I've been unemployed for a year.

14 Comments

1. AnonymousApril 4,2025 at 2:44PM UTC

   Tread lightly as you juggle these offers and try to game the system with this two-week stint to get a little income. I wouldn't count on ANY of these conditional job offers until the background checks are complete.

2. AnonymousApril 4,2025 at 3:26PM UTC

   I would be very careful here. I get wanting the two weeks of income, but you also never know when this kind of thing will come back at you. If you just started and try to turn in notice, they are going to escort you to the door. Why would they keep training someone who is already leaving? You will likely be listed as not eligible for rehire, so will also be burning a bridge. If the gap was longer, like 2-3 months, it might be worth the risk, but that feels like a pretty big risk for a couple of weeks worth of pay. Maybe look at some short-term temp or gig work to carry you through. Event companies pay people to direct parking lot traffic, wait tables, collect tickets, etc. with no experience required. Depending on your skills, you might also get a temp receptionist or secretary role - thinking entry level roles because there won't be much training time and they're used to churn, so it's not a deal breaker if you can only work for a month.

3. AnonymousApril 4,2025 at 4:04PM UTC

   I definitely wouldn't start a job to get two weeks of income knowing full well you intend to leave. Who knows if you might want an opportunity there at the future -- You'll turn around to find you burned that bridge for a singular paycheck, and one that you likely wouldn't get until 2 weeks later anyway.

   I'd suggest you pick the job you're confident you want, and accept only that offer. If you need some bridge gap money, is there temp work you can do? Can you do something super flexible like shopping for Instacart, or grabbing a few shifts at a local spot? I absolutely understand the stress, but I worry for you that you'll rob yourself of a future opportunity and damage your reputation by accepting job offers all over the place and quitting after 2 weeks to take something better.

4. AnonymousApril 7,2025 at 7:36PM UTC

   Today these shameless companies rescind offers just like that!!! There is no consideration extended to the candidate. So, I don't blame anyone who grabs what they can temporarily. And it's NOT so easy to secure temp work or be hired for events. People don't realize how difficult it is to secure ANY type of side gig.

5. AnonymousApril 10,2025 at 3:01AM UTC

   I definitely didn't say it was easy? Though I have absolutely been in the position where I worked Instacart for a few weeks between one job and another's start date, and that is absolutely very easy.

   Yes, offers can get rescinded and employers can be awful. That's actually not really relevant to what I said at all. What I said was that you'd be burning a bridge you might need later if you accept a job knowing you intend to basically immediately quit.

6. AnonymousApril 4,2025 at 4:36PM UTC

   I'm going to shoot straight from the hip. I'm a former recruiter and can tell you up front, if you take a job and quit 2 weeks later, you talk about damaging future background checks. Not a good idea. Plus, remember, most companies pay in 2-week arrears which means you don't get a paycheck right away. I certainly understand your concerns over needing income. I've been there, but find some job, any job that will get you income quickly. Like another poster wrote, you can work events. There are security companies who hire hourly workers to work events. Check with a temp agency to find something and short term at least until the job you most want being 6 weeks out could be available to you. You are all over the map, I can tell and your anxiety is written in your post. Take a breath. Know the end of unemployment is near and congrats to you for getting 3 possible offers. Take a job, COMMIT to the job, and the company for at least 1 year. If you continue on this merry go round, it will brand you poorly and you'll be looked over and considered a job hopper. Commit, accept, work hard, earn income and keep a job. I do not judge you on being terminated, but I do find great concern you don't seem very stable in making career decisions. I'm happy to tell you that when you take a job, it makes you look more attractive for future employers. Remember take a breath, take one of the offers, whichever comes first and commit.

7. AnonymousApril 5,2025 at 1:07PM UTC

   I've already tried finding a temp job and they are the ones who ghosted me. I've contacted 5-6 of them.

8. AnonymousApril 6,2025 at 9:31PM UTC

   Sign up to be a house sitter or pet sitter in your area. Google it. And it may be quick income.

9. AnonymousApril 5,2025 at 1:37PM UTC

   My first reaction is that this is a shady move. But in this job market I’d grab the bird in hand. You may just love the job and not want to go to the other one. So you have accepted all of them contingent to background check. So you could lose them if you don’t qualify. I like the idea of taking what is offered and real and see what happens. If it turns out you do get the one you really want while you are working at the new place … extend your start date for the new job as long as possible and explain the situation to the new company. They may very well want to keep you. Be the good guy and take care of yourself! Unfortunately work these days is very shaky every where.

10. GirlBossanova934974April 5,2025 at 1:39PM UTC

    2 points should be made here. One point has already been made quite well by a few posters. Don't go signing up for a company and then walk off after 2 weeks. Not a good idea. Second point. In this economy, you shouldn't be judging jobs based upon a few dollars difference in compensation. The most important thing right now is job security. How safe are each of the 3 companies? Are they large stable organizations? You need to make a very careful assessment and once you make your choice, stick with it.

11. AnonymousApril 7,2025 at 7:31PM UTC

    Today - there is NO guarantee or job security at all!! I don't judge and if ANYONE has been out of work for 8-12+ months, I don't blame anyone for taking what they can to keep afloat financially. I was offered a position, back in May 2021 and stayed there for 3 weeks and ultimately left because they FAILED to offer ANY training...I was set up to fail. I left them, after accepting a pending offer!! And have been at this firm for almost 4 years. You need to do what is best for yOU!!!! Because at the end of the day--none of these companies truly care about your well being.

12. Rosa GoesApril 9,2025 at 5:01PM UTC

    First of all, congratulations on the 3 offers. That's a blessing in today's job market. But like others mentioned don't take a job if you know you will quit in 2 weeks. Start making these decisions based on good ethics. It's not fair for the employer, they are taking the time to meet with you and get to know you. Choose wisely and good luck to you.

13. AyianApril 11,2025 at 12:27PM UTC

    The ethics here are complex. Survival in capitalism can often be harsh. Would it be nicer for everyone if you had a temporary offer for the first 2 weeks? Yes. However, bear in mind that as many as 1 in 3 new hires don't last 6 months. Employers are aware that you may not work out and wise employers are aware that you may receive a better offer after you start.

    My feedback is to do what is necessary for your survival and give yourself some grace.

14. AyianApril 11,2025 at 12:28PM UTC

    The ethics here are complex. Survival in capitalism can often be harsh. Would it be nicer for everyone if you had a temporary offer for the first 2 weeks? Yes. However, bear in mind that as many as 1 in 3 new hires don't last 6 months. Employers are aware that you may not work out and wise employers are aware that you may receive a better offer after you start.

    My feedback is to do what is necessary for your survival and give yourself some grace.