A couple weeks ago, my manager offered me the full-time position at my job! I have been a contracted worker for the last couple of months and my contract was originally due to complete at the end of three months, but they offered me the position almost a full month beforehand! HR had to complete another background check so I didn’t receive the official offer until about a week later. When I first started back in September, I wasn’t sure if I would accept the position if they offered it to me. But I’ve really come to enjoy working with all my coworkers and I think that it’s a great opportunity to gain some experience. So I accepted! 
I had done some research beforehand regarding the average market salary for my position, as the temp agency originally told me that the pay would be a little bit less. So I came in prepared to negotiate for the market average, but was thrown off when they actually offered me the market average. It hadn’t occurred to me that they would offer me more than what the temp agency informed me, and since I was a bit thrown off I just went ahead and accepted it.
The more I thought about it, however, the more I feel I should have negotiated for more. I know one of my coworkers makes more than me and I currently have a lot more responsibilities even though I’ve been in my position for less time. But just thinking about it makes me uncomfortable! I don’t have always have a very assertive personality, so I’m wondering if I hurt myself in that regard. I also didn’t know if it was typical to negotiate on your first job. I am so new to these things!
After being unemployed for the summer, I’m really enjoying working full-time now. It took a little bit of adjusting after that time off, but I’m really getting into the groove of things now. While I’m still paying off loans and bills, the steady income is so nice compared to my college days when I felt like I never had money! While I know that I was working hard and towards my goals while I was in college, I really feel now like I’m getting closer each day to attaining those goals. I feel like Andrew and I are really starting to build our lives together.
It’s also been fun (though also slightly frustrating) expanding my wardrobe with more business professional work outfits. Finding comfortable and cute shoes that fit my really narrow feet has been a bit difficult, but I’m slowly starting to find a couple pairs that I can wear on the regular without killing my feet. Plus, who knew I could rock a cute pair of wine-colored heels all day! It’s been fun getting out of my comfort zone even with the type of clothes I typically wear.
Another thing I love about working is meeting new people. There are about fifteen of us in our department and almost everyone is a recent graduate, so I’ve been making a lot of new friends which is always welcome. In my normal day to day life, I don’t really meet a lot of new people, so being in a new job with new people and making new friends is really exciting. It makes me want to come to work each day and really enjoy being there.
So it’s been a busy but exciting November! I can hardly believe it’s already December, but I am so excited because Christmastime is my favorite time of the year! We set up our Christmas tree and bought a few more decorations since we have a house now – albeit we did all of this a little bit later than I would have liked, but it’s all up now!
Next on my list is to send out Christmas cards! If you’d like me to send you a card, feel free to privately send me your address and I’ll make sure to send you one! 