Getting fired, no savings - should I take this unexciting job?
November 10, 2018 1:00 AM   Subscribe

Pretty sure I'm getting fired in early December. I don't have any savings, and just got a job offer for something I'm not super excited about, but will definitely pay the bills and allow me to save while I live at home. MeFites, what's the play here?

I'm getting blindsided by a firing that I'm 99% sure is happening in a few weeks (early December). (I got put on a 30-day PIP, general concerns about "fit" were cited, etc.) I was recently put on a major project that I've gotten a lot of praise for, and brought in a major account, so I'm sure this is political (my boss and I don't get along) but whatever - I've been unhappy in this position since I've started (a little over a year).

Anyway, I started pounding the pavement looking for another position almost immediately after getting put on the PIP, and, lo and behold, just received an offer. It's decent pay, it's close to my hometown (about an hour away from where I am currently - in a big, high COL city) so I can live at home for a while and build savings/pay off school loans/etc. Problem is, I'm not super stoked about the work (which I'm skilled in, although it's not my direct industry) or the company. Ultimately, I want to find a remote job and/or freelance, but I only have a few clients, and it's not just enough to pay the bills right now.

I'm not sure what to do. I can avoid the firing, take the job, and just work there and save money until I find a remote job I like and/or build up a freelance clientele that allows me to work and travel. If I had savings, I could hold out a little longer for a situation I'm more excited for, but I'm clearly an idiot, so there's not much in the bank right now. Thoughts? I'd hate to screw these guys and just use this place as a landing pad while I keep searching, but it's almost Christmas, most places aren't hiring right now, and I don't want to risk waiting for something else to come along in the next 4-6 months while not making much money. I'd appreciate all opinions here. Thanks!
posted by anonymous to Work & Money (21 answers total)
 
If you know you are about to be fired and your work record is negative (which it is because you’re on a PIP) you should take the job you have been offered.

It will be harder to find work once you’re unemployed and relying on references from the workplace that fired you for poor performance. Don’t think they aren’t allowed to say negative things about you in a reference; they are, and your performance reviews are the standard documentation used for writing your reference. They have laid the groundwork to hurt your career into the future; don’t let them.
posted by tel3path at 1:07 AM on November 10, 2018 [75 favorites]


Take the job, it's a no brainer.
posted by Jubey at 1:19 AM on November 10, 2018 [25 favorites]


I'd hate to screw these guys and just use this place as a landing pad while I keep searching

This is business. They'd screw you if they had a commercial need to. That's just how it goes. Take the job. There is literally no downside.
posted by howfar at 1:20 AM on November 10, 2018 [30 favorites]


Take the job. Prioritise yourself and your security.
posted by teststrip at 1:28 AM on November 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


Y'know that saying about birds in hand versus in the bush? Take the job, and negotiate your future afterwards from a point of stability rather than desperation.
posted by Aleyn at 1:43 AM on November 10, 2018 [6 favorites]


There really is no question here. You're about to get fired, you have literally no savings, and a job offer. And it's right before Christmas.

Take the job and thank your lucky stars. Take another one later if you need to.
posted by smoke at 2:17 AM on November 10, 2018 [35 favorites]


Take the job. You don’t want a firing on your work record (it’s not a blindside when you can anticipate it like this). It’s not screwing then to accept knowing that you may be looking to leave, especially since it doesn’t soind like they’ll need to invest a ton in training you or anything (would be OK even if that were the case).
posted by Kriesa at 3:39 AM on November 10, 2018 [4 favorites]


Anyway, I started pounding the pavement looking for another position almost immediately

Your action here is evidence that you are not an idiot, so put that idea out of your mind.

I'm not super stoked about the work (which I'm skilled in, although it's not my direct industry)

You've already identified the positives: decent pay, close to home, a job you can do, allows you to build savings. Career-wise, think of this as an opportunity to branch out, gain insight into a different industry, develop contacts, and see what else is possible. Who knows - you might even like it. If you don't, you won't ever wonder "what if." Or it might lead to yet another related industry that you end up liking even more.

Either way, it's now an open avenue to explore. No age mentioned but based on the info, you sound fairly young (I say this as a middle-aged person). It's the perfect time to investigate what's out there. Think of it this way: not everyone gets a chance to do this with decent pay.

