OT: Would you take a dead end retail job? - YouLookFab Forum

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OT: Would you take a dead end retail job?

marianna

Veteran

I need some perspective from you wise ladies.

Yesterday I went to an interview at a store in the mall and was hired on the spot. But... the pay is RIDICULOUSLY low (reality check of living in AZ.) It's less than I made when I was 16 years old. So -- I'm not sure if it's even worth my time. I feel like it would distract me from searching for a "real" job, and I already have another interview lined up for next week.

At the same time, a job is a job, and no one else wants to hire me. I've received rejection after rejection! This is the first job offer I've received in ages.

Alas, the pay is so low that I wouldn't even be able to pay my rent with the monthly earnings. I honestly feel like it's a waste of time... but I also feel like I'm in no position to reject a JOB.

What would you do?

(I'm supposed to start today so I need to decide ASAP!)

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34 replies

Latest reply was from Jenava

RandomThoughts (Andrea)

Veteran

Would you feel badly about quitting without notice? If the answer is yes, don't take it. If you're willing to just walk out, I say take it.

Any money is better than no money.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I would take the job Marianna, is the cost of living lower in AZ because that has to be factored into your thinking. I do think showing willingness to work through a difficult period is important. Better things will come.

marianna

Veteran

My worry is that I won't be able to schedule interviews around my work schedule, especially because the holiday season is around the corner, and we are not allowed to request any time off after November.

JuliaInGermany

Start doing it and search for something better is my advice. I think it might be easier to find a new job while you are employed. Unemployment is still a stigma somehow (at least around here) so any job is better than unemployment I think. I feel for you though, because I sure wouldn't want to waste my time and not get paid properly, either.

I hope you'll find a great job very, very soon. Don't give up!

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I was in your situation about six years ago Marianna, I took an hour of work under the guise of going to the dentist in order to attend the interview. I arranged the second interview to fall on my day off. I did not feel good with the deceit but I did get the job.

Anonymous

Marianna,

I too was in your situation about a year ago. Stay stong and hold out for a job that you feel you are being compensated fairly for! Trust me, there are jobs out there

rute

Veteran

I agree with the ladies.. any payment is better than mothing!
Also because it's not good for the CV to stay a long time unemployed.

Here in Europe it easy to go to job interviews after 18 pm, maybe you can do it without having to skip work..

marianna

Veteran

I'm so torn. My mom, fiance, and MIL all say that I shouldn't take it -- that I will find something better. This isn't the greatest store and they offer zero incentives. I just got back to AZ two days ago so they think I shouldn't jump at the first thing that's offered to me.

I just don't know.

I have to decide within the hour.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Marianna, if you did take the job and change your mind you could always just leave and not put that job on your resume.

MNsara

Veteran

Oh, oh! Nothing like a little pressure to help make decisions

I have always felt that it is better to be job hunting when you already have a job, but in this economy things are VERY different. Prospective employers should understand your need to interview around current employment - shouldn't they?

Your mom, MIL, and more importantly, your fiance know the entire picture better and are saying 'no'.

If you couldn't find anything else by November, would you be happy to have even this?

If you did find something, are you able to walk away easily enough - even less than two weeks notice if needed sooner by new employer?

Obviously no answer here, just a few ideas that may help you formulate your decision. . .

marianna

Veteran

I think we've decided that I'm not going to take the job. I'm not THAT desperate yet.

I also think we've decided that I need to enroll in Real Estate school. It's something I've been thinking about for a long time and I think I'm ready to go ahead and get my license. I'd feel more productive doing that than working at a low end retail store.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Now that sounds like a plan!!!!

Anonymous

Good for you Marianna!

Dawn

(website)

That sounds like a good plan, Marianna. I just took a dead-end retail job for the next couple of months so I can do a proper job-hunt without having to worry too much about money. I'm in the position whereby I have no options other than take this job as I do not qualify for any unemployment benefits or support as I live with my boyfriend. Despite the fact that he does not support me financially, I would not get a cent of state support.

I'm actually getting angry once again thinking about this so I'm going to keep repeating to myself that I will get a better job in a few months.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Is the job for a reputable retailer, Marianna? I'd absolutely take it.

Kate

Veteran

I'm glad you came up with a plan you're excited about!

A word of caution: a family friend has worked in real estate for decades and is now working 2 other jobs (airline baggage handler and city bus driver) to make ends meet. Granted, the real estate industry in Seattle might be different than in AZ, but it's something to keep in mind.

Dawn, my boyfriend is in the same position but is still job hunting (and except that I'm supporting him financially for now). It sucks, and we're trying not to get too angry about it. It's totally absurd that recent college grads can't get unemployment benefits.

Christie

Yes, I'd take the job. In this economy, work is work. And better to keep busy than not.

Queen Mum

Veteran

I think your plan to try to train in another career is very wise actually. You'd make a beautiful Real Estate Agent.

April

Veteran

Marianna, are you staying in AZ for a long time or is this a temporary move? I ask because the AZ real estate market has been one of the hardest hit in the country, so it may be a difficult field to enter at the moment.

