Advice about my job/career***UPDATE***

[krunchykrome]

I work in the tax dept at this large company. We just got a new tax director. I've been interning here for a year now, and I just graduated with my degree in accounting. For the last few months, everyone I work with (Tax Manager, Senior accountants, etc) have been lobbying for me to the CFO so that I would be offered a full-time position upon graduation. Well, hiring authority is given to the new tax director. I met with her and she's been here for about 2 weeks now. Now, let me also say that I was led to believe that an offer would be made to me here upon graduation. I really do want to work for this company. The tax director says that they can't hire anyone right now, however, she is willing to hire me as a temporary employee for 6 months. During the 6 months, I have to make a committment with the tax dept. for 3 months, and after that, I am free to continue the remaining 3 months. I will be paid a salary of $41,000, so for six months, Im looking at $20500 gross. Since it's a temporary position, I will not receive any benefits at all.

Basically Im being screwed here. It's busy tax season, and they want to use me at a minimum cost to them (temp employee with no benefits) without offering me a full-time position.

My concern is the 3 month committment. If I take this offer, I have to keep in the back of my head the idea of getting a new job soon, BUT, I can't take any offers from other companies for the next 3 months (because of the 3 month committment.)

I told upper management that I wanted a week to think about it. I already have my letter of resignation prepared, I'm just contemplating what I shoud do. Im fresh out of college, I have money in the savings to last for about 4 months. I just feel like I can do better than that crappy BS offer I was given and I should just keep my pride and look for another job.

What do you guys think?


CLIFFS:

Interning at company for a year
Graduated college
Offered a crappy temporary position with no benefits just for the tax season
Deciding whether or not I shoudld take it


***UPDATE***------------------------------------
Well, after last Monday's bad news and crappy job offer from my internship, I got a call from a regional accounting firm for an auditing position. I interviewed the next day and I was offered a new job by the end of the week. The position is staff auditor, it pays in the low $40K's, 401K, full benefits, and a bunch of other perks. One thing I really liked about the position and company is that this firm actually pays overtime on top of base salaries. Overtime is almost always necessary with auditing, and this is one of the only firms I know of that will compensate employees for extra hours.



This morning, I went into the director's office (where I currently intern) and gave them the news that I would not be accepting the temporary position they offered me and I would be working only two more weeks with the company. First they asked why, and I said it was because of the temporary status that would exempt me from receiving any benefits. They immedietly made me a counter-offer and said they might be able to give me benefits. Then I said I wanted a permanent position, not a 6- month position, in which they countered again by saying that they might be able to extend the length of the offer. After saying that I was firm with my decision, they asked me if I would change my mind if they renegotiated an offer for me.

I said no.

 

[BigJ]

I'd tell management to fvck off. Worst case scenario, I'm sure you could find another temporary position being the season is going to go full bore soon.

And they sure as sh!t can hire someone right now. The new tax director is trying to save the company money.

 

[tfinch2]

That's a sh!tty situation. I'd say take the money now, and have 3 months to find a new job while you're currently working.

 

[mcvickj]

Time to play hard ball. It is either full time or nothing at all. You have to be willing to walk out that door to make it work.

 

[leftyman]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

I just feel like I can do better than that crappy BS offer I was given and I should just keep my pride and look for another job.

What do you guys think?

I think you answered your own question. :thumbsup:

 

[NuroMancer]

Originally posted by: tfinch2
That's a sh!tty situation. I'd say take the money now, and have 3 months to find a new job while you're currently working.

So, he should take the crapy temp position, and wait till after tax season to try find a job?

I think that you should clearly express your position, and move on.

 

[LS20]

apply for a new job now and leverage that for a better offer at your current place

 

[kranky]

Can you decline the temporary position (and it's 3 month commitment) and still look for another job? It wouldn't surprise me if they kept you even if you don't make the 3 month commitment because it is the busy season. You might be able to keep working, avoid the commitment, and look for a better job all at the same time.

 

[Chunkee]

welcome to the working world.

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: kranky
Can you decline the temporary position (and it's 3 month commitment) and still look for another job? It wouldn't surprise me if they kept you even if you don't make the 3 month commitment because it is the busy season. You might be able to keep working, avoid the commitment, and look for a better job all at the same time.

Well, I think that since I have just graduated, I can't intern anymore according to company policy. So to stay on board, I must take an offer for a position, in this case, a temporory position with no benefits.

Im leaning towards not taking the offer. I figure Im young, I have money to live off of for some months while I search for another job, and I have too much pride to take this insulting offer. I feel like I deserve more than this from the company and I feel like I can do better.

