Which job should I pick?

September 25, 2005 10:42 PM

Which job should I pick?

My current job at a non-profit organization. It's four days a week which I love, four weeks of holidays plus a bonus week at Christmas, offers good benefits, pays a decent wage, and allows me some flexibility with my hours.

It's also been incredibly stressful for the past year with a fair-sized deficit, staff running a full complement of programs even though we were short-staffed for the last year and probably will be for the next year due to an extended maternity leave, undergoing a major audit by a funding agency, and a variety of internal problems mostly related to the chaotic, unorganized nature of our organization in general. In a very creative environment, my job tends to be one that is "grinding" and detail-oriented in a way that I'm not great at. Because of all of these things, I find myself taking my job home, worrying about it, having restless sleeps, feeling depressed.

I've been offered a part-time job as a clerk at a local children's library that would be a nice change of pace, probably more fulfilling than my current job and could lead to a full-time position in the future though it's anybody's guess how soon this would happen. On the negative side, it would be a step backwards in terms of my career, would be only two days a week but this would mean 2/3 less salary so I would have to likely find another decent PT job to complement this one, I'd have to work a lot more evenings and weekends as opposed to my current job's (mostly) Mon-Thursday hours.

It really comes down to this: "I love everything my current job offers me but don't enjoy the work I'm asked to do." "If the job I've been offered was four or five days a week instead of two, I'd take it in a minute."

I'm leaning slightly towards the library job whereas my wife thinks I should tough it out at my current job until something better comes along.

Help me decide - I need a decision by the end of the day on Monday September 25!

posted by Jaybo to work & money (15 comments total)

What's more important to you? A career and money or a peaceful life? No judgement in that question at all, I would probably go with career, but that's where I'm at in my life.

Every job is going to come with work you don't want to do and politics you don't want to deal with. And speaking as someone who quit her relatively lucrative job to go to graduate school, not having the same income level as I had grown accustomed to really sucks (and is not as peaceful as I would have hoped). One solution might be to keep your current job, but look for one that sounds better to you and has the hours you're looking for.
posted by Kimberly at 11:31 PM on September 25, 2005

The current job. Juggling two jobs for about the same way is probably going to be way more strenuous.
posted by madman at 12:03 AM on September 26, 2005

What other part-time work would be available in your area? Is this library private, or is it in a system of other libraries where you could also get part-time work? You do not mention benefits with the library job, but since it is part-time, I assume there are none. Will there be benefits if it becomes full-time?

The library job does not seem like a replacement for your current job. It sounds like you just want to quit your current job and are using this offer as a justification for quitting. There is nothing wrong with this. You are part of an organization that is not functioning well and you are not in a position to fix it. I know how depressing this can be. If it is disrupting your sleep and causing you more stress than you can deal with, it is really not worth it.

If you think the library job will truly make you happy, take it. If it is just an excuse to quit, find something else. You were going to have to find an additional PT job anyway, and the library "job" may limit your options.

Also, (and this may sound a bit crazy to you since you do not seem like a workaholic) since you only work 4 days at your current job and the library job is only 2 days a week, you could do both jobs for a while and still be only 86% efficient. If you can swing this, like working the weekends at the library, it will give you a chance to see if you really would enjoy the library job. The increased workload may actually take away from the stress of your current job, and the extra income would be like found money that you could save to build up a buffer fund to ease the transition if you do quit your job and start making less money.

Whatever you do, be honest with your wife about the reason you made your decision. I think most men would try to spin the positive aspects of the new job over admitting they just can't handle their own job anymore. To a woman this is just not going to make sense. Does your wife work as well?

Good luck.
posted by Yorrick at 12:14 AM on September 26, 2005

Finding a PT job to work around your new hours might be a pain, and even if you do get one, as madman said, it's going to be its own source of stress.

Have you/can you speak to a supervisor at your current job and essentially tell them what you told us -- "I love everything my current job offers me but don't enjoy the work I'm asked to do." I don't know your situation, but is it possible that you're being loaded down with stuff because you're capable and (as far as they know) don't mind doing it? If that's the case, maybe a gentle "I love the job but I'd like to do some different things" might help. Then again, if everyone is as over-worked as it sounds, that may not be possible.

