Do you take a stepping stone/ "for the time being" job while looking for something else?

[Anonymous]

I need to go back to work, and it may take about 4+ months in my line of work to find a great match. Meanwhile, should I take any job that pays decently while I look? I will get decent spousal and child support, but not enough to cover all my bills without working.

If I do take a stop-gap job, do I just leave it off my resume as I'm continuing to search, since it would be out of place and way off payscale to include on my resume.

Thanks for any advice - so dreading getting back into job hunting, especially now in this economy.

[Anonymous]

I'd say take what you can get if you need the income. And you never know exactly how long it will take to land a job in your field so at least you'll have something coming in during that time. If you can show transferable skills then maybe you can put it on your resume.

[Anonymous]

I'd get what money you can right now. Good luck with your job hunt.

[Anonymous]

Could you temp? It'd offer you the flexibility to interview when you need.

[Anonymous]

I hadn't thought about temping... are they still mostly clerical positions, or would there be anything in biz devpt / marketing/ finance? Would that still be like it was years ago, pay around $10/hr?

[Anonymous]

I would take a stop gap or try to attempt consulting if my skills lent themselves to that.

[Anonymous]

OP, I'd say yes take it. If it is relevant to the field of your dream job, then include it, if it is totally off and no relation to the job you're looking for, then don't include it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hadn't thought about temping... are they still mostly clerical positions, or would there be anything in biz devpt / marketing/ finance? Would that still be like it was years ago, pay around $10/hr?

Not all clerical. Give PoliTemps a call - I worked with them once between jobs, but it's been a while. Can't hurt.

[Anonymous]

OP - I am in the professional staffing industry.

What I would say at a high level is that it greatly depends on your individual situation. How long have you been out of the work force? How have you filled the "gaps"? What level of position are you looking for and how does this one fit in? What are your current income needs? There are definitely contract opportunities in the marketing and finance fields. These are sometimes roles that could turn into permanent ones. Most employers would expect that you would commit to the length of the contract and not continue looking for something else during that time.

[Anonymous]

The only reason I would say take whatever you can get to pay the bills is because this is one of the worst job markets we've had in a while.

Here's a story about a few unemployed or laid off people in this area having trouble finding work:

Part 1:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/21/AR2009122103495.html?sid=ST2009122200045

Part 2:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/22/AR2009122203635.html?hpid=dynamiclead

If you are lucky enough to find a job and need the money, by all means, TAKE IT!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only reason I would say take whatever you can get to pay the bills is because this is one of the worst job markets we've had in a while.

Here's a story about a few unemployed or laid off people in this area having trouble finding work:

Part 1:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/21/AR2009122103495.html?sid=ST2009122200045

Part 2:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/22/AR2009122203635.html?hpid=dynamiclead

If you are lucky enough to find a job and need the money, by all means, TAKE IT!

Wiping my face off the floor. What a downer story. I guess my question was naive.