Friday, January 29, 2010

Are beggars ever allowed to be choosers?

I sure as heck hope so because I made a decision today that I might end up regretting. I applied for a job on Craigslist for an assistant position at an entertainment PR company, and when they called me in for an interview, I turned it down. It actually sounded like a glorified internship—it pays by the hour, which means no benefits and it sounded like a lot of bitch work. AND the office is in New Jersey. Umm, no thanks. I don't have time for hour-long commutes! You know I have no qualms about doing bitch work, especially if it's for a really good job that could help enhance my skills and network, but I just didn't get the feeling that this was one of those jobs. I always say that if you listen to your gut, you really can't go wrong. And while I desperately do need more consistent work, I have been getting a lot more quality work since I was fired, and I really don't want that to change.  

Plus, one thing that's working in my favor at the moment is  the fact that I am what I call the YES girl. People come to me because they know I'm always up for anything. Ellen, are you free to do a reporting assignment tomorrow morning? YES. What about Friday night? YES. Can you assist me on a styling job next week? YES. And visit the set of my new TV show at 1pm tomorrow? YES. You get the point. 

I am trying to find part-time work (in addition to all that fun photo scanning I've been doing!), but until something bigger and better comes along, I just don't know if it's smart for me to settle on a full-time job that won't benefit my future. Plus, although Craigslist is not beneath me, I do think it can be a bit sketch. 

So what do you guys think: Did I make a smart move or am I a total idiot? Right, I know who's not getting any sympathy the next time she cries about her depressing checking account.

7 comments:

  1. Smart move. I turned down a glorified account executive job after spending a day of job shadowing. I was dragged ALL over the city- I mean the nooks and crannies- trying to sell office supplies. Seriously. I thought a job was a job and just what I needed. And after a day of realizing what "Account Executive" entailed, I knew that I couldn't live on commission from toner or post-its.

    Check out my beggars can't be choosers post:

    http://makingitafterall.blogspot.com/2009/03/i-made-my-decision-decision-made.html

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  2. Oh my god, i'm exactly in the same situation! Today I had an interview, and they offer me a crappy job that is hours away from home. I said no for the same reason you did but i felt a bit guilty. Of course it was the right choice to do but i just want to wooooork!!
    Anyway it motivates me to look for a cool job even harder!

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  3. From your description, you totally made the right decision Ellen! It sounds like being the YES girl that you are now is the exact kind of exposure and network you need. Eventually I think you'll land something just through those experiences...good luck and keep having fun!

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  4. I think you made the right decision Ellen. I am in a job now that I wish I had never taken. I knew in my gut that it wasn't what I wanted, but convinced myself that it might surprise me. Plus, I needed the money. Nearly a year later I am desperately trying to get out of the job. I've been as miserable as I thought I would be. Hold out for what you want for as long as possible!

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  5. Thanks for the support guys! Phew! Sweetheart, I'm sure you made the decision that was right for you at the time—you WILL find something else. Nothing is permanent. It's hard to be so choosy when you are desperate for money—I'm going to try to keep up the random jobs (babysitting, photo scanning, etc) as much as possible to supplement my income, but I just may have to be a little less picky in the future. I hope not, but unfortunately it all comes down to MONEY. Not being secure financially brings on so many stresses, so at least that's one worry you don't have right now. Best of luck!

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  6. I did the same thing. I turned down a management assistant job at a manufacturing plant because it sounded like I was going to be the scapegoat for everything....responsible for instituting performance reviews and I suspect those performance reviews would have led to some people being laid off.

    It was only going to pay $32 000 which is only $3000 more than I make now as a secretary, and it was a lot further away from home with no public transit option.

    I ended up taking another job after that (current - secretary) that I shouldn't have taken, either, but at least I'm not totally miserable.

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  7. Hey Kim! Yeah, sometimes it's just not worth it...especially if the job is inconvenient and only a small pay increase. What's wrong with your job now? Why did you end up taking it?

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