Job Delimma; What Is Your Perspective?

Updated on August 24, 2010
L.S. asks from Chula Vista, CA
4 answers

Hello Moms,
I've applied for 3 different jobs at the university that I work at currently. One job I really, really want and it is a good fit for me and my skill set. A former supervisor of mine on campus knows the person doing the recruitment for this job very well and she is putting in a good word for me today. Her recommendation will have some weight behind it since she is a Vice Chancellor on campus. This particular job pays 8K more than the other two jobs that I've applied for.

Now I Just received a message that I have been granted an interview for one of the other positions that I applied for. I am not as interested in this job, but I will go in for the interview anyway because our family can really use the money right now. I currently work part-time, 20 hours a week, and this has been wonderful for our family's needs. Our daughter starts kindergarten next month and the recession has really slowed down my husband's business. With the end of summer approaching, we're heading into the most difficult time of the year for my husband's business -- and the most stressful for us financially. So I must give up my part-time status and go back to full-time work.
My question is: if I ace the interview and get the job, what if the position that I really want calls for an interview, I interview -- and get the job?? I would much rather have this job, much more prestigious on campus and also obviously pays more. Is this wrong, or has anyone else done this and what happened?? I'm torn because if I'm going to go back to fulltime work, I'd like to make it worth my while -- the added stress of me joining the workforce fulltime will definitely put added stress on our daughter because she will have to be in afterschool care longer, the expenses for that will be greater, etc. And yet, I can't be picky right now -- we need the money.

I know I may be counting my chickens before they hatch, counting on an interview w/ the higher-paying job, but I like thinking ahead.

I guess, like I said, it boils down to: is it wrong to get a new job, then accept another shortly after if it pays more?

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So What Happened?

Great perspectives, ladies! The recruitment process on campus can take upwards of a month at times. So, I wish I could coordinate the timing of the interviews better, but sometimes things move soooo slowly here. I am not a job-hopper; I've worked at two different jobs on camus, both for 5 years each. With the recession, there has been a hiring freeze for the most part and I've been checking the job boards daily for over a year. All of a sudden, 3 decent jobs came up and I applied! Who knows when another opportunity on campus will come up? So I can't just hold out for the one I really want, I've got to be realistic. And I really don't want to leave the university due to my retirement benefits. But campus politics definitely exists -- and you've given me some food for thought ladies -- especially your comments, J.L.

More Answers

T.N.

answers from Albany on

Well, look at it this way, an employer certainly considers more than one applicant for a position, than after an interview decides which applicant would be best for the job. Why then wouldn't an applicant (you) consider more than one JOB, and after interviewing, decide which one is right for them (you)? Happens all the time, totally go for both, then decide. Good Luck to you!

Updated

Well, look at it this way, an employer certainly considers more than one applicant for a position, than after an interview decides which applicant would be best for the job. Why then wouldn't an applicant (you) consider more than one JOB, and after interviewing, decide which one is right for them (you)? Happens all the time, totally go for both, then decide. Good Luck to you!

1 mom found this helpful
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K.B.

answers from Houston on

I would go ahead and interview for both but I wouldn't accept the first one (if they make an offer) right away. Tell them you need to think about it and maybe even ask them when they need an answer by. Then hope the other one comes through in the mean time. Since both positions are with the same university I wouldn't want to burn a bridge that close to the new job by accepting and then resigning so quickly. If these were two completely different companies then I would have no problem accepting one (if pressed for an answer) and then resigning to take the other job, but like I said them both being at the same university puts a little different spin on the situation.

Good luck,
K.

Updated

I would go ahead and interview for both but I wouldn't accept the first one (if they make an offer) right away. Tell them you need to think about it and maybe even ask them when they need an answer by. Then hope the other one comes through in the mean time. Since both positions are with the same university I wouldn't want to burn a bridge that close to the new job by accepting and then resigning so quickly. If these were two completely different companies then I would have no problem accepting one (if pressed for an answer) and then resigning to take the other job, but like I said them both being at the same university puts a little different spin on the situation.

Good luck,
K.

1 mom found this helpful
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I.G.

answers from Seattle on

Check your employer's policies. Where I work, if you take a new job within the institution, you cannot make the switch to another position within the institution for 6 months.
Good luck!

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D.K.

answers from Washington DC on

I agree with the first poster. Take what you can get right now and then upgrade as the opportunity presents itself. There's nothing wrong with that. You owe WAY more allegiance to yourself and your family than you do to any potential employer. They have a right to try out new employees and possibly fire them if they don't work out or if someone more qualified comes along, so you have a right to try out new jobs and possibly quit them if it doesn't work out or if a better job comes along. Ultimately you're going to have to put your reason for leaving that job on a resume and when you do the reason will simply be "left to accept a better paying position." That's simple and doesn't imply any kind of wrongdoing on your part. This is still a capitalist country (for now) and everyone has the right to seek the highest salary they can. You'd be stupid NOT to accept a higher salary and any future potential employer is going to know that so don't worry.

Updated

I agree with the first poster. Take what you can get right now and then upgrade as the opportunity presents itself. There's nothing wrong with that. You owe WAY more allegiance to yourself and your family than you do to any potential employer. They have a right to try out new employees and possibly fire them if they don't work out or if someone more qualified comes along, so you have a right to try out new jobs and possibly quit them if it doesn't work out or if a better job comes along. Ultimately you're going to have to put your reason for leaving that job on a resume and when you do the reason will simply be "left to accept a better paying position." That's simple and doesn't imply any kind of wrongdoing on your part. This is still a capitalist country (for now) and everyone has the right to seek the highest salary they can. You'd be stupid NOT to accept a higher salary and any future potential employer is going to know that so don't worry.

1 mom found this helpful
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