Take this job and ... embrace it.
June 2, 2010 11:08 PM Subscribe
Take a four month paid position at the job I love or hold out for a full-time position at a similar position I may not quite love as much?
I have been offered a position at a job I absolutely love for a period of four months while another staff member is on leave. I am really interested in taking the position, but it's not permanent. Funding is tight in the department I work in and it's not clear whether there will ever be a possibility I could take the job permanently, short of another staff member leaving (small department, staff of about 8). Alternately, I could apply for a similar but less interesting (to me) positions that are open at three other places. The current joint is asking me to make a commitment to them because leave is scheduled for mid July. I have been hesitant because I wanted to keep my options open/see what's going on with the other positions.
Questions:
Should I commit knowing that it will only be for four months?
Should I apply to the other positions and just hope they keep the four month position open for me?
If I get a job that would be not quite as interesting for me, should I take it?
I have been offered a position at a job I absolutely love for a period of four months while another staff member is on leave. I am really interested in taking the position, but it's not permanent. Funding is tight in the department I work in and it's not clear whether there will ever be a possibility I could take the job permanently, short of another staff member leaving (small department, staff of about 8). Alternately, I could apply for a similar but less interesting (to me) positions that are open at three other places. The current joint is asking me to make a commitment to them because leave is scheduled for mid July. I have been hesitant because I wanted to keep my options open/see what's going on with the other positions.
Questions:
Should I commit knowing that it will only be for four months?
Should I apply to the other positions and just hope they keep the four month position open for me?
If I get a job that would be not quite as interesting for me, should I take it?
I think we're missing a key piece of information here. If you decide to take the 4-month position and the person ends up coming back, booting you out, what is the likelihood that there will be other opportunities available to you? I'm not necessarily asking about the 3 you mention, although that would be good to know.
Hypothetically, if you know 100% that there WILL be other acceptable positions available to you, then definitely take the job! As charmcityblues pointed out, it's possible that you might end up staying at your dream job, and if not, that they could help connect you to other places. Plus, it's possible that something even better than the 3 other opportunities (or the 4 month position) could pop up in the meantime.
Any other situation (aka, reality) means that you will have to take your own risk-taking levels into account.
posted by dondiego87 at 12:10 AM on June 3, 2010
Hypothetically, if you know 100% that there WILL be other acceptable positions available to you, then definitely take the job! As charmcityblues pointed out, it's possible that you might end up staying at your dream job, and if not, that they could help connect you to other places. Plus, it's possible that something even better than the 3 other opportunities (or the 4 month position) could pop up in the meantime.
Any other situation (aka, reality) means that you will have to take your own risk-taking levels into account.
posted by dondiego87 at 12:10 AM on June 3, 2010
If the four-month contract is in the industry I think it's in, take it. Assuming you want a full-time position one day, you have to be open to opportunities like this. Four months is long enough to prove yourself, make contacts and get yourself on the right people's radars. Also, "I work here and I love it but my contract is ending soon" is a rather good door-opener for seeking subsequent work in other departments. That said, it is a crapshoot. Save as much money as possible during the contract and accept that you may face a period of unemployment or low-skilled work when it ends. Good luck. (And congratulations!)
posted by embrangled at 1:25 AM on June 3, 2010
posted by embrangled at 1:25 AM on June 3, 2010
Take the position.
Absolutely, no other option.
Here is why:
1) From my experience, the best candidates are the ones who fit with the group. Knowledge specifics can be taught, but group chemistry is either there or it isn't. By taking the position, you allow them to judge your fit into the group.
2) The position may be extended, or something else very similar comes up. A lot of companies hire people full time by taking the route of bringing in contractors and retaining the ones they really like and letting the mediocre ones go after the contract ends.
3) Organizations try really hard to retain quality talent. If you go in and impress them, then they will work to keep you. That may mean finding you something else similar when the contract ends, or it may mean bringing you back at a later time. Either way this gets your foot in the door.
Take the position. But the key is to go in, work hard, and blow them away.
posted by I am the Walrus at 7:21 AM on June 3, 2010
Absolutely, no other option.
Here is why:
1) From my experience, the best candidates are the ones who fit with the group. Knowledge specifics can be taught, but group chemistry is either there or it isn't. By taking the position, you allow them to judge your fit into the group.
2) The position may be extended, or something else very similar comes up. A lot of companies hire people full time by taking the route of bringing in contractors and retaining the ones they really like and letting the mediocre ones go after the contract ends.
3) Organizations try really hard to retain quality talent. If you go in and impress them, then they will work to keep you. That may mean finding you something else similar when the contract ends, or it may mean bringing you back at a later time. Either way this gets your foot in the door.
Take the position. But the key is to go in, work hard, and blow them away.
posted by I am the Walrus at 7:21 AM on June 3, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
While it's temporary, the company will likely expect that you'll be looking elsewhere, and, if things work out, they may be able to help you with connections.
This really boils down to bird-in-the-hand vs. bird-in-the-bush, plus it provides potentially invaluable networking opportunities.
Former professional recruiter.
posted by charmcityblues at 11:35 PM on June 2, 2010