Too risky?

14 Comments

1. AnonymousFebruary 6,2024 at 5:50PM UTC

   I think right now, if you scroll through posts about people currently searching, this is not the time for a risky move like that.

2. AnonymousFebruary 6,2024 at 5:56PM UTC

   Conventional wisdom states to look for another job while you have one. But it is not easy as you have a full time job, so carving time is challenging. Will you have time during your part-time job to devote to your job search? If yes, it may make sense. Also, what is your back up plan after the 3 months run off if you haven't found a job?

3. AnonymousFebruary 6,2024 at 6:20PM UTC

   I do have a bit of money saved up that I didn't really want to touch unless absolutely necessary.
   Willingly leaving a job never felt like a good enough reason to use it which is another reason why I've stayed. That money could probably get me through an additional 3 months but even 6 months in this job market feels risky.
   The part-time job has been fantastic with my schedule and I work the exact hours that I ask for with no pushback. My manager there has even tossed around the idea of me becoming a manager a few times because she wants me there full time but it would come with a $2 pay cut. So other options would be either going there full-time or picking up another part-time job.

4. Kimberley Ferretti HammettFebruary 6,2024 at 10:03PM UTC

   Could that paycut be negotiated? If they want you there you might have some bargaining power there. Another option to consider maybe?

5. AnonymousFebruary 6,2024 at 10:59PM UTC

   For sure something I'm considering. Even if I can get it up to just being a $1 pay cut. I think most of my anxiety from this comes from 'what-if' scenarios more than anything. I did see your other comment and the advice was fantastic! My immediate thought was I need to quit today ( I won't just yet lol) and pursue other areas that are actually of interest and pertain to what I'd like to do in the future. I'm so hungry to grow personally and professionally. Exploring different jobs, even if only for a day, sounds almost ideal to me with where I'm at in my career. The full-time position just makes it hard to do that.

6. Kimberley Ferretti HammettFebruary 7,2024 at 2:26PM UTC

   Nice! Maybe you could take a couple of vacation or "sick" days soon to give yourself both a break from that full-time and practice getting in the headspace of who you are outside of that role? It might give you the breathing room to formulate a plan too. Really sending you good energy from here. You're in a tough spot but I also believe you're on the edge of a big growth moment! Acknowledge all your strengths and navigate it confidently, you've got this!

7. Kimberley Ferretti HammettFebruary 6,2024 at 6:45PM UTC

   This is a tough decision and certainly a risk I will say a couple things to also consider that might make you feel more comfortable with the switch:

   1- Improved mental health plus more time available can be a large benefit to your job search. When I was laid off from a job that was burning me out I was able to see things more clearly and prioritize my job search. I created a routine for myself where I'd spend some time in the morning cleaning, leave the house and spend 2-3 hours using the computers at the library to apply for jobs (I had a computer at home, I just felt like the environment helped me focus), then I'd get a coffee or go for a walk around the park downtown and I'd usually journal some. Once I got home and got a few more home things done I'd then check my emails and follow up or continue searching for postings or even just researching companies I'd like to work for. It created a great balance for me and I was able to really clarify and focus on finding and applying for roles that fit me well which I think was a more targeted approach vs. volume of applications. My resume was slightly different for most of my applications and I created cover letters for several roles and even sent some to companies I loved that didn't have anything posted.

   2- When you're in this situation, it can also ignite a mindset that has you looking for opportunities (not just postings) and refining your ability to sell yourself and find income even outside of a full-time role. I reached out to contacts and picked up all sorts of on-call work and even eventually contracted and consulting-type work that helped keep money coming in while I was searching for full-time. There was always a common thread that related to corporate training, but I would do anything from picking up a shift helping an event company set up and facilitate big corporate events, to helping an old colleague with updating a major brands training manuals. I even ended up taking a role for a short time working in a co-working space setting up their networking and "lunch & learn" events for their members and marketing. All of this helped me do a TON of natural networking, learn from different perspectives of the business, and feel really agile. I have a great full-time role now, but I also feel like if I lost my job today I could quickly and easily find some sort of income that could support me until I find something more stable. Think of it this way.. regardless of titles, if you could describe your skills and what value you could offer universally on a business card, what would it be? Work on that and explore unexpected ways to earn money with those skills. This might be an opportunity for you to learn how to be your own safety net and feel even more secure if you find yourself in a situation like this again.

   My disclaimer will be recognition that I do have the privilege of a dual income household. While we would struggle on my husbands income alone, it is supportive and helpful to fall back on should we need. It sounds like you have some support from your part-time but possibly not as much as I had.

