Absurdly Overdue Update #1

I dub that #1 because I know that it will be the first of many. But, I am happy to announce that this is a happy update. For you see… I have a job.

Let me say that again. I have a job!

This is a very exciting thing for me, since my life is finally coming back together. I’ve got the job, which is the start of a great many things. It’s helping me get my life into a routine, as well as bringing a lot of great people into my life.

Though, let me elaborate a bit about the job. I work for a medical insurance company, and I’m one of the people your doctor’s office contacts when you need an office visit or procedure authorized so the insurance will cover it. I got the job through OfficeTeam, who is one of the best staffing agencies around.

I don’t get paid a lot, but I’ve been told that the company likes me so much and the work and potential I have to help them, that they want to offer me a permanent position. This has got me curious and wondering about how the whole process works - since I get paid by OfficeTeam, and am technically an employee of theirs… how does that work?

Luckily, I have a friend in Seattle who used to work for Robert Half International, OfficeTeam’s parent company. He told me that what happens is, the client company hires a staffing agency like OfficeTeam to find someone to fill a position, since it can cost upwards of $10,000 for a company to try to hire someone themselves. So, for argument’s sake, lets say the client company pays OfficeTeam $20 an hour per person in this position, and OfficeTeam turns around and pays the person they find $12 an hour, so they get to pocket almost the same about of money they pay out per hour for that position.

The thing that makes me think the most, though, is if I get hired on full time - what sorts of negotiation skills will I need? What sort of a mentality should I bring to the table? What attitude? What should I ask for? Et al.

It’s confusing! I’m not sure exactly what I should do. Any suggestions or help is appreciated!

-David