So here is my dilemma:
I’ve been working at this company as a receptionist since the beginning of February. I know it’s not very appropriate to discuss salaries, but I make $20,000 a year. I enjoy this job, though I’m not very busy. At first, I was like, “Wow, I get a lot of down time to just do whatever, and I get paid for it.” Now, it’s July 1 st , and I’ve been thinking, “Man, I’d love to have more to do.” I know the market isn’t great right now with the economy being as s---ty as it is so I understand it being slow. I’ve shown to them that I can take on more tasks and responsibility; they’ve given me that when they receive something for me to do and follow up on. I’m thankful for this job because it really did turn my life around. It made me more stable in all of the foundations in my life, and I couldn’t be happier.
I also work as a receptionist on the weekends, and yesterday I was hit with some news that caught my attention. I received an email from HR that an office manager position would most likely be opening up at the location I work at on the weekends. If I was interested, then I needed to let her know. I emailed her back just asking if she could send me more information on the position that will be available. She promptly responded back with the details:
“Attached is the job description. The starting salary is $34,000. Performance and salary are reviewed annually. We offer medical and dental insurance. You will have 12 days of paid time off to use during your first year of employment and be given one additional day each year thereafter up to a maximum accumulation of 20 days. We offer a 401(k) plan and a company paid retirement plan.”
Well, let’s just say I was shocked into a state of speechlessness. That’s $14,000 MORE than what I make now, and it still offers insurance, paid time off, and a retirement plan. I already have my own IRA which I contribute to twice monthly, so it was nice to see that they offer a retirement plan of their own. I reviewed the job description and the tasks that I will be handling up on daily and monthly, and it is mush more responsibility that what I’m taking on right now at my current Monday through Friday job that I started back in February.
Most people reading this are probably thinking I’m crazy not to leave and take this job! I know, I know. I’ve already talked to friends and family about it in the past 24 hours, and they all agree that I should definitely jump at this opportunity. My boyfriend told me, “At the end of the day, you have to look out for you. The job you have now could decide to let you go without notice because it is so slow there. In the end you have to make a living for yourself.” I know what he says is true. I trust his opinion more than anyone else’s (other than my dad’s.)
The problem I’m faced with is this:
If I am offered the job most definitely, how do I go about talking to my current employer to let them know my change of plans?
I feel like this job I have now, well… I’ve grown close to these people, and they’ve done nothing but compliment me. I feel like the owner’s daughter (who also works here) is like my very own sister now. I can talk to her about anything. She told me the other day that she hopes I wouldn’t leave—that I’m the “best they’ve had in a long time.” Hearing that made me feel great!! I was even able to tell her how this job really turned my life around. I’ve only been working here since February (5 months), and I feel like I just started to really get into the job. I’m starting to understand things better here, learning the terminology, how the business works, etc. I would feel like a real ----- if I left them, but my boyfriend is right: I have to take care of myself.
So my question to everyone is:
How do you go about telling your boss that you’ve found another job? What things do you say or not say?
Please help! Thanks!! –Madelyn
Ps—I have a meeting at 5PM (in less than 2 hours) to meet and discuss this office manager position with the head of HR TODAY!!
