I've probably lost it, but that would mean I am beyond redemption, so in the interest of staying positive, I'd say I am still in the process. It's quarter to 5 a.m. and I am still up. My friend said it must have been the bubble tea we had after dinner (too much caffeine?) I just ate the leftover Chinese from dinner at a Shanghaianese restaurant in Chinatown earlier (technically, yesterday.) I am eating leftover Chinese at 4:30 in the morning! My circadian rhythm is screwed! I must have gone to the deep end of this unemployment situation. I can't even say with certainty that I am going to start working at the firm that offered me the job. There was an issue with my work visa petition. Sheesh. I know the process, I know how it goes...it could have been a well-crafted petition, heck I drafted my own support letter! But who knows with reviewing officers. I've handled similar cases...one gets approved no problem and the other gets denied. Seriously! I am ranting, yes. But it is freakin' 5a.m. and I am still up! Urgh! Then again, I was really sleepy around 1 a.m., but I was having a Castle marathon. Like everything else I screw up in my life, I have brought this insomnia unto myself.
Oh, for something cheerful...I bought a portable speaker the other day with the credit card reward points I recently redeemed. The speaker streams audio not only from my ipod, but also my laptop via bluetooth. Really cool! It even has a sensor for opening the ipod and CD bays with just a wave of my hand. Oh Panasonic SC-HC55, you're awesome! Too bad I can't mount you on my wall (at least not yet.) I don't want to drill holes on the wall and then have to fix it if I need to pack up and leave because my H-1B petition gets denied! Grr.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Failures, blessings, waiting and uncertainties
I haven't been doing so well keeping a blog. Well, blogS really, since I have about three, two of which I planned to update quite regularly. It's not as if I am too busy with anything, like a job, which I have yet to receive authorization to commence. Anyway, my thoughts are a jumble and so I will present some random things here:
1. A while back, I survived an earthquake and hurricane Irene. Both were quite uneventful really, which I am thankful for.
2. Maine was peaceful and gorgeous. The tour group was hilarious. There was even a bit of a scandal.
3. I decided not to follow-up with my employer about the H-1B petition. They did say they would let me know when they've filed it. I was just being antsy, like most clients are I suppose. But, the employer emailed me last Thursday and said that they've filed it.
4. Normally, time flies. Now that I am waiting 15 days, it can't speed up any faster.
5. I interviewed with a Big Law firm once (in March). It was for a "seniorish" legal support. They knew I was a foreign attorney, and that I intend to be licensed in the U.S. sometime. They were very nice but I choked. I interviewed with about 5 partners. I didn't just choke, I choked massively. I must have looked nice on paper, but the interview was a disaster. I was overwhelmed.
6. I interviewed with a pharma company for an in-house position around May or June. I had to wait for 1.5hours. I really wanted to leave, but the company was in Long Island. I didn't want to reschedule and have to commute again to their office. I bombed that interview. I was in no mindset to speak about my background, nor did I summon enough interest about the company after waiting 1.5 hours. The moment was lost.
7. The pharma company (in #6) called to schedule my interview about 10 minutes to 5p.m. on a Friday afternoon. The interview was for the following Monday. I told the caller I'd call back in a few minutes, just to make sure I could get a car. I had no idea the office was in Long Island. (I didn't recognize the city/town name.) I just applied for the job in Monster. I had jobs I applied to without bothering with a cover letter. I just send my resume. For all I knew the pharma office was close to Albany?! Anyway, I checked Zipcar and got a car. Called back pharma company in less than 5 minutes. No one answered, so I left a voicemail. I took the LIRR and a taxi, instead of a Zipcar. Come interview time, I was asked about my problem getting to their office because I didn't have a car. Seriously? What percentage of NYCers have cars? Of course I planned on getting some beat up, used car if I ended up working in Long Island. But anyway, as I've said, the moment was lost.
8. When I was nearing desperation, I followed-up with a shitlaw firm in Los Angeles, which initially showed strong interest in me, then fell from the face of the earth. (Though a shitlaw firm, the partner had received a "Super Lawyer" award for three years or so.) I sent that firm an email saying that we were in touch before and I wanted to check in with them. I reconveyed my interest and lauded all my "accomplishments." I said I could be the ideal match to the position they sought to fill; all I was requesting was 5 minutes of their time. I scored a telephone interview, but nothing more.
