AIBU to take this job risk?

[SmashedPots]

I'm the main earner in the house. Mortgage and bills all covered by me.

I like my current job.

My perfect job came up in another organisation. But it's just an interim post (3 months) with "possibility of extension".

I've got an interview.

DH says I'm being irresponsible. 2 DC. 1 big mortgage. Recesssion. Don't give up permanent safe job for a 3 month role.

I hope I could impress them enough to get them to keep me. But it's a gamble.

DH says I'm being unreasonable even considering it.

What do others think?

Don't give up yet. Wait until the interview and see what happens. You never know what can change and at least then you can find out a bit more about the situation. Also, it's better to have your foot in the door.

"Breadwinner leaves a full time job (that they like) with existing 2 year minimum employment rights protections - for a 3 month contract of unknown nature - in a Recessionary, High Inflation, Uncertain Global/National Economic environment." ?

???

Are you seriously considering this?

Read that back again to yourself OP.

And tell us if you are willing to take that risk.

Honestly, if it was 12 months, I'd say, go for it. 3 months, nope. Not in this climate.

I would want to know why it's for 3 months. Covering sick leave? Someone's sabbatical? Maternity cover? Do they need to say if it's maternity cover, technically? TBH any of these would make me think there is little to no chance of an extension.

can you not give them a ring and ask about whether it's certainly a 3 month in and out job, or whether it's the sort of contract that often/usually gets extended?

Perfect job... on paper

I would do the interview and have some careful questions ready about the length of the contract and the chances of extension, then decide. My company has hired people who declined an initial offer after an interview before - it’s not necessarily messing them around and may lead them to consider you for something else in future.

Does your DH work or are you the sole breadwinner?

What does DH do?

I don't think there's any harm in going for an interview and seeing how the land lies.

It's not messing them around to interview. The point of the interview process is for them to see if they like you but also for you to see if they are right for you. Both parties are free to pull out/reconsider at any time.

I would interview but make it clear that 3 months is too short. If they can't offer a permanent role then don't do it. It's too risky. If you were single or had no kids then absolutely 100% worth the risk but sadly you aren't!

It’s not the perfect job surely. If you love your current job, I can’t see any reason why you’ll want to consider leaving it for something that short term. 3 months is so short, before you blink, it’s February. That’s not even enough time to impress the employer, I’ll stay put

I’d speak to them there is usually a contact name for an informal chat. There’s a lot of difference between in 99% of cases they extend and it’s just quirk of their probation/how they advertise v no chance of extending as no funding. 3 months is nothing I wouldn’t risk it unless there was very high chance it would be extended.

Definitely do the interview. You don't have enough information to be sure about the situation either way, so get more info.

If anything, your name is now on their radar and something more appropriate may come up.

I agree you should go to the interview but there's no way given your current circumstances that I could see leaving for a 3 month contract would be possible. If you weren't the breadwinner maybe but it just doesn't seem realistic to take the job unless they can offer you more.

Go to interview. If offered the job try and negotiate a 2 year contract. If not turn it down.

Do NOT leave your current job for a three months employment contract. What point is there in having your dream job for only three months?

Why can your husband not work, or if he is, work towards something better?

My wife would take the leap, but that's just her. I personally would advise against it given your situation.

3 months is vvv short time. No way give up my job for that if I'm the main breadwinner. However I'd go for interview. Interviews are two way and they might like you so much offer a proper job. The possibility of extending is too vague

Not unreasonable at all to interview but you would be crazy to take a job for three months if you knew there was a high chance it wouldn’t be renewed and you are the main breadwinner.

As others have said though it’s a two way street and I think if you want it that much and you think you are a good fit for the position you should negotiate on the potential for it to be extended.

ZOMBIE THREAD.

I assume the OP has already interviewed/decided 2 months later.

It's definitely messing around to accept an interview for a job clearly advertised as A3 month FTC and say you only want a permanent job! I'd be really annoyed at the time wasting of anyone who did this if I was recruiting. Your name would go on my radar but not for good reasons.

Do you have the option of taking a 3 month sabbatical from your current job, so you could hang onto your secure job whilst also going for this one? I agree with others that just thinking you could take this 3 month job and persuade them to keep you is naive and too risky, but if you can somehow hang onto some security in your current job and do both I'd definitely be giving it a go. I'd also ask them in the interview - I don't think you'd be messing them around to do the interview if you lay your cards on the table. Basically say this is my dream job, I'd love to work for you, but I need some security. What's the realistic of extension?

Three months will pass in the blink of an eye, I wouldn't.

Well it has as this is an old thread 😉

A 3 month contract isn't likely to be extended, realistically. A 12 month one might, but 3 mths isn't enough to make an impact, and if they needed someone longer it would be advertised for 6mths or more. It's a very short contract!