a quandry

[smileyeagle1021]

ok, so I've been told that I'm so far the most qualified candidate for a night audit job (pretty much it's a shoe in, the only way someone could be more qualified for what they need is if there was someone with some accounting education/experience, that has worked at an actual hotel reservation desk, rather than working for a chain reservation desk) but I apparently also qualify for a TSA job, they've invited me to take a pre-employment test. Here's the problem, TSA would take a lot of time to get into and isn't guaranteed, I would likely have to turn down the night audit job to pursue the TSA job. TSA does pay more ($2 an hour) but they wouldn't look as good on my long term resum`e...
so I guess the question is, ultimately should I accept the TSA job even though it doesn't look as well on my resum`e if I was given a choice between them at the same time, and if that answer is yes, should I turn down the night audit job without yet hearing from TSA?

[Imprl59]

Do you like the hotel industry? With the night audit job you can pretty much run your own show, limited number of sucky customers to deal with and a pretty good chane to move up the food chain at the motel.

TSA is a gubment job (at least thats we call them in the south) and has some advantages with benefits and salary but they don't have the best reputation. The hotel job seems like it would be challenging and different while the TSA job would be days of standing around bored. You don't seem like the kind of person that would do well in that environment to me.

Steve B.

[smileyeagle1021]

Do you like the hotel industry? With the night audit job you can pretty much run your own show, limited number of sucky customers to deal with and a pretty good chane to move up the food chain at the motel.

TSA is a gubment job (at least thats we call them in the south) and has some advantages with benefits and salary but they don't have the best reputation. The hotel job seems like it would be challenging and different while the TSA job would be days of standing around bored. You don't seem like the kind of person that would do well in that environment to me.

Steve B.

i find myself leaning a lot more towards what you are saying... but with things how they are money is a big motivator... but I do think you're right (besides, I still haven't done the math on how much it would cost to commute out to the airport compared to commuting downtown).

[Megg]

Were I you, I would probably take the job with more money. Then I would hate it, and kick myself for letting money lead me astray.

I guess I'm trying to say I think you should go with the night audit job. Who knows, it may lead to something with even more money than TSA is offering, but either way, happiness > money.

Good luck! :wave:

[marasbaras]

As an employer, I'd choose someone who had the night audit job experience rather than the TSA experience. There are many TSA workers who are trying to do good work. There are many who just look worthless. And, TSA management ... don't get me started on the stupid, stupid ideas they have for "security".

A night audit job to an employer says "responsibility taken".

So, I guess it's money vs. resume.

[smileyeagle1021]

kinda related to this... how long should you usually wait before calling a potential employer to check on your application?

eta: also what are the kosher rules on leaving voice mails asking about the status of an application?

[wagegoth]

I usually wait about one to two days after I was told to expect an answer before I call. I go with the assumption that the person might be sick, unexpectedly busy, etc.

But call. It lets them know that you really are interested. Be sure to get through to the person, or, at the least, the person's immediate assistant. Never settle for the receptionist or the front desk; they may never get the message. If you get voicemail, have a message ready. I will actually have a message noted down that I have practiced so that I'm not stumbling over something. Nothing long, but you don't want to sound like an idiot.

Something like, "Good morning, this is Smiley Eagle. We spoke on Thursday when I left my application and résumé for the night auditor's position. It was mentioned at the time that I should hear from you by Tuesday, so I wanted to check in. I can be reached at [cell phone] or [home phone]. Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. I'm looking forward to hearing from you."

[smileyeagle1021]

yay, i spoke to the GM, well, I left a message, he called me back saying he couldn't find my app but would look for it then went into detail on the application process and really scared the crap out of me, then he called back a little bit later and left a message saying he was sorry, he thought I was asking about the status of a membership application, he had found my application for the night audit position and he'd schedule my interview later this week or early next week... omg I was so scared because he was talking about going in front of the board of direectors to have my application approved and then have the existing members approve it...and I'm like holy shit... then thank you God he called back and said it was a mistake...

sorry if I rambled, it's been a long day.

[Evil Queen]

It's okay, baby. *rubs back*

I would pick the night auditing job over TSA. The night Audit workers I know love the position because it's generally quiet, almost never have to deal with sucky customers (almost always check in the last guest to arrive) and love it even more for the downtime.

You may get paid more for the TSA gig, but the Night Audit job is practically a shoe-in and you'd have enough downtime to pursue other things -- my last Night Auditer was going to college, my current one writes music.

