Life Changing Offer. Decision Time.

Cullen82

Hi people,

As of one hour ago my head has been absolutely all over the place.

I came home from a 18 Months travelling last October, Time of my life etc.

I eventually got a good job here in Dublin in January and my contract has recently been extended until March/April next year. I'm settled in renting a house, back with family /friends etc But this afternoon something happened...I got a phonecall....


A Tour Company has offered me a position as a Trainee Guide in Africa...I was gobsmacked when they called as I had totally forgotten about applying for the Job almost a year ago. My CV & Travel experience they tell me are perfect for the position, As were the references given by people I have met with from their Company in the past.

The position consist of 3/4 months on the Job Training followed by another 2 and a half years Touring with the Company in either Africa, Middle East of South America.

I'm still shocked at the offer and what it could mean for my very near future.

The postition commences end October. I have 24 hours to decide.

Any advice?

Cheers

Cullen82

LegacyUser

What is your gut feeling on it? This is what I go by when making big decisions. If something feels like the wrong thing to do, then it usually is. It sounds like an amazing one in a lifetime chance to me! Good luck with it if you do go :-)

helimachoptor

Go for it, what an experience!

LegacyUser

I would go for it! things dont seem to be picking up much here at all, I know you have a job but its only until April maybe and this sounds like an amazing opportunity and something you'll enjoy. I wish I had the chance to do it!

jimmycrackcorm

If you don't go for it what will you do next May when your contact is up. Sounds like an amazing experience not to be missed especially as you don't day you have any really string ties such as partner or mortgage preventing you from going...

LegacyUser

Hi OP,

mmmm i think you have to go with your gut, i wouldnt be so quick to go without knowing more about the job, living arrangements etc.... like you may have felt like you have done your bit of traveling and are happy at home, if you still have the urge to travel and think you would enjoy the work then go.... but dont be afraid to stay either you have a job and home here thats going well as well, but if you think its a bit depressing here in Ireland then another reason to go, i defo think you should trust your gut on this one..

Acoshla

Go! What an opportunity, if you hate it you can always come home, but if you don't go you'll never what it would've been like.

Cullen82

Well,

Half an hour ago I contacted the Office and asked them more about the position. In actual fact I may not be taken on end of October but if not, they want me to take a position sometime next year

I have accepted the opportunity. However he said there is still a very good chance of me getting the end of October slot - they have shortlisted 3 other people for the same role.

SO....I should find out in the next 48 hours where I'll be spending the next 3 years+

Jesus, What a difference a day makes:pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac:

Michellenman

Sounds like an unbelievable opportunity! Best of luck with it!

LegacyUser

Why did they only give you 24 hours to decide??

[-0-]

We're in a recession. Run for the hills young man!

47

OP

GO FOR IT

you have the chance to do something not many people do. There`ll be other jobs when you decide to get back and we more than likely wont be in a recession. Seize the opportunity and good luck :cool:

seenitall

Go Go GOOOOOOOO

You lucky s_d

Cullen82

soundscool wrote: »

Why did they only give you 24 hours to decide??

I'm not entirely sure, I have a feeling someone pulled out at last minute and they're trying to fill the vacancy asap.

I initially told him that, realistically I doubted I would be able to go with it being such short notice for such a big decision - So he said to me to take 24 hours to think it over and either call him or drop him a mail to let him know my decision.

After little over an hour I had already done a complete U-turn and called him back to tell him I'd take the job if it was offered.

Cullen82

Thanks for the replies and encouragement everyone.

I've mentioned on Boards before that I've forever been trying for the "Life Less Ordinary" - I worked in Spain for a couple of years and also travelled a fair bit as I mentioned before so on this occasion my gut was telling me not to think about it and just do - even though I will admit I was almost scared thinking about the size of the decision earlier today:o

I don't know how realistic my chances are of getting it now (trying not to build it up) but Beers are on me Saturday if I do !!!

buswankers

Congrats OP....2 me it sounds like the opportunity of a lifetime...uv no ties here so ur dead right not 2 think twice about taking it!! so exciting woo hoo!!

Cullen82

buswankers wrote: »

Congrats OP....2 me it sounds like the opportunity of a lifetime...uv no ties here so ur dead right not 2 think twice about taking it!! so exciting woo hoo!!

Woo hooo nice one thanks, I'll miss Boards if I get it

Ickle Magoo

Buswankers, Using textspeak is not permitted on this forum. Please take the time to read the forum rules in the charter and abide by them.
Many thanks.
Ickle

CDfm

What you can do is this.

You can accept the offer and actually pull out anytime before you are due to start.

Dont feel pressurised lots of people accept job offers not intending to take them up and these guys suddently contacted you after 12 months.

Say yes and mull the decision over for a few days before handing in your notice and if it all checks out make your decision then.

That way you can be comfortable that what you are doing is correct.

Cullen82

CDfm wrote: »

What you can do is this.

You can accept the offer and actually pull out anytime before you are due to start.

Dont feel pressurised lots of people accept job offers not intending to take them up and these guys suddently contacted you after 12 months.

Say yes and mull the decision over for a few days before handing in your notice and if it all checks out make your decision then.

That way you can be comfortable that what you are doing is correct.

