Another one down

Yesterday I interviewed for a Software Support position. This would be helping customers with issues or questions about their product (accounting software on crack for property management). They have separate software for residential and commercial property owners, and have recently acquired at least 2 companies whose products they are working on integrating into their own.

I'm having a hard time getting excited about the 2 positions I've interviewed for that are not the Cleveland Clinic. Career-wise, the QA position is the better opportunity between the two, looking solely at Salary.com numbers. It sounds fast paced and varied enough to keep me interested. The offices imply working there is fun and comfortable. However, one of my interviewers said I'd have to work overtime to make the money I want, and that everyone works like 5 hours overtime per week. I am a little confused because I thought one of the earlier interviewers told me they do not work overtime. I do not want to have to drive an hour each way, plus be required to work consistent overtime. It would be different if I lived closer, but with the housing situation as it is I'm not likely to move within the next few years. Honestly I'm no longer sure I made the good impression on them I originally thought, so this may be a moot point.

The Software Support position is closer. Theoretically, I could ride the bike from Superman's, though the roads I would have to travel are high traffic. They are also talking about building a gym on premises, which would be nice if it happened. I'm not particularly thrilled with the way they schedule, which is by bid process. I would rank the different scheduling options, which go from starting at 6:30am to leaving at 8:00pm. After everyone ranks their preferences, the schedule is built around seniority. You keep that schedule for 3 months, then go through the process again. This means I would be on the least preferred schedule indefinitely, until they hired in more help. That may work in my favor, if it allows me to interview for other positions because I'm not working a standard 9-5. The scheduling bit wouldn't start right off though, as there is at least a month of training on the product first. I do think I made a good impression here, and kind of expect them to offer me the job. 

While I would accept either position and make do (a job is a job is a job), at this point I don't think I'd build a long-term career at either organization. I can see myself enjoying and gaining satisfaction from both types of work. I'm more concerned with quality of life outside of work, and how to integrate my priorities into the work day. Basically, you just can't beat the ability to run to work every day, coupled with a better-than-hoped-for salary, amazing health care, and bonus benefits. My attitude might change once I learn I'm out of the running for the Cleveland Clinic job. I really do expect to find myself out of the running, since I want it so much. 

When I got home from the interview yesterday, I decided I needed brownies to cheer me up. Right after I put the brownies in the oven, this arrived on my doorstep:

Triple Chocolate Cheesecake

This is part 1 of 3 gifts I can expect from Mother's Day. My boys signed me up for a 3-month variety of the month club. At the end of every month I get a gift in the mail. I'm not sure what the other 2 gifts will be, but this 8" cheesecake is rich enough it might last until the next gift arrives! Yeah, that's not likely to happen, but I am going to cut it up and freeze it in portions so I don't eat it all this week. It's yummy!