[smileyeagle1021]

It's okay, baby. *rubs back*

I would pick the night auditing job over TSA. The night Audit workers I know love the position because it's generally quiet, almost never have to deal with sucky customers (almost always check in the last guest to arrive) and love it even more for the downtime.

You may get paid more for the TSA gig, but the Night Audit job is practically a shoe-in and you'd have enough downtime to pursue other things -- my last Night Auditer was going to college, my current one writes music.

yeah, i'm truly leaning towards it... besides, even though it has a higher hourly to go with tsa but tsa right now is maxed out at 20 hours a week...

[Evil Queen]

Yeah, I'd go with the Night Audit position. There's a better chance you would hit OT on the night audit position and with the hotel jobs payrate going up this summer? I would go for it.

[smileyeagle1021]

yay, they called me back and I'm scheduled for an interview on monday... wish me luck.

[Evil Queen]

*wishes lots of luck*

:wave: Let us know how it goes!

[smileyeagle1021]

well, I had my interview today, I think it went pretty well... I find out either tomorrow or wednesday whether or not I got the job...

now it's just down to hoping that my best on the interview was good enough and prayer.

(and thank you to all of you who wished me luck)

[Evil Queen]

I'm sure you'll get the job Smiley. :)

[smileyeagle1021]

I'm sure you'll get the job Smiley. :)

kinda :ot:
but have you noticed how this thread has become a nearly private conversation between just the 2 of us?

[Evil Queen]

Gasp! Oh noes! :D

Yeah, I have noticed. *puts on the moves* So... you wanna come over sometime and talk shop? :eyewaggle:

And you know I'm kidding, right? :p

[smileyeagle1021]

Gasp! Oh noes! :D

Yeah, I have noticed. *puts on the moves* So... you wanna come over sometime and talk shop? :eyewaggle:

And you know I'm kidding, right? :p

sure... i'll be over just as soon as I can rob enough banks to afford the gas to drive to texas (sadly, I'm only half joking on that... I would have to rob a bank to afford the gas).

[Evil Queen]

You live near Salt Lake, right?

Albuquerque is kinda half way. ;) Meet ya there in a year? (I'm moving back to New Mexico this winter and have friends in Utah that I'll be visiting eventually.)

[smileyeagle1021]

You live near Salt Lake, right?

Albuquerque is kinda half way. ;) Meet ya there in a year? (I'm moving back to New Mexico this winter and have friends in Utah that I'll be visiting eventually.)

yes, very close, I live in Salt Lake (not Salt Lake City... there is a difference, kinda like with New York and New York City) about 5 miles outside of downtown.

and sure, see you in Albuquerque...

[Evil Queen]

Yay! :D See you then!

[smileyeagle1021]

:cry:
they decided to go with 2 part timers rather than 1 full timer... and their part time shift isn't enough hours for me to be able to afford
:cry:

oh well, back to monster.com and craigslist I go...

[Evil Queen]

AAHHH! :cry: I'm sorry Smiley. :( And I was damned sure you were a shoe-in for that job too!

[smileyeagle1021]

AAHHH! :cry: I'm sorry Smiley. :( And I was damned sure you were a shoe-in for that job too!

i did too... there were only 2 other people who applied, neither of which was more qualified than me... however, both of them were willing to work part time which not only saves the hotel on benefits and gives them greater flexibility if one person can't work a shift... and to be honest, I can't hold the second part against them.

[Evil Queen]

Part timers are becoming more and more common. When I first started looking for jobs (about 4 years ago now) everyone wanted full timers. Now they want part timers.

Luckily for me I can live on part-time hours but not everyone can. It's a rare thing to do (of course, I also have two other room mates).

[smileyeagle1021]

Part timers are becoming more and more common. When I first started looking for jobs (about 4 years ago now) everyone wanted full timers. Now they want part timers.

Luckily for me I can live on part-time hours but not everyone can. It's a rare thing to do (of course, I also have two other room mates).

yeah, I only have one... I may need a second though... and really, I could afford less hours... but that would require cashing out some of my inheritance, which I swore that I would never use for living expenses, I swore I would only use that for major investments (ie, education, a car, and the down payment on my condo and some day if i ever move up the down payment on that... after that it will be saved for retirement).
So I've decided tomorrow I'll get up early, go into work to fill out the paperwork for my tuition reimbursement, then spread my resum`e like wild oats to the hotels in the area (i may even be able to stay within the hotel group in which case I might not lose all my benis).