unemployment if quit temp service to interview for permanent position elsewhere & don't get it? (claim, qualify)

[TXbutterfly8000]

I was laid off at the beginning of the summer and as time passed, I started worrying that I may not find work. I work in a licensed profession where openings are slim BUT there aren't many people licensed to do what I do.

I took a job at a temp service to help get me by but it's out of scope of my usual profession, and in my profession, I have 7 years experience and a degree in it. I have 2 interviews this week for licensed positions in my field that I applied for a month ago. The temp service won't let me have the day off to go to the interviews but at the temp service, on the assignment I'm on, there is little chance to go full time and the health insurance is $100 a week.

If I don't go to the interviews, I've blown the very little opportunity for permanent employment at what I've been trained to do. At this point, all I know to do is quit the temp service to go to the interviews but then I risk not getting either job and having NO money.

I thought the employment commissions wanted you to find stable, permanent work. Would I qualify for unemployment for quitting this dead end temp work to interview for the real jobs and then don't get hired??

It's a risk, a catch 22 and I'm scared to death, I don't know what to do. If I don't get hired, I'm up the creek. My profession is very difficult, I put alot of time into learning it and now that I have it mastered, I want to be doing that and not wasting my education.

Please help.

[rgarjr]

Pretty sure the temp agency will fight your UI claim if u quit.

[Ariadne22]

It appears from your screen name you are in Texas. If so, good luck quitting.

You need to call in sick the days of the interviews. If temp service terminates you for absence, it shouldn't disqualify you from resuming benefits, although there will be an investigation. Hopefully you haven't already asked temp service for time off for these interviews. If they already know you want the time off, you will have a battle resuming UE.

If you quit to attend these interviews, chances are you will lose your benefits - or, at the very least, be without them for a long time while you appeal. TX usually does not take the claimant side and is balky at timely action on issues like these.

[TXbutterfly8000]

I gave a bogus reason to the supervisor...I said I was going to enroll to take a few classes in the fall and I had an appointment with my academic advisor that couldn't be changed (which I am taking a class in the fall so it's not a complete lie). She outright said no.

[rgarjr]

Have tried asking the temp agency

[Magnus1695]

This is just another reason why PT work and temp work are not worth it while on unemployment. They will make your life miserable every time, while you attempt to look for FT, steady work.