What would YOU do in this situation? Job/Career Decisions etc

[Brow]

Hey guys.

I'm not normally 1 for these kinds of threads, but I'm really struggling with a decision I have to make as regards my work life going forwards so thought I'd throw this out there and see what you guys would do in my situation.

I left my last permanent job at the end of August due to the company relocating and it would've meant I was doing approx 65miles a day for what was essentially a low level pleb admin job on not great wages, and I wasn't prepared to so I left. Before anyone says anything I know to alot of Americans that 65miles isn't considered to be too bad a distance, so don't just tell me that I should've stuck at it and 'suck it up'  :lol:

I'd been out of work since the start of October when I started a 1 month fixed term temporary role. I've applied for over a hundred jobs during my time off through September and have had a number of interviews without much success until now, hence my decision to make:

I applied for a fulltime admin based job within the Police Force, I passed the interview but ultimately didn't get the job. I went for an interview yesterday for a job based around what my last 2 jobs have been (Construction and Utilities) and they called me this morning to offer me the job in a full time role but only on a fixed term contract until the end of March 2014 with possibility of a contract extension but with no guarantees.

The Police have also been back intouch and have offered me the role I originally didn't get; on a permanent basis but only with part time hours. I also can't start this role for 4 - 6 weeks due to my needing security clearance etc so have checks to go through before they can employ me.

So, my decision to make, and question to you guys, is: do i go for a role that I know can last as long as I want it to but only with very limited working hours (Police job), or do I go for the fulltime job that could come to an end within 6 months (utilities job) and then leave me out of work again?

What would you guys do in my position?

[littleredguitars2]

I would do the one That likely ends in March. At least it's full time to get you through the winter and you'll have an idea when you'll need to start looking again

[richard]

Hi Craig,

How many hours per week is the police job ? Have you discussed whether the hours are likely to increase in the future ? What are your circumstances i.e. do you live with folks, alone, share etc ? Do you qualify for housing benefit ? Could you live on the wages ? I'm thinking that if you could get by on the wage from the police job and there is a possibility of increased hours it is going to be a relatively secure position provided Cameron and friends don't decide that we can do without a police force. Also, if you're working part time it is far easier to look for another full time permanent job as you have the time to apply for jobs and attend interviews. Far harder to do this when you're working full time.

Cheers, Richie.

[juansolo]

Job security does not exist any more. You are just a number on a spreadsheet and are treated as such.

Take the contract.

[JJretroTONEGOD]

I'd take the full-time one, as juan said it's hard to find stability.

[Brow]

Cheers guys.

I'm taking everything onboard you've said. I've got until the end of the week to decide what I'm going to do.

Hi Craig,

How many hours per week is the police job ? Have you discussed whether the hours are likely to increase in the future ? What are your circumstances i.e. do you live with folks, alone, share etc ? Do you qualify for housing benefit ? Could you live on the wages ? I'm thinking that if you could get by on the wage from the police job and there is a possibility of increased hours it is going to be a relatively secure position provided Cameron and friends don't decide that we can do without a police force. Also, if you're working part time it is far easier to look for another full time permanent job as you have the time to apply for jobs and attend interviews. Far harder to do this when you're working full time.

Cheers, Richie.

Hi Richie.

The police job is 16hours a week and is part of a job share, so no extra hours unless the other person leaves.

What is quite common in these types of jobs though from what I gather is multiple split roles. My girlfriend, who also works for the police but a different force to the 1 I applied to, did a split role for several years with 2.5 days a week at each. I'd hope for a similar arrangement if I went for the Police role as I couldn't live on the £8.1k a year that 2 days a week would get me  :lol:

As for housing benefit etc I have no idea as until August I'd always worked fulltime so never looked into it.

[Alex]

Contract one, and keep looking.

Plus who knows, maybe they'll offer you something after that.

Part-time is a trap, money and career-wise. I don't even apply for part-time anymore, even if it hurts.

[WezV]

I would go for the fixed term full time one unless you know its fixed term for a reason like materntity cover.   

Some places offer fixed term as it gives them an easy out but gives them a good trial period. My current employer is terrible for this and i had about a year and a half on ever extending fixed term contracts - more to do with their official headcount than my ability to do the job

[Philly Q]

Having been in the same job for nearly 30 years, I'm not in much of a position to advise on career changes, and I have no idea what I'd do if I had to find a new job, but for what it's worth....

I'm assuming you don't want to work on a part-time basis "forever", so neither of these jobs is likely to be truly long term.  I'd pick whichever appeals to you more and/or has the best pay and conditions now.  And in the meantime, carry on looking for something better.

[Nadz1lla]

I can only speak from personal experience here, but I would totally go for the one that would make me happy. I've spent my life going for the job that pays best or has the most convenient hours, but am I happy? No. So many opportunities wasted.

Also, I've found that just by having a foot in the door of a place you really want to work, even if it's a cr@ppy part-time not-very-well-paid foot in the door, it can lead to better things later on. They are more inclined to give you that internal vacancy if they know you work hard in your current position than take a chance on a new employee. That's how I got my current job. I love what I do, but I could happily murder some of my co-workers, but that's a tale for another time, heh.

Go with your heart, I wish I had when I had the chances. :)

[richard]

Craig, regarding housing benefit - if you live alone in or share rented accommodation you may qualify if you are working part time. If you live with parents or a partner who is working full time you probably won't. Go to your local council website and punch in 'Housing Benefit Calculator'. Most local authorities have these on their websites. If not, there will be a number to ring. Don't forget that housing benefit is a right. You've paid tax so you're entitled to take something back when you need it.

The Police job may give you the opportunity to internally for other jobs and you could always take another part time job. I'm not advocating one choice or the other, just trying to throw some things in the pot for consideration.

[AndyR]

I personally would go for the full-time fixed term. Much for the reasons others have said.

But, the part-time Police job does sound like it has attractions. If I thought I could make it work for me, I would be sorely tempted to take the risk if the actual work was appealing to me.

But, in general, I'm not much of a risk taker!!

Good luck! :D

[JimmyMoorby]

Id go for the full time job Craig.  There arent many opportunities as a civilian in the police given the cutbacks  and theyre looking to make a lot more cuts too.

[gwEm]

You might have a chance of getting some savings together in the full time role, sounds like the opposite in the part time one. So I'd take the full time one and use it as a runway to something better, either at the same place or elsewhere.

[Brow]

Thanks for the replies guys, I appreciate your thoughts.

I had a phone call late last week from the company offering me the Full Time/Contracted job and they're offered me the job on a part time basis, so I'll essentially be at the Construction/Utilities job Monday - Wednesday and the Police job Thursday - Friday.

I'm not sure how this will affect me Tax wise etc, but atleast it gives me the opportunity to feel things out from the inside of both companies and hopefully find something permanent at 1 of them.