But doesn't it look weird to an employer that you just started a new job a month ago and you are still looking?

It is ALWAYS easier to find a job when you have a job. Take the offer, and keep looking for a better fit. No one will fault you for taking a pay increase or better job - it's harder to explain a resume gap than a short time of employment.

I would take the job and keep looking. I had a coworker who was hired, but left after 4 months due to this same situation. Being unemployed hurts your chances for new jobs.

Anonymous wrote:How old are you, and in what field, OP? If you are in your 40s, you'd better take the job. If you are very young and in a very desirable field, you have more choices, and could pass this job by as long as you have enough $$ to live on until your next job offer comes along. If you are in your 40s, the next job offer may be a long time coming.

I'm married and in my early 30s. We won't be struggling financial, but I do need/want to work so that's why I'm leaning more toward waiting until I find a better fit. I will be eligible for unemployment and I can go on my husbands insurance once mine runs out in 3 months (part of severance package). I was working in Marketing when they restructured the department and a bunch of folks got let go.

I agree w/ PPs - we need more info. Age? Are you married, and if so, can you survive on your spouse's income for 6-12 mos+? If no, I would be very reluctant to pass up this opportunity - the market is tight.

How old are you, and in what field, OP? If you are in your 40s, you'd better take the job. If you are very young and in a very desirable field, you have more choices, and could pass this job by as long as you have enough $$ to live on until your next job offer comes along. If you are in your 40s, the next job offer may be a long time coming.

Anonymous wrote:I just got laid off and have been interviewing with another company already. It doesn't seem like the right fit for me and don't really want to work there although I have a feeling I will get offered the job. Do people take the first offer or keep applying? I'm nervous that it will take me forever to find something else.

I am in the same boat. Got an offer this week but decided not to take the job. I can hold out for 4-5 months.

if you need insurance YES, if not then maybe not but leaning towards yes.

In my situation I would. (Running out of savings and need insurance.) if you can hold out for the job you really want, that would be ideal.

I turned down a job while in your situation. On the one hand, it took me a full year to get another offer. The market was crashing hard just then. On the other hand, if I had taken it, the stress of being in a job I wasn't qualified for would have been equal to or worse than the stress of living on just my husband's income. (We can do it, but not long term. His income exactly covers necessities-- no savings, no kid extras like soccer, no meals out, etc.)

If you're in a situation where you absolutely require two incomes to get through the month, then you need to take the job. If you can survive on one for a while (again, in my case it was a year), then you have options.

take it and start applying to other jobs immediately.

Right now get on the web and send out as many applications as you can for the next twenty four hours while you can still talk in your cover letter about your job in the present tense.

My last day is tomorrow. I've been unemployed before so I've been through this before, but I really want to find the right job.

Are you still employed? If so for how much longer? How much do you have an emergency savings?

I just got laid off and have been interviewing with another company already. It doesn't seem like the right fit for me and don't really want to work there although I have a feeling I will get offered the job. Do people take the first offer or keep applying? I'm nervous that it will take me forever to find something else.