Strategies for getting the best job possible when you know it's going to be short-term?
June 11, 2012 10:34 AM Subscribe
Strategies for getting the best job possible when you know it's going to be short-term?
I am a teacher who, for the first time in 5 years, does not have a summer camp job lined up for the summer months. The place where I worked previously was not able to offer me a contract again, and the pay level for starting over from scratch at a new camp was just not worth it. I work at a private school so I don't get paid for the summer. So, I find myself with three options:
1) Don't work at all. I have enough money saved that this is possible. But I don't want to burn through all my savings if I don't have to. People have said to me 'oh, just tutor' but I have never found it so easy to find clients for that...
2) Do call centre work. I have a lot of experience in this field and know I can very easily get a job immediately. But this is absolutely soul-killing stuff, and the time in my life where I did it was a time when I was not in the best situation, from a mental health standpoint. I am worried that going back to it won't be great for me. On the other hand, knowing that I don't 'need' the money per se and can quit at any time if I feel so moved might make the job more tolerable...
3) Sign up with a bunch of temp agencies and try my luck. I have no idea what they would offer me and whether the fact that I 100% know I will be quitting in September to go back to my 'real' job is an issue. I don't know whether I should disclose that in an interview. Of course, if they call my school-year boss for a reference, they will find out...
So...any suggestions? It seems unfair to apply for something like an admin job posted on Craigslist where it's assumed to be permanent, if I know I am going to quit mid-August. On the other hand, a menial job for slave wages is simply not worth it to me, from a mental health standpoint, at this stage of my life. I am not a student looking for $8 an hour, I am a well-qualified adult who just needs to get through the next 8 weeks or so. Best plan?
I am a teacher who, for the first time in 5 years, does not have a summer camp job lined up for the summer months. The place where I worked previously was not able to offer me a contract again, and the pay level for starting over from scratch at a new camp was just not worth it. I work at a private school so I don't get paid for the summer. So, I find myself with three options:
1) Don't work at all. I have enough money saved that this is possible. But I don't want to burn through all my savings if I don't have to. People have said to me 'oh, just tutor' but I have never found it so easy to find clients for that...
2) Do call centre work. I have a lot of experience in this field and know I can very easily get a job immediately. But this is absolutely soul-killing stuff, and the time in my life where I did it was a time when I was not in the best situation, from a mental health standpoint. I am worried that going back to it won't be great for me. On the other hand, knowing that I don't 'need' the money per se and can quit at any time if I feel so moved might make the job more tolerable...
3) Sign up with a bunch of temp agencies and try my luck. I have no idea what they would offer me and whether the fact that I 100% know I will be quitting in September to go back to my 'real' job is an issue. I don't know whether I should disclose that in an interview. Of course, if they call my school-year boss for a reference, they will find out...
So...any suggestions? It seems unfair to apply for something like an admin job posted on Craigslist where it's assumed to be permanent, if I know I am going to quit mid-August. On the other hand, a menial job for slave wages is simply not worth it to me, from a mental health standpoint, at this stage of my life. I am not a student looking for $8 an hour, I am a well-qualified adult who just needs to get through the next 8 weeks or so. Best plan?
Why would temp agencies be upset that you're only available on a temporary basis? That's what they're there for. I used temp agencies all through college whenever I was on a break (the economy was better in the 80s and 90s, granted), and got work for the few months I was available with no harm.
posted by xingcat at 10:48 AM on June 11, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by xingcat at 10:48 AM on June 11, 2012 [2 favorites]
yeah, temp agenices staff for temporary jobs—which is what you want, no?
posted by violetk at 10:56 AM on June 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by violetk at 10:56 AM on June 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
Another thought is to check out SAT tutoring, Kumon or some of the other franchise-type tutoring places.
How about a summer Parks and Recreation gig?
What about bartending, or serving with a Caterer? You work a few nights a week, make decent money and you get to take leftovers home! Not only that but you can stay on during the school year if you're interested and pick up some dough on the side.
If you want to chill in your pad, that's cool too.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 1:23 PM on June 11, 2012
How about a summer Parks and Recreation gig?
What about bartending, or serving with a Caterer? You work a few nights a week, make decent money and you get to take leftovers home! Not only that but you can stay on during the school year if you're interested and pick up some dough on the side.
If you want to chill in your pad, that's cool too.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 1:23 PM on June 11, 2012
As a PhD student I faced a similar dilemma.
I did a hotel resort gig and told them that I'd be there full time in the summer but part time once school started. (Which was Possible). But I quit after a week.
I think any place would be okay with this sort of thing... I did retail part-time and they totally understood the ebb and flow of people's schedules.
Personally, I'd work at a retail establishment where you like their clothes to get the discount on a new suit or something.
posted by k8t at 4:44 AM on June 13, 2012
I did a hotel resort gig and told them that I'd be there full time in the summer but part time once school started. (Which was Possible). But I quit after a week.
I think any place would be okay with this sort of thing... I did retail part-time and they totally understood the ebb and flow of people's schedules.
Personally, I'd work at a retail establishment where you like their clothes to get the discount on a new suit or something.
posted by k8t at 4:44 AM on June 13, 2012
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What about part-time work that you could plausibly continue to do during the school year?
posted by mskyle at 10:43 AM on June 11, 2012