This is a bit of a tangent but before you accept the job, negotiate the terms/read and understand every single line of the contract before you sign. One of the best pieces of advice I ever learned here from AskMe was to Get a Lawyer before signing major contracts. I couldn't afford to do it for a long time, but IMO it is worth it. If hiring a lawyer isn't an option, then go the library and check out a book or two on employee contracts. Reading up on that will also be helpful whenever you get to a point when you can get a lawyer in the future, especially if you ever decide to pursue freelancing. Nolo.com offers some pointers online and I have a few of their legal help books that have been useful.

Since you're not too stoked about the work itself (but don't tell them that of course! -- to them, you're really excited about this opportunity), you can ask for a higher salary, or more PTO, or the ability to work remotely a day or two per week, or more flexible hours, or a new laptop/equipment for work, etc. Since you want to travel, let them know that you're open to traveling for business (if you are). Remember you have the most leverage before you say yes, so it's best to ask about all this stuff now anyway, rather than showing up on the first day and finding out (for instance) that your assigned work laptop is old/slow or that they expect you to work on weekends when that wasn't mentioned at all before.

I don't want to risk waiting for something else to come along in the next 4-6 months while not making much money

Trust this feeling.
posted by rangefinder 1.4 at 4:04 AM on November 10, 2018 [7 favorites]


Problem is, I'm not super stoked about the work

Yes. This is why it's a job and they pay you. Most people aren't "super stoked" about the work. N'thing other people - take the job. You're going to look a lot better to employers if you can say "left for another position" instead of "I was fired."

If you feel you have a possible freelance career ahead of you, then double up for a while and build your savings (assuming you can do that without a conflict of interest at your day job). But don't put yourself in a bad situation because you just weren't super-jazzed about a job, many (most?) people don't have the luxury of only taking jobs they're "super stoked" about.

Also, even though the work may not thrill you - as others have suggested - you might find you actually like the new gig. Or, at least, maybe you'll like the people you work with. Certainly sounds like you have more potential to enjoy being in an environment with people not actively trying to politically sabotage you.
posted by jzb at 4:40 AM on November 10, 2018 [17 favorites]


It’s never “screwing” an employer to work for them and leave for whatever reason. They’re paying you to work, not for your lifelong loyalty.

Over and over, the (maddening, unfair) stats say it’s harder to find work as an unemployed person than if you have a job. And the longer you’re unemployed, the worse it gets. So really, this offer is a HUGE opportunity for you to avoid a bit of a crisis, and it’s not something you’re likely to see again. Not sure where you’re located but where I am, going freelance is for people who can afford to pay out of pocket for health insurance, life insurance, retirement savings, three weeks off, etc., so those are things to consider as well.

You may find you like the job more than you thought, or you may hate it, but either way, your situation will be secure because you’ll be an employed person pulling a paycheck and benefits. The alternative is far bleaker.

As a manager, I’ve never seen a PIP implemented with the goal of retaining the employee, regardless of how it’s presented. It’s always been the “how do I fire this person without getting sued” option.
posted by kapers at 6:59 AM on November 10, 2018 [6 favorites]


Agree that this is a no-brainer. Take the job.
posted by holborne at 7:14 AM on November 10, 2018


Take the job. The idea that you have to be excited about work is sorta bullshit anyway - employers often exploit it so they can get more work out of you for less. Loving your job is pretty high up on the hierarchy of needs, and being able to afford food/shelter/etc. is way at the bottom, just above not getting eaten by a bear.

Besides, I bet you’re not exactly stoked about getting fired and having an uncertain future, either. You’re not currently in a position to hold out for something perfect, but with the new job you’ll be better able to get to that position.
posted by Metroid Baby at 7:28 AM on November 10, 2018 [4 favorites]


I will not bother supporting everyone else. Remarkable unanimity of opinion... I just wanted to say that even work you're not initially interested in may come to be satisfying after you've done it for a while. You might make useful contacts or even friends.

Good luck.
posted by Gilgamesh's Chauffeur at 7:50 AM on November 10, 2018 [5 favorites]


I want to also say take the job with this piece of advice: The job is your job but getting along with your boss is also your job. Is your boss a jerk? Doesn't matter, be polite, willing, eager to work--deflect or ignore jerky comments or behavior. Is she a micro-manager--no problem, do exactly what she says--win her trust and then you can start having opinions or gently trying to change procedures. "But," you say, "Isn't that hypocritical? Shouldn't I be true to myself? Isn't honesty the best policy?" My answers are yes, yes, and no. Work is work. As long as they are not actively asking you to do something illegal or immoral or dangerous, they get to define your job. I know there are all these TED talks about finding your passion in your work, being your best self, blah, blah, blah. You can do all of that when you have a secure income and health care and your loans are paid off. Don't look for fulfillment at work. You may find it accidentally, you may get close but there is no guarantee.

