Job v Job: An interesting problem..

"Cliffs Notes on Bottom"

The story behind this is a bit long and complicated, but...

I've been "into" sports photography for about one year. Needless to say from my signature, my equipment base grew rather fast.

That aside, I left my job at Ritz Camera (stop laughing, and I'll post more on that eventually) because my new job as a sports photographer for a huge sports complex apparently resulted in me working for a direct competitor. Conflict of interest? Yes, conflict of THEIR interests. Bye! Anywho...

The same week I started working there, I accepted a position for data entry and filing at a shoe company my brother works for. Based on past company events with my brother, I already know some of the staff, and we seem to get along pretty well. The problem? So far, they only want Fridays, and ALL the sports tournaments take place in part on Fridays.

Aside from wanting to be outdoors (or indoors for hockey), shooting sports, the sports company also pays nearly twice as much.

Now, the question isn't "which is priority," because during the interview, the shoe company accepted the basic idea that once I find a suitable job in photography, I'm taking it. The weird part? It's only been two weeks....

How should I approach this? They are usually pretty friendly about well, everything, but I've never had to leave a job this quickly before.

Thanks for your advice!

Cliffs Notes: Student photographer already started better paying job in sports photography than once-a-week data entry position at same company as brother. The question isn't "Should I quit?" it's how.

A few years from now you'll look back at the shoe company job and have a nice memory.

Just be honest: "you know I'm really trying to get my photography career on track, and I could have never expected it to happen this quickly. I've got a wonderful opportunity, and I just have to take it. Unfortunately that means leaving you folks, and I certainly appreciate the job you gave me here, no matter how short it ended up being."

Something like that, and give them two week's notice.

Dave

tracknut wrote in post #5670149
A few years from now you'll look back at the shoe company job and have a nice memory.

Just be honest: "you know I'm really trying to get my photography career on track, and I could have never expected it to happen this quickly. I've got a wonderful opportunity, and I just have to take it. Unfortunately that means leaving you folks, and I certainly appreciate the job you gave me here, no matter how short it ended up being."

Something like that, and give them two week's notice.

Dave

Given that they went "without" me for probably about a month, I'd be surprised if they needed two weeks.

Thanks for the advice!

Data entry isn't usually so inflexible, if they can't move you to another day the post above is very well put.

Yeah, I think it worth talking with the data entry employer to see if there might be some flexibility in their scheduling. Sounds like both gigs are part time hours, so maybe things can be flexed around so that they compliment each other.

Since I had mentioned the photo job search during the interview, they understood completely.

Last day is Tuesday.

I dont see a question here. Its hard to leave a job without one already in hand. But If you already have one (bonus that it pays better) there is no problem. A good manager can tell if you are just leaving, or moveing up, and usually act accordingly. So just walk in and quit. When it really comes down to it... You are working for you, not them.

Find a part time job somewhere else. A temp agency os a good choice. If you have skills to be placed some where you can pretty much work as you want. Or steady on the off season and not douring regular season. I have done this before. I worked on and off depending on the rest of my schedule.

I guess it's all done now, but I just want to point out something for anybody else in a similar position:

If your employer wants to fire you or lay you off or let you go (or however you want to word it) they will terminate you and you will be out of the building almost immediately. Sometimes, you won't have more time than it takes to fill your cardboard box.

It sounds you like you worked it out. I would've hated to see you burn any bridges, especially since your brother works there.
Coming from someone that hires folks for positions, if it's mentioned in the interview and I hire anyway then I have to expect that it could happen. Otherwise, just being up front and honest and offering the employer the two weeks notice will keep your name in good standing in the off chance you ever needed to go back there or use them as a reference. I personally don't hold someone to two weeks notice if they were just hired.....I wouldn't want to waste any more time in training them. Not sure if being termed is the best way to go either, usually the employer lists you as not eligible for re-hire which could prevent you from getting a job down the line if you listed them as a previous employer......but if you want out fast and with some flair that could would be the way to do it
Anyway, good luck to you. What a great feeling to be moving towards your goals

BLUEORIGINS wrote in post #5675556
It sounds you like you worked it out. I would've hated to see you burn any bridges, especially since your brother works there.
Coming from someone that hires folks for positions, if it's mentioned in the interview and I hire anyway then I have to expect that it could happen. Otherwise, just being up front and honest and offering the employer the two weeks notice will keep your name in good standing in the off chance you ever needed to go back there or use them as a reference. I personally don't hold someone to two weeks notice if they were just hired.....I wouldn't want to waste any more time in training them. Not sure if being termed is the best way to go either, usually the employer lists you as not eligible for re-hire which could prevent you from getting a job down the line if you listed them as a previous employer......but if you want out fast and with some flair that could would be the way to do it
Anyway, good luck to you. What a great feeling to be moving towards your goals

Thank you!

Ironically, I should also graduate from college on August 14.