Continuing my saga of applying for jobs. Did a 'thank you, no thank you' for the NNSA position I was offered (I have no idea why they wanted me, but then they offered me an additional 25% to come down to Texas, and the whole thing made me nervous). Didn't get referred for dream job, dream job due to location not because of the work. There is another position at that location I applied to, but I have a feeling I'm going to get the same rejection/non-referred because I keep answering the stupid assessment questionnaires truthfully.
Just received a verbal offer from the Manhattan USACE technical manager position, they're sending the TJO via email without contacting my references. They, too, want to onboard super quickly like NNSA. They stated a lot of positives: $280 mass transit benefit per month (this would actually cover most of my LIRR fees, since I could get a 20 peak-pass for the 2x week I'd have to go in, but I'd still have to grab a subway pass), compressed schedule would be something they'd be okay with (didn't push for a 4x10, but a compressed schedule is still good). They did mention potentially helping with moving expenses (but unsure what my landlord would say, since I have a lease until November 2022). I would be able to live with my parents fulltime. They also said there was a potential for full remote, but that it was a case by case scenario, which means I'm not holding my breath/expecting it to happen.
Cons are mostly...I would have to go into the office/Manhattan twice a week, Tuesday mandatory, which would be around 2hours each way, but it would be mostly on a train. Except with what just happened in Brooklyn...really doesn't make me want to get on the subway anytime soon? Also, I wouldn't get a step increase since it is lateral. I have the special VHA engineer pay table, I wouldn't be getting more money and I'd be going from a LCOL area to a HCOL area...Though I'd be saving a bunch by living with my parents, I'll have increased costs due to the taxes and additional driving I'd have to do (and also just stuff costing more on LI), and I know I'm going to end up spending more in general just living with family/buying stuff for them to support them. Also, they talked about how I would need to be billing my time, kinda like private sector, so I would have to keep more track of my hours unlike the VA where I can just put my head down and work.
I have to really consider this. I talked to my dad last night after the interview and he kinda was like 'if they're not paying you more, is it worth it to move?' especially with the increased commute/less buying power of my money and an unsure promotion potential in the area. I'm still holding out for dream job, but I don't want to refuse job offers that kinda might work?
Finding a new job is sucky.
