Fake job listings have been known about for a while, I’m sure I’ve probably applied to some by now. I just thought companies might be ‘gauging the market’ or building up an application database, but it didn’t occur to me until going down a Bluesky wormhole that they may also be selling your data. Seems obvious now, but I wish I could go back a few years and not just fire off Quick Applys to any swingin’ dick “hiring".

(I’ve never given an SSN to anyone who didn’t pay me but thanks to DOGE that info is probably readily available too )

Nearly 14 months after my last day at my previous full-time job, I have a full-time job offer.

I have spent the past 10 and a half months or so doing contract work, although the company I am currently working for is careful to call us contingent workers, in order to emphasize that we are not under contract. We can be laid off at a moment's notice (some CWs recently got axed with 2 hours to get their stuff and get out), but the plus side is that so can I. Although I would feel obligated to give 2 weeks' notice, because ... fuck, I don't know. In case the word gets out or some shit.

My CW job entailed a pay cut from my full-time position. This job would entail a slight pay cut from this CW position. No more free breakfast and lunch on weekdays. In exchange, though, I would no longer be working for a company I absolutely loathe.

There's another job I interviewed at on Friday; waiting to hear from them. There's a job I had 3 videocalls with; they want me to do a brief presentation for them. That other job knows about the job offer, and they'll try to speed things along, but there's only so much accelerating of the process they can manage.

But no matter what, even if this offer in hand is all I'm left with, I'm taking it.

HR at the place that is offering me a job did a "review" of their initial offer to see if it was reasonable. When I spoke with that rep on Wednesday and said they'd look at the standard salaries of applicants in my position, I was thinking that any increase in base salary, RSUs, bonus, etc. would be nominal, to allow them to say that they did bump it up.

Instead they are planning to start me a full level up above the one I applied for, an increase of 18% in the base salary, more RSUs.

There's a second position that is promising to get back to me tomorrow. This would pay better, and I have a weird feeling. Weird because everything I've been communicated by the team and HR has been good.

But my worst case is this job with an offer in hand (assuming the drug screen I have to take Saturday holds up; they don't count THC as a fail). If it comes to it, I'm taking it.

Anonymous37 wrote: Wed Jun 11, 2025 8:47 pm Nearly 14 months after my last day at my previous full-time job, I have a full-time job offer.

Anonymous37 wrote: Thu Jun 12, 2025 6:27 pm HR at the place that is offering me a job did a "review" of their initial offer to see if it was reasonable. When I spoke with that rep on Wednesday and said they'd look at the standard salaries of applicants in my position, I was thinking that any increase in base salary, RSUs, bonus, etc. would be nominal, to allow them to say that they did bump it up.

Instead they are planning to start me a full level up above the one I applied for, an increase of 18% in the base salary, more RSUs.

Anonymous37 wrote: Wed Jun 11, 2025 8:47 pm Nearly 14 months after my last day at my previous full-time job, I have a full-time job offer.

So right after I posted that, the hiring manager called me to talk to me. He really wants me to join. As it happens, he was the one to push for the immediate bump to the next level up.

I told him about Company Two, and said that no matter what, I would have to take the weekend to decide.

The thing is (and I was upfront about this) Company Two is doing some amazing technical and scientific work. And they would probably pay better, although that alone wouldn't be the deciding factor.

There's a whole other comment about my interview with them on this past Friday, June 6th. But that might be completely moot if they decide to take a pass. Perversely, I kind of hope they do, because that would make my decision easier.

Any job for me is jut that, a job. They pay you to do something anybody wouldn't do for free. I always felt kinda jealous of people who had a dream work, a vocation, since kids; Being paid for doing something you enjoy.

If you think one of those jobs is going to make you feel fine, happy or satisfied go for it unless money is priority.

Got the written offer at that company, accepted it, and gave 2 weeks' notice at my "contract position" job. My last day will be Thursday, July 3rd.

Finally. The relief is palpable. An actual full-time job with paid benefits, paid holidays, and a future. I can go back to telling LinkedIn recruiters to go fuck themselves.

Anonymous37 wrote: Fri Jun 20, 2025 7:24 pm Got the written offer at that company, accepted it, and gave 2 weeks' notice at my "contract position" job. My last day will be Thursday, July 3rd.

Finally. The relief is palpable. An actual full-time job with paid benefits, paid holidays, and a future. I can go back to telling LinkedIn recruiters to go fuck themselves.

Good stuff!

Anonymous37 wrote: Fri Jun 20, 2025 7:24 pm Got the written offer at that company, accepted it, and gave 2 weeks' notice at my "contract position" job. My last day will be Thursday, July 3rd.

Finally. The relief is palpable. An actual full-time job with paid benefits, paid holidays, and a future. I can go back to telling LinkedIn recruiters to go fuck themselves.

Congrats!

Anonymous37 wrote: Fri Jun 20, 2025 7:24 pm Got the written offer at that company, accepted it, and gave 2 weeks' notice at my "contract position" job. My last day will be Thursday, July 3rd.

Finally. The relief is palpable. An actual full-time job with paid benefits, paid holidays, and a future. I can go back to telling LinkedIn recruiters to go fuck themselves.

Omg awesome. That was a long search!

cakes wrote: Sat Jun 21, 2025 1:28 am

Anonymous37 wrote: Fri Jun 20, 2025 7:24 pm Got the written offer at that company, accepted it, and gave 2 weeks' notice at my "contract position" job. My last day will be Thursday, July 3rd.

Finally. The relief is palpable. An actual full-time job with paid benefits, paid holidays, and a future. I can go back to telling LinkedIn recruiters to go fuck themselves.

Omg awesome. That was a long search!

It was. I am fortunate I had this temporary job to keep my spirits up (and to show employers that I was employable) in the interim.