Friday, May 21, 2010

I'm really just posting this to try and wrap my brain around some things and writing stuff down like this always helps. However, I would like any advice that anyone would like to throw my way, as I'm having to make a tough decision this weekend.

I was offered a new job today. I was actively looking for a new job (and have been for a few months now). My current job is the wedding coordinator for a large hotel chain (internationally known) in my town. I basically do sales of potential brides, then handle all the weddings once they have booked here, and then I'm the on-site contact for the day of the wedding as well (so I attend/coordinate all the weddings held here - about 60 to 70 a year). I do love aspects of my job, but after 4 seasons of planning weddings non-stop, I was/am burned out. Majorly. The hours are insane. I work 60-70 hours a week in the summer, primarily during the weekends. I work every Saturday, all year long. Most of my Saturdays are 12, 13, sometimes 14 hour days.

I knew all this going into the job 4 years ago, but it's still a difficult transition to deal with never having off on a weekend to spend time with my family, J and my friends. Constantly having to turn down invitations to certain things (weddings, parties) because I can't take off any time in the summer, at all. In the 4 years that I worked there, I have taken 2 vacations, 1 of which was for my wedding and honeymoon and the other was just 4 days off to attend another wedding. So it was draining to say the least.

Not that I don't love weddings, brides, etc. but at this point in my life, I started feeling like I was missing out on a lot. Also, we do want to have kids at some point in the near future, and I didn't feel like I would be able to have kids working my current hours. I also have other gripes about the job - mainly pretty horrible and annoying co-workers. I could probably write 50 blog posts about that.

I am on a salary, with a bonus system in place for upselling clients/brides on better food/beverage/upgrades. The first two years at my job were awesome and I was making more money than I ever have before. That's really the only thing that made the hours tolerable.

Last May, due to the economy, they cut our salaries by about 20% and took away all bonuses. In addition to our (new, lower) salary, we do now get 1% of our total sales for each month. In the winter (slow months), that can be as little as $50 (literally) and in the summer, that 1% can be as high as a few thousand dollars. But the problem is that it's never regular - I never know what my paycheck is going to be before I open it - a little scary to say the least! Especially with having a mortgage and bills...it was insane during Christmas to receive hardly any money! And couple the lower salary with the fact that I was still working over 50 hours a week - there was a major problem. J figured out that my hourly rate was like $1.56 or something crazy like that. Oh, and also to save money, my company took away paid holidays. So now we can either work Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, etc. or not get paid for them. Yeah, sounds illegal huh?

Anyways, I started looking for a new job because I was pretty fed up and really sad about how the job I once loved had become something I now hate. I contemplated starting my own wedding planning business, but that's just not something that would be an option for us financially right now.

So after 3 rounds of interviews, I was offered a new job with another hotel chain in my town. This job is doing corporate events, some marketing (which is my background) and a little bit of sales for the hotel. It definitely does interest me, even though I do love weddings, I think a change into the more corporate side of things could be very interesting. The other thing - the job is Monday - Friday from 8 to 5 every day. No weekends, no nights. Straight normal 40 hour a week job.

Here is my dilemma - the salary. I haven't sat down yet to figure out my exact salary at my current job (since I never have a regular paycheck anymore, to be honest, I don't even know what my salary is!). But this new job is less than I am making now - not by much, but I'm pretty sure it's less.

So I guess my question is - should I accept this new job and the new (probably lower) salary? Is it wrong to take a job making less, when I know my quality of life will be so much better, since I'll have so much more time for my friends and family? I know you should constantly strive to make more, but when does that get outweighed by my own personal sanity of leaving a job that I'm so unhappy at? And then I worry, there are definitely aspects of my job THAT I LOVE - will I regret leaving? I absolutely adore my brides - the wonderful feedback and thank you notes that I have received over the last 4 years is seriously incredible. I'm also really scared/sad to think about telling my boss that I'm leaving - he will seriously be floored and upset. Also, I'm leaving a whole summer of brides in the lurch with a new coordinator taking over their weddings - which I feel guilty about already.

Ok, really I just wanted to get this all out. Trying to wrap my brain around everything. I have to give the new job an answer on Monday. I doubt I will be getting much sleep this weekend.

20 comments:

Through Rose Colored Glasses said...

I understand your pain trying to figure out the next step in your career. It is hard to know what to do next and to know how much your worth so to speak.
I would say to take the new job. It seems as if your desire for a more set and easier/normal schedule is at the top of your list. Maybe you could ask for more money. Tell them that you would love the job but arent sure you can walk away from what you are making now. It is worth a shot maybe?

Ashley said...

I would go with the new job! Working weekend and all summer is fine when you're in your early 20's, but not ideal when you're married and want your own family.

jillskict said...

