Take a short term contract or wait for a "proper" job?

[davepoth]

In a sort of a spot, but I suppose it's a nice problem to have. I was made redundant a few months ago and I've been looking for a job.

Went for a first interview today at a company 20 minutes' walk from my house, paying £28k for a job I know I can do. I'd like that job and I think the interview went pretty well, but it's by no means a sure thing.

On my way home from that interview I got a phone call from another agency. They have a job that I'll almost certainly get by dint of my availability (it needs to start this Monday.)

Problem is it's a six week contract, about 90 minutes' travel including walking to and from the train station at either end, and only pays the equivalent of £21k.

Living at home with Mother and with a fair bit of cash in the bank at the moment, so I don't really need to take any job, just to be in a job. I know it sounds incredibly ungrateful, but I don't feel especially enthused about this new offer. What would PH do?

[oldbanger]

6 weeks is short enough that you could have started and finished that role before the other job even comes to fruition. Considering a 4 week notice period is common, most employers would be OK waiting a couple of weeks if there is overlap.

[MagicalTrevor]

What they all said, a permanent role will wait for your contract to end

[davepoth]

I should have probably added that the "better" job is on a pretty tight timescale too and they were quite enthused about my availability; there would need to be a second interview too, which I guess could be a little problematic.

[oldbanger]

If this is a short term contract as a temp employee, then you should be entitled to 2 or 3 days A/L over 6 weeks - enough for a 2nd interview?

[davepoth]

oldbanger said:

If this is a short term contract as a temp employee, then you should be entitled to 2 or 3 days A/L over 6 weeks - enough for a 2nd interview?

I guess I'd better check what the leave arrangements are tomorrow then. Cheers.

[0a]

davepoth said:

I'll almost certainly get

Until the contract is signed and in your hand this is never the case.

I once was told I had a job after 3 interviews only to be run up by an apologetic manager because the company had cut budgets and the role didn't exist.

Take the contract making it clear you may need to take a day off for personal reasons in the near future.

[davepoth]

0a said:

Until the contract is signed and in your hand this is never the case.

I once was told I had a job after 3 interviews only to be run up by an apologetic manager because the company had cut budgets and the role didn't exist.

Take the contract making it clear you may need to take a day off for personal reasons in the near future.

I didn't say "certainly", but they sound so desperate for someone who knows what a ship looks like that they'll even stoop low enough to take me.

Is 3 hours of travelling a day worth the wage though? Seems like a hell of a lot to me, but it would be three times further than I've ever commuted.

[Pickled Piper]

Contact the local employer and politely explain the situation. If they are sensible, it will give them the impetus to fast track the process and get you hired. If they do nothing - take the temp job.

pp

[New POD]

davepoth said:

I don't really need to take any job, just to be in a job.

Getting a Job, the right JOB is a JOB. It's Full time 10 hours a day, 5 days a week, plus 2 or 3 hours in the middle of the night when you can't sleep. Treat it like a job.

Every interview is 2 days of research, and every application is 1/2 day of tailoring your CV

I would avoid something that stops you doing that. You'd be better off volenteering for a local cahrity 1 day a week, and having that on your CV IMHO

[davepoth]

As it turns out it was actually a data entry focussed post so I politely declined, citing the commute (90 minutes each way).

Second interview for the job I actually want though, which is nice.