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View Poll Results: What to do?
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Pursue it
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70.21% |
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Reject it
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2.13% |
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Take things as they come
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27.66% |
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Practicality vs. Dreaming
07-09-2008, 06:22 PM
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#1
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Boise
Posts: 1,490
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Hi all,
My father is very practical. My mother is a dreamer.
Put yourself in my shoes. You've been relaxing and recuperating after getting let go from your job five weeks ago. You have savings, and you live very frugally, but you're obviously going to need a pretty good income for the next six years or so in order to finance your retirement.
You've just about worked up the motivation to start looking for jobs, and then a job opportunity finds you -- a consulting firm finds your profile on LinkedIn, they email you, and you apparently pass the phone screen.
The one significant catch is that it's very similar to the job you got let go from. You wonder about motivation. But you think you may have grown up a little and are now willing to work at a somewhat unpleasant job in order to pay the bills, particularly if the people you work for and with are decent.
Pursue it and pay the bills? Reject it out of hand? Talk to them and see what happens?
Votes and comments appreciated.
2Cor521
__________________
"At times the world can seem an unfriendly and sinister place, but believe us when we say there is much more good in it than bad. All you have to do is look hard enough, and what might seem to be a series of unfortunate events, may in fact be the first steps of a journey." Violet Baudelaire.
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07-09-2008, 06:26 PM
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#2
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Boston
Posts: 544
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Talk to them and see what happens. It can't hurt. If you're set on going back to work sooner or later, might as well kick the tires of this opportunity that seems to have fallen in your lap.
Would it be a full-time gig or consulting work? If it's the latter, you can avoid making a long-term commitment to this new job.
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07-09-2008, 06:33 PM
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#3
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Boise
Posts: 1,490
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Full time for at least a year, possibly longer. Working on a IT project for the state govt upgrading one of their systems. But it'd be through a IT consulting firm.
2Cor521
__________________
"At times the world can seem an unfriendly and sinister place, but believe us when we say there is much more good in it than bad. All you have to do is look hard enough, and what might seem to be a series of unfortunate events, may in fact be the first steps of a journey." Violet Baudelaire.
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07-09-2008, 06:38 PM
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#4
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: San Diego
Posts: 4,958
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I'm missing what choice b) would be. You are unemployed, need work, and someone is hiring. Is your other choice to burn cash and hang out for a while longer? Find a more appealing job? If it's just a one year gig, heck, I can't think of a better scenario. You make good money, ride out the recession, and get to walk away from it without any burned bridges after 12 months.
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07-09-2008, 07:00 PM
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#5
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Boise
Posts: 1,490
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 Quote:
Originally Posted by laurencewill
I'm missing what choice b) would be. You are unemployed, need work, and someone is hiring. Is your other choice to burn cash and hang out for a while longer? Find a more appealing job? If it's just a one year gig, heck, I can't think of a better scenario. You make good money, ride out the recession, and get to walk away from it without any burned bridges after 12 months.
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 Let me try to clarify.
I've just been vegging the last five weeks. I haven't submitted any applications, made any phone calls, anything. I've taken note of a company or two that I think I would like to work for, but mostly I've just relaxed and decompressed.
The only reason to reject it out of hand is the (completely unfounded and possibly erroneous) belief that I could find a (possibly much) more appealing job if I actually went out and worked the job search, did the networking thing, etc. -- a process I was planning to start today. However in my little world sometimes Today turns quite easily into Real Soon Now which can turn into Never after a while. Another reason, I guess, would be if I took the job and it was so unappealing to me that I didn't work at it and therefore didn't succeed.
I would say, however, that the salary they've mentioned is more than what I was making in my last job and probably quite a bit higher than what I could make were I to switch to a new career.
2Cor521
__________________
"At times the world can seem an unfriendly and sinister place, but believe us when we say there is much more good in it than bad. All you have to do is look hard enough, and what might seem to be a series of unfortunate events, may in fact be the first steps of a journey." Violet Baudelaire.
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07-09-2008, 07:27 PM
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#6
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Oahu
Posts: 17,531
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SecondCor521
The only reason to reject it out of hand is the (completely unfounded and possibly erroneous) belief that I could find a (possibly much) more appealing job if I actually went out and worked the job search, did the networking thing, etc. -- a process I was planning to start today. However in my little world sometimes Today turns quite easily into Real Soon Now which can turn into Never after a while. Another reason, I guess, would be if I took the job and it was so unappealing to me that I didn't work at it and therefore didn't succeed.
I would say, however, that the salary they've mentioned is more than what I was making in my last job and probably quite a bit higher than what I could make were I to switch to a new career.
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And the downside is...?
