Holy Cow, my first job interview is next week!

[Torontonian 0]

Hi guys! I'd love to know what everyone thinks of this scenario.

A bit of background: I am a fundraiser by trade, I raise money for charities and nonprofits. I do things like corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, donations through the mail, major gift solicitations from big donors, etc. Most of my experience has been in the performing arts, but I have also worked at a hospital and a humane society.

Anyway, I got my EAD last month, but have not been actively applying for jobs until recently because I had some travelling home to do first. When I came back, the first thing I did was have an informational interview with the Kennedy Center, that major icon of arts in the USA. (I live about 1.5 hours from DC). They didn't have any openings at my level but they liked my resume and recommended I start applying for jobs and also apply for their Fellowship Program, which is a year of working in every department, taking all kinds of courses and attending the theatre. You also get to meet all kinds of important people. It's like getting paid to get a graduate degree, and I don't even have an undergrad degree, I went straight from high school into the working world, and we all know how much everyone in the US seems to want a degree!

So.........they said I should not count on getting the Fellowship (they only accept 10 in the world) but to apply anyway, and be sure to apply for other jobs as well and things would sort themselves out in the end.

I have applied for three things since that time, one in the performing arts (they are calling people for interviews next week, don't know if I'm in that group yet) and two in wildlife/environmental conservation, my other passion.

One of my applications was submitted yesterday. It sounds like a job I could do in my sleep. I particularly liked the "competetive vacations, sick and personal leave" aspect of the benefits. Time off is more important to me than money. They asked for salary requirements, so I put down the minimum I was willing to take from a major organization, and what I thought was fair for what the position entails.

Well, this morning I got a call, not from the HR dep't, but from the woman who would be my boss if I got this job. She wants me to interview with her and the VP of Development next week! I guess my salary requirements were acceptable. Now I wonder if I should have asked for more? Well, I think they will pay me what they want to pay me regardless.

Anyway, who knows if I will get the job, but the fact that they called the very next day is a good sign I think. But what to do about the Kennedy Center Fellowship? I won't find out about that until mid-May/early June! What if this is a fabulous job but they need a commitment right away? Do I tell them I just can't take anything until I find out about the Fellowship?!?!? AGH!!!!!!

[pax 0]

Hi!

I would take the job if you feel like it's a good fit for you. While I've found, in my own experience and at VJ, that while a surprising number of employers are willing to wait for EADs to come through and such, they do want a commitment that you'll take the job and start ASAP once the technical and legal incidentals come through. Taking the job would, I think, be a win-win for you: you get to work and start making some money and building up experience, you have something to do if the Fellowship doesn't go through, and if it does, you have a bargaining chip.

I hope the interview goes well for you; I know you will totally rock it like Adam Clayton's bass line on AMAAW. Let us know how it goes.

[Jenn! 918]

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

JMHO.

Good luck with whatever decision you make!

[Jasman0717 9]

Good luck

[Kez/JWolf 6]

Why not take the job if you are offered it and if the fellowship turns out then just leave the job... that is what I would do....

Good Luck in whatever you choose...

Kezzie

[canadalaura 0]

I would take the job and not pin all my hopes on something that they only accept 10 people globally for. Tell them that you would have to wait, and I'm sure they would have NO problem finding someone else to fill the position by June.

[Nikita2Charles 32]

Good luck with the interview, I would say TAKE THE JOB, and by may you would have a broad experience and more feedback being on the job, if it's something you are enjoying and want to do it in the long term.

[Kajikit 65]

If they offer you this job, TAKE IT! You can always leave if the fellowship comes through, but it sounds like the odds of that are slim indeed. You might have to apply for the fellowship three years running if it's something you REALLY want to do... in the meantime, a job in the hand is worth two in the bush!

[Torontonian 0]

Well, now things have got a little more complicated. Much to my complete amazement, I now have THREE job interviews lined up instead of one, and I still have this Fellowship to consider, which I won't find out about until mid-May/early-June. I am hoping of course that at least one of them will offer me a job....but if that does happen, I will have a terrible time deciding!!!

If you were me, would you take more responsibility/work for more money, or a more relaxing job for less money, all benefits being equal?

[canadalaura 0]

Myself, I would be all about responsibility/money - but it really depends on your own personal priorities and where you feel you would be happiest! Good luck