The Catch

I spoke with Jessica (my agent) by mid-morning about this pending Tacoma assignment. She reported that the client had reviewed my samples, and is now very excited to interview me. “I think you’re going to nail this interview!” she added. Unfortunately, she had no confirmation on the rate at which I’d be hired as a regular employee, but she’d get back to me later in the afternoon.
The interview is set for 11:00 tomorrow morning. Mary and I are going to drive down together, and she’ll just hang out for coffee or something as I interview. Afterwards, we’re going to take a little poke around to see what Tacoma is like, maybe do lunch or something. (Note to self: Take a change of clothes.)
Concerned at not receiving the details by email during the afternoon, I called her later towards the end of business. She had been caught up in interviews, but assured me that she would send me the information before she left for the day. When I asked about the pay rate, she said that they had not given her the information,and then corrected herself after reviewing an email,.
The information isn’t pretty. Going permanent with the company means a $5 to $8 per hour pay cut from what I’ll be making as a temp. In fact, I am also making a reasonable guess that the $5 per hour pay cut reflects, in fact, the company’s top-end scale for this position.
This is bad. While my agent is understandably surprised by this new information, I am adamant that I will not be accepting any offers to be locked into a permanent position for which I am overqualified, at a loss of $200 to $320 per week (as compared to my current temp salary). Honestly, I don’t know how they can expect anyone to make this kind of compromise.
Nevertheless, I am still going to the interview, as planned. The assignment sounds like a fantastic opportunity, even if it is only on a temporary basis. I am very impressed with Jessica’s feedback on the company and personnel. She clearly understands my position on this, specifically: that I will not agree to take this permanently at the rate they’re currently offering. For now, we’re just going to move forward and see how good of a fit I am with the company.
This little bump has too much of my attention. Although it’s a bit touch-and-go, I am now determined to “nothingize” those aggressive mental suggestions that are knocking at my door. I’m going take some time to get quiet, and to refocus on Principal.