To think i’ve made a mistake accepting this job?

[WillowPeach]

Long story short, I graduated with a Masters in Social Work 2 years ago. Since then i’ve worked with the family business and put off applying for social worker jobs. Part time i’ve been working night shifts as a shelf stacker at Sainsbury’s.

I recently signed up with Reed who have been fab and on my second interview, I got the post. The only setback is that it is temporary for 3 months although could be extended. The role is for a Family Intervention Worker and it sounds good and like a decent stepping stone into social work.

In the interim of starting, I’ve continued to apply for permanent positions as until I get one, I’m essentially going to be working 2 jobs (full time Family Intervention Worker and keeping the night shift at Sainsbury’s for 24 hours per week as they won’t reduce my hours). Obviously in the long run this is unattainable in the long run.

I have been offered another interview next week for a permanent Family Intervention Role and have been invited for another interview next week for a permanent social worker role (wasn’t expecting to even be considered). Problem is, is that i’m due to start this temporary role next week (Tuesday) and my social worker interview is on the Thursday. I am stressing out over getting out of the temporary role to attend the interview.

Have I made a mistake going for this temporary role do you think? I get the impression that employers are interested as this is my second interview offer in a week and going for interviews whilst working on 56 hours per week is going to be a nightmare. I just thought getting into the field would be difficult with me having a career break but it seems like i’m having some luck.

Any advice? What would you do?

It's unfortunate timing but I think most employers would understand going for permanent roles over temporary ones. It's a shame it's come so close to you starting a new job but it won't be the first or last time that happens to an employer.

How you do this gracefully, I have no idea. But well done you and how lovely to be in such demand!

I imagine it would be fine to start the permanent job after the 3 months are up as they wouldn't expect anyone to hand their notice in until after all the DBS, occy health checks etc are done and many jobs notice are 2 months anyway so I'd be honest with the temp job. You have an interview for a job when your contract is up.

Problem is, is that it’s with the same employer - all 3 roles are with the same council but all at different sites so I’m not sure how I’d go about orchestrating it without pissing another one off. So if I said it is a role to start in 3 months, they’d know I was lieing.

Because it’s all with the same company, the DBS checks etc have all been done and to my understanding, the role is to start as soon as possible (obviously legally 1 weeks minimum notice is required).

I feel so torn.

If the the same organisation I'd be completely honest. Tell them you'll be happy do whatever works best for the organisation in regards to notice and let them argue it out if you get it. People understand that you need to take any permanent role offered.

It’s absoltely fine. The permanent jobs won’t expect you to start straight away and the temporary job will know that you’re looking for permanent work. It being the same employer means you can have a proper negotiation about start dates. Absolutely not a problem. Good luck.

Thanks for your advice.

I’ve messaged the guy from Reed for some guidance as to whether I can be granted leave or something.

My next port of call is to call the person who’s conducting my interview and tell them about the situation. It’s a panel of 4 people so i’m not sure if it could be rescheduled and when i’d even do it as I have that other interview on Monday and i’m due to start this job on Tuesday so i’m pushed for time. I guess I’m going to have to try and get some leave. I just don’t want to piss off the site where I’m based as a temporary worker.

So I’ve spoken to the guy and he has said that leave should be able to be arranged. I’ve asked the person organising the interview if I can maybe do it earlier in the day or later as it’s scheduled for noon. I’ve also realised that the sites are only a 6 minute drive apart so I wouldn’t need to take too much time away.

Fingers crossed.

Can I just say how scared I am to do a 4 person panel interview - not done anything like this before...breathe...

When we bring in agency staff, any leave they have pre-booked is honoured, within reason. Reed specifically ask what dates they already have arrangements, and let us know. Some use annual leave, some prefer to take it unpaid and save their leave.

It's worth asking if they will honour the time, both agencies I've been with did.

I can certainly ask :)

Only thing is that I agreed to start on Tuesday a while ago and it’s only yesterday I’ve been notified of an interview next week so Reed haven’t been notified of it in advance.