Sound, Thanks:D

Here's hoping I'm offered it now - he said in an email after our phonecall "I can't guarantee you the job but you have a very good chance if you make yourself available"

I won't rush into anything anyway. If the offer came - The current job still wont be finding out until my last few weeks.

CDfm

Cullen82 wrote: »

Sound, Thanks:D

Here's hoping I'm offered it now - he said in an email after our phonecall "I can't guarantee you the job but you have a very good chance if you make yourself available"

I won't rush into anything anyway. If the offer came - The current job still wont be finding out until my last few weeks.

Thats how to handle it. They have no problem offering you the job on their terms so it is ethical for you to accept it on yours.

Beruthiel

Sounds like a fantastic offer Cullen82, best of luck with it.

Cullen82

Beruthiel wrote: »

Sounds like a fantastic offer Cullen82, best of luck with it.

Thanks Beruthiel and everyone else,

Terms and Conditions for the role were emailed to me this morning. They asked me to look over them and they'll call me for another chat at 5pm today. Was also mentioned they might try to get me over to London to meet them asap.

They sound eager, As long as I come across well in the phonecall it sounds as though I'm current favourite:D

Jaysus I read the T&C - Only 3 to 6 weeks accompanying another tour leader before they stick you on your own truck with 20 - 30 customers for Months on end......A bit daunting but guess that's the price to be paid:cool:

Cullen82

I was nervous leading up to this call today, Not nervous about the call itself but nervous knowing that on the off chance he offered me the Job my head would explode........So the end of the 5 o'clock phonecall sounded like this:

"Well Cullen82 I can tell you now that we have 3 other people on the table for this job but after speaking to you on the phone I want to offer you the position straight up meaning you'll have to be in Nairobi this time next month"


Fcuking helllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

So I'm sitting in work here...in shock:o

RIRI

delighted for you op - all the very best of luck, you lucky lucky thing

belongtojazz

Wow well done sounds like a brilliant oppurtunity.

And as for missing boards, i'm sure you'll be far too busy having a great time to worry about whatevers going on here

Cullen82

belongtojazz wrote: »

Wow well done sounds like a brilliant oppurtunity.

And as for missing boards, i'm sure you'll be far too busy having a great time to worry about whatevers going on here

Thanks, Have the weekend to think about it but I'm pretty sure I already know what the decision is.......:pac::pac::pac::pac::pac:

Don't want to be the Debbie Downer here but have you really looked into the company, the T&C and everything? It all sounds a bit 'unofficial'/unprofessional to me, I know some jobs/careers are, but it's unusual to have to make a decision that quickly. I'd probably ask them straight out what the story was with that - did someone pull out or what? But if you're satisfied that all is above board then you should definitely go!

Cullen82

Gianluca Round Flannel wrote: »

Don't want to be the Debbie Downer here but have you really looked into the company, the T&C and everything? It all sounds a bit 'unofficial'/unprofessional to me, I know some jobs/careers are, but it's unusual to have to make a decision that quickly. I'd probably ask them straight out what the story was with that - did someone pull out or what? But if you're satisfied that all is above board then you should definitely go!

Thanks, Not at all "Debbie" you make perfect sense. I asked had someone pulled out at last minute yesterday just out of curiousity (Which would have been fine with me).The reason is because a crew member has decided to stop touring next year in South America and they're replacing that person with a Crew member who is currently in Africa - Hence they need a Tour Guide trained up by then to be the Africa replacement....me:D

You're right about the T & C though, I made sure to read through them and there's quite a bit in it but realistically the bad points are pretty much the "price you pay" for the role with no experience other than having previously travelled a lot.

Another little twist in the tail - Someone I met travelling in South America dropped me a FaceBook message today saying congrats -turns out she had given the company a reference for me, she used to work as a Tour Guide for them in South America so it makes a little bit more sense today.

The Company dropped me another email this morning asking if I could drop over to the UK to sign my Employment papers - So I think I'll be booking my flights for there and for Africa tomorrow and handing in my notice on Monday.

Feel strangely sad about the whole thing having only ccome home last Xmas but I suppose this is my shot at the Life Less Ordinary so gotta go for it

Thanks again everyone

Auldloon

Brilliant it sounds like its gonna be a hell of an adventure. Do you know what countries you will be guiding in? Any discounts for boards members:D
The very best of luck with it all, It will be a life changing experience.

Cullen82

Chuileog wrote: »

Brilliant it sounds like its gonna be a hell of an adventure. Do you know what countries you will be guiding in? Any discounts for boards members:D
The very best of luck with it all, It will be a life changing experience.

Howdy, Thanks yeah it should be something worthy of telling the grandkids (should I have time!) I hope:D

The first year should be based travelling Overland up and down East Africa through Kenya,Uganda,Rwanda,Tanzania,DaresSalam,Zanzibar,Malawi,Zambia,Zimbabwe,Namibia,Botswana and South Africa - providing I do a good enough job (and dont get sacked or let go for whatever reason) I should be doing this trip at least 3 times ie. Nairobi to Cape Town and then Cape Town back to Nairobi.

They have'nt mentioned West Africa yet so I don't know whether I'll have the chance to do that route.

After a year or so the Tour Leader normally has the opportunity to go to do the same type of tour in the Middle East and South America.

G86

Sounds amazing, best of luck to you!:D