Of course, only you know your current situation. Were it me, I think I'd quietly look for a new job, enjoy my three-day weekends (maybe job hunt on Fridays?), and take some of that vacation time as soon as you can. Good luck.
posted by SuperNova at 12:26 AM on September 26, 2005

Stick it out
posted by ajbattrick at 12:30 AM on September 26, 2005

Stay in the current job for now. Look for another job that won't make you wonder what to do -- find something that's an obvious fit. If your current job has flexible hours, perhaps you have time to job hunt. In the meantime, could you use your flexible hours and extra vacation time to relax more? Can you take advantage of your benefits? For example, if you're even thinking about leaving, now is the time to get new glasses, orthotics, counselling sessions, etc. Take care of all those housekeeping items. See if you can get in touch with a counsellor who can help you make these big career decisions. By doing so, you can bring some method to your decision-making and be sure that you're not making a decision rooted in depression. It does sound like your current job is not a good long-term fit, but it also sounds like the library job is a short-term fit. Most employers would rather hire someone who already has a career-oriented f/t job, so you are in a position of strength right now. Just making moves to better your situation and set goals may do wonders for your depression.

However, if you find yourself so despondent that waiting it out and therapy can do nothing to lift your mood, take the library job.
posted by acoutu at 12:30 AM on September 26, 2005

If you want the library job, try contacting them to tell them you want it, but that the hours are too low for it to be viable. Also make sure they know what other skills you have. I've done this with jobs in the past, and sometimes these things can be more flexible than you'd expect - they may well be able to find something else to fill another day or two.
posted by monkey closet at 2:18 AM on September 26, 2005

Why not proceed initially on two fronts? Try what monkey closet suggests at the library, and approach a receptive higher-up at your current job to see if you might be able to transition into a more creative, fulfilling role. Best if you have a specific proposal for your new duties, perhaps taking staffing shortage into account. (In general, bosses almost never want to promote good employees, unless you give them a reason to.)

Then, see whichever seems more promising. And remember: intiating discussion(s) does not mean you must take anything that results. Also, if you need more time to work something out or mull over an offer, do not let them steamroll you into their timeframe.

Please post a follow-up if possible. Good luck!
posted by rob511 at 3:24 AM on September 26, 2005

Flip a coin. Seriously.

Heads for your current job, tails for the new job. One flip decides. If you feel disappointed at the result you get, you'll know that job is not for you.
posted by veedubya at 4:35 AM on September 26, 2005

I have no practical advice, but just wanted to tell you that I spent a year working at a library and it was my favorite job ever. Fascinating people, I couldn't help but read more, and so on. The low pay makes working at a library a real luxury, but one that should be enjoyed if it is affordable to you.
posted by leapingsheep at 5:10 AM on September 26, 2005

my advice is to look for a 3rd option ... if you could get full time at the library, it'd be different

other opportunities will come ... and you're not in a situation where you have to take the first alternative that comes along
posted by pyramid termite at 6:04 AM on September 26, 2005

I think it would be good to discuss your wife's concerns with your decision. What is she worried about? Is it the finances or is this bad behavior on your part? Have you quit other things when the going got tough? I'm not trying to give you a hard time, but you need to be having this conversation with your wife, so you can work out a decision. You can always continue the current job while looking for something better. Unless you want to be a librarian, getting a job as a PT library clerk sounds like a dead-end job. Getting through crap jobs is part of life.
posted by monkeyman at 8:57 AM on September 26, 2005

I almost myself at the idea of 5 weeks off a year, but perhaps your priorities differ. If you like the organization and situation but the biggest problem is that you're stressed out in your off hours the best thing for you to do would be... stop being stressed in your off-hours.

That's not to say it's easy, but if the biggest problem facing you is you then switching jobs may well not solve the problem. If you're taking the stress home with you and there is not any pressure to do this from anyone other than yourself then why would it stop in a new job? You may be trading away a good situation that is primarily bad in the ways you yourself make it bad.
posted by phearlez at 10:44 AM on September 26, 2005

Someone asked for a follow-up post so here you go...

First off, thanks for all the great feedback. Your answers, even the ones asking tough questions, was much appreciated. It was good to have perspective from people who weren't directly involved in the situation.

I did end up turning down the library job because in the end, I simply couldn't justify dropping to two days a week and the uncertainty that would bring in so many ways.

I spoke to a librarian I know tonight and he said a reference desk position would be opening soon as well but unfortunately, would likely be filled internally.

So I guess I'll continue at my current job and keep looking.
posted by Jaybo at 9:31 PM on September 26, 2005

Update #2...
(even though I know no one will probably ever read this but me!)

Maybe a week after posting that last update that I'd turned down the library clerk job, I ended up quitting my non-profit job anyhow. There was no single factor to my decision but a combination of things - some of which I listed in my initial post plus others that I didn't - all of which made me realise it was time for a change.

I began looking for work but the timing was also perfect for me to apply for a Masters of Library Science Program - something I've had in the back of my head since I got my undergrad English degree nearly ten years ago. I was accepted into the program and will begin it in January 2006. Wish me luck and thanks again for all your advice - it was truly useful.
posted by Jaybo at 4:42 AM on November 27, 2005