9. I am starting to annoy myself. I know full well the USCIS process for H-1B petitions. Been there, done that. But I just want some assurance that everything would go well. I am hoping they will just approve the petition immediately. My last H-1B was approved in less than 5 days. Can't help but ask my friend (also a foreign atty, who passed the Feb 2010 NY Bar) how long it is currently taking the Vermont Service Center to process H-1Bs. She said she was just like me before, when her firm did her H-1B. She knew the process, but can't help but ask the attorney (colleague) who filed her petition. If I were prone to biting my nails, I'd have very little nails left. (Good thing I've never been a nail biter!)
10. I should put Melissa Lawson's "What If It All Goes Right" on loop on my ipod. Found out about that song from The Today Show early this year. Hoda said the song played over and over during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Think positive, positive, positive! (I am generally super optimistic about other people's affairs, but not mine.)
11. My mom reminded me to review a contract which she has been waiting on for a few months now. Sheesh, she must think it is useless to have an attorney daughter. It takes me ages to do anything law related for my family.
12. I love Betty White! (And Hot In Cleveland!) I finished her book "If You Ask Me: (And Of Course You Won't)" while I was cramming for the bar exam. My recent/current reads: Freakonomics/ Outliers / poetry (various).
13. Yesterday, I saw BBC's "The Code" parts 1 and 2. (I'll watch part 3 maybe later.) Why couldn't have I just been a math whiz?! I could be in a very different field like engineering and possibly, better employed.
I am ending this random listing at 13-- just like the cicadas' 13-year cycle in Tennessee. Watch BBC's "The Code" pronto!
1. A while back, I survived an earthquake and hurricane Irene. Both were quite uneventful really, which I am thankful for.
2. Maine was peaceful and gorgeous. The tour group was hilarious. There was even a bit of a scandal.
3. I decided not to follow-up with my employer about the H-1B petition. They did say they would let me know when they've filed it. I was just being antsy, like most clients are I suppose. But, the employer emailed me last Thursday and said that they've filed it.
4. Normally, time flies. Now that I am waiting 15 days, it can't speed up any faster.
5. I interviewed with a Big Law firm once (in March). It was for a "seniorish" legal support. They knew I was a foreign attorney, and that I intend to be licensed in the U.S. sometime. They were very nice but I choked. I interviewed with about 5 partners. I didn't just choke, I choked massively. I must have looked nice on paper, but the interview was a disaster. I was overwhelmed.
6. I interviewed with a pharma company for an in-house position around May or June. I had to wait for 1.5hours. I really wanted to leave, but the company was in Long Island. I didn't want to reschedule and have to commute again to their office. I bombed that interview. I was in no mindset to speak about my background, nor did I summon enough interest about the company after waiting 1.5 hours. The moment was lost.
7. The pharma company (in #6) called to schedule my interview about 10 minutes to 5p.m. on a Friday afternoon. The interview was for the following Monday. I told the caller I'd call back in a few minutes, just to make sure I could get a car. I had no idea the office was in Long Island. (I didn't recognize the city/town name.) I just applied for the job in Monster. I had jobs I applied to without bothering with a cover letter. I just send my resume. For all I knew the pharma office was close to Albany?! Anyway, I checked Zipcar and got a car. Called back pharma company in less than 5 minutes. No one answered, so I left a voicemail. I took the LIRR and a taxi, instead of a Zipcar. Come interview time, I was asked about my problem getting to their office because I didn't have a car. Seriously? What percentage of NYCers have cars? Of course I planned on getting some beat up, used car if I ended up working in Long Island. But anyway, as I've said, the moment was lost.
8. When I was nearing desperation, I followed-up with a shitlaw firm in Los Angeles, which initially showed strong interest in me, then fell from the face of the earth. (Though a shitlaw firm, the partner had received a "Super Lawyer" award for three years or so.) I sent that firm an email saying that we were in touch before and I wanted to check in with them. I reconveyed my interest and lauded all my "accomplishments." I said I could be the ideal match to the position they sought to fill; all I was requesting was 5 minutes of their time. I scored a telephone interview, but nothing more.
