Contacted
It is amazing how sometimes your blog or site can bring people to you that need your skills, talents or knowledge. In late May, I had a comment awaiting moderation, and when I read it, I was very intrigued.

Several months after I moved to Ottawa, I sent my resume to basically every technology or development firm in Ottawa with almost no success. I felt like this city had turned its back on me after my years of schooling, and now, a year later, I had a company coming to me wanting my services.

Interviewing
They asked me to come in for an informal interview. I told them I was happy in the position I had with the Bloggy Network and how I was not looking for a change. While having a group of people willing to help me on projects would have been amazing, not having the control I have now was a little scary. Office hours were also a big shift for me. I decided to go in and met with three of their staff. It was a great meeting, the best I have ever had. They all seemed to understand me well, and their questions were very interesting. Their ideas of what I would be used for in their company were very much in line with some of the projects I would love to do. Teach companies about blogging, podcasting, wikis, and other new media technology, while helping to develop some of these applications for big name companies.

It sounded like a dream, and I must admit to being star struck. One of my ultimate goals is to be a teacher or mentor. Had I not given myself due course to think about my options, my life and weigh the pro’s and con’s properly, I probably would have accepted any offer they passed my way at that time. Looking back on it, I realize I have to be more careful in how I feel as I could have made a life changing mistake.

After a successful interview, they asked if I would be willing to come back and meet with their CEO. I of course, said yes.

Meeting the CEO
A few weeks later, and I was meeting with the boss of the place. At first it was just he and I, which was fun. We talked about my past, my skills, and projects I have worked on. We talked about the things I would improve on their current company blogs, as well as compliments I had for them in what they have already done.

After the meeting with the CEO, I felt confident that if they offered me the correct amount of money, I would probably stay in Ottawa for another year, and work with the company. I had never had someone contact me in this way before and treat me so well, and then I looked back on my initial start with Jacob and the Bloggy Network. He provided me with every technological toy I had been dreaming about, and helped me in attaining others. The CEO of the company was promising me so much, and seemed so interested in me, but what were they going to offer me in order to sway me away from the company that had done so much for me?

They finally sent me an offer, which was worth more than I was getting paid currently between the two different jobs I have. It also offered me more time to spend on myself, learning, keeping up with technology and the blogosphere. I was so confused. What do you do with an offer that could change your financial situation and give you more time for self discovered learning, as well as a team to help you carry out projects?

Asking for Advice
So I went home, and I talked to Sabine, and a few of my friends and family. We went back and forth on the issue for a long time. This was no easy decision, but it came down to a few factors. Knowing we don’t want to stay in Ottawa for a long time, what would I do after I take this job in Ottawa? I could not go back to Jacob and others and get paid what I am getting paid now. There are too many others looking for what I have. I might not be at the top of the pay scale in comparison to other bloggers, but I know I am not around the bottom either.

Sabine and I have been able to manage decently with the money I am making, though the long hours I have been putting in have hurt our relationship a bit. She saw the job with the company a way for her and I to get some normalicy back into our relationship. A way for me to leave the apartment and have stable 9-5 style work hours.

Considering the Offer
I thought about the situation for a long time. The offer seemed great, but I would not be able to easily move where Sabine wants to go if I took the job. I e-mailed Jacob asking him where he sees the company going. I asked a bunch of questions about my future with the company. I had actually just finished dealing with a bad case of burnout.

Jacob’s response added to my list of reasons not to change jobs. His response was that of a man understanding my emotions without knowing the situation I was in. I had not told him about the job offer or the countless meetings. His thoughts on the situation were interesting, though they did not settle Sabine’s fears about a company that to me only exists in cyberspace.

Coming to a Conclusion
My final conclusion was that I have too much invested in my work with the Bloggy Network. I enjoy the control I currently have. I enjoy the ability to go wherever, as long as I have an Internet connection. While the pay is not great, while the hours are long, there are so many fringe benefits to doing what I do. I am passionate about what I do, and I am not looking to be traded to another team at this time. Not unless the offer was so great, that all the advantages of my current job are not worth holding onto in comparison.

While this was the first company to contact me in this regard, I hope others contact me for conferences, and other events, as I would love to strengthen my voice in the blogosphere even more, as well as expanding my reach. I wish the company all the best, and hope they find another suitable candidate.