So, I have a bit of a problem, a good problem, but it's stressing me out a bit.
I have 2 jobs being offered to me.
1 pays about 10% more, and seems like a more enjoyable job, but will be tougher on me financially starting out, and is pretty far from any of my family.
The 2nd is going to be a harder job, and pay less, but is within commuting distance of my Dad's and will get me my first paycheck a week sooner.

Both are waiting on a clear background check to finalize the job offers, so I think the best thing to do is just wait and see who clears the background check first?

I dunno, what do you guys think?

Considering I don't give a damn about my family I'd go with 1.

Also, if it pays better you can move and then finally afford a car and visit them from time to time, that is generally more pleasant than constantly being around them.

NotMeNotYou said:
Considering I don't give a damn about my family I'd go with 1.

Also, if it pays better you can move and then finally afford a car and visit them from time to time, that is generally more pleasant than constantly being around them.

They both pay pretty damn well for a single guy my age, $100k/yr for the first, just under $90k/yr on the other.
At that cost, I can fly to see the family if I wanted.

Basically I'm worried that if I turn down one, then the other will fail on the background check and I'll be jobless.
At the same time, I want to be as fair to both of the potential employers as possible, I try to be a nice guy(irl anyway).

1.

Yeah, I'm definitely leaning toward #1 too.
I'm just praying it comes back with a clean check first, if the second does then I'll take it to be safe, probably won't be as happy though.

I wouldn't say anything until the background comes back. If it's that close, I wouldn't turn down anything that isn't willing to take me on right then.

100 grand a year? Jesus christ, are you into organized crime or what?

Rusteee said:
100 grand a year? Jesus christ, are you into organized crime or what?

IT, I work as a database admin.

Halite said:
IT, I work as a database admin.

For the NSA? (because background check)

Munkelzahn said:
For the NSA? (because background check)

Nah, both are actually financial insurance companies.
Big on background checks for that field.
A lot of companies do some form of background, even if it's as small as a credit and past employment check.

Yeah, go with #1.

Got partial info on the #1 job background, half done, passing so far.
Looks good to get back to me complete tomorrow at this rate.

Go for the one that suits you better(I would choose 1)

Munkelzahn said:
For the NSA? (because background check)

Database admins get lot of money, there is a need for people with those skills.

Shit.
Both background checks came back literally within an hour of each other.
And sadly, the second came back first, so I have to come up with some way to let them down nicely...
Worst possible good outcome :P

Halite said:
Shit.
Both background checks came back literally within an hour of each other.
And sadly, the second came back first, so I have to come up with some way to let them down nicely...
Worst possible good outcome :P

Greetings!

Sorry but competitor X has offered me a better paid position and thus I'd have to kindly decline your job offer.

Best wishes and good luck.
~
XXX

And then see if they are willing to go higher in their offer to keep you.

NotMeNotYou said:
And then see if they are willing to go higher in their offer to keep you.

Nah, I'm not looking to start a bidding war or anything.
Both were reasonable salaries frankly.
I'm trying to see if my brother wants the #2 job, he's a DBA too, if I have a possible candidate for them it will probably go better when I turn it down.
Plus my brother can use the job/money.

That's a nice idea actually, convenient.

Well, that sorted itself out, the best job #2 could do on start date was the 11th, so that gave me an easy excuse to turn them down.
Tossed my brother's name into it too, so all in all it went ok.

Halite said:
Well, that sorted itself out, the best job #2 could do on start date was the 11th, so that gave me an easy excuse to turn them down.
Tossed my brother's name into it too, so all in all it went ok.

Sounds like it worked out really well. And congrats on getting the job you wanted! Both jobs actually. Being able to choose between them is a bonus. It's nice when things work out like that.

So, I'm really curious, is being a database admin something you enjoy doing? Or is it just something you fell into doing and happen to be really good at? (But if that feels like prying, just ignore it. I like hearing about whether people enjoy the work they do.)

furrypickle said:
Sounds like it worked out really well. And congrats on getting the job you wanted! Both jobs actually. Being able to choose between them is a bonus. It's nice when things work out like that.

So, I'm really curious, is being a database admin something you enjoy doing? Or is it just something you fell into doing and happen to be really good at? (But if that feels like prying, just ignore it. I like hearing about whether people enjoy the work they do.)

A bit of both, but more of the second.
It's not the most enjoyable job, but it has some nice parts.
Most IT shops are pretty laid back, flexible hours, ability to work from home occasionally.
The work itself can be somewhat dull, though not terribly so.
It pays better than 90% of other IT jobs, entry level for DBAs is $50-60k, at 5 years experience you can get $70-80k somewhat easily, 9-10 years you're into 6 figures, around $100k. It tends to level off a bit around there, but at that experience level most people try to move into management if they want a pay bump.
Beats out Sys admins, developers(by a lot, don't be a developer), security specialists, support specialists, etc.
If you're thinking of getting into IT work, I'd definitely recommend it.
The ratio of difficulty to salary is really good, and demand for DBAs and salaries are increasing every year for quite some time.

Seriously though, avoid the crap out of developer work, worst paying, worst job in IT.

Halite said:
[...] don't be a developer[...]

D:

Seriously though, avoid the crap out of developer work, worst paying, worst job in IT.

Why? What if I want to be independent? Not that it will be my main dedication (I'll never leave electronics)... but that that got me curious...

Xch3l said:
D:

Why? What if I want to be independent? Not that it will be my main dedication (I'll never leave electronics)... but that that got me curious...

Developing your own applications/games/etc. can be a good job, if you make a good product.
Working as a developer for an existing company, particularly a large company, is one of the most labor intensive jobs, and pays the worst of any IT job (take the DBA salary numbers from above, and cut them all in half).

Halite said:
Developing your own applications/games/etc. can be a good job, if you make a good product.
Working as a developer for an existing company, particularly a large company, is one of the most labor intensive jobs, and pays the worst of any IT job (take the DBA salary numbers from above, and cut them all in half).

Oh I get it, luckily I'll be doing that just for a hobby (I don't expect so much income from it, though)

Xch3l said:
Oh I get it, luckily I'll be doing that just for a hobby (I don't expect so much income from it, though)

Yeah, that's just fine, plenty of people like doing that.