9. I am starting to annoy myself. I know full well the USCIS process for H-1B petitions. Been there, done that. But I just want some assurance that everything would go well. I am hoping they will just approve the petition immediately. My last H-1B was approved in less than 5 days. Can't help but ask my friend (also a foreign atty, who passed the Feb 2010 NY Bar) how long it is currently taking the Vermont Service Center to process H-1Bs. She said she was just like me before, when her firm did her H-1B. She knew the process, but can't help but ask the attorney (colleague) who filed her petition. If I were prone to biting my nails, I'd have very little nails left. (Good thing I've never been a nail biter!)
10. I should put Melissa Lawson's "What If It All Goes Right" on loop on my ipod. Found out about that song from The Today Show early this year. Hoda said the song played over and over during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Think positive, positive, positive! (I am generally super optimistic about other people's affairs, but not mine.)
11. My mom reminded me to review a contract which she has been waiting on for a few months now. Sheesh, she must think it is useless to have an attorney daughter. It takes me ages to do anything law related for my family.
12. I love Betty White! (And Hot In Cleveland!) I finished her book "If You Ask Me: (And Of Course You Won't)" while I was cramming for the bar exam. My recent/current reads: Freakonomics/ Outliers / poetry (various).
13. Yesterday, I saw BBC's "The Code" parts 1 and 2. (I'll watch part 3 maybe later.) Why couldn't have I just been a math whiz?! I could be in a very different field like engineering and possibly, better employed.
I am ending this random listing at 13-- just like the cicadas' 13-year cycle in Tennessee. Watch BBC's "The Code" pronto!
Excerpt: A Psalm of Life
Tell me not in mournful numbers, "Life is but an empty dream!" For the soul is dead that slumbers, And things are not what they seem. Life is real! Life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal; "Dust thou art, to dust returnest," Was not spoken of the soul. Not enjoyment, and not sorrow, Is our destined end or way; But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us further than to-day.
Let us, then, be up and doing, With a heart for any fate; Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labour and to wait. ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Happenings
I still have not started work. I probably won't be able to start until after two weeks. I should probably contact the office today to follow-up on my work visa petition. I hope they don't think I am annoying. They did tell me they would let me know once it's filed; but that was Wednesday last week. Hmmm. It is so hard being on the other side of the fence. I know how annoying clients can get, those who feel the urge to follow-up everyday. Now, I am sort of a client. I feel the urge to follow-up, but I am mightily trying to fight that urge.
Last weekend, I went to the easternmost tip of New York in Long Island. It was a wonderful day. It didn't rain. I enjoyed the beach, walking around a small town, and going up 100+ steps of the Montauk lighthouse. This coming weekend, I would be going to Maine for three days. So looking forward to another road trip!
While waiting to start work, I have recently signed up for two classes: kickboxing and Spanish. I have started the kickboxing class, but the Spanish lessons, I'd have to take a test to determine which class level I should be in. I have yet to register for the exam. Anyway, the kickboxing class was brutal. Well, perhaps not really, but for me it was. I am unfit and a big blob of laziness. (Although my BMI says I am not obese, I have probably gained 15+ pounds since I've lived in the U.S. I have already gained one dress size, I am afraid to go another size up! ) By the end of my first kickboxing class, I was saying "f*ck, f*ck, f*ck" in my head, while we were doing jumping jacks, cycling, push ups, squats, etc. We were supposed to be counting the reps, but in my head I was saying "f*ck." I am actually doubtful now if I was just thinking it or saying it out loud. Twice, the girl on my left looked at me weird. Geez, may be I did say it out loud! It also did not help that I was paired up with the female Muhammad Ali. My partner was the ONLY girl who showed up in class with her hands already in boxing wrap! Gawd. At least she didn't pummel me with jabs and roundhouse kicks. She was probably feeling sorry for getting a weakling as a partner. (I may not have the strength and endurance right now, but I think my kickboxing form is much better than my classmates'. I took kickboxing lessons many years ago. At first, I had one-on-one lessons, until I finally had two other classmates; so the entire time I was taking kickboxing, we were only three in class. This meant that I received massive amounts of attention on my technique and form. The class I have now is more for fitness than sparring. We just did straight punches, jabs, and roundhouse kicks; but I think I still remember how to do hooks, elbow punches, back punch, knee kicks, straight and side kicks.) I am looking forward to more kickboxing classes! Well, I am looking forward to actually starting work, but in the meantime, I have to keep busy while waiting.