Salaries are usually negotiable. I would share with them your concerns about the salary and then talk to them about how you can grow and what your earning potential down the road would be. Talk to them about the possibility of a bonus structure for upselling the corporate clients while letting them know that you have experience doing this and that one of your greatest strengths is ensuring client satisfaction.

They should be lucky to have someone like you! You have to know and value your own worth!

mFw said...

It seems like you have laid out the facts and leaving the job you have now seems like the best option! When telling your boss I would just explain your reasons especially that you want to start a family! Good luck with your decision and its all in God's hands!

EmilyB said...

I would go with the new job....but try to convince them to up the pay if you can....or ask for it to be reevaluated based on performance at the end of 1 year. You will be happy to have weekends. PLUS maybe with all your wedding planning experience, you could launch your own boutique wedding coordinating business? You could choose when you wanted to do a wedding, and when not. Just an idea! Kudos to you for nailing the new job....whether you take it or not!

Always Pretty in Pink said...

Is your husband off on weekends? I think it would be worth switching. I have kind of the same problem, I am a cake decorator, and the hours are totally crazy. I would switch to a 9 to 5 if I had the chance. I want to have kids, and enjoy weekends with my husband. I think that would be worth the pay cut. Especially if it would be steady income, and not vay all the time. That would stress me out.

Ally said...

I would be careful NOT to mention the ABSURD hours your current job demands of you and request a higher salary for the new job offer. I feel like men are ALWAYS able to negotiate and women rarely try. I would take the new job hands down as long as they raise it a little or at least contract to increase your salary or re-evaluate it within a few months. GOOD LUCK.

prashant said...

Your blog layout is great..
indian classified site

Chelsea said...

I think your sanity, happiness and well-being is much more important than any salary! Are there possibilities for bonuses and over time in the new position?

Belle said...

I am going through almost the exact same situation, so I can 100% see where you are coming from. I think your happiness is worth so much more than a job that you're not happy with and making more money. Money is definitely not everything and I think if you're really happy in this new job (if you accept the position), then you will eventually work your way up to making more- when you love what your doing, it shows in your work. Best of luck with this decision. I know it's a hard one!

Unknown said...

Even though your salary now might be more it sounds like it is because of the long hours. With the new job there is always the possiblity of starting a business on the side or working for another bridal consultant on a part time basis. Also, working with corporate events opens the door for other career options.
Good luck with whatever you decide.

Alyssa said...

I understand what you are going through! I worked in the bridal industry for awhile, not the same capacity but similar. I think that even though you would be making less, your quality of life would be so much more.

"Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life"

You work so you can live, so I say go live your life!

Barefoot in the Park said...

oh man. i went through a similar thing. im making way less than i did before but i have to look at it this way. now there are 2 of your combining an income .. not just one means of support. i think it will make you a happier person to be no a regualr schedule for once & it will be regular rather than up and down... i'd take it!

Hilary said...

As far as your boss & the brides, they may be upset, but they'll get over it. You can't stay unhappy because you don't want to make someone else upset, because no matter when you leave, someone is still going to be unhappy about it. As far as the salary, as long as you can pay the bills, I wouldn't worry about it. As long as there is room for a raise down the road, you have something to look forward to.

Knowing what you've written here, I'd go for it! Good luck!

Always Organizing said...

I agree with a lot of the other commenters that it seems like taking the new job sounds like the best plan. Your sanity and life with your family and friends is worth SO much more than the salary differential. If you are planning to start a family soon then having something with regular hours sounds great. Who wants to be pregnant and exhausted working 14 hours on a Saturday?

I totally agree with Emily B about launching your own wedding business. Your own wedding was stunning and you would be fabulous! Having weekends and evenings free to do that would be great. Just my 2 cents. Good luck!

Lisa said...

I would take it in a heartbeat! It doesn't seem like your current employer has taken a lot of care of you, and probably other employees, lately and honestly, just having hours and weekends back in your life is probably worth anything else you'd be sacrificing by taking the new job.

Alyson said...

You're quality of life is worth so much more than any salary. I would try to negotiate a little on the price, at least ask for what you're making now. It can never hurt.

Day Old News said...

I would take the new job. Better hours means the time you get with your loved ones will be more enjoyable, even if the pay is a little less. Good luck!

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

If you can look at your budget and make it work financially, I think quality of life is absolutely worth a lower salary. I've been there myself!

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness, I am definitely adding you to my blogroll. I came over from Ashely's Antics simply out of boredom. Then, I read this post and now I feel like I have found a kindered soul. I have a very similar job as the one you just gave up and I know exactly how you feel. Stop by some time!

 
Site Design by Designer Blogs