Should I take the job in this economy? (rent, home) - City-Data Forum

latikeriii · 07-06-2009, 07:36 PM

Hello,

Ok, i'm in a quagmire, I've been looking for a job all summer and have had about 7 interviews. 2 are for the feds so that process could last well into August before I even get an offer(if I'm chosen, i'm a top 3 candidate though), 2 positions, I wasn't chosen, and 2 positions were cancelled altogether. I got an offer for a consulting position today,

Pros:
Income in this bad economy
could possibly lead to something permanent that i'd like after the contract
Seems like a good company

Cons:
Its only a 1 year contract,
1.5 hours away by subway,
no benefits since its consulting(I won't be an actual employee of the firm), low pay
A step back in my career path(i'm overqualifed and it could possibly be career suicide
I would hate the job and be miserable.
M-F, 9-5 is bad for me because it prevents me from interviewing for PERMANENT jobs in the meantime if I were to take it. My rent now is about $500(sharing a 3 BD unit, sublet) and I have plenty of savings. Also, my wife is out of state but she's working so we have income that way too(she's living rent free with friends until she moves here in the fall). I am NOT hurting for money at all, i've been pretty good at conserving money but I don't want to eat away at my savings either. Obviously, the cons outweigh the Pros but the pro is major, its income.
Now my question is, should I take that position for income in this bad economy or should I decline it? I'm starting to get more interviews now than earlier this summer so maybe things are picking up, a big maybe. If I were to take it, maybe potential future employers would understand that I had to take the position in the bad economy, who knows.

Any feedback would be appreciated,
Thanks

Otis_Nevins · 07-06-2009, 08:26 PM

Take the job, quit if you don't like it. They'd fire you in a heartbeat if they didn't like you.

ShayLove · 07-06-2009, 10:23 PM

I agree. I would take it. I have been out of a job since Dec. I have searched. Even willing to flip burgers. I just said, summer is here. Let me just stay home with my son & enjoy the summer. Well, all of a sudden someone called me. I searched my emails to see that I applied for the Job in March. I did land the job a few weeks ago. Dream JOB!!!! Till this day, people are still calling me for interviews. I would take it, just to have something. I would still look if your up to it. Or just wait & see, someone will call you when u least expect it.

Henna · 07-06-2009, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShayLove

I agree. I would take it. I have been out of a job since Dec. I have searched. Even willing to flip burgers. I just said, summer is here. Let me just stay home with my son & enjoy the summer. Well, all of a sudden someone called me. I searched my emails to see that I applied for the Job in March. I did land the job a few weeks ago. Dream JOB!!!! Till this day, people are still calling me for interviews. I would take it, just to have something. I would still look if your up to it. Or just wait & see, someone will call you when u least expect it.

So you think he should take it, or you think he should keep looking? This is kind of hard to follow.

Congrats on your job and hope it is all you dreamed it would be.

FrannyBear · 07-07-2009, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by latikeriii

Hello,

Ok, i'm in a quagmire, I've been looking for a job all summer and have had about 7 interviews. 2 are for the feds so that process could last well into August before I even get an offer(if I'm chosen, i'm a top 3 candidate though), 2 positions, I wasn't chosen, and 2 positions were cancelled altogether. I got an offer for a consulting position today,

Pros:
Income in this bad economy
could possibly lead to something permanent that i'd like after the contract
Seems like a good company

Cons:
Its only a 1 year contract,
1.5 hours away by subway,
no benefits since its consulting(I won't be an actual employee of the firm), low pay
A step back in my career path(i'm overqualifed and it could possibly be career suicide
I would hate the job and be miserable.
M-F, 9-5 is bad for me because it prevents me from interviewing for PERMANENT jobs in the meantime if I were to take it. My rent now is about $500(sharing a 3 BD unit, sublet) and I have plenty of savings. Also, my wife is out of state but she's working so we have income that way too(she's living rent free with friends until she moves here in the fall). I am NOT hurting for money at all, i've been pretty good at conserving money but I don't want to eat away at my savings either. Obviously, the cons outweigh the Pros but the pro is major, its income.
Now my question is, should I take that position for income in this bad economy or should I decline it? I'm starting to get more interviews now than earlier this summer so maybe things are picking up, a big maybe. If I were to take it, maybe potential future employers would understand that I had to take the position in the bad economy, who knows.

Any feedback would be appreciated,
Thanks

Do NOT take this job. If you were desperate -- I would say take it -- but knowing you would hate the job and having that job interefere with looking for another job are killers. Too many cons when you are not desperate. Better off taking a temp job -- keep looking.

My two cents -- been there and know that hating a job before it starts is horrible. You will quit before you know it. Listen to your gut instinct.

eek · 07-07-2009, 07:40 AM

in this economy, i'd say take it. take it and job hunt when you get home. you could get a call during work hours (or an email) that you can follow up on when you're on your lunch break.
if you get an interview, call in sick or something. many ppl are struggling right now...many ppl have been trying to hunt for jobs and have gotten nothing out of it. opportunities are getting scarce...

NooYowkur81 · 07-07-2009, 09:15 AM

I would take it personally. The income is a necessity. However it will probably mean limiting your job search to the weekends . Like people said you can always take a day for an interview or etc. I'm waiting on several Fed/NY State things as well. The wait is very frustrating. But I'm really attracted to the stability and benefits government work provide. That is a goldmine in this economy.

latikeriii · 07-07-2009, 01:01 PM

Thanks for the replies. Since its a contract, if I were to call in sick, I could and probably would be terminated on the spot. Also, they said that the contract is UP to a year and could end anytime before then. I really don't want to have that uncertainty lingering above me. I agree that in this economy, I should take it for obvious income but i'm fighting with the cons. It sucks that they only pay once per month but that's not a concern for me since i'm good at budgeting my money(most of the time). I have until tomorrow to make a decision. I'm leaning toward not taking it after talking to my wife and friends. However, my wife made a good point. She told me to counter with asking if I could work part time (M,W,F) while I search for jobs on T-TH and have those days open for interviewing. Decisions, decisions.
On another note, I got possible lead for an interview from a recruiter, fingers crossed.

Platinum333 · 07-08-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otis_Nevins

Take the job, quit if you don't like it. They'd fire you in a heartbeat if they didn't like you.

YEP, exactly my sentiments.

If a job is AWFUL, I never give the courtesy of a 2 week notice. I know people will give me slack about that but OH WELL. Do you REALLY think that most employers are looking out for your wellbeing? HELL NO they aren't.

Do what you have to do. Take it.

latikeriii · 07-08-2009, 12:43 PM

Well, I called to tell them that I didn't want to take it and waste their time. I've done that type of job before and believe me, i'm overqualified and it plain just sucks. If I had money issues then I would have taken it. One good thing is she say if they could make me a permanent employee with benefits, she'd let me know. She's not in control of that though. I'll wait and see and just prepare for tomorrow's interview.