AIBU interviewing for jobs I definitely don't want but need?

[Kioris]

I've been unemployed for almost a year and feeling the pinch. My job hunt has been hit and miss especially with having to home school dc during lockdown when I concentrated on school work rather than looking for jobs. Now that schools are open I can concentrate on job search again. Problem is, the jobs I really like am not getting invited to interview while ones I don't like much but decent, am getting invited for. i.e. career step back and less money.

My thought process for applying to the jobs I don't really like, has been "it's easier to find a job when you're in a job than when not in one". My hope this is what happens to me but now am wondering if the hustle of applying and interviewing for these jobs is worth it. Should I just put all my efforts in ONLY jobs I really like and hope someone recognises me and gives me a chance?

What are your thoughts?

I guess it depends on how much you need to earn money. Sometimes you cant be picky.

Yes, how much do you need the money? Can you afford to be picky for a while longer?

I would get your foot back into the world of work with any job in a company that seems reasonably professional, friendly and where the role is one you think is needed. If you can be kept busy and your skills used and developed that's as important as the salary, after you've been out of the loop for the past year.

Remember you are interviewing them, as much as they are interviewing you. Don't take something if the interview is a nightmare and the people seem unprofessional or rude.

Thanks all for your thoughts. Yes, I NEED the money. On the whole people seem nice. It all makes sense to settle until I think of my age and realise am no spring chicken. So if I settle now, am wondering if that means am settling for the rest of my working career and prospective employers will wonder why I went for this particular job. On the other hand, there's a pandemic going on so maybe they won't hold that against me. And then it all comes back to needing the money. Thanks for your comments everyone.

I think the pandemic does give you some wriggle room — there is such competition for jobs and I think employers understand that it’s a less-than-perfect time to have had to find something new. But even if you are taking something that you might not have looked at a year ago, I think it’s worth really examining what new skills you can gain from it, where they can take you, and the narrative you can build about that. I’ve just taken a role that is definitely more sideways than up but it should allow me to build a new set of skills that will give me a wider set of options further down the line. It’s less a dream job but practically it is smart. And it also pays the mortgage - and employers do know that’s the bottom line when it comes to why someone might take a role!

Thanks @Tangelo.

I would take anything, as others have said, you can learn new skills and once you have a foot on the ladder you may be able to progress. If it's really unbearable then there's nothing to stop you continuing to look. I have been applying for a few jobs recently, probably some I am overqualified for and it's frustrating just not hearing back or shortlisting gets significantly delayed. NHS seem to be the worst- had an interview a week ago and still heard nothing either way, despite them saying I interviewed well.

Go for the interview and take the job if offered.

Honestly, the longer you are out of work, the more difficult it will be to get a job.

If you definitely don't want to do the job then it's a bit shitty on the company that hires you, will spend time getting you up to speed and then you'll jump ship before they get anything back from you at all.

At the same time, being loyal to a company you have never worked for seems stupid to me. You need to do what is right for you and roof overhead and food on table are good reasons to take a job.