Common courtesy with jobs or focus on self?

Anonymous

December 21,2023 at 1:02PM UTC

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Common courtesy with jobs or focus on self?

I am in need a job and I really don't want to settle for something below my pay grade however when unemployment is up in a few months, I won't have a choice. What are your thoughts on taking something just to have something and then continuing to apply and maybe get something better if you've only been in your role potentially for a short time?

My husband's advice is take something but keep looking and even if I need to leave it within a month or so, just do it. Look out for me. Mostly his advice is this because I've not done this in the past and have put work above myself without getting the respect I deserved. Naturally this blew up in the end...

I don't feel comfortable taking a role and then potentially leaving right away. I feel it is unprofessional. Is there a common courtesy you should have when taking a role or is that not a thing? Does that kind of thing hurt your reputation and work history in the future? I'm so worried I'm going to set my career back by taking something just to have something but am more worried about the risk of something that could have been. I appreciate your advice!

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AnonymousDecember 21,2023 at 1:16PM UTC
If you Need a job, take one and keep looking if it does not meet your goals. Professional/not professional doesn't really apply here. You need to do what is best for you and if that means continuing to look to find that better fit then do so. If your search is successful, you can let the current employer know that a different opportunity that better aligns with your future career path has presented itself. Be confident that if something better comes along, it's meant to be yours. Still may not turn out how you would like but that's okay too. It's all part of the journey we're on.
AnonymousDecember 21,2023 at 1:19PM UTC
This market is extremely tough.
Apply for everything and anything. Some people haven’t been lucky enough to get roles after 6 months of searching. Accept whatever job comes along and along the way keep interviewing for your dream job.
AnonymousDecember 21,2023 at 1:32PM UTC
If you need the money, then it's better to take something and keep looking for something else with better pay. This happens all the time. If you go a long period of time with a gap in your resume that can also set your career back, but it really depends on your field.
AnonymousDecember 21,2023 at 1:37PM UTC
It's easier to get a job if you have a job. Sad, but true
AnonymousDecember 21,2023 at 1:57PM UTC
You absolutely have to do what's right for you. Your employment with any company is transactional, you show up and do the job and they pay you for it. You don't owe them loyalty, and most of them aren't going to offer you loyalty even if you give it to them. So take whatever job you need to, and keep looking for the right thing in the meantime.
Stephanie Branch LekowskiDecember 21,2023 at 2:24PM UTC
You should go for temp or temp to perm. It will be understood on both sides that if it doesn't work out no hard feelings. Or a contract assignment that has an end so again, if it doesn't work out, nobody needs to be miserable. You can job hunt (discreetly as possible) but even if the assignment doesn't work out, you've closed the resume gap. Win-win. Hope this helps!
AnonymousDecember 21,2023 at 2:39PM UTC
You need to take care of yourself/family. You need to work. Get a job and keep looking.
AnonymousDecember 21,2023 at 2:56PM UTC
I was in the same place in 2009 when I lost my job during the Great Recession and hated the idea of taking a role knowing I would continue looking and leave if I found something. However, at the time the job market was really tough and we had a mortgage to pay, so I took the one job I was offered and it still took me a year to find a job I actually wanted.
As someone who has lost their job twice in the last two years, the current job market is tough. If you have the option to take something, do it! No one will fault you if you find something better and leave within a few months, and you'll at least have some income while looking.
AnonymousDecember 21,2023 at 3:19PM UTC
Because Employers think of the business first and individual employees second, I think there is nothing wrong with prioritizing yourself and making the best decisions for yourself.
Amy Carissa OliverDecember 25,2023 at 3:32PM UTC
100- I am a hiring manager and yeah I'll hire the best candidate for a job but if they get a better offer a month or five later I hope they take it. Because you know what else I am? A person who looks out for herself first. I'm even deliriously happy at my job and I still talk to every recruiter that contacts me and my leadership team knows it. I am priority number one and so should every woman be. Get a better offer? Take it and don't look back!
Terrie McWhorterDecember 21,2023 at 10:32PM UTC
So we just interviewed 5 candidates for an ENTRY level position...4 of the 5 interviewees it was WAY below their previous paygrade and I couldn't believe they were even applying....well it was just to get their foot in the door. My first candidate was the one interviewee with very little experience because they KNEW IT WAS and entry level job with entry level pay....What bothered me was, we had to offer the position IN ORDER of our selections....took 4 months to get to the candidate of my choosing because the first 4 DEMANDED more money. That's not how it works in the government. If you apply for a GS5 job and you want GS9 pay...it ain't going to happen. So our whole team was upset with the wait of getting the new person on board....I think the hiring team I was on will listen a little bit more now when I tell them that, just because someone has a masters degree does not mean they will be a great entry level support person!!! IT means they want more money. Sorry, rough day today and I am at the end of it...the day and my rope. Hugs to all
