So what option are you choosing? But congratulations on having 2 to choose from. I chose the unsafe career route myself early on and am in the top 5% income-wise compared to everyone I graduated high school with. But, choices are different if you have a family.

Thought I would give a more detailed update. Thanks to those who have sent me words of encouragement - both via this thread and PM's.

OPTION ONE
It is a senior level role that pays quite well. It is also going to be a LOT of work and quite stressful at times. Lots of time away from family and not always dealing with the most professional of managers until I churn most of the team. (About a 2 year project).

In the past two years this region has seen 2 external and 1 internal Region Manager attempt, make progress, and ultimately leave the company out of frustration.

This is one of the most challenged regions in the company, and I have the opportunity to be a corporate hero in a short amount of time.

The biggest plus is they will offer a car, salary, and bonus structure that will exceed $100k and I will be assured of employment stability over the next decade.

OPTION TWO

Small business owner who purchased a bakery/coffee house after the original owners died. It is a community landmark and Owner recently opened a second site. Owner has ZERO idea of how to run a foods business (Owner has a real estate background) and wants to hire me as a Regional Manager to bring stability and consistency to Owner's sites.

Owner had the opportunity to put a kiosk in the new Vikings stadium and have a booth at the MN State Fair. Owner had to decline both opportunities because they did not have the infrastructure and leadership in place to manage the projects.

Owner's business has the local name recognition that both the Stadium and Fair would have been very successful, and we may look at them again next year. Owner is looking to buy out another production-operation that would be able to support the business the concepts would bring.

The business is profitable, and could be much more be so by introducing systems that would cost little money to implement.

This is my literal dream-job, there is not one job in my background that I will not be able to put to use in this job. The downside is that if Owner decides to give up the ship at some point in the future...well doom on me. After I stabilize operations at both sites, Owner is hoping to at 4-6 additional sites.

Money at Plan B will not equal what Plan A will offer, but the long term opportunity, satisfaction, and future has me gravitating towards Plan B.

It's not very often you get a shot at your "Dream Job"; some folks never even get the opportunity to try.

My wife as been incredibly supportive, and hopes I choose Plan B. I am meeting with Owner on Monday to negotiate salary, and if it all works out, I will choose B.

Money isn't everything.

Years ago I left a job and field I was successful in because I realized I didn't have any time for myself. Half of the year I would work 6 sometimes 7 days a week. 10 hour days at those time where the easy ones.

Now I have free time to enjoy the things I enjoy.

I know my example is a little different than yours but there is something to be said for being happy.

Anyway, it's always good to have options you seem to be doing fine. Best of luck to whatever you choose. Doesn't seem like there is a wrong answer.

Get'em brother! Congratulations.

quote:

My wife as been incredibly supportive, and hopes I choose Plan B. I am meeting with Owner on Monday to negotiate salary, and if it all works out, I will choose B.

I could give you a little more advice if I knew your age, health status, family, and overall goals for your life.

I suspect that if your wife is supportive, she knows you well and B is probably the best for you. Again, this is an area I know something about and could help if provide a few more details.

My dad advised to "do every job the way you would want it done if you owned the company, and eventually, you will."

If Mr. RE Guy decides to pull the plug, maybe he will make you an offer you can't refuse.

Like JAllen said, maybe Option B will result in you buying the business in 10 years.

Job A sounds mostly stressful. Job B sounds like stressful, but also possibly quite exiting.

Good luck ronin on whichever you choose

Question:

I forgot to mention this earlier. Any of you guys ever hear of something called Checkster? Option A required that I provided e-mails of 2 former supervisors and 4 former peers.

The company would then send a survey (via Checkster) to my references asking for info on me. The data would then be sent back to the company without specific names tied to it.

I have to say, it seems like a lazy HR practice and I am glad that I keep in touch with my former bosses. However, knowing that both work for companies with strict "neutral reference" policies, it was somewhat awkward reaching out to them and not only asking for a reference, but an online reference that they had to fil out.

Is this the new practice?

quote:

Originally posted by Ronin1069:
Question:

I forgot to mention this earlier. Any of you guys ever hear of something called Checkster? Option A required that I provided e-mails of 2 former supervisors and 4 former peers.

The company would then send a survey (via Checkster) to my references asking for info on me. The data would then be sent back to the company without specific names tied to it.

I have to say, it seems like a lazy HR practice and I am glad that I keep in touch with my former bosses. However, knowing that both work for companies with strict "neutral reference" policies, it was somewhat awkward reaching out to them and not only asking for a reference, but an online reference that they had to fil out.

Is this the new practice?

I was a manager for a software development department at a huge company. One of my best guys had to relocate for family medical reasons. Huge loss to me but I understood.

The company's policy on reference requests was to confirm that the person worked there. Nothing more, nothing less.

I broke the rule and gave the guy a glowing reference. Fortunately it did not come back to bite me in the ass.

Option B it is -

After a summer of being unemployed, today I formally accepted the role of Director of Operations for my "dream job" within the foods industry.

I had another opportunity that would have potentially paid a higher base, but the long term opportunities made this a no-brainer. Thanks to all for the support, emails, and notes. Not everyone gets a chance to work at their "dream job", much less be told by the owner, "here are the keys, go forth and prosper".

To add -

My learning throughout this process?

The cover letter is significantly more important than the resume itself. The cover letter is what gets you through the gate keep and in front of a live decision maker.

I want to make a special point of thanking Dusty78, what you did for me was above and beyond. The assistance you provided on the Chipotle interview was the template I put together that really wow'd the ownership group for this new gig. I am in your debt.

Ronin1069

A HUGE congratulations John!

Congratulations on the new position.

Congratulations!

Congratulations. Best wishes and best of luck with this opportunity.

quote:

Originally posted by Ronin1069:
Option B it is -

After a summer of being unemployed, today I formally accepted the role of Director of Operations for my "dream job" within the foods industry.

I had another opportunity that would have potentially paid a higher base, but the long term opportunities made this a no-brainer. Thanks to all for the support, emails, and notes. Not everyone gets a chance to work at their "dream job", much less be told by the owner, "here are the keys, go forth and prosper".

To add -

My learning throughout this process?

The cover letter is significantly more important than the resume itself. The cover letter is what gets you through the gate keep and in front of a live decision maker.

I want to make a special point of thanking Dusty78, what you did for me was above and beyond. The assistance you provided on the Chipotle interview was the template I put together that really wow'd the ownership group for this new gig. I am in your debt.

Ronin1069

Congrats! Happy to see you back in it.

Could be the position/profession but ive had mixed results in regards to cover letters and plenty of people not even submitting coverletters anymore and getting interviews.

Congratulations!

congratulations to a new road ahead of you!

That's great news - Congratulations!