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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To not take a job I have no interest in?

18 replies

Sn1859 · 14/09/2023 00:37

Hi all.
I’ve been in my current job for the past 5 years now. I work in the kitchen of a busy senior school and absolutely hate it. I don’t hate the children, I hate the company I work for (I do the lions share of the work, I don’t get no thanks, no overtime and no help!). The people who I started with quickly jumped ship when a new company took over and I’m the only one left. Recently a TA position come up for the school and after loads of badgering and a bereavement I decided to apply because life’s too short to work in a job I hate with a passion. The only problem is, I don’t want the job now. I’ve been asked to interview next week and have arranged a time but I don’t think the job is for me. It’s not even about the pay or hours as it’s similar to what I’m on, I just want to be away from the whole environment but I don’t have any other jobs or interviews lined up and I can’t bear to be in that kitchen anymore. I dread going into work every day.

Would you take the job knowing it’s not what you want?

OP posts:

Mummy08m · 14/09/2023 00:43

I wouldn't take a job I don't want, no. I'd withdraw from interview (and have done before).

Who was badgering you?

ButWhatAboutTheBees · 14/09/2023 00:44

Are you actively looking for new jobs elsewhere?

Is this a move that will make things a little more bearable whilst you do look for a new job?

EmmaPaella · 14/09/2023 00:46

If I didn’t like working in the kitchen I’d take the TA job and apply for another one while I was doing it.

Mummy08m · 14/09/2023 01:03

The thing is, there's no point becoming a TA just for a short time while you look for something else. Just like teaching, it's a really hard job you have to train at (training on the job mostly), and it doesn't feel "easy" for at least a year or two, when you start to reap the benefits of your training/experience.

I mean I love teaching and it does feel easy but I've been doing it about 12y. The first 2y were so tough and stressful, being always on, constantly performing. There's just no point starting a job like that if you already know you'll quit it before too long.

The learning curve in teaching/TAing is just too steep to be worth it for a stopgap kind of job.

Piony · 14/09/2023 01:05

Why not go to the interview and find out more about the job? If you get offered it you can always turn it down. And it'll be practice for the next interview - speaking of which, time to start job hunting in earnest.

Summer2424 · 14/09/2023 01:56

Hi @Sn1859
I would go to the interview, if offered the job, i would ask if you can spend a day shadowing someone who currently does the job. Then make a decision. Also, apply for other jobs, something you would like to do xx

Original poster

Sn1859 · 14/09/2023 06:42

Thanks for the replies. I have applied for many vacancies and have been turned down for the majority of them. This is the only interview I have been offered so far. I don’t want to start this role and then feel like I have to stay if I don’t like it as the school are desperate and it is a hard position to get. I’m just so torn because I can’t bear to spend another year where I am and I can’t afford to quit without another position ready.

OP posts:

youveturnedupwelldone · 14/09/2023 06:47

Go to the interview and ask lots of questions, you might. Interviews are a two way thing - they're scoping you out, but you are (or should be!) doing the same to see if the job and employer suits you.

If nothing else it is interview practice, and if you're successful you aren't under any obligation to take it.

Willmafrockfit · 14/09/2023 06:47

you have nothign to lose
it will get you out of the kitchen if you do get it
interviews are good experience
you might have been offered the interview because you work there already but what can you bring to the job ?

you have had no other interviews.
what do you Want to do for work?

43ontherocksporfavor · 14/09/2023 06:51

Go to the interview. Good experience for future jobs you DO want. You might not get the job and if you do you can say the interview helped you realise it’s not for you.

Redwinestillfine · 14/09/2023 07:50

You need a job op so go to the interview. If you're offered it you need to decide if you'd rather take it or carry on in the kitchen. Having no job isn't an option. If you take it and hate it then hopefully it's not as bad as where you are now. You can still apply for other jobs but as you haven't been getting other offers I would secure yourself now and then if it takes a while, it takes a while and you never know - you may enjoy it.

Piony · 14/09/2023 08:46

I can really relate to that feeling of "I have to get out of this place now". I just think it's worth the interview in case meeting the different team, and seeing the differences in job, gives it a completely different feel from what you expect.

Original poster

Sn1859 · 14/09/2023 15:47

Thank you for all of your thoughts. I have spoken to someone today, I’m going to attend the interview and just see how it goes. I’m also going to hand my notice in at work tomorrow, so I’ll have to find a new job then. My CV is getting a tweak when I am home. As for what job I am looking for. I would do anything at the moment, just to get out of that place.

OP posts:

43ontherocksporfavor · 14/09/2023 18:08

Good luck!

Original poster

Sn1859 · 14/09/2023 21:36

Thank you. 😊😊 have a lovely Evening xx

OP posts:

AlrightThen · 15/09/2023 10:43

I think so.

You have to think of your wage and show a credible level of excitement.

I wasn't excited about muffins once so I've been excited about them ever since then to learn from my error.

FeigningConcern · 15/09/2023 16:08

If you dread your current job that much and this is your only current alternative option I'd go for it. It's unlikely to be worse than your current job and a change is as good as a rest!

Cottipus · 15/09/2023 16:18

Glad you have decided to go for the job. I interviewed once for a job that wasn’t right on paper, but when I had the interview I really liked the people and had a good feeling about the company.

I actually accepted another job I had an offer for earlier that I was unsure about. Shortly after starting that job I didn’t like it and rang the recruiter but the other position had been filled. I made the wrong decision that time.

Good luck.

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