To do a job that i love love love, for no money

[Goawaybob]

because a paid job is just not happening for me. I am doing some work for a friend but they can't pay me (long story and dont want to out friend) but it is in the field im qualified for, i just need the experience.

The problem is there is no definate work at the end of it, some small possibility and of course i WILL have experience under my belt. It is starting to demand more of my time, again, i dont mind, i love the work but it means im neglecting my actual job search (which is for jobs that i dont really want to do, but i NEED to be earning) and the house is a pit.

DP is self employed, i help him sometimes too, but he doesnt need me just now, but we NEED the security of one of us earnin, plus he doesnt earn enough to cover our outgoings really, but we do manage, we have alot of debts but we are clearning them.

I feel so selfish for doing this, its like i get to play at something, (which is actually quite demanding to be fair) while he shoulders all the responsibility.

Do i carry on with this, exciting, potentially career enhancing project or walk away and get a cleaning job? (if i can, fuck i just applied to be an adult chat operator - no vacancies!!!)

Can you not cut back on the hours so that your job search and home get the time they need but you still get 'your time' in the unpaid but potentially valuable job?

YANBU but you really need to schedule in career-search time as part of your daily routine. Your friend knows that you need a job and should allow for this. Be frank with them and set your limits now.

A rule of thumb is that you should spend the same amount of time and energy on job searching as you would if you were working in your target full or part-time job. Job-hunting is a job. If part of your job hunt is doing this work experience then maximise the potential from it by networking, introducing yourself, letting people know you are looking for work, makign contacts etc. and then blockign out time for job applications. YWouldBU to act as though this unpaid work experience is the be all and end all, without using it as a means to an end.

Hebie, thats the thing, the hours seem to be going up, its very informal, but the project is moving on and i want to see it through and not walk away from it - it is quite an ambitious project (actually tis barking!) and results not garunteed, but experience is gold for me. My problem is that i don't want to take some crappy admin job (i will because i need the money and im a grown up) and effectively turn my back on my career forever

Thanks AKMD, yoyu speak wise words It is a very specialised field i am in, i am hoping that if i keep my head down and make this project work there could potentially be work for one of the other people in the establishment, ive just got to get myself noticed as commited and enthusiastic, which of course means putting in the hours, both there and at home doing research.

It depends how your dp feels tbh. It's fine as long as you've discussed it and he's agfeed to support you for a bit, it's not fine if he thinks you're trying to get a jo, but you're not trying as hard as you could.

I am trying very hard attheendofheday, but i am not going to go for jobs that im overqualified for, not because i dont want to do them but because i can't even get a look in. Which is why im trying to get back into my field, long term is the best decision but it doesn't take away from the fact that my DP IS under pressure.

YANBU

This sounds like a real opportunity, so grasp it.

Work out between you and your DP how to make the finances work and keep the wolf from the door.

How long is the project for? If it's 3-6mths, keep doing it, get the experience, then apply for positions related to your field. As you say, you may get a lead from being on the project. Longer than that, you can reassess at the end of your agreed timeframe with your DP.

YANBU as it's going to help you in the future. Sounds like your DH is fine with it too so why worry?