A job dilemma, maybe

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

Well, I’m probably going to make a job move sometime in the next six months, and maybe a lot sooner. I like my current job quite a bit, but it is dependent on grant money which I, as a contractor, have little control over. Our previous sugar-momma retired and her replacements have their own pet projects.

Anyway.

I just got a call-back about a job I applied for recently and they are interested in interviewing me. I’d like the help of all you wise and experienced types out there. Here are the pros and cons of the potential new job as I see them (before the interview.)

Pros:

–There is a strong chance that I will have to find something before August. We may get more funding and we may not and it might go down to the wire.
–I would get experience in a new industry (healthcare) with many more potential opportunities.
–Greater job security, not dependent on soft money.

Cons:

–It sounds like they will be able to equal my current salary but not better it. Ditto with benefits.
–The commute will be at least doubled (my current commute is 10 mins.)
–My current job is very low pressure. The new one will involve more pressure. (The interviewer already mentioned doctors with “strong personalities.”)

So, what do you think. If I did go for a new job with an equal salary, what other perks might I consider asking for? My qualifications are somewhat higher than the minimum required, but I don’t have experience in this particular setting.

2

Healthcare is very recession-proof. I work in healthcare, and I enjoy it. Physicians can be very demanding, but they have good reason – they are responsible for peoples health and well-being. Also, our education system is set up so that it’s not the ‘nice guy’ who suceeds in medical school. It’s the type ‘A’, driven, egomaniacs who become doctors.

It doesn’t help that almost all the money in healthcare requires a physician’s signature for billing. Forget 300 lb. gorilla, physicians are 30,000 lb. gorillas, in small cages.

As for the commute, I’m assuming you drive 10 minutes? This will kill your car! The engine must warm up completely to boil all the condensed water out of the oil. A 20 minute commute will actually be better for your car.

Remember, it’s not about the money – it’s about the quality of your life. Work makes up too much of our concious time to be doing something you don’t enjoy.

Good luck.