It sounds like the retailer isn't one that would be exciting for you? (Not like your Anthro stint last winter.) Hmm, tough call. If you have the choice, it might be better to hold out for a little while and see if a more intriguing retail option emerges during the pre-holiday season, while you're pursuing more career-oriented things. If holding out isn't an option, I would say it's better to have a non-dream job than to rack up debt.

marianne

If you can survive for a few months without income, IMO you'd be better off taking classes or volunteering in a field you're interested in - I think it looks better on the resume.
I second April's concern about AZ RE market, but you might be better informed.

Maya

Veteran

Honestly, if i were in your position (as I was for quite a while), I would have taken anything. Getting a job isn't just about making ends meet. It's also about making connections, filling gaps on your resume, learning new skills (which can be done even at a supposedly mundane job), and keeping yourself busy.

If you can find an alternate way to do that (through volunteer work, internship, or going back to school, study/teach abroad), then by all means, do it. When I was down on my luck, I could literally not find anything. I mean I couldn't even GIVE my work away. Not even a volunteer job. I was put on a 2 year waiting list to volunteer at MoMA and DFS rejected me outright!

I spent too many months paralyzed and unable to do anything at all to feel comfortable telling someone that rejecting a job in this economy is okay without any kind of alternate plan. Things only improved for me once I bucked up and did what I said I'd never do: internships.

One way or another, keep yourself busy. That's all I can say.

agrace

marianna - I am a real estate agent though not active at the moment. If you have any questions - it does differ state to state in many ways - feel free to let me know (PM). Anyways, I think that is a great step to take. Real estate is not that expensive to get into compared to going to other types of school. It is also something you can do while you are getting into other things. And finally, it was a HUGE help in selling and buying our own houses!

Tara

(website)

Veteran

Wow - what a dilemma!

I'm glad you have figured out another plan of action. This post has really enlightened me to the reality of the recession for a lot of people. In Australia, either they have done a very good job of covering up how this is affecting the population or we're not suffering too much. It makes me very thankful for the job I have.

I really hope things get better soon for all going through tough financial times. I admire your strength.

shell

What a dilemma! I encountered a very similar experience to you last year. After graduating from college, I couldn't find a job in my field. So, I applied to a million "dead end" jobs, and finally got an interview with good 'ol Target.

I worked there for a little over a year before I finally found a job in my field. It did make scheduling interviews and staying active on the job search a little more difficult - I was tired after working 8 hours and just wanted to veg out, not send out my resume!

But it was also a great motivator because it was quite literally the crappiest job I've ever had. To work for barely above minimum wage after 5 years of college and obtaining two bachelor's degrees was NOT in my career plan. But after a month of unemployment, I had to get out and actually do something. If I thought working at Target was bad, I can't imagine how I would've felt sitting at home doing nothing.

I'm sure whatever you decide will be the right choice for you. Best of luck to you!

marianna

Veteran

Well, I'm sure some may think this was a stupid decision, but I declined the offer. I know myself and I know that if I took a crappy job I'd be too tired to search for real work with real potential. It didn't seem like a productive option for me at this point. The retailer isn't really that reputable and doesn't offer any incentives. If the pay was a bit better I may have considered it a bit further, but we're talking ridiculously low pay. I am receiving unemployment benefits at the moment so it didn't seem like a strategic move. And anyway, I JUST started looking for work again. I've been in AZ since Saturday night!

Also, I discussed the situation in detail with my family and everyone agreed that I should wait a bit. It just wasn't a right fit or a good idea. With the holidays coming there will be lots of seasonal jobs, so if in a few weeks I feel like I need *any* job, I don't foresee a problem finding a retail job... (might be stupid of me to say this, though).

In the meantime, I went ahead and enrolled in real estate school. I know the market is rotten (my mom is a Realtor so I have seen first hand how devastating the economy is) but in AZ the apartment finding venture seems to be doing well (people are renting instead of buying). I do need a license to do leases so that's one option I am considering if sales don't produce. If anything, the license will come in handy when/if we ever decide to buy anything, and it will be nice to have just in case. I can always do real estate part time. I've lived in the real estate world my whole entire life (and worked with my mom for years) so I get it.

I also have a different interview next Tuesday that I am more excited about. And school starts next Tuesday. So I will keep busy. This plan of action is better for me.

MNsara

Veteran

Congrats on making a big decision! Perfect timing to be able to start school before any unemployment runs out

You're no rookie if your mom is in real estate either! You are young and have the time to build up your business.

P.S. I have to believe the mediocre retail jobs will be there later this fall too - as we approach the holidays - if you feel the pinch for cash. . .

hanna

(website)

marianna, it sounds like you've really weighed your options and made the decision that works best for you. i have every confidence that this is the best course of action -- the best thing you can do for yourself right now is keep yourself occupied and marshall yourself for all that comes ahead. good luck! your ylf cheering section will be here for you every step of the way

Donna

Good for you Marianna! You have a plan of action and that has to feel good.

Carole

Veteran

Marianna, sounds like you are figuring out the best plan for yourself. This job market is discouraging at best, but hopefully the interview coming up will be more fruitful and if not then you have a back-up plan. Sometimes you just have to go with your "gut". Sending good positive vibes your way. Good Luck!

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