Temp work offer from a previous employer who laid me off (interview, temporary)

[txaggie72]

Howdy Ladies and Gentlemen,

I was working for unit A of company X up until 06/10 when unit B (of X) offered me a job which I accepted. I worked for B up until 07/11 when I was laid off. Now unit A has made me an offer for a temp (6 month) job at same pay rate as what B was paying - I had asked to be paid closer to market when they called me into the office to discuss - which is like 20-25 % higher but it has not happened. Also, this job is in the NorthEast - and my wife moved to the Mid West a couple of months ago to start grad school. I would like to join her ASAP but since I have been working in Financial Services IT, I figured it would be much easier for me to find a job in the TriState area first and then look for something in the Mid West.

I am in the final round of interviewing at 2 other places for fulltime positions - and I know both will pay more fairly than my previous employer. One interview is Monday - the other one is not yet decided since the senior manager had a death in his family last week.

What advice can you offer me considering my situation ?

What all can I negotiate with company X ? How much time is reasonable to ask for to consider the offer - so I can see if the other 2 firms make me an offer ? Having been in that team before, I am apprehensive of the work load they will send my way. This temp position is to convert a system for one particular client, but the manager of the team already told me during our meeting last week that I need to be ready to work on projects for all clients. The same thing was happening when I was in that team as a permanent employee. He does not know I am being hired as a temp - and I am afraid of ending up in a position where I get a tonne of work at a low pay and have to stay away from my wife for an extended period - and my move to rejoin her gets delayed.

I have no loyalty left for this company (since they laid me off 2.5 months ago after me consistently working hard and getting projects completed ahead of time for more than 8 years). I don't have any other offers yet - so I'm thinking will have to accept this one if I don't get anything from the other two firms I am talking to. I do however want to be able to leave them as soon as I find something in the mid west to join my wife - can a temp offer include a requirement to work for a certain period of time - in my case, would it mean I would not be able to leave them before 6 months ?

Please share your thoughts.

Your advice is much appreciated.

[fisheye]

You know your field better than I do. However; you do not mention if there is any work in your field close to your wife? Have you looked?

[seain dublin]

Originally Posted by fisheye

You know your field better than I do. However; you do not mention if there is any work in your field close to your wife? Have you looked?

That would be my question. You're going to be interviewing for full time positions in the Northeast, so you would still be apart from your wife.

In regards to the temporary position, you can always start it and after you interview(you said one is on Monday) for the full time position, quit if the full time position is offered.

I wouldn't give it a second thought about leaving a company that laid you off and is now offering you a temporary job at much lower pay for a full time job.