I started looking for clients and I came accross a part-time role as a book keeper, I applied for it and I was invited for interview, I meet the directors and we discussed about the position and I asked few questions. I didn't ask about the salary to be paid but it was said in the adverts that it is competitive. I was given the offer as a part time bookkeeper but the hours are to be spread over 4 days in a week which make the rest of the days unuseful for me for example if i have to do 3.5hours over 4 days, 9am - 12.30pm, because they want me to know all about the accounting and bookkeeping everyday. The role is loaded from booking keeping, to payroll and management accounting. They are not ready to allow me to do it over 2 days 7 hours each day, please advice me before i take the offer.
Thank you.
-- Edited by AAAAK on Sunday 11th of September 2011 06:48:27 AM
The salary could be £6 or £15 p/h - you need to know. Another factor is how much travelling is involved for you to accept 14 hours work. You can compare this against your expected loss of private client earnings. If this doesn't seem feasible and they definitely want you, then you could try offering a 3 day compromise as a last resort. From their point of view, they may not wish to risk your leaving soon because you've found something more suitable.
Have a search on the recruitment sites to give you more idea of the alternatives. Best wishes for the future. Tim
-- Edited by Don Tax on Sunday 11th of September 2011 07:09:36 AM
It seems like you want 14 hours employment spread over 2 days, whereas they want you to work 14 hours spread over 4 days. Your choice seems fairly simple. If you are not happy with their proposal and they are not happy with your proposal and you cannot reach a compromise, you should not accept the job.
Also, as Tim mentioned, it would perhaps be useful to ask them how much they intend to pay you before you start.
I had a similar interview a few weeks ago. They offered me the job but when they told me how much they were offering to pay me I had to say no. They were paying £5.93/hour, the minimum wage!It wasn't even covering the travel costs. My advice is make sure you know how much you are getting paid, reach to an agreement with them the hours you will be doing and write it all down on a contract of employment/ letter of engagement. That way you both know your responsibilities.
Surely salary is one of the fundamental questions to ask when you are interviewing!!!
Agree with other advice given, if hours etc don't suit what you want then turn down the job confident that you at least had the first refusal. Use that confidence when looking for other positions.
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My advice is as follows - you have two choices, either you can find out the salary and then decide if it's worth the hassle of the hours, or if you are decided on the hours being unsuitable now, just let them know and pull out of the job offer.
Thanks everyone for your comments and advice, the company agreed to pay £11/hour but the hours are to be worked over 3 days , 5hours/5hours and 4hours. please does the offer worth acceptng?
not everything is about the money. Does this role give you experience in new area's or with new software that could lead to better return later?
What is the option to not accepting it? Is it better to have £11 per hour now or nothing for £15 in four or five weeks when another opportunity arises?
What opportunity are you not able to take up by taking this position on?
Taking this you are commiting three days of your time for £154 per week so the lost opportunity of three days at seven hours per day makes this the equivalent of £7.33 per hour rather than the £11 that you are getting so anything better than £7.33 for three days at 7 hours per day would be better unless you want the free time that this one gives.
I know that I didn't actually answer your question but hopefully the thinking outside of the box will help you to answer it yourself which at the end of the day you are the only person that can.
All the best,
Shaun.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Thanks for your quick response, the role involve: Financial Reports,Managemnt report, variance analysis, segment reporting,, processing sales invoices, receipts and
payments, completing VAT returns, Bank reconciliation, payroll, dealing with financial paperwork and filing, credit control etc. Is a good experience because it also
Personally I would take it and regard the money that comes with it as a bonus to the experience that it brings.
If after a month or so it's not working out then you come away with good experience.
If it is working out then they will like as not quickly want you for longer than the three days per week.
Good luck with it,
kind regards,
Shaun.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.