You can always start a job search whenever you want, and as many times as you want. It seems that you have an opportunity to do that while you're actually working and getting paid pretty well to do so, to say nothing of collecting another résumé bullet. If you can tolerate the job & coworkers for a year then great, and if not then you can always start the job search again.
You know how to do a job search, you know what the experience is going to be like, and eventually it'll probably end up with a job. Not many surprises or learning experiences there.
OTOH you don't know how you're going to like this job or the people. Plenty learning opportunities there!
Otherwise it seems a case of bird in the hand vs two in the bush.
__________________
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For more info see "About Me" in my profile.
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07-09-2008, 07:31 PM
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#7
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Boise
Posts: 1,490
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nords
And the downside is...?
You can always start a job search whenever you want, and as many times as you want. It seems that you have an opportunity to do that while you're actually working and getting paid pretty well to do so, to say nothing of collecting another résumé bullet. If you can tolerate the job & coworkers for a year then great, and if not then you can always start the job search again.
You know how to do a job search, you know what the experience is going to be like, and eventually it'll probably end up with a job. Not many surprises or learning experiences there.
OTOH you don't know how you're going to like this job or the people. Plenty learning opportunities there!
Otherwise it seems a case of bird in the hand vs two in the bush.
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I haven't said this explicitly but if I were to be offered and accepted this job, I know that I am lazy enough to not look for a better job elsewhere as long as the paychecks are rolling in.
2Cor521
__________________
"At times the world can seem an unfriendly and sinister place, but believe us when we say there is much more good in it than bad. All you have to do is look hard enough, and what might seem to be a series of unfortunate events, may in fact be the first steps of a journey." Violet Baudelaire.
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07-09-2008, 06:41 PM
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#8
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Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 10,410
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Only six years? Gee, I've been dragging myself out of bed at 5:30 AM to go to a job I don't really adore, for longer than that and I still have fifteen months to go.
If you took a lower paying job this late in the game, for all you know it could morph into something you hate pretty quickly. The higher paying job could get a lot nicer.
But what should you do? I am really not sure. I am "in a mood" to say you should take the job. But tomorrow I might sincerely feel the opposite would be best, KWIM?
__________________
"Already we are boldly launched upon the deep; but soon we shall be lost in its unshored, harborless immensities." - - H. Melville, 1851
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07-09-2008, 07:05 PM
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#9
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Boise
Posts: 1,490
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Want2retire
Only six years? Gee, I've been dragging myself out of bed at 5:30 AM to go to a job I don't really adore, for longer than that and I still have fifteen months to go.
If you took a lower paying job this late in the game, for all you know it could morph into something you hate pretty quickly. The higher paying job could get a lot nicer.
But what should you do? I am really not sure. I am "in a mood" to say you should take the job. But tomorrow I might sincerely feel the opposite would be best, KWIM?
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Sorry, W2R, I know you're counting the days...
Your second paragraph makes it sound like there are two jobs out there. I'm not sure I follow. At this point I have three choices: (1) the job opportunity that has fallen into my lap, which is a high paying job doing stuff I've done for 15 years, or (2a) beginning the job search in earnest, looking for a job in my former field of software development, or (2b) beginning the job search in earnest, looking for a job in a different field. I kinda feel like if I were to switch careers fields I'd have to take somewhat of a cut in pay.
2Cor521
__________________
"At times the world can seem an unfriendly and sinister place, but believe us when we say there is much more good in it than bad. All you have to do is look hard enough, and what might seem to be a series of unfortunate events, may in fact be the first steps of a journey." Violet Baudelaire.
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07-09-2008, 07:22 PM
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#10
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Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 10,410
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SecondCor521
Sorry, W2R, I know you're counting the days...
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486... I'm getting there!
Quote:
Originally Posted by SecondCor521
Your second paragraph makes it sound like there are two jobs out there. I'm not sure I follow. At this point I have three choices: (1) the job opportunity that has fallen into my lap, which is a high paying job doing stuff I've done for 15 years, or (2a) beginning the job search in earnest, looking for a job in my former field of software development, or (2b) beginning the job search in earnest, looking for a job in a different field. I kinda feel like if I were to switch careers fields I'd have to take somewhat of a cut in pay.
2Cor521
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Oops! I only thought (1) and (2b) were the possibilities. My bad. I would still tend to take (1) just because it is the bird in the hand.
__________________
"Already we are boldly launched upon the deep; but soon we shall be lost in its unshored, harborless immensities." - - H. Melville, 1851
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07-09-2008, 06:51 PM
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#11
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: SoCal
Posts: 332
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What Laurence said.
You'll meet new people at the new gig (never underestimate the power of networking when it comes to getting jobs), and if you do a good job, may get a more interesting assignment from the consulting firm after a year. Hell, even if you can't stand it, you can quit in a couple of months and be no worse off than you are now. I really don't see a downside.
