Jobseeking is driving me mad!

therealdessie

It isn't necessarily you, lb. Unfortunately there will always be internal candidates they end up employing, or cheaper candidates, or people who have worked in almost identical jobs.

Remember not to seem desperate, even if you are, as they will pick up on it. I'm going to post up some interview tips shortly, hopefully some of that will help!

lisa21

I'm also jobhunting at the mo - I've been in a role for 6 months managing an admin team for a national company. I find the job stressful and don't really get on with my colleagues (I'm not weird or awful or anything, just don't seem to have any banter etc like in my previous jobs!!) - anyway, here's my dilemma...

I've always wanted to work for the local council. Last week I visited an agency who told me they have a good job at the council coming up on their books within the next few weeks which I would be perfect for (another admin manager role). It would mean a £3k payrise. Before I knew about this, I applied directly to the same council for another role - a senior administrator, and have recieved a letter today inviting me for interview. This job would mean a £1.5K pay cut.

My question is - what would you do? Obviously I'd prefer the role with the £3k payrise but what is it never comes off? And even if it does, there's no guarantee I'd get it? Would I be stupid to take a pay cut (and a drop in level so to speak) if I go for the administrator role?

I;m not sure what to do - I'd be gutted if I didn't bother with the administrator role and the managemement one never came off - but likewise I wouldn't be that pleased if I took this one and missed out on the better job....any advice welcome!!!

therealdessie

Well it's only an interview letter, so you have time to decide anyway. But which is more important to you - the job or the money? Or both? You're working right now so it's not absolutely imperative that you get something else right away - and presumably you're on a 4 week notice period anyway.

If it was me, and I was sure that the agency actually had this other role, I'd take the interview pending and pursue the other job at the same time, to cover all my options. At this stage you're not committing to anything, and you might still be able to negotiate the salary in any case.

lisa21

You're right, thanks. I'm thinking I'll probably go for the interview (it's next Tuesday) and just see what happens.

The main problem is that I'm NOT sure the agency has this other role - they did say it was the case but my experience with agencies in the past is not exactly positive! I don't want to rely on them plus it could be a few weeks before the other job becomes available (or so they told me).

The job is very important....but I am tempted by the money. I'm not keen on taking a drop in salary at all.

I suppose I'm stressing because the reason I've missed out on opportunites which I thought would be perfect for me in the past was all down to timing and bad choices - eg I was offered a role and took it, started working there then was offered a better role eleswhere within days but turned it down as had just started this one - and regretted it ever since.

therealdessie

Yeah, it's a tough one, and it's something that happens all the time unfortunately! I think you're right to be cautious about the agency, as you'll see all over this board it's not at all unusual to be told something is in the pipeline, only to never hear about it again.

£1500 over the coruse of the year is £125 per month, or roughly £85 after tax. That's a serious consideration to make, so think about whether you would be making a desperate move which you might regret. Councils are enormous places and have jobs all the time (and often advertise in the jobcentres and local press), so there no doubt will be some other things coming up over time.

lisa21

when you put it like that it is a lot - £85 a month is basically my car payments so it would make a big difference. I earn £18.5k a year and tbh anything less and I might struggle. I am ambitious and want to earn a decent salary - but another side of me wants a nice little job in a nice office without much responsibility!! Guess I need to focus on what my goals really are - and taking a step back might not be the best idea. Your advice is great - thanks

Oldernotwiser

On the other hand, once you work for most councils there's plenty of opportunities to move around and also to seek promotion. An index linked pension is also not to be sneezed at in this day and age.

Bismarck

Well, my job offer's not arrived in the post but it some final details were being debated yesterday afternoon so tomorrow's more realistic for that one. I had my council interview which went OK...only half an hour but they seemed on my wavelength...will have to wait and see!

Now...do I carry on hunting? I'm getting a real hunger for it now!

looby75

Bismarck wrote: »

Well, my job offer's not arrived in the post but it some final details were being debated yesterday afternoon so tomorrow's more realistic for that one. I had my council interview which went OK...only half an hour but they seemed on my wavelength...will have to wait and see!

Now...do I carry on hunting? I'm getting a real hunger for it now!

I would carry on looking jic. It would be a shame if for some reason you didn't get this job and missed the perfect job for you because you stopped looking (IYSWIM)

Fingers crossed your job offer arrives tomorrow

Bismarck

Was a unique situation for me, having an interview knowing that I had one offer on the way...it gives you a kind of odd confidence and I'm not sure how easily an interviewer can pick this up...at least it should show I'm not desperate. Anyway, you're right....the hunt must go on....