Am I being unreasonable for turning down a 3-month contract?

[Happyfeet82]

I’m 26 and have been working full-time since graduating university. I recently returned from a few months of travelling with my partner and am now back home, living with family while I look for a new job. I’ve got some savings from before my trip, and my family are kindly supporting me if needed, so I’m not under immediate financial pressure.

I applied for a role that initially sounded great, but I’ve since found out it’s only a 3-month contract, ending in July. I did consider taking it and continuing to job hunt on the side, but I also have a week-long family holiday booked in late June (this was planned and paid for before I became unemployed).

Given the short length of the contract, I’d only be entitled to around 7 days of annual leave, most of which would be used for the holiday. That would leave me with barely any time off to attend interviews. I even considered not going on the holiday if I got the job, but that feels like a big sacrifice for a role that only lasts a few months.

Am I being too picky here, or does it make sense to hold out for the right fit? 😓

I wouldn't, in the circumstances.

How much money are we talking about here?

Assuming the company are ok with you taking the time off for your holiday and perhaps the odd bit of time off for interviews unpaid - which you don't need to be coy about on fixed term contracts - I would just take it. It's 3 months worth of money and another thing on your CV to help with future jobhunting.

The salary is £34,000, which is a step up from my last role. I really just want to be earning again, which is why I initially looked past the short length of the contract. But after giving it some proper thought, I’m not sure it’s actually worth it.

I would take it.
You never know when networking job to job might end up in a job offer. They might love you so much that they make a spot for you.

£34K per annum pro rated I assume?

I would take it. Take your holiday and don't worry about interviews for other jobs in the meantime. You may be kept on after the 3 months, if not take an hour off as a dental appointment. There are ways around it.

I would tell them about the holiday and take the job. Interviews etc can usually be managed around lunch breaks or early evenings etc

Take it, there may be chance of extension, and if not they will be well aware you will need to find another role and may be flexible with leave (paid or unpaid)

A 3-month contract is just bloody insulting! I’d take it if it filled a gap and was a step up but certainly wouldn’t feel bad about jacking it in early if I found something better.

Take it, particularly if it's an immediate start best case scenario it is extended. You'll be on probation most of it so probably a week's notice, if it's a 3 month contract they will understand interviews after the first month or so. I also think you are in a stronger position looking from jobs when in one. If someone applies, is out of work and their employment journey doesn't make our job a natural next step they need a dam good explanation in the cover letter why this is the job they want or I question if they are applying for everything and could jump when something closer to what they want to do comes up, if you have a job I don't know it's 3 months.

Take the role. It’s a bird in the hand, adds to your CV, saves your savings for later and might be extended.

Would take it, and be open with them about the week of annual leave and that you may need some extra days (unpaid if necessary) to do interviews.

It is money in your pocket, potentially new skills, a higher salary from which to jump next time, and it might turn in to more than 3 months or a permanent job.

I wouldn’t leave a job for a 3 month contract, but I’d take it if I wasn’t currently in a job!

I would probably taken it TBH unless you have something else lined up.

Tell them about the holiday and see if it can be unpaid saving your holiday for interviews etc.

best to be working and earning and it can always be extended

if they are funny about the holiday move on

The general consensus on temporary/freelance work is that it has to be at least 30% more than the ordinary paid role would be in order to make it worthwhile. At least. And it's usually quite a high, well paid niche role as well.

Is that the case here? at £34k I'm guessing not.

I’ve just found out that the end of the contract is 31st July. And the starting date is around the end of May. That’s essentially 2 months worth of pay, as oppose to 3, which is what I originally thought!

I do think the length of the contract is quite insulting… I don’t know what sort of candidates this would appeal to, probably people looking for experience?

I wouldn’t miss this opportunity. Take the job but tell them you have a family holiday booked. Most companies will be happy to accommodate it.

Of course you should take it! Why not? Professionals work on short limited contracts all the time. Plus if it’s a small world you’re in you could be cutting your nose off to spite your face. You’re young and it’s good money, and will teach you things even if insignificant. It’s odd to turn it down.

Yeah they just want someone on the cheap don't they. I'd pass.

Christ no wonder the state of the economy right now if unemployed people are saying a 3 month contract potentially worth £6k isn't worth their while.

Not for somebody who has been unemployed for months, though. Many won't see past the lack of recent work (and 'travelling' has previously been used as a catch-all to hide being fired from a recent job by a lot of people).

A job is a job.

Take it. They might extend or have another role for you. It’s a couple of months pay, it gives you a post travelling reference, it gets you back out there.

That’s a pretty harsh take. Not everyone can afford to take a short-term contract... Choosing not to take a 3-month role doesn’t mean someone’s lazy or the reason the economy's struggling, it just means they’re looking for something sustainable. People have every right to hold out for stable, long-term work without being criticised for it...

Its a contract so anyone doing short contract work will take it provided the pay scale reflects that the person need to be able to hit the ground running.

It cover for a leaver/joiner delay or covering scheduled overlaping leave etc and they need the headcount

There is no value in trying to gain experience in a 2 month role because why would the other team members invest their time into training someone who will be gone in a month or two and do their regular daily tasks. It will end up being doing grunt work where the team split the high value tasks with you shadowing /training or being at a level of adding value from day 1. So as DenholmElliot11 pointed out how is the role priced.

If they are Ok with you taking time off they will offer you the job if not you will not get an offer.