To not take this job and hope for a better offer when currently unemployed

[ToweringInferno]

I was made redundant at the beginning of the year which was devastating.

I work in a highly competitive field but managed to get some freelance work.

I then decided to try and break into a related industry, which is just as competitive (if not more so) and is defined by short term contracts.

I managed to get a short term job in the second career which ended in July when I was signed off work due to mental health issues (my sick note runs out in November).

I have been looking for opportunities in both professions since September and have had three interview which I didn't get from around fifty + applications.

But feel like I've made some very very good contacts from those interviews and am just on the cusp of getting more work in the second career.

I am still waiting to hear if I get an interview for roles I have applied for in my original career, one of which is a perm position, two others are long term contracts.

However, I'm down to the bones of my arse but am getting my house ready to rent out rooms - this should be done by January which will make my financial situation a lot more tenable.

However, I have been offered a role on a 12 month FTC, six month probation, that is close to my first profession, with a very impressive organisation.

It's related to my first job but is not quite as 'prestigious' for want of a better term and not as lucrative or exciting as the jobs for which I've applied.

I know that shouldn't matter but it does to me unfortunately.

The hours aren't ideal but it does have a decent salary/benefits - but I feel like it will take me further away from where I want to be IYSWIM?

However, there's no guarantee I'll be successful in my other job apps, even if I do get an interview or win contracts in the second career.

I'm very isolated in my personal life due to ASC. I also have ADHD and have been blighted by making impulsive decisions so need some wisdom and perspective!

So should I take it?

I'd accept the job but still apply for other (better) jobs

Take the job and if you get something else then leave. The longer you're unemployed rhe harder it is to get another job.

Agree with the above posters

Thanks DeathStare it's good advice.

Thing is, I feel like if I did that, it would burn my bridges at the organisation which is a major player, so I'd have to stay for the 12 months.
And it's an industry where people know each other.

I should have put this in my OP, but one of the attractions of the new job is that it's an 'in' at the corporation so I may be able to slide into a better role by the back door IYSWIM?

Take the job and then move on if you find something better.

It is not quite as 'prestigious' for want of a better term and not as lucrative or exciting as the jobs for which I've applied.

It's more prestigious and lucrative than being unemployed. Take it and if you get another job, leave.

I should have put this in my OP, but one of the attractions of the new job is that it's an 'in' at the corporation so I may be able to slide into a better role by the back door IYSWIM?

I think this is key. If there's a way you can make this new job work for you and get you closer to your industry move goals, then take the new job.

As someone with ADHD, I know I couldn't do well in a job I wasn't 100% interested in or committed to. So I would burn my bridges more by taking a job I was unsure of, and ultimately being unreliable and unenthusiastic so tarnishing my professional reputation. If you think there's a real risk of that, then definitely weigh up how much you need the job financially against how important it is to maintain a good professional reputation.

Well done on the offer by the way. It's a good position to be in, regardless.

If you are not in the financial position to be out of work indefinitely then take the job and use the 12 months to enhance skills and network with the people needed to improve your chances of breaking in to the related field. If you refuse employment then find yourself out of work for a considerable period you may find it much harder to get any employment, it’s so much easier to get work when you have recent employment history.

Any chance of seeing if you can negotiate up the salary/terms/hours/wfh-ability, and take it?

It's more prestigious and lucrative than being unemployed
The longer you're unemployed rhe harder it is to get another job.

You see, I have a balance this excellent and very true advice with this

As someone with ADHD, I know I couldn't do well in a job I wasn't 100% interested in or committed to. I would burn my bridges more by taking a job I was unsure of, and ultimately being unreliable and unenthusiastic so tarnishing my professional reputation.

This is EXACTLY what happened to me before - it was disastrous and led directly to me being made redundant and my decline in mental health. I'm terrified of repeating this mistake.

But you are bang on - if I can focus purely on what I can get out of it and start making contacts and a good impression and looking for the ways I can develop there I think could be a great move for me.

Well done on the offer by the way. It's a good position to be in, regardless

Thanks so much! I appreciate it.

12 months to enhance skills and network with the people needed to improve your chances of breaking in to the related field.

Yes, this is what I need to focus on I think and I am scared of long term unemployment, very scared.

Any chance of seeing if you can negotiate up the salary/terms/hours/wfh-ability, and take it?

Do you know what - it's a great salary and benefits package, most people would be aghast I'm even considering not taking it. I know people's mileage varies especially on MN where everyone seems to be in very high flying roles, but for transparency:

It's £40k + v good pension, 30 days hols + Bank Holidays , private healthcare, dental insurance training , 90 days fully paid sick pay then tapers of to a 9 months at half pay (I think), etc, genuine subsidised canteen, free onsite gym (although I don't actually use a gym, but I might!)

ATM it's five days per week which puts the fear of God into me, as ASC and ADHD means I need to be careful of my energy levels.

I haven't declared any disabilities yet I could ask if it's possible to do condensed hours/four days a week, the issue will be that the 'product' needs to be delivered at set times during the week which dictates when the work needs to be done. I also need to work with external stakeholder too - so I'm not sure if the work flow will allow that and it's not a role where WFH will work.

Absolutely take it. Much easier to get another job when you're in work, it's only 12 months so you could start applying for others again in 8 or 9 months and have a bit of breathing room to sort your house out etc before you ramp up job applications etc again.

Plus as you say - to get a foot in the door of that company could be all you need.

It’s always easier to get a job when you have a job

It's only 12 months
To my skewed ADHD brain 12 moths feels like a lifetime - but you're right.

so you could start applying for others again in 8 or 9 months and have a bit of breathing room to sort your house out etc before you ramp up job applications etc again.

Re-framing it like this is incredibly helpful, like really really helpful - thank you.

to get a foot in the door of that company could be all you need.
I really need to just concentrate on this.

Take the job. A bird in the hand and all that.....

Another positive in taking the job means that you will have income again and the worry associated with diminishing financial reserves will pass. This will improve your outlook, so when you start interviewing as this contract ends, you will be a more confident candidate.

Yes take it and keep looking. If you get something else you can always leave. Better to have a steady income while you search.

As a fellow ADHD'er, I'd take it for sure as not taking it would be more detrimental to me. For example - anxiety would get worse, I'd feel depressed and I'd make irrational decisions based on boredom.

I'd take it, far easier to get a job when you are in a job, once you're in and you've got money coming in you'll be ready to start reaching for what you really want.

the worry associated with diminishing financial reserves will pass. This will improve your outlook, so when you start interviewing as this contract ends, you will be a more confident candidate

Very good point...

-anxiety would get worse, I'd feel depressed and I'd make irrational decisions based on boredom

This is already happening, and actually why I'm questioning my decision making abilities!

Thanks so much

Look at it as a means to an end not a life sentence and good luck.

I start on 29th! I am actually really looking forward to it now. Thanks all!

Congratulations and good luck!

Thank you!

Talk some sense into me... I've just been offered some freelance work in my first career, if they like me, I'll get regular work

But, I can't throw away a 12 month FTC can I...can I?