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Original poster

offered a job this morning but not sure if I should take it

24 replies

jollymollie · 14/10/2011 14:43

I've been offered a job this morning following an interview yesterday but I am not sure whether to take it. The hours are great and fit in with school time so I would only need childcare in the holidays. The thing is it is a very low grade 'gofer' type admin job. It's the sort of job suitable for a junior but I am 40! I know I could do something so much better (sorry if that sounds big headed). Thing is we really need the money as dh is self employed so there is real uncertainty as christmas is approaching. I know i'm going to hate doing this job but would I be silly for turning it down in these tough times? I have accepted the job initially but am not jumping for joy!

OP posts:
cjbartlett · 14/10/2011 14:44

you would be very silly to turn it down

school hours jobs are like gold dust

it's always easier to find a job when you already have one too so take it and carry on looking around for another one

mistlethrush · 14/10/2011 14:45

Perhaps you might be able to morph it into somethign more rewarding when they work out that you can offer a lot more?

LalalalalalaSummerHoliday · 14/10/2011 14:45

It's a foot in the door if it's a big company, and then it's easier to find a job from a job (always been true), so I'd say take it. If not, can I have it? :-)

Original poster
jollymollie · 14/10/2011 14:48

I feel very ungrateful now. Yes, I am lucky to have a job offer, especially with such good hours. I just wish I felt happier about it, I know I should and there's many people who would love to have the offer of work at the moment. Think I need a good slap around the face.

OP posts:
An0therName · 14/10/2011 14:50

hi - I would like it too - can't even get interviews for that kind of job .. seen as over qualified but my experience with admin is that if you go in with enthuiasm, hard work and are reliable you will get more interesting things given to you

Slambang · 14/10/2011 14:52

Do you know what the unemployment stats are like at the moment? Do you know that school term time school hours jobs are like gold dust? Low level admin jobs often lead to promotion.
Go for it mate - and congratulations!

TheCrackFox · 14/10/2011 14:57

Take the job and amaze them with your sheer brilliance. This time next year you will be running the place.

Original poster
jollymollie · 14/10/2011 14:59

Thank you so much, think that's the kick up the a**e I needed. I will start the job and be grateful. Hopefully I might get something more rewarding longer term. Thanks for the common sense advise Smile

OP posts:
RedBlanket · 14/10/2011 15:00

I'm in a similar position. Part time job, 10 minutes from home, school hours. BUT it's the same sort of junior grade I was doing 15 years ago and a third of what I was making 4 months ago before I was made redundant.
I can do it with my eyes closed but we really need the money.
Give it a go, you never know it might bit be that bad.

Original poster
jollymollie · 14/10/2011 15:00

oops, I meant advice. Maybe I am lucky to get this job after all Wink

OP posts:
notlettingthefearshow · 14/10/2011 15:09

I wouldn't want to take the job either - it's hard when you're a bit older and you have worked hard to be suitable for a decent job. But I think you should take it because it will help your finances and without needing childcare day-to-day, it shouldn't affect your children either.

The plus side is, a stress free job must be a godsend when you have a family and so much else going on in your life.

Your DH will be happy and proud that you are making a sacrifice for him.

It will not be forever. It may be a foot in the door, or you may just find something elsewhere in time.

Good luck!

lynniep · 14/10/2011 15:09

I agree with everyone else. well done for getting it. TAKE IT!!

I'm doing a job for less money I earned as a grad. BUT its part time, close enough to the kids and requires minimal brain power. No responsiblity is EXACTLY what I need.

One day I may get back on the ladder. but not now. you can always find something else later, but if you need money now, you need money now...

purplewerepidj · 14/10/2011 15:18

Think of it as relevant experience to put on your CV, and as a solid launching pad for the next job. No one said you have to stay at this low level forever, six months should be enough for a decent reference and some up to date training!

IsItMeOr · 14/10/2011 15:19

I can really understand why you feel less than thrilled about it, but you know that this work is about more than the next step on the career ladder, don't you?

You don't say when you last worked, but if you've had a gap, then this is a good opportunity to get your feet back under the work table and brush up on your office skills. The money clearly won't hurt. And hopefully you'll find you have some lovely colleagues to help make the days enjoyable.

These days, lots of people are going to have a less than ideal cv in the future, with many of us having to take whatever work we can get to pay the bills rather than being able to afford to pick and choose. So try not to worry about it.

Hope you find that you enjoy it. And remember, although it may seem a little beneath you, you might find some things more difficult than you remember, so try to go in with the spirit that you are the new girl and have things to learn.

Good luck!

Original poster
jollymollie · 14/10/2011 16:26

Thanks for all the advice. I think I just need to make sure I start with the right attitude and get the best out of the job without feeling resentful. After looking at the local paper today I am grateful to have a job offer when there are so few jobs around. I'll just smile and think of the money. DH is really happy that I've accepted the job as it eases the pressure on him so that's made me feel better. I will have a Wine tonight and try to celebrate Smile

OP posts:
IsItMeOr · 14/10/2011 21:27

Glad to hear you're feeling better about it :)

nancy75 · 14/10/2011 21:35

I went back to work last year after a 5 year break. My old job was lots of money, travelling, glamour and stress. My new job is an admin job I could have done at 18 with my eyes closed, I earn in a week what I used to get a day - but it's term time only school hours, it gets me out of the house and when I leave at 3pm thats it, there's no stress, no worry , no late night/early morning phone call from work - I thought much the same as you when I started but now I love it! Give the new job a chance, you might be suprise yourself.

ChippingIn · 14/10/2011 21:41

Jolly - I totally understand how you feel - but I'm glad you are working on the 'attitude adjustment' Grin Hopefully you can work your way quickly up the ladder to something you enjoy and hold onto the 'school hours'. If you do, advertise your replacement here - there'll be a lot of 'takers' :)

flowermonkey · 16/10/2011 09:50

I can understand how you feel. However, great advice from everyone on here.

List all the positives, focus on them and reframe it in your mind (i.e. close to home, will be earning money in the lead up to Christmas, school hours, no stress, etc.). It probably won't be forever but it is right for now.

After umming and ahhing for goodness knows how long I took a job at the council. Felt like a real step down at the time but it turned out to be one of the best jobs I ever had - lovely boss, great colleagues, no stress, flexi-time, etc.

Best of luck!

minko · 17/10/2011 13:41

I am in the same position - got offered a job today 15 hours a week. Pretty menial stuff, (I could do so much more) and only £8.50 an hour... But do I take it as it fits around school etc...

flowermonkey · 17/10/2011 19:06

Part-time jobs pay such rubbish money, don't they? Guess they have a captive audience.

minko · 17/10/2011 19:21

I've never charged less that £15ph for my time (usually more like £20-25), so £8.50 is a bit hard to swallow... It is regular money though and I could do with that, and it gets me out of the house. And leaves me time for the kids homework... hmmm... Is this the price of having kids?

flowermonkey · 18/10/2011 22:22

Well, I guess it depends on what you do and when you're available.

IME you can earn a decent hourly rate if you can work all hours at short notice. It's still a man's world in business. Until there is a shortage of people looking for part-time work that fits in around school hours the wages for those jobs will remain low.

Think a revolution is needed...

StaceySprague · 20/10/2011 04:19

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