Amy Carissa OliverDecember 25,2023 at 3:29PM UTC
If you ever want to vent about this drop me a note. I am working in the same system and we often lose candidates to other jobs because it takes so long to get through the process!
AnonymousDecember 22,2023 at 1:45PM UTC
You need to take care of you first. So take a job and keep looking.
Kimberley Ferretti HammettDecember 22,2023 at 2:41PM UTC
I don't think any of us can predict exactly how any choice will help or hurt you. In these situations, I like to remind myself that instead of a "right or wrong" answer, there's the "best approach for my situation at this time". Are there risks with taking a role you know you won't be in for long? Yes. Are there risks with not taking a role for a while? Of course. Are there risks with taking a role that doesn't treat you well and sticking it out because you committed? Too many.
Careers are important but at the end of the day we all started seeking one in order to sustain ourselves. You aren't "using" an employer for money if you are providing them valuable work in return.
You can, however, be somewhat strategic in the approach and work to get what you need while actually propelling you to your next step and lowering your risk of the move effecting your career. For example, if you take a role you are easily qualified for that is not in your current industry (so you're not leaping from a competitor or burning bridges with connections of the hiring managers you'd like to have) but could provide growth opportunity like learning an adjacent skill or networking or even just flexibility so that you can focus on preparing for the role you really want.
To give you a tangible example of this, when I was laid off from my Learning & Development role in the hospitality industry, I knew I wanted to be "picky" with my next acceptance but that it could take a long time. After a few months I started specifically targeting roles at Co-working spaces coordinating their lunch-and-learns and member experiences (alongside my other applications for L&D roles). That wasn't what I wanted to do but it was easy for me to land and do well, and it got me networking with a ton of people working for various start-ups to world-wide orgs, some of whom I turned into coaching clients. It also ended up teaching me a lot about marketing. I was only there 5 months but I left absolutely being more knowledgeable and prepared for my next role and I had developed a coaching presence that serves as my safety net the next time I'm in a tough job situation.
I hope this helps provide some clarity for you and feel ready to tackle your next move. You are worthy of a role that respects and fulfills you and I hope however your path turns out, you feel confident in facing it! Best of luck to you!
AnonymousDecember 22,2023 at 4:30PM UTC
First be mindful of your e employment benefits if you take a just for now job that pays less, if it doesn’t work out and you go back on UB you could end up with less money and a tougher spot than you are now. Your husband is right, and I hate to say it but this is a good time to think like a man and just do what’s best for you. That said how you handle a departure if handled graciously will help to avoid tough feelings and ideally you can view a role for now vs only as you don’t know what will happen when you get in the door (positively or negatively). Once made a lateral move to a toxic situation (co-worker that stole, boss that sexually harassed me and asked me to do illegal things) so gave notice after 6 weeks and took an awesome new role. I don’t feel bad about it at all and it doesn’t get included on my resume. Good luck.
rgstaffing@bellsouth.netDecember 23,2023 at 1:57PM UTC
yes of course
AnonymousDecember 25,2023 at 4:28PM UTC
This is so true!
Maegan, Nike Sales Rep & Career CoachDecember 27,2023 at 12:05PM UTC
If this is something you do NOT want to do, maybe you can babysit, instacart, or do some sort of job similar to keep some money coming in while you search for what you really want.
AnonymousDecember 28,2023 at 7:09PM UTC
100% do what is right for you. These companies will fire you the second you don't suit their needs, and there's no reason employees should act any differently.
AnonymousJanuary 1,2024 at 2:37PM UTC
As a Recruiter, there was a time in history many years ago, where people honored accepting a job and committing to it, but it’s changed drastically and as posted here, Employers will drop you and let you go in a heartbeat, do what is best for you. Call it a bridge job for now that’s getting you to the next step in your career or employment. Good luck. and by the way, people do it all the time.not to mention employers today have no respect for an applicants time. Employers could care less about your situation and needing a position, they move slowly they ghost you, the whole system of hiring is disgraceful and broken. You have to think about yourself?
AnonymousJanuary 1,2024 at 4:01PM UTC
I know several people who have taken on short-term roles until they found the position they were meant to have. If you end up staying at a job for just a few months and worry about how that will "hurt your reputation and work history," leave it off your resume.