Last weekend, I went to the easternmost tip of New York in Long Island. It was a wonderful day. It didn't rain. I enjoyed the beach, walking around a small town, and going up 100+ steps of the Montauk lighthouse. This coming weekend, I would be going to Maine for three days. So looking forward to another road trip!
While waiting to start work, I have recently signed up for two classes: kickboxing and Spanish. I have started the kickboxing class, but the Spanish lessons, I'd have to take a test to determine which class level I should be in. I have yet to register for the exam. Anyway, the kickboxing class was brutal. Well, perhaps not really, but for me it was. I am unfit and a big blob of laziness. (Although my BMI says I am not obese, I have probably gained 15+ pounds since I've lived in the U.S. I have already gained one dress size, I am afraid to go another size up! ) By the end of my first kickboxing class, I was saying "f*ck, f*ck, f*ck" in my head, while we were doing jumping jacks, cycling, push ups, squats, etc. We were supposed to be counting the reps, but in my head I was saying "f*ck." I am actually doubtful now if I was just thinking it or saying it out loud. Twice, the girl on my left looked at me weird. Geez, may be I did say it out loud! It also did not help that I was paired up with the female Muhammad Ali. My partner was the ONLY girl who showed up in class with her hands already in boxing wrap! Gawd. At least she didn't pummel me with jabs and roundhouse kicks. She was probably feeling sorry for getting a weakling as a partner. (I may not have the strength and endurance right now, but I think my kickboxing form is much better than my classmates'. I took kickboxing lessons many years ago. At first, I had one-on-one lessons, until I finally had two other classmates; so the entire time I was taking kickboxing, we were only three in class. This meant that I received massive amounts of attention on my technique and form. The class I have now is more for fitness than sparring. We just did straight punches, jabs, and roundhouse kicks; but I think I still remember how to do hooks, elbow punches, back punch, knee kicks, straight and side kicks.) I am looking forward to more kickboxing classes! Well, I am looking forward to actually starting work, but in the meantime, I have to keep busy while waiting.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Boooored
I need a vacation. I have very little money. I am bored.
My friend said it was dumb that I was bored in NYC. She said I could just go around Manhattan and explore. Well, true, I could do that, but I want to get away from NYC. Problem is going away costs money. I have nothing budgeted for travel. Heck, I barely have enough budgeted for rent, food, etc. I have even redeemed my credit card rewards for extra money. I was thinking of going to Chicago and Milwaukee. Fly to Chicago, take the train to Milwaukee, and then from Milwaukee, fly back to NYC. If I stayed in hostels, may be I could do that trip for 6 days on about $600? Nah, the fare and hotels may cost $600, but then I also need money for food and going around Chicago and Milwaukee. Too costly.
I could may be Priceline my way to Atlantic City for two nights. I was also considering some other beach area on the Jersey Shore, but being a solo traveler, would there be something else for me to do besides being a beach bum in Long Island Beach, Asbury Park, or Cape May?
Then there's a bus trip to Maine, which cost-wise seems the most promising. It'll be a three-day budget trip, that'll probably cost me $300+. Hmm, I need fresh air! I need money. I need money for fresh air?
Anyway, I am going to Long Island for a day trip this weekend. Sooo looking forward to the beach!
My friend said it was dumb that I was bored in NYC. She said I could just go around Manhattan and explore. Well, true, I could do that, but I want to get away from NYC. Problem is going away costs money. I have nothing budgeted for travel. Heck, I barely have enough budgeted for rent, food, etc. I have even redeemed my credit card rewards for extra money. I was thinking of going to Chicago and Milwaukee. Fly to Chicago, take the train to Milwaukee, and then from Milwaukee, fly back to NYC. If I stayed in hostels, may be I could do that trip for 6 days on about $600? Nah, the fare and hotels may cost $600, but then I also need money for food and going around Chicago and Milwaukee. Too costly.