Look at this as an opportunity to get off on the right foot. I'm not saying you are a terrible worker--but not getting along with your boss is entirely on you. You are being paid to fill a need, solve a problem, etc. Your boss defines what that all looks like. You can resist and grumble or you can go along and get along. Take it from this old lady, getting along is much less stressful and much more lucrative. Save your "true self" for your private life.
posted by agatha_magatha at 8:10 AM on November 10, 2018 [16 favorites]


Take the job. And listen to agatha_magatha. A good friend is worrying about how to feed and house herself and her daughter RIGHT NOW. Was her previous boss an A Number One Jackass? No question. But she could NOT "put up and shut up" and get along... and he fired her. This is a truly invaluable skill, and better mastered sooner than later.
posted by 2soxy4mypuppet at 11:20 AM on November 10, 2018


As someone who's been in a not-dissimilar position (i.e. used to get at least pretty good feedback at my prior workplace until a new Big Boss came in. He brought people from his old job to replace the exodus of people who left (including my immediate manager), then suddenly it was as if I couldn't do anything right), believe me when it's better to cut your losses and take the other job (instead of trying to look for something while you have no job, no savings, and a black mark on your record).

Even if it's not your dream job, you might be able to learn new skills there that'll look good on a resume and/or to potential clients later on. (I only lasted maybe only four or five months at the new job (don't want to get TMI, let's just say that the company folded a year or two after I left ), but what I learned there I was able to use to get my current job where I've been at for over a decade now. )
posted by gtrwolf at 11:38 AM on November 10, 2018


Hold on, though. Do you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it's actually a termination and not just a layoff?

What were the actual words used by your supervisor (or whoever was present to break the news to you)? You may be eligible for unemployment, if it's not an actual firing.

I strongly recommend gaining further clarification on this.
posted by Delia at 12:14 PM on November 10, 2018 [2 favorites]


Best case scenario unemployment will not begin to cover your current salary, and you'll be looking for a job without having a job.
posted by 2soxy4mypuppet at 12:23 PM on November 10, 2018 [5 favorites]


Job sounds like a great option and you should feel good about yourself for finding it. You might end up liking it, and you'll almost definitely like being able to save money and not having the stress of a potential firing hanging over your head.

If you don't want to screw this new job over, just do your work as well as you can, get along with your colleagues, and give notice when the time comes to go full-freelance. That's what you owe them, and it's a fair trade for everybody.
posted by Polycarp at 3:16 PM on November 10, 2018 [1 favorite]


It's been a long time since I have been "in the workforce" with a regular job-type job. But one thing I can tell you straight-up -- I've never, ever "loved my work" or "found my passion in my job" or any of the rest of that jive. It's work. You'd have to give people money to get them to do it. Etc and etc.

That said, I have had jobs that I loved to go to work in. Because I loved the challenge involved. Or I loved my cow-orkers. Or because I was competent and dug being competent, plus there's a lot to be said about working and then looking back on my day or my week or my month with pride in what I've gotten done, and knowing it's done right. Or because I was completely incompetent -- whether in some piece of construction or some piece of mainframe programming or whatever else -- and through dogged determination and straight-up stubbornness I became competent, sometimes even great. Nice to go to work and look people dead in the eye knowing who the hell you are, plus them knowing who the hell you are.

Take the job. You're already competent in it, could be you'll become great. Might be you'll find a fantastic crew of ppl to work with, a bunch of ppl you'll think of with affection for the rest of your life maybe. Happens.

For a million, billion reasons, take the job.
posted by dancestoblue at 8:57 PM on November 10, 2018


Take the job. Start looking for another one after you've been there for a couple months for a job you're excited about if it's still something you don't want long-term. Your main negative here is that it doesn't excite you, which is not negative enough to outweigh all the positives you've listed.

>I'd hate to screw these guys and just use this place as a landing pad while I keep searching

They would screw you in two seconds if their budget changed or if their dream candidate walked in the door. Companies do what's best for them. You have to do what's best for you. People do this all the time - it's not personal, it's business. Don't feel bad.
posted by AppleTurnover at 11:54 PM on November 10, 2018


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