To select a short term work assignment over a permanent one?

[LifeHope11]

I have received 2 x job offers, one for a 6 month interim assignment the other for a permanent one. The interim is the more senior one, specifically requires the professional qualification I have gained, and is in an industrial sector it would be good to have experience of.

The permanent one is more junior & does not require the same qualification level, the hiring manager himself said at interview he was concerned I might get bored. The interim one is far more suitable in terms of the work content, far more in line with what I want to do career wise. If both jobs were permanent there would be no contest. But- the more suitable one is an interim one.

It sounds enviable to be in the position of having 2 job offers. But it took weeks and weeks of aggressive jobhunting to get to this point, the jobs market is not an easy one. So here is my dilemma: I know DH is worried about me being out of work & our consequent lack of financial security. But my job security (or lack of it) affects him & the family too so surely he deserves a say?

So: all my heart & part of my head say 'go for the interim assignment, it could jump start your career & lead to better things' but there are no guarantees, I could find myself out of work & back where I started in a few months time. I am not asking anyone to make this decision for me but would be interested in anyone's take on it just to try to get some perspective. So this is a straightforward WWYD?

I think I'd take the interim job, especially given what you say about your savings.

It'll look much better on your CV and make you look more employable in higher level permanent roles.

Based on the fact you have savings and have recently upgraded your qualifications I think the wisest option is to go for the more senior post.

If you go for the permanent one you'll get stuck in it permanently (or near to) and will struggle to progress as you'll never be able to justify leaving it for a short-term post.

Now is the time to risk the short-term post IMO.

I have been in this position early in my career, I took the interim job and never looked back.

I would like to thank you all for your posts. After a lot of thought I have decided to go for the interim role.....I am hoping that at the end of the assignment the experience will look good on my CV and jobhunting will be easier next time around. I also think that if I take the junior role it may be difficult trying to explain the rationale for accepting it, when applying for a more senior position in the future.

At bottom I think I am a little intimidated by the position and anxious to make a success of it....have never been one of the most overconfident of people but will have to trust that I can make a success of this role.

Thanks for your contributions, I have appreciated them ALL and they have helped give me some perspective.

Good luck!

I think given that you have savings to tide you over IF you have some time out of work when the interim jobs ends, you've made the right decision.

Good luck!

Yay! God luck,

Very best wishes for your new challenge!

Yes yes take the interim one! You never know what it will lead to and it will give you a step up to your next job which will hopefully be similar but permanent. Also other jobs within the company may come up and you will be in an excellent position to apply from within.

I do feel for your dh though. That is sad that he has little job satisfaction and he is probably envious of you having a choice.

Definitely take the interim one. It will also give you contacts in the industry. Join all the professional associations you can, network like a maniac and good luck! If you take the permie role, you could really mess up your chances of getting the sork of job you studied and sacrificed to get as you will then be competing BOTH with the people with recent good experience and with the people with recent fresh educational qualifications.

Go for it - of course the interim one