to go work elsewhere, but when this opportunity presented itself, that I really couldn't turn it down, having 2 years in the job already, etc.
She of course, acted as if I had been planning this for months & months. I told her it wasn't personal. It's the right business move for me & hubby. That it was not even a viable offer until 12/22, and that I had the day off but had to come in to accept or decline the offer, and THAT's why I was in. She's a *****, and she's stinging even more now that she knows her attempt to shaft me & leave me jobless, or to cut my salary to 24K (starting salary for the lowest position in the office) resulted in me looking elsewhere, the manager fighting to keep me, matching (and beating the base salary) my offer, and opening up endless possibilities under Debbie....I flourished when Monica tried to step on me.
I'm like a weed- try to kill me & I only grow bigger!
So...that's the plan. Same work, higher producer, higher caliber client, 2 other teammates to help divvy up the workload, nice people, same laid-back manager, freedom to do the things that I need to do- and I even got her to commit to a flexible schedule once the house is ready- whether earlier or later, I got 7-4, 7:30 to 4:30, 8 to 4:30 with a half hour lunch, or 9-5:30 with a half hour lunch as "acceptable" to her. Cool. Freedom, autonomy, support, upward movement, $$$, and still the same "fostering" and "closeness" that we've had there. Except for the Backstabbing Bovine, of course. Heh heh heh....
Oh- and I have to share this. Bovine's daughter....I need to come up with a code name for her...hmmm...Heifer? Veal? Ah, yes, veal. Veal came today for her "interview" but didn't think it would be important to bring her resume. She sat with me for about half an hour to see what I was doing. I showed her some of the spreadsheets for tracking, and the way I keep the list of what's needed on the files. When I went to lunch, she went to be interviewed, and then that fell apart because she was totally unprepared. This is the person who is supposed to help you grow your business leaps & bounds moreso than I did? Oh, come on. Snort. Chuckle. Guffaw. Uh huh...I believe that. The "highly capable" person didn't think a resume would be required. She left, and around 3:30 she faxed in a poor quality copy of a copy of a prior fax that looked like crap. I brought it to the manager, but of course, I had to peek at it first. Veal has had 10 different jobs in the last 9 years, none of which lasted more than a year. Ok, yeah, that's the stability that you want. Of course, it's Bovine's child, so there's no way around hiring her.
I CANNOT WAIT to see things fall to pieces around her. Not that I wish her ill....I wish her justice. Payback...it really is a beeeeeyotch. Get used to late nights & early mornings, Bovine & Veal. Let's see you pull this mess together.
Whew!!!
OK, all the poison is out of my system. I started moving some stuff around this afternoon. Scrubbed off what will be my new desk. I am abandoning my old phone #, catchy as it is & all. I figure if a client kept my card & calls wanting to work with Team Bovine again, it will automatically go to Veal & I won't have to deal with the explanation every time the phone rings. Better to just start fresh with a new # to give to family & hubby, and join the new team.
Ok, so what do you think? Yes, this job will be less stress, more opportunity, doing what I like, it's secure, fun people, and a great manager. Yes, it makes me happy.
My original last day was supposed to be 12/27. Since we're now tearing up my letter of resignation, I'll be there then & 12/28, and then I have scheduled 2 "sick" days (have to use that time or lose it) for "medical appts" that I made when I was going to be off from work that week. So...2 days to move crap & get my new setup ready, and move the existing stuff for Veal to the empty office next to Bovine. Files, etc. Keeping my computer & printer & moving that, plus planning to keep a small file cabinet to move to my new digs. She can have the big one.
Well, I have been running off at the fingers for how long now? I've got to get a few things settled...tomorrow we leave for Christmas at Mom's, so time to get things prepared & packed, and then chill out & take an hour to myself to veg out, or take a bubble bath. Ahhh...that sounds like a good way to celebrate!
(((chickies)))
Hope you all have a wonderful holiday! Merry, merry to all who celebrate, and safe traveling for everyone gathering with family & friends. Be safe, have fun, enjoy, and let's be ready to hit this in full swing after the holidays! New Year coming up, so that's a new challenge of course, and some new habits to start thinking about!
hikein2005 , 12-18-2004 08:03 AM
Jaymi_Dol_78 , 12-19-2004 05:11 PM
**Jennifer** , 12-20-2004 02:49 PM
don't envey you your choice, but, on the up side.... you have a choice to make.
lameducklucy , 12-23-2004 12:00 PM
FIrst, congrats on the offers, my dear! I say forget about the commute. You've been working in a small office for a while now, haven't you? And you hate the gossip and the stupid crap that comes with it, plus the uncertainty of not getting your paycheck (which happened a couple of times, right?) because the office IS small, and if things don't happen, y'all don't get paid. I know a lot of people would say it sounds snobby, but take the higher paying job that you'll have a longer commute for. I drive 1 1/2 hrs each way to work, EVERY DAY. It's still worth it. And you might be able to find someone to carpool with, ya know? 
