Honest opinions, please.

[ZumZum]

How would you feel about this?
It is now known here that I am actively looking for a new job. I have been offered a position with my second choice and I decided to see what happens with my first choice, "A", before I give "B" an answer.

So here is the deal. I was told by the SM of "A" that she would call me on Thursday, Oct. 26 to schedule the net interview with her RM.
Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday went by with no phone call. I shot her an email on Monday Oct 30 inquiring of the next step.

She replied on 11/1 telling me she was on vacation but still interested in setting up the interview. She tells me to call her today to set up the time.

It took me four tries to get her today and she was a little short with me on the phone. I couldn't have her call me back because I was at work and had to choose an opportune time to call her (when my employees wouldn't hear me).

She tells me that her RM will contact her tomorrow and tell her when she wants to speak with me. She doesn't ask me what me schedule is like and when would be best for me. That annoyed me.

She also tells me that they are looking at 12/1 as the start date. That sucks for me. If I tell "B" no because I am hoping to get "A" I wont be able to go back to "B" if I don't get "A". Hope you follow that.

What do you think? Are they really not interested? It is a different kind of retail for me, I don't have experience in this.
Should I just take "B"? I need to get out of where I am. It is sucking away my soul.

Thanks for your input.

[Rahmota]

To be perfectly honest, in my opinion, your milage may vary, If things are bad enough at where you are jumping ship to ("B") might be a good idea. Also if I was in your shoes I would probably do the same thing. Why? Here is why?

One: Well the communication at ("A") does not seem the greatest. Poor communication is not necessarily a sign of a bad workplace but it definately doesnt help things.

two: Sometimes its best to abandon ship before being forced to walk the plank or become a zombie doomed to eternally swab the deck. Since you already have a place to land set up ("B") thats all good.

three: The attitude at ("A") doesnt exactly sound like they wanna work with you so they can work with you.

Hope this helps any.

[Seanette]

I'd be seriously questioning working for "A", myself. They're either extremely disorganized or yanking you around for the hell of it, and if they're doing this to you in the "convince the applicant he/she wants to work here" stage, I think it'll probably get worse once you're an actual employee and they have that much more power over you.

[JustAGirl]

I agree with the above. I'd take "B" as they've already given you an offer and doesn't sound like they've been dilly dallying about getting in touch with you.

"A" sounds very disorganized/uncaring.

Take the job with "B", and do NOT call "A". Have them call you, then you can say "oops already found a job, kthx"

[Knightmare]

Yup. I totally agree with everyone. Go for the sure thing. "A" dropped the ball many times all ready. "B" wants you. If you need to get out of your job, what are you waiting for? You have a better opportunity. Go for it.

[ZumZum]

Thanks everyone! The decision has been made to give my notice tomorrow. This should be interesting.

The only hard part? My staff is going to KILL me. They love me and tell me every day (no, I am not gloating, just feeling a little guilty).

I had my Holiday meeting today. I felt so bad telling them how great the season is going to be knowing in the back of my mind I was leaving.
Wow, this is going to be tough.

Any ideas how to soften the blow? I could recruit all of them in the future when I get back to a closer store (mall I was offered is about an hour away).

[dispatch]

maybe the good ol' "there comes a time" speech????

one of my old bosses gave us all cards with individual messages for christmas, a few weeks later he was gone, I still have it in a drawer and think about what he told me about my character and leadership potential.

invite them all out to go bowling for one last hoo-hah????

sorry, I just think that bowling has the potential to solve allot of the world's problems

[lordlundar]

body armor and kind words?

It's best to get to the point, but also note to them that the problem comes from higher up, not them.

[ZumZum]

So I gave my notice today. My DM did not take it well. In fact she claims I blind sided her. Whatever. Everyone knew I wasn't happy. Sorry I didn't make it clear enough to her.

She is coming to my store tomorrow to try and talk me out of it. Guess I should be flattered. Either that or she has no succession plan in place for my store.

It is close to holiday, so in that aspect the timing sucks for them.

I spoke with my soon to be new DM and she is (sort of) encouraging me to leave sooner! LOL
She says it is up to me to do the right thing, but the sooner I can start, the better.

I will see how tomorrow goes. If it goes the way I think it will, I may very well wind up walking out.
DH says he is fine if I do that since I have another job locked up.

On the other note.. Job "A" called me. I have the phone interview tomorrow. We will see if I have a good vibe with the RM. I am not qualified for the area of retail it is, so it wont devastate me if I don't get it. I will keep everyone posted!

[Rahmota]

Well good luck on everything.

Maybe you can always use "It was the best of times it was the worst of times" as your parting words.

[ZumZum]

New development. My DM came to my store today to try and talk me out of leaving. She brought up some good points.

I had my phone interview with "A" today. I don't think it could have gone any better.
They are looking to bring someone on after the holiday season.

So, I have decided to stay where I am (my DM is really trying to make it work). Then pursue my first choice after the holiday. I know there are no guarantees with "A", but it is a chance I am willing to take.

My big problem now is telling "B" that I am not going to go with them. Yikes.

[Rahmota]

Well good luck with all that. Just make sure that you are doing it because you want to and not on the words of management or some sense of duty that may or may not be repaid. (Personal experience on that one.) BUt hey if things work out then terriffic.

As for B just be polite and professional. Explain the situation and hopefully they'll understand.

Either way choose your path or it will be chosen for you. Good luck.

[ZumZum]

Thanks. I did talk to "B". I have to say she took it very well. She even said to call her after the holiday season if I decide to leave. I thought that was very professional.

I am keeping my fingers crossed for "A". The money and opportunity would be out of this world.