I could may be Priceline my way to Atlantic City for two nights. I was also considering some other beach area on the Jersey Shore, but being a solo traveler, would there be something else for me to do besides being a beach bum in Long Island Beach, Asbury Park, or Cape May?
Then there's a bus trip to Maine, which cost-wise seems the most promising. It'll be a three-day budget trip, that'll probably cost me $300+. Hmm, I need fresh air! I need money. I need money for fresh air?
Anyway, I am going to Long Island for a day trip this weekend. Sooo looking forward to the beach!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Is it worth it?
When I went out for errands yesterday, it was nice to feel that once again I belong. Before I found a job, it seemed like I was saying goodbye along the many streets I walk on. There was afterall the possibility that it might have been the last time for me to be in the area since I would have to leave the U.S. if I did not find a job. It is nostalgic, but it is the truth. But since I've accepted a job offer, my emotions have now changed and feelings of being part of New York City are once alive! I am here because I belong here. I am here because I have a purpose here.
But then I received a voicemail from my mom, my dog got out of our house and almost got lost. Our neighbor found the dog and returned her to us. My dog doesn't wear a collar, she has no tag; and even if she did, what if someone else found her and decided to keep her? My dog is one of the friendliest dog ever. She doesn't snarl at anyone, not even kooky strangers. She lets everyone pet her. Once when a cousin and his family were visiting us, I found their small boy poking the eye of my dog, she was not even complaining! I wanted to blast that kid out of our house, but not before illustrating how painful eye poking is, by poking his; then lecture him that he should not be poking anyone's eyes. (Ooops!)
So I couldn't sleep all night and got to thinking...is it worth it? Is it worth being away from my family, friends and pets just so I could work in the U.S. I think that I might always have known that "making it" in the U.S. is a challenge for me. I had been lucky to find two jobs, and now a third job, aren't those enough? Is it not enough to know that I could find a job here and work my way up, if I wanted to? Is giving up so much for a chance to fulfill my dreams worth it? Honestly, I do not know. The guilty feelings of going away and not being with family, have been resurrected now that I have found a job. Before finding a job, I had feelings of not being good enough, but then I was happy that I would be going home to family and friends. My feelings of defeat were assuaged by the fact that I would be going home; my feelings of success are ridden with guilt and aloneness.
If only I could bring them all here to live with me. But then, that would be imposing my dreams on them. Besides, it is hard enough to acquire and maintain lawful immigration status for myself, it'll be maddening to get everyone lawful status forever. Perhaps next year, when all is well, I could get one of my dogs to live with me. It certainly is something to consider and look forward to. When that time comes, I would have to move because my apartment does not allow dogs (cats are ok!) (I was so bothered that my dog may have gotten lost that even before 8.30a.m., I've actually already called the apartment across my building and left a message inquiring if pets are allowed in their building. I do not recall seeing anyone with pets there, but may be the people I've seen coming in and out just don't have pets. I'll try to call the building behind ours to ask about their rates and pet policy. My lease is good until mid-2012, but I can begin dreaming now. I know pet ownership is a lot of responsibility and cost, but it is also a lot of joy!)
But then I received a voicemail from my mom, my dog got out of our house and almost got lost. Our neighbor found the dog and returned her to us. My dog doesn't wear a collar, she has no tag; and even if she did, what if someone else found her and decided to keep her? My dog is one of the friendliest dog ever. She doesn't snarl at anyone, not even kooky strangers. She lets everyone pet her. Once when a cousin and his family were visiting us, I found their small boy poking the eye of my dog, she was not even complaining! I wanted to blast that kid out of our house, but not before illustrating how painful eye poking is, by poking his; then lecture him that he should not be poking anyone's eyes. (Ooops!)
