Thursday, January 25, 2007
The Wicked Negotiator
Today I met a cool group of people at Starbucks. I rarely frequent coffee shops because I don't drink coffee, and I try to avoid the temptations of sugary drinks and snacks, but I'm glad I went today. The baristas behind the counter were begging me to come work with them. The manager handed me an application and pen!! I can't work at Starbucks--it only pays $8/hour, but it was flattering to have all three of them saying how fun it would be to work with me! I'm not even sure what I did to deserve all the attention. I was just chatting and being polite. I guess my earlier observation (Boston people are cold) was pretty accurate, because I'm just being myself and people here think I'm so friendly!
Things at Berlitz are still great. I'm teaching both Japanese and English now because I was able to negotiate my pay to almost twice what they originally offered me. (Japanese and English are on different pay scales because English teachers are easier to find.)
I told them I had an interview with another company in Boston that was offering me twice what Berlitz was offering for English. I knew they needed me so I took advantage of the situation. Even though in my heart I knew I would stay with Berlitz, I told her I simply couldn't justify working at Berlitz for half the pay. So my boss said she could work something out, and she gave me a raise then and there! I had no idea it was this easy to get what I want!
And I really did have another interview today. It was with another language learning company in Boston. I went in to meet the director and see the studio. The studio is beautiful. It's quite large and appears to be very well-organized. (I love organization!) If I were a student that's the kind of place I'd want to study at. More importantly, if I were a teacher that's where I'd want to teach!!
So I was offered a job, but not to start immediately. January is a slow time of year, and they've started an early search for spring/summer teachers. Because this company is in downtown Boston, it has more long-term potential for me. I'm tentatively planning to start there in April, and move to full time over the summer. Depending on how things go, I'll continue working there through the fall and start my graduate school classes in the evening. That's when I quit this nanny-business!! Hmm! Sounds like I got it all planned out, huh?
I've made a provisional plan to move to Boston in early summer. I like where I live now, but I'm too young to be so far from the fun stuff. I hate the commute into Boston every time I want to see anyone or do anything. City living is the life for me!!
That's all the recent news from me! I'm feeling happy and optimistic about my future again. Thanks for all your loving support!
Things at Berlitz are still great. I'm teaching both Japanese and English now because I was able to negotiate my pay to almost twice what they originally offered me. (Japanese and English are on different pay scales because English teachers are easier to find.)
I told them I had an interview with another company in Boston that was offering me twice what Berlitz was offering for English. I knew they needed me so I took advantage of the situation. Even though in my heart I knew I would stay with Berlitz, I told her I simply couldn't justify working at Berlitz for half the pay. So my boss said she could work something out, and she gave me a raise then and there! I had no idea it was this easy to get what I want!
And I really did have another interview today. It was with another language learning company in Boston. I went in to meet the director and see the studio. The studio is beautiful. It's quite large and appears to be very well-organized. (I love organization!) If I were a student that's the kind of place I'd want to study at. More importantly, if I were a teacher that's where I'd want to teach!!
So I was offered a job, but not to start immediately. January is a slow time of year, and they've started an early search for spring/summer teachers. Because this company is in downtown Boston, it has more long-term potential for me. I'm tentatively planning to start there in April, and move to full time over the summer. Depending on how things go, I'll continue working there through the fall and start my graduate school classes in the evening. That's when I quit this nanny-business!! Hmm! Sounds like I got it all planned out, huh?
I've made a provisional plan to move to Boston in early summer. I like where I live now, but I'm too young to be so far from the fun stuff. I hate the commute into Boston every time I want to see anyone or do anything. City living is the life for me!!
That's all the recent news from me! I'm feeling happy and optimistic about my future again. Thanks for all your loving support!
