Which job should I take?

[YoFuggedaboutit]

I've spoken to some of you privately about this, but I have left Alltel due to a structural change in commissions.

After a week and a half of shooting my resume around and going through interviews, I have two firm job offers on the table and a tough decision to make:

Cingular Wireless- Retail Sales Consultant

AND

Suntrust Bank- Financial Services Rep (Loan Officer)

Each has its pros and cons.  Which one do you guys think is best?

[Dave Gray]

Well, what are the pros and cons of each -- how else are we supposed to help you decide?

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Well, what are the pros and cons of each -- how else are we supposed to help you decide?

Sorry dude, my web browser went down before I could list them. 

CINGULAR   

Pro's-  Potential to make more than Suntrust (after commissions).  Close to home (in Brunswick).  Will not have to pay for cell phone service.   Can dress business casual

Cons- Less money up front. Will have to work weekends and holidays.  Benefits don't kick in for two months (insurance, 401K) and tuition assistance doesn't kick in for a year.  Will have to deal with the same whiny people that I did at Alltel considering they're right next to each other.


SUNTRUST

Pro's-  More money up front.  Will have weekends and holidays off.  Benefits (Insurance, 401K, Tuition) kick in on start date.  Clientelle is much easier to deal with.

Con's-  Will require a commute to Fernandina Beach, FL which is an hour each way.  Potential to make far less than Cingular.     

[Dave Gray]

Two things:

1) Do you own or rent?  If you rent, you might consider breaking your lease and moving closer to the further job.
2) "Potential earning", in my experience, is money that you'll never see.  Cash in while you can.  Do you really think that you'd make it up the ladder to get paid more?

[jtex316]

I agree.  Take the guaranteed right now money, screw the "future potential" type of shit.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Two things:

1) Do you own or rent?  If you rent, you might consider breaking your lease and moving closer to the further job.
2) "Potential earning", in my experience, is money that you'll never see.  Cash in while you can.  Do you really think that you'd make it up the ladder to get paid more?

I own my own home, so I will have to make the commute.  The good part is, six months into that job, I can transfer to a position closer to home (if one is available). 

Additionally, potential earnings is commission, not moving up the ladder, and I know I'll be a top sales rep whereever I go.   So technically, I would be earning more at Cingular.  But, Suntrust has more growth potential (more opportunities for advancement).

[Phishfan]

Tough call. I can tell you weekends have become a big thing for me now.

[Fau Teixeira]

Which job will cause you to miss dolphin games ?
Which job will cause you to spend less time at home with your family?
Which job will give you an ulcer?

don't take this as a 1 year earning comparison .. where would you earn more after say 10 years?

sales isn't a stable lifestyle, I see it all the time. There may be the 7 years of plenty but there are also the 7 years of famine

Seems to me from what you've posted even though you may be losing commute time there's the potential for cutting that down. I'd probably pick the bank job. You and I have completely different personalities though, so you may prefer the sales job.

[Lee]

sales isn't a stable lifestyle, I see it all the time. There may be the 7 years of plenty but there are also the 7 years of famine

Wow Fausto, good Passover quote, and I bet you didn't even realize it.



To answer your question Tommy, do what fits your lifestyle better.  I personally like the Cingular job better, but that's only because I like to dress less formal and would hate to commute 2 hours (or more) every day.

[Fau Teixeira]

oh i realized it .. that's why i used it

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Which job will cause you to miss dolphin games ?
Which job will cause you to spend less time at home with your family?
Which job will give you an ulcer?

don't take this as a 1 year earning comparison .. where would you earn more after say 10 years?

sales isn't a stable lifestyle, I see it all the time. There may be the 7 years of plenty but there are also the 7 years of famine

Seems to me from what you've posted even though you may be losing commute time there's the potential for cutting that down. I'd probably pick the bank job. You and I have completely different personalities though, so you may prefer the sales job.

I like your analogy.  The thing is, either position is going to be sales related.  I'm leaning more towards the bank job at this point because the commute probably won't be an issue in six months (I can transfer to a position closer to home if one is available). 

Regardless, I am a born salesman. 

[Dave Gray]

I think I agree with Fau.  Go with the bank job.  Their hours will keep you from having to work weird hours -- the banking technology is more stable, and the commute is only temporary.