Sitting on the fence.
So recently there's this opportunity for myself to apply as a hostess at a very upscale restaurant that pays about $12 hourly to start. That's already double of what I make at my current job. I went in for my interview today, and pretty much they liked what I delivered and want to put me on the next training schedule that comes up.
As much as I really need something that pays $10/hr or better, for some reason I am having instinctual doubts about this job (basically I have this gnawing gut feeling for myself not to pursue this). Even though it is an upscale location and of course the managers have to act the way they do because of expectations, I discovered that it's really not an environment I would be happy to work in, and if I do pursue this, I have a feeling that I might not be happy with working there in general. I was talking to some of the girls upfront who are hostesses and who already work there, and I've found out by them that their opinions consist of either 1.) "It's an okay kind of job", 2.) "It's whatever", or 3.) "I'm actually holding out here until I find something else that's better".
Those don't seem like very convincing opinions if you ask me. At least I'm extremely thankful that they were honest about it.
If I know I'm going to be spending a good majority of my time somewhere working for 8 hours or more a day, I want to be happy and comfortable in my work atmosphere. I believe it's obvious that everybody wants that. I guess it's just that place really isn't the "atmosphere" that I'm accustomed to, or really want to take part in. My aunt made a lot of sense when she explained that because of the restaurant's atmosphere, the managers also have certain expectations and behaviors to meet because of it. That makes sense, it really does.
It's just... well, maybe it just opened my eyes to see that you've got to be thankful for what you have going on already, even though it's not the best thing out there. Even though my current job is only very minimum in wage, the atmosphere is tight-knit, family like, and very open and communicative. I feel comfortable because it is an open door policy, and there's no arrogance or standoffish nature about anyone to where you feel intimidated by them. Most of all, if you need any sort of help with something, management isn't going to pull you aside and talk to you like you're mentally incapable. I like how they are accepting of mistakes and human nature to make mistakes, and it only makes me want to pass on this job offer.
We'll see what happens. I'm still weighing out the pros and the cons, but it's a very good possibility I might pass on this opportunity. Call me crazy, out of my mind, whatever. It's all about my comfort level when devoting myself to working nearly 40 hours weekly.