   No one can say for certain what the right answer is because we don't know the future. But hopefully my example gives you some ideas and thoughts so if you do choose to leave the full-time role, you can make the most of your time and mental freedom.

   Wishing you the very best!

8. TeresFebruary 6,2024 at 7:48PM UTC

   If they like you at the part time gig and are pleased with your work...why not ask them to hire you full time. I work on the ask and ye shall receive plan. If you don't ask, you will not get it. It's always good to let folks know where you stand and what you are looking for too. They also might turn you on to another full time gig it they can't hire you.

9. AnonymousFebruary 6,2024 at 11:12PM UTC

   Luckily my parents are very supportive and always remind me I have a room at home to come back to. The problem is there really are no jobs in my hometown, it's a small country town. The closest a job in my field would be is about an hour away to an actual city. Also, breaking my lease at the place I live is an absurd amount of money. May be worth it to use some of my savings for that if I absolutely can't find anything.

   This was great because I hadn't necessarily considered this as a serious option but it may come to that. Thank you!

   Also, the full-time job pays hourly. I typically use my PTO to do multiple interviews in a day. However, requesting PTO is almost frowned upon. I've gone to doing interviews during my lunch break to make sure no one is upset with me. I'm going to have to get over that for sure!

10. AnonymousFebruary 7,2024 at 1:36PM UTC

    I am such an advocate for financial security that I wouldn’t recommend leaving your full time gig until (a) you know you will get more hours at the part-time place or (b) you are willing and able to pick up another part-time or contract job if necessary to make ends meet.

    Three months is not a long runway in this job market. I would hesitate to bank on everything working out while you have the roommate to split bills.

11. AnonymousFebruary 7,2024 at 2:11PM UTC

    I'm going to take a different approach here, and it's based on my own (admittedly high) risk tolerance. There comes a point when you have to choose what's good for you vs what "appears to be" safe for you. I say "appears" because sometimes what seems to outwardly be the less risky path is actually just as risky. Only you know how stressed your FT job makes you. Does it impair your mood? Your ability to connect with family and friends? Those factors have to be considered. Then you can also think about whether you have a skill you can turn into freelance or contract work or whether the part-time job give you enough hours to manage your bills.

12. Zeecil KimmelFebruary 9,2024 at 1:43PM UTC

    I am not a risk taker at all BUT sometimes you have to let go to get. If you are unhappy at your full-time job and you have been given this amazing opportunity of someone to help you pay the bills you embrace it with both hands and say - now is the time to go for it. Only those times when I saw the blessings around me was I opening myself up to receive more.

    Best of Luck

13. AnonymousFebruary 9,2024 at 2:30PM UTC

    Part of this depends on how steady and reliable the part-time job's hours are. If you can get more hours, the pay is better, and your mental health improves I don't see a downside. The only concern I have is if the hours are not stable. My advice would be, take on all the hours you can during the three months, and cut back on whatever expenses you can to prepare for taking on the full set of them in May, and save everything you can. Ask if they can make you full-time, because as someone else said, if you don't ask, the answer is always no. Consider this: if the hourly pay is better than your toxic job, you won't need as many hours to bring home the same paycheck. If you get put in as full-time, you have worked yourself into a raise.

14. AnonymousFebruary 9,2024 at 5:47PM UTC

    These are things I would consider. I would make sure your part time job has more hours for you prior to leaving your job. I would also consider your friend and their intentions. Is it possible circumstances could change and they would move out prior to three months? How committed are they to that promise? Another consideration is how your part-time job relates to your current job, skill set and future plans. Will you learn new skills? Soft skills count! How will you explain this scenario if it comes up in an interview? If your part time job lasts longer than expected because you cannot secure another position, how will you reflect it on your resume? There are way to do these two thing correctly, both explaining the pt job and putting it on a resume but you must get it right. On a more positive note, the unemployment rate is low and jobs are available, skilled workers are needed and the job market is not flooded as it is during recession or high unemployment. But there is still competition for sure! I would suggest if you leave your job you put your job search at a HIGH PRIORITY because three months can fly by. Make sure you target your resume to the desired job and give lots of thought to your skills and accomplishment that you can recite off the top of your head. Most of all do a LOT of networking. This new part time job gives new opportunity for networking. Remember that job searching is a full time job all by itself. One last point is that if you quit your job you will most likely not be able to receive unemployment insurance. Quitting a job without a compelling reason is a disqualifying factor in most, if not all states. Unfortunately being miserable with your job is not compelling, at least not for that purpose. I wish you luck! Hang in there. Everything will work out.