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Well.

Almost a month to the day, and I accepted an offer for a better job, with better benefits, making a ton more money. YAY ME.

Let me back up a little bit. When I last left this journal, I thought I had been fired. However, it turns out that technically I was laid off. This meant that I was allowed to draw unemployment. Win number 1.

Now just because I could be lazy, didn't mean that I would be lazy. Once the whole unemployment ordeal sorted itself out, we were able to relax a little bit and I could focus on finding the right job, not just A job.

Luckily for me the job market is considerably better now than it was three years ago, and I began receiving calls and setting up interviews almost immediately. The first few interviews were crap, and I went through the obligatory headhunter meetings. Things went like this for the first week and a half.

Then, nothing.

No new job postings, no phone calls, zilch.

Then one night, I received a call from a company I had sent my resume to in the first week. The 'few quick questions' turned into a 45 minute phone interview that resulted in a scheduled face to face interview. This position was with a government contractor working for the Dept of Transportation. The job had sweet benefits but it was technical support and it was in Cambridge (Massachusetts) which is about an hour and half train ride from home.

Anyway, I go to the interview and everything goes great. I even meet with the division head who tells me point blank that I wouldn't have met with him if I were not a solid candidate.

After the interview, I was feeling pretty good and when I got back home, I received another call from another company I had applied for the first week. This was for a Sys Admin position, which is what I wanted in the first place. SO I go down to this interview and it goes great as well.

Now I have two companies that are essentially in a race to hire me. The first company called me yesterday and madea tenative offer of 4K more than I was asking. I was also told that I should receive my electronic application that would initiate my background check (governmetn job and all).

I received the application earlier today. Then I start thinking about the hour and a half commute. Yeah the benefits are great, but am I really going to want to be riding the train for that long, every single day???

I didn't know how much Company two was offering, but the position was the exact job I wanted and it is closer to home, plus the hours are better.

Honestly, I have never been in this position before in my life. Two great jobs, each with individual traits making each one super attractive. I had no idea what to do and it got to the point where I was physically feeling the pressure and it felt hard to breath.

Finally, in an effort to do something, I called up company two, to see where I stood in their process, since I knew they had already talked to my references. I was told that in fact, they had just finished putting together their offer letter for me. They were offering me 3500 more than I was asking, and as soon as I heard that, the decision was easy. I gave a verbal acceptance of their offer and it was like a weight was lifted off me.

I have received the official letter and will fax it back tomorrow. I not only survived losing my job, I have ended up with a better one going forward.

Thanks for all the advice, and support. I appreciate it.