Let me take a step back. I had another interview on the same day that I had an interview with Company A. This company is called Company E. Anyway, Company E’s head of pre-sales is calling me later on this morning and I think he’ll offer me the position!
And, and, and,
On Monday, I had my interview with Company V. At first when I was speaking with the HR woman on Tuesday, I thought I was being given an offer and I was telling everyone I have two offers but then she sent me an email with the words “if successful” and I was like, huh, so it wasn’t an offer. But it probably will be and then I’ll have potentially two more offers and leverage to increase my salary with Company A!
It’s funny how all of this has been working out. I’ve been searching for months and months and then the last three interviews I do result in offers. Life just works itself out eventually when the time and opportunity is right.
My interview at Company V was crazy. They knew I had an offer with Company A because I told the HR lady and my interviewers were properly on the defensive. They were pretty much saying ‘Anything Company A can do, we can do it better. Company A can do this? Ha, well not only can we do it, we can surpass it, we can give you the world; we are the best in the universe!’ Ok, I over exaggerate but it came across like that. They pretty much asked me why Company A and not them and I was sitting there thinking, ‘but you haven’t even offered me anything’. I felt like I was in the middle of a tug-of-war. Crazy…
But it’s good for me. It means that I can use their offer to negotiate better with Company A although I still want them to see me for the talent and skills that I bring to the table. I’m still waiting for my written offer from them but I did hear from their HR on Tuesday so at least things are moving internally.
I’m just itching to hand in my notice from this place. I am so ready to go. But it’s smart to wait for the written offer before I do anything and maybe even waiting for passed references and a signed contract. I don’t want to risk it.
I’m in such a good place and I’m really excited for my future. Telis and I will be raking it in financially and we’ll be in an amazing position to buy a house when the time comes. We can even afford our wedding now.
Let’s not even talk about the wedding. My family are going crazy with the planning. Literally, on Saturday my mother gave me shoe and a bag she bought me impromptu (because I said they were nice) and hoards of jewellery and accessories. She’s so excited. I am too!
Everything is falling into place. I’ve even asked for help for Marketplace. I can’t do the marketing. I am limited in time, knowledge and headspace and I need someone with experience in that area to give me some assistance. I really can’t do everything and it sucks!
But one step at a time. First a new job, and then once that is out of the way, I can bring Marketplace back into focus while simultaneously planning a wedding (and potentially studying for new qualifications and hosting meetups). Ha!
Life’s great! Wedding planning is great! I’ve managed to get things as cheap as I can. We’re using a popular photographer on our big day, I managed to get him to throw in a pre-wedding photo shoot for free and extend how much time he spends taking pictures at the wedding (from 10 hours to 12) and on top of that I got a discount. So now he sits nicely within our budget. I’m still searching for a videographer but I just haven’t had any time to enquire.
Even with the venue I managed to knock 35% off the price, while they were already offering tables, chairs, table cloths, glassware, corkage (!), bar staff and a honeymoon suite. And then on top of that, because I couldn’t get the price lower I asked them to throw in the chapel room (where we’ll say ‘I do’), napkins and table number stands and they did!
When it comes to negotiating you just have to be cheeky. Napkins are so expensive to hire, I’m glad that’s a cost we no longer have to consider.
I need to start looking at wedding dresses. I don’t know what I want. Nothing catches my eye. It’s annoying.
Anyway, I must dash, I’m expecting a phone call from Company E in 30 minutes. Fingers crossed!
P.S. an old friend came to visit me last night but that’s a story for later.