Due Diligence

I have been doing my “due diligence” considering the offer from WaMu. I have been talking with my co-workers here at Clearwire, my financial advisor, and my husband.

I have come to the conclusion that the offer is very good for someone just out of school. However, the market for someone with just 1 year of post-graduate work in this field is higher. Part of the reason I came to this conclusion was what one of the interviewers said to me; when I asked him if he had any concerns that would prevent me from being selected. He said “You don’t project confidence. You know your stuff, you have been working in your field for the past year; you should not discount that experience. Don’t sell yourself short” After I received the call confirming that I had been selected I began to review the interviews to see what it was that sealed the deal. Mary the recruiter for WaMu made it sound like they had decided on Saturday to offer me the position. Then I remembered that I had asked this one simple question of every interviewer. “Do you have any concerns that I need to clear up in order to be the top candidate?” I think this was the deal sealing question. Every interviewer seemed to be taken off guard and they all gave me valuable advice. The advice that is most immediately useful: “You should not discount (your) experience”

So, now I need to make a decision; how much or what should I ask for? I can just ask that they bump me up to the bottom of the scale based on my experience or I could ask for another week of vacation and a full compensation for my metro pass. I think that with training that I will receive on the job it would not be appropriate to ask to be bumped the full amount. So if I split the difference I will end up requesting an additional 3k or so.

I found this information out at http://www.payscale.com. I have looked at the other salary comparison sites, but I like this one the best. PayScale is very detailed for a free service. At the end it gives a nice chart that compare where you are compared to the market.

The problem I am having is justifying the increase in pay. I find it hard to believe that one year makes that big of a difference. Although, I have already been through the new-grad-stay-up-all-night-sleep-in-slacker period; so they will not have to get me to understand that point. I also have participated in a few meetings and know a how to navigate the corporate HR maze. I could act as a mentor to the fresh off the turnip truck graduates. Now all I have to do is remember to emphasize my experience and how it will benefit the company and the program.

Hope in COBRA skin

I think things are working themselves out well. The EX (company) is working diligently to have the coverage reinstated. The COBRA administrator is sending me my new packet and all seems to be going well.


I read an article today that I thought was interesting. According to kipligner.com; if you are a college student who is covered by your parents insurance until graduation or a specific age, and you have a pre-existing helth issue you can take advantage of COBRA to extend coverage. (see quote below)

The COBRA option. If your child has an existing health condition, your best option might be to take advantage of COBRA, the federal law that allows an adult child to remain on a parent's policy for up to 36 months.

Coverage your grad receives through an employer-based or individual health plan is usually more comprehensive than what your child would get with student health or short-term insurance, but it's also more expensive. With a COBRA policy, you have to pay both the employer's and employee's share of your group premium plus a 2% administrative fee. Still, COBRA can serve as a safety net while you look into other options. After a child is dropped from your policy, you'll have 60 days to decide if you want COBRA coverage. If a grad gets sick or is injured during that period, you can retroactively buy coverage to pay the bills. More Here about student health coverage and graduation.

What is a better gift than a brand new car? Maintaining good health! COBRA coverage would probably cost the same as a new car payment plus full coverage insurance, but good health is worth much more.

When the COBRA attacks and your commercial is unfinished

Today was filled with such hope. I was going to write my personal commercial so I could have it ready for the big networking event. Well unless I write on the bus home or in the dentists chair I don't know if it will get done today.

I finally decided I could no longer put off dealing with COBRA. As the deadline is approaching in four days. I sent in the last months premiums on Monday and just had to follow up. Turns out my ex-employer switched COBRA administrators and my info was lost in the conversion(this is to be expected, no one is at fault). So I am not really sure where I am at with COBRA. My ex-employer, however, did reinstate my benefits so I will be covered on Monday. Then comes the paper work to be reimbursed for all of the stuff I paid out of pocket and such. When I was laid off I should have just started paying for the premiums right off.

With COBRA you have two months from the time the COBRA administrator is notified of the separation to decide if you will keep the benefits. This is nice in case you get a new job with benefits and you have no pre-existing conditions for which you will need coverage. Then you just ignore the whole issue and move on. However, if you do have a pre-existing condition you should immediately start to pay the premiums because you will need continuous coverage (no gaps) to be covered by your new employers benefits(usually).

In my case I needed the coverage because I took a contract position which has no benefits. So, I messed about and put the issue off until close to the end. NEVER PUT THINGS OFF! This should be tattooed to my arm or something. I used to put things off in high school, I thought I learned my lesson. Well things should work out with a couple of hiccups, but se la vie.

For more on COBRA check out these sites.
US Labor Department FAQ a bit wordy and bureaucratic but it has it all.
Advice from Bank Rate scroll down a bit, clear advice and totally non judgemental.

Monday with an Easter Buzz!!

I remember the day after Easter when I was a kid. I would crawl out of bed, sneak a peep or two from my basket and then eat breakfast. By the time I reached the bus stop I was in full sugar rush mode, with back up jelly beans in my pocket. I would chow down on those beans all day. I really feel sorry for my teachers. I know how "inquisitive" I was normally. I must have been a question machine on the day after major holidays.

Well I had a couple of pieces of candy and some cake, but I feel more blech than sugar rushed. Too much salt and sugar together. Oh well.

I think that I saw a dress that would be perfect for the dinner portion of my final interview for WaMu.

I am not really sure if this is appropriate, but I like it.


I have three full weeks to prepare for the interviews. I get nervous and excited. I just don't want to blow it. I need to practice talking to strangers, but I get scared. You never know who will be a crazy. I could end up with a stalker or worse.
That is all worse case, I know. Still that thought lingers.

I have a whole bunch of information gathered, though not organised. About interviews of this type and about networking. Once, I get it organised I will post it.