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07-09-2008, 07:16 PM
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#12
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WV Panhandle
Posts: 1,781
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Gee, take the job. It's only a year; not like you're getting married to it.
At age 18 I found out that the people you work with can make or break a job. During Christmas season I was unloading trucks at Woodward & Lothrop (a regional department store chain) and have never since worked in a place that had a more petty, bickering, negative atmosphere. They're out of business and I have to think that's why. They asked me to stay on after the seasonal job was over but I wasn't interested in staying there.
Later I worked at Sears doing heating and A/C repair work. They didn't pay much, but the people made it a great place to work.
So this is a chance to find out what it's like working for that company. If it's not a good match you're free to walk in a year (or sooner if it's horrible). If you like it there and they offer you something you like then you're home free.
I don't see the downside.
__________________
Retired seven years ago at age 52. Then decided to get a job. For a while. Or maybe not. I'll think about it.
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07-11-2008, 07:19 AM
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#13
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,327
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Walt34
Gee, take the job. It's only a year; not like you're getting married to it.
At age 18 I found out that the people you work with can make or break a job. During Christmas season I was unloading trucks at Woodward & Lothrop (a regional department store chain) and have never since worked in a place that had a more petty, bickering, negative atmosphere. They're out of business and I have to think that's why. They asked me to stay on after the seasonal job was over but I wasn't interested in staying there.
Later I worked at Sears doing heating and A/C repair work. They didn't pay much, but the people made it a great place to work.
So this is a chance to find out what it's like working for that company. If it's not a good match you're free to walk in a year (or sooner if it's horrible). If you like it there and they offer you something you like then you're home free.
I don't see the downside.
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What Walt said. The problem is you never know what the people are like until you get in. Unless you're psychic, one day during the interview isn't going to give you much read on the people unless the people are so far tilted in one direction. Take the job and see what's what, or get cracking on writing that business plan for you own business. There's nothing like a 40 page report backed by solid facts that will occupy you for a couple of weeks.
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07-09-2008, 07:28 PM
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#14
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Boise
Posts: 1,490
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W2R,
Frank better take you out to breakfast, lunch, and dinner in about 486 days!
(2a) isn't really necessary if (1) comes to fruition, of course. From what I know so far, (1) is actually a pretty good option among the options in the software development arena. If (1) doesn't pan out, my priority is probably to pursue (2b) before (2a).
2Cor521
__________________
"At times the world can seem an unfriendly and sinister place, but believe us when we say there is much more good in it than bad. All you have to do is look hard enough, and what might seem to be a series of unfortunate events, may in fact be the first steps of a journey." Violet Baudelaire.
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07-09-2008, 07:55 PM
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#15
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 603
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As I understand you do not have the offer yet. Why not start your search now as you say you were planning to. If you turn something up, you'll have options. If you find that finding work is more difficult then you have all the more reason to take this job if you get the offer. Doing nothing and hoping this materializes and that it is okay and that you couldn't find anything better seems like it saves you some effort, but you might be missing out on something much better than whatever happens to fall into your lap.
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07-09-2008, 08:21 PM
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#16
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: San Diego
Posts: 4,958
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This is not the best job market, I'd say there is more than a 50% chance it will be better in a year, and like others said, it's possible you'll love this job because of who you work with. I say accept the job and stash the cash. Worst case scenario it's not what you want to do for the next 6 years, you end it with just 5 to FIRE.
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07-09-2008, 08:51 PM
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#17
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,573
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Quote:
Originally Posted by laurencewill
This is not the best job market, I'd say there is more than a 50% chance it will be better in a year, and like others said, it's possible you'll love this job because of who you work with. I say accept the job and stash the cash. Worst case scenario it's not what you want to do for the next 6 years, you end it with just 5 to FIRE.
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I think this is good advice. The down side is not that bad as you would be in the same place you are now if it doesn't work out. The only thing I'd be careful about is taking a job, dumping it quickly, then trying to explain to a future prospective employer why you bailed after such a short period of time.
__________________
I purr therefore I am.
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07-11-2008, 09:20 AM
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#18
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 257
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For some people I would say to reject it and go find the perfect job for them. Based upon what you have posted it seems like you are not the type of person who will put the required effort into finding and getting the perfect job so you should go ahead and take this one. I am betting that you will take it and eventually retire from it.
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07-11-2008, 12:44 PM
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#19
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Dryer sheet aficionado
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 44
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Talk to them and see what happens, what do you really have to lose.
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07-11-2008, 09:52 PM
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#20
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,795
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not to be rude, but you already know what youre going to do...so do it. its a pretty clear choice...but i understand the need for confirmation...i do it all the time too
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