So I couldn't sleep all night and got to thinking...is it worth it? Is it worth being away from my family, friends and pets just so I could work in the U.S. I think that I might always have known that "making it" in the U.S. is a challenge for me. I had been lucky to find two jobs, and now a third job, aren't those enough? Is it not enough to know that I could find a job here and work my way up, if I wanted to? Is giving up so much for a chance to fulfill my dreams worth it? Honestly, I do not know. The guilty feelings of going away and not being with family, have been resurrected now that I have found a job. Before finding a job, I had feelings of not being good enough, but then I was happy that I would be going home to family and friends. My feelings of defeat were assuaged by the fact that I would be going home; my feelings of success are ridden with guilt and aloneness.
If only I could bring them all here to live with me. But then, that would be imposing my dreams on them. Besides, it is hard enough to acquire and maintain lawful immigration status for myself, it'll be maddening to get everyone lawful status forever. Perhaps next year, when all is well, I could get one of my dogs to live with me. It certainly is something to consider and look forward to. When that time comes, I would have to move because my apartment does not allow dogs (cats are ok!) (I was so bothered that my dog may have gotten lost that even before 8.30a.m., I've actually already called the apartment across my building and left a message inquiring if pets are allowed in their building. I do not recall seeing anyone with pets there, but may be the people I've seen coming in and out just don't have pets. I'll try to call the building behind ours to ask about their rates and pet policy. My lease is good until mid-2012, but I can begin dreaming now. I know pet ownership is a lot of responsibility and cost, but it is also a lot of joy!)
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Job found!!!
I have accepted an offer! (Nope, not the $36k offer I wrote about in my previous entry.) I had a second interview on Monday in a small Manhattan firm and received an offer. I don't even know if I can call it an interview, since the Partner's mind seemed to have been pretty made up even before I sat in his office. Must have really made a good impression on my first interview with a different member of the firm. Hooray!
Yesterday, I accepted the offer by email. I should have called, but I was thinking the Partner was really busy and looked flustered when I interviewed, I didn't want to risk breaking his concentration with my uncontainable excitement. I was beginning to worry when it was already past 5p.m. and I still hadn't received an email response. Luckily by 6p.m., I received a confirmation email from the Partner. It's true then! I wasn't just imagining things or inventing that I received an offer. (If I don't see it in writing, I become doubtful. LOL.) I somewhat rushed my acceptance email yesterday because the $36k firm emailed me to ask about my decision.
After I emailed my acceptance of the NYC offer, I then emailed $36k firm to let them know that I am declining their offer. The $36k firm asked me if I have already accepted an offer. My curiosity was piqued, would they be countering? I told the $36k firm that I was about to accept another offer. Then, it got weird and slightly in bad taste. $36k firm sent a follow-up email and asked me if I was accepting the other offer because the other firm gave me the salary I proposed. Hmmm, I don't know if it's just me, but I do think it was unprofessional for them to effectively ask me what my salary would be. I told HR of the $36k firm that I am not able to comment on that as such matter is confidential. Why did they even ask?!
Anyway, I am so happy now to not be looking for a job. I suppose it would take a while for me to completely stop visiting job sites because I've been so used to searching various job boards all day for the past 6 months. I started my job search in March and received two job offers in August. I slowed down my search in June and July because of the bar exam. (I could actually have been employed as early as May, but I don't think that firm would have been a good match for me.)
I am eager to start working next month! Right now, we are still preparing my new H-1B petition. I hope everything goes well.
Yesterday, I accepted the offer by email. I should have called, but I was thinking the Partner was really busy and looked flustered when I interviewed, I didn't want to risk breaking his concentration with my uncontainable excitement. I was beginning to worry when it was already past 5p.m. and I still hadn't received an email response. Luckily by 6p.m., I received a confirmation email from the Partner. It's true then! I wasn't just imagining things or inventing that I received an offer. (If I don't see it in writing, I become doubtful. LOL.) I somewhat rushed my acceptance email yesterday because the $36k firm emailed me to ask about my decision.
After I emailed my acceptance of the NYC offer, I then emailed $36k firm to let them know that I am declining their offer. The $36k firm asked me if I have already accepted an offer. My curiosity was piqued, would they be countering? I told the $36k firm that I was about to accept another offer. Then, it got weird and slightly in bad taste. $36k firm sent a follow-up email and asked me if I was accepting the other offer because the other firm gave me the salary I proposed. Hmmm, I don't know if it's just me, but I do think it was unprofessional for them to effectively ask me what my salary would be. I told HR of the $36k firm that I am not able to comment on that as such matter is confidential. Why did they even ask?!