 

[KMc]

Why not take the temporary position and spend the next 3 months looking for a new job on their dime instead of using up your savings?

If you find a great opportunity within the next 3 months, you'll either need to negotiate waiting until the end of that period to start or the new company needs to make good on the money you will lose if you back out of the 3-month committment.

 

[krunchykrome]

Here is my resignation letter I've prepared:
____________________________________________________________________
David
Address


January 30, 2007


Company
Address



To Whom It May Concern,

This letter is to communicate my formal resignation effective February 13, 2007 (two weeks). It is with careful consideration that I tender my resignation. It is my desire to further my career by pursuing a permanent staff accountant level position. Per conversations with management, it is my understanding that the professional opportunities I am pursuing are not available in the near future with (company name).

I have the utmost respect for (company name) staff and the organization. In addition, I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenges and contributions I have made with this organization. However, I feel I am ready to move on to the next level in my career and am unable to do that if I accept the temporary position that was offered to me.

Over the next two weeks, I assure you that I will assist you in any way to help with a smooth transition of my responsibilities.

Regards,




David

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: mcvickj
Time to play hard ball. It is either full time or nothing at all. You have to be willing to walk out that door to make it work.

yep

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
Here is my resignation letter I've prepared:
____________________________________________________________________
David
Address


January 30, 2007


Company
Address



To Whom It May Concern,

This letter is to communicate my formal resignation effective February 13, 2007 (two weeks). It is with careful consideration that I tender my resignation. It is my desire to further my career by pursuing a permanent staff accountant level position. Per conversations with management, it is my understanding that the professional opportunities I am pursuing are not available in the near future with (company name).

I have the utmost respect for (company name) staff and the organization. In addition, I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenges and contributions I have made with this organization. However, I feel I am ready to move on to the next level in my career and am unable to do that if I accept the temporary position that was offered to me.

Over the next two weeks, I assure you that I will assist you in any way to help with a smooth transition of my responsibilities.

Regards,

David

Take out the 'over two weeks part'

 

[amish]

Originally posted by: NuroMancer

Originally posted by: tfinch2
That's a sh!tty situation. I'd say take the money now, and have 3 months to find a new job while you're currently working.

So, he should take the crapy temp position, and wait till after tax season to try find a job?

I think that you should clearly express your position, and move on.

yes, the experience will prove useful. at this point in the game it will be difficult to find a job. many places already have their staffing setup.

staying on could also show the company that you have that much of a desire to work for them. however, if they didn't give me any notice on whether or not it would be full time after the temp job i'd go somewhere else. make sure that you get to prepare as many returns as possible for your future growth.

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: amish

Originally posted by: NuroMancer

Originally posted by: tfinch2
That's a sh!tty situation. I'd say take the money now, and have 3 months to find a new job while you're currently working.

So, he should take the crapy temp position, and wait till after tax season to try find a job?

I think that you should clearly express your position, and move on.

yes, the experience will prove useful. at this point in the game it will be difficult to find a job. many places already have their staffing setup.

staying on could also show the company how desparate you are for a job or how passive/pushover you are

fyp

 

[Pale Rider 1]

Quit. You don't have to put up with their cheapness.

Find a mom + pop tax office that needs people for the busy tax season. Work there until you can get another big corporate job.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Do you have benefits now through your internship? Take the temporary position now. This will get you more money, but take this time to start looking elsewhere for a better deal. Give them 2 weeks notice if you get an offer somewhere else.

 

[Tom]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

Originally posted by: kranky
Can you decline the temporary position (and it's 3 month commitment) and still look for another job? It wouldn't surprise me if they kept you even if you don't make the 3 month commitment because it is the busy season. You might be able to keep working, avoid the commitment, and look for a better job all at the same time.

Well, I think that since I have just graduated, I can't intern anymore according to company policy. So to stay on board, I must take an offer for a position, in this case, a temporory position with no benefits.

Im leaning towards not taking the offer. I figure Im young, I have money to live off of for some months while I search for another job, and I have too much pride to take this insulting offer. I feel like I deserve more than this from the company and I feel like I can do better.

I tend to agree with you. In my experience taking a weak offer now will lead to more weak offers in the future.

Just make sure they know how much you like working there, if you do, and give them a chance to make a strong offer to keep you. Remember, if you're a good worker, you are worth more to them than they are to you.

