Saying no to a job when soon to be unemployed

[Anonymous]

Fed contractor who knows a layoff is imminent (if not October then by December). My current job with all of the uncertainty this year is incredibly stressful and I’m burned out.

I’m deep into an interview process for another position. This one would be a lower title, lower salary, and seems like an even greater level of attack and uncertainty. But it’s the farthest I’ve gotten in applying since March.

How insane would I be to walk away? I get the sense that if I were offered this job and took it I would be miserable. I really want to hold out for one I feel excited about.

Should I continue with the interview process and decide if an offer comes? Should I walk away now? Should I take the job because I have nothing else?

I have almost a year of expenses saved at this point and could likely survive not having a job for a while. But who knows.

What do you all think?

[Anonymous]

Could you take it and immediately start looking for a way up or out? As my mother used to say, a bird in the hand ...

[Anonymous]

No don’t pull out yet. Understand why you may be “miserable” in new position (type of work, management, office environment, expectations?) and see if you can negotiate that once you receive an offer. You may just feel off and unhappy because of the situation many of us find ourselves in nowadays.

I waited too long in an undesirable contract job then was abruptly laid off (fired) because my attitude was negative but that was actually just BS because the government staff I worked for knew I had the wrong skill set for the job’s changed requirements. I didn’t care but I was annoyed with myself too for waiting too long to leave toxic people.

Good for you for saving an emergency expense fund!

[Anonymous]

Consider it a bridge job that carries you from the current one to one you want

[Anonymous]

It is a very tough market. I wouldn't want to but would take the bird in hand.

[Anonymous]

Easiest way to get a job is to have job. And people need to get over their hang ups on job titles. FFS, no one cares.

[Anonymous]

It’s worse to be unemployed, right? If you get the bad job, maybe take a few weeks’ vacation in between to help with burnout. Then keep applying for other things after you start.

[Anonymous]

Take it and start searching right away. Don’t update your LinkedIn.
If it’s lower level then you sure can handle with more efficiency.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No don’t pull out yet. Understand why you may be “miserable” in new position (type of work, management, office environment, expectations?) and see if you can negotiate that once you receive an offer. You may just feel off and unhappy because of the situation many of us find ourselves in nowadays.

I waited too long in an undesirable contract job then was abruptly laid off (fired) because my attitude was negative but that was actually just BS because the government staff I worked for knew I had the wrong skill set for the job’s changed requirements. I didn’t care but I was annoyed with myself too for waiting too long to leave toxic people.

Good for you for saving an emergency expense fund!

😂

[Anonymous]

If this is the furthest you’ve gotten since March, what are the realistic chances that you will find a job that you are “excited” about that us also excited about you? A crappy job is better than no job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Take it and start searching right away. Don’t update your LinkedIn.
If it’s lower level then you sure can handle with more efficiency.

It’s a lower title and salary but likely more stress. It’s a similar job to what I have now only this organization is even more in the direct fire of the current admin. And I would be very public (it’s a senior leadership position).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Take it and start searching right away. Don’t update your LinkedIn.
If it’s lower level then you sure can handle with more efficiency.

It’s a lower title and salary but likely more stress. It’s a similar job to what I have now only this organization is even more in the direct fire of the current admin. And I would be very public (it’s a senior leadership position).

I am currently unemployed after a layoff. I am also highly educated with an amazing resume like you. And I say this with love - you know what is more stressful than that job will likely be? Unemployment. Sending out dozens of resumes and getting no interviews. Going through your savings because unemployment only pays $387/wk. Signing your kids up for free and reduced lunch. Getting on Medicaid for insurance and signing up for SNAP. Racking up credit card bills in order to keep cash in your pocket in case you need it.

Please, be realistic about your prospects. Its a tough job market.

[Anonymous]

My DH and I are in a similar position.
You might want to change the executive search firm you are working with and look in the private sector. At your level in the private sector, the lead time is a year as they typically do longer term planning and know who is moving on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DH and I are in a similar position.
You might want to change the executive search firm you are working with and look in the private sector. At your level in the private sector, the lead time is a year as they typically do longer term planning and know who is moving on.

This is OP. I'm working with a number of exec search firms on a number of searches. This particular one is the farthest along at this point (and I suspect I've been ghosted on a few others)