Anyway, I am so happy now to not be looking for a job. I suppose it would take a while for me to completely stop visiting job sites because I've been so used to searching various job boards all day for the past 6 months. I started my job search in March and received two job offers in August. I slowed down my search in June and July because of the bar exam. (I could actually have been employed as early as May, but I don't think that firm would have been a good match for me.)
I am eager to start working next month! Right now, we are still preparing my new H-1B petition. I hope everything goes well.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Job offer?
I think I just received an offer by phone. I can't be sure. How could that be? Well...
I received an email from the firm's HR to call them if I have time today. I did. HR said before the firm sends an offer to me, they want to know if $36k was acceptable to me, plus benefits, and H1B sponsorship. I was stunned, because: 1) I made more in my last job; 2) When they asked for my salary requirement, I didn't say $36k. My head was saying, ask if there is wiggle room on the "non-existent but anticipated offer" but I was too shocked to speak. Then the HR probably sensing my surprise, added that's the highest they can offer. At which point, I regained my speaking abilities, and said, I am grateful for the offer, but I would need time to think about it. I added that I just had a second interview yesterday so I would appreciate some time to process. The HR said to email or call her, when I am ready to accept. LOL. Accept what?! There isn't any offer yet. How weird is that?!
Did I just receive an offer? I suppose it was an invitation to an offer? It's not even an invitation to negotiate, seeing it was non-negotiable. Per my understanding, I was asked, if the firm were to make that kind of offer, would that be acceptable to me. I told HR, I'll call them on Monday.
I think that I didn't even have the moment to feel joy with receiving an offer. I didn't know that was possible, but I suppose it is. Now, do I email HR? This "non-offer" is now an abstract thought in my head. I am only very slightly considering it because of the H1B sponsorship. I would be accepting with the thought of leaving in two years? I am regressing! What I am looking for is a long-term position of growth, not a semi-insulting offer. (I am not a snob. I understand it is hard times. I am thankful for the offer. But I did put a reasonable salary expectation, which was not in the area of $36k. I believe I just got a low ball offer.)
I guess I will just write-off this "non-offer" in my head and move on. If I don't get any other offers, I should not really regret anything. What the "non-offer" would do for me is to buy time in the U.S., nothing more.
Stunned. But grateful.
I received an email from the firm's HR to call them if I have time today. I did. HR said before the firm sends an offer to me, they want to know if $36k was acceptable to me, plus benefits, and H1B sponsorship. I was stunned, because: 1) I made more in my last job; 2) When they asked for my salary requirement, I didn't say $36k. My head was saying, ask if there is wiggle room on the "non-existent but anticipated offer" but I was too shocked to speak. Then the HR probably sensing my surprise, added that's the highest they can offer. At which point, I regained my speaking abilities, and said, I am grateful for the offer, but I would need time to think about it. I added that I just had a second interview yesterday so I would appreciate some time to process. The HR said to email or call her, when I am ready to accept. LOL. Accept what?! There isn't any offer yet. How weird is that?!
Did I just receive an offer? I suppose it was an invitation to an offer? It's not even an invitation to negotiate, seeing it was non-negotiable. Per my understanding, I was asked, if the firm were to make that kind of offer, would that be acceptable to me. I told HR, I'll call them on Monday.
I think that I didn't even have the moment to feel joy with receiving an offer. I didn't know that was possible, but I suppose it is. Now, do I email HR? This "non-offer" is now an abstract thought in my head. I am only very slightly considering it because of the H1B sponsorship. I would be accepting with the thought of leaving in two years? I am regressing! What I am looking for is a long-term position of growth, not a semi-insulting offer. (I am not a snob. I understand it is hard times. I am thankful for the offer. But I did put a reasonable salary expectation, which was not in the area of $36k. I believe I just got a low ball offer.)
I guess I will just write-off this "non-offer" in my head and move on. If I don't get any other offers, I should not really regret anything. What the "non-offer" would do for me is to buy time in the U.S., nothing more.
Stunned. But grateful.
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