You probably are screwed by having the tax supervisor so new though, as a new employee herself she probably thinks it will look bad on her evaluation to make a permanent hire so soon after she started, I'm just guessing though.

 

[dfuze]

I don't know how hard it is to find a job in your field, but I lean towards leaving. Very well written letter, doesn't show any bitterness or burn any bridges. I personally think handing it in could create pressure that my managers wouldn't want to lose you and would lobby to keep you. Obviously it's easy to stand on the sidelines and guess, but it's your choice (even though the letter pretty much says you've already made it )

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
Do you have benefits now through your internship? Take the temporary position now. This will get you more money, but take this time to start looking elsewhere for a better deal. Give them 2 weeks notice if you get an offer somewhere else.

Normally, I would do just that. The only thing that is holding me back besides the idea of the insulting offer is the fact that I have to commit to the tax dept for 3 full months. This means that if I find another job or get offered another position during that time, I can't take it or the flavor my references from my internship will be tarnished due to my breach of committment. Of course, this 3 month committment is not contractual, so I am free to leave anytime. But I want to keep my excellent references form the company.

 

[Rapidskies]

Don't walk in with a resignation letter. Give them a counter offer first. If you are willing to walk then if I were you I would not settle for the 3 month lock or for a temp position at all. I would explain to them (nicely) that you enjoy working for the company, looked forward to a career with them, it's busy tax season, yadda yadda yadda and that you would like them to reconsider full time employement otherwise you are prepared to resign. If they hire you yahoo if they say no then resign. Basically give it one more shot explaining you will most likely be leaving if you can't come to an agreement.

 

[slatr]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
Do you have benefits now through your internship? Take the temporary position now. This will get you more money, but take this time to start looking elsewhere for a better deal. Give them 2 weeks notice if you get an offer somewhere else.

He can't leave for 3 months if he does that.

 

[KMc]

If you don't take this job, you are hitting the job market as an unemployed, new graduate burining through your own savings day by day by day.

If you take it, you are getting paid, keeping your savings, and hitting the job market as an experienced current employee.

Swallow your foolish pride and make the decision that is better for the long run. You may feel "better", temporarily so, telling these people to shove it, but that feeling fades quickly a month or so from now when your savings is running out and there are few prospects.

 

[amish]

Originally posted by: JEDI

Originally posted by: amish

Originally posted by: NuroMancer

Originally posted by: tfinch2
That's a sh!tty situation. I'd say take the money now, and have 3 months to find a new job while you're currently working.

So, he should take the crapy temp position, and wait till after tax season to try find a job?

I think that you should clearly express your position, and move on.

yes, the experience will prove useful. at this point in the game it will be difficult to find a job. many places already have their staffing setup.

staying on could also show the company how desparate you are for a job or how passive/pushover you are

fyp

unfortunately most that graduate with an accounting degree work for the same company they interned for. the reason being that it is difficult to get your foot in the door with limited experience, which is what most grads have.

i followed the path that you are suggesting. i graduated in december and couldn't get a job until mid march. because of that i would definately take the current work that is offered. i would still be looking for a new job even after i took the temp position.

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: Tom

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

Originally posted by: kranky
Can you decline the temporary position (and it's 3 month commitment) and still look for another job? It wouldn't surprise me if they kept you even if you don't make the 3 month commitment because it is the busy season. You might be able to keep working, avoid the commitment, and look for a better job all at the same time.

Well, I think that since I have just graduated, I can't intern anymore according to company policy. So to stay on board, I must take an offer for a position, in this case, a temporory position with no benefits.

Im leaning towards not taking the offer. I figure Im young, I have money to live off of for some months while I search for another job, and I have too much pride to take this insulting offer. I feel like I deserve more than this from the company and I feel like I can do better.

I tend to agree with you. In my experience taking a weak offer now will lead to more weak offers in the future.

Just make sure they know how much you like working there, if you do, and give them a chance to make a strong offer to keep you. Remember, if you're a good worker, you are worth more to them than they are to you.

You probably are screwed by having the tax supervisor so new though, as a new employee herself she probably thinks it will look bad on her evaluation to make a permanent hire so soon after she started, I'm just guessing though.

You're right about the new tax director. Everyone I work with from senior accountants to the tax manager to even the secretary and financial analyst have been talking to the CFO and even to this new tax director before she was even hired officially. They've been lobbying for me for months now. I understand why the tax director is making this decision; she is a new employee in a high position and she wants to make the best impressions and decisions for the company immedietly. She's also not aware, despite what others have told her, about my accomplishments at this company during the last year.