Author Topic: Unemployment--hold out for dream job in 4 months?  (Read 5345 times)

Stachetastic

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Unemployment--hold out for dream job in 4 months?
« on: February 09, 2015, 07:11:04 AM »
My husband has been laid off since May 2014. In that time, he has applied for over 100 jobs and not gotten any bites. He worked for the state in a niche field, so I suspect his education and experience are somewhat limiting to prospective employers. His unemployment benefits have run out, but he's cobbling together a few side gigs to bring in some income. We are able to make ends meet on my salary, but not much extra. He recently contacted a longtime friend/mentor regarding writing a reference letter, and this person mentioned he is retiring in May and feels my husband would be a perfect fit. To give some background, my husband has always wanted this guy's job if/when the opportunity arose. Like, for 20 years my husband has talked about this being his dream job. So question: does he cease applying for other jobs until May? We both feel it wouldn't really be fair to start a new position with the possibility of leaving so soon. But we're hesitant to put all our eggs in one basket. 

ShoulderThingThatGoesUp

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Re: Unemployment--hold out for dream job in 4 months?
« Reply #1 on: February 09, 2015, 07:17:22 AM »
Applying for jobs is draining, but there's not a good reason to stop until you have one. The dream job doesn't sound like a bird in the hand yet.

lakemom

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Re: Unemployment--hold out for dream job in 4 months?
« Reply #2 on: February 09, 2015, 07:18:27 AM »
If he's that interested I would put some time into securing that position.  Its not unheard of to have a written job offer for a few months in the future (think of all the college grads who don't start until July/Aug/Sept but get the offer before graduation).  I'd see if the mentor can get the ball rolling NOW and put everything else on hold for a couple of weeks while pursing this.  Even a quick no is better than 'hoping' for a few more months.

oldtoyota

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Re: Unemployment--hold out for dream job in 4 months?
« Reply #3 on: February 09, 2015, 07:22:25 AM »
I say he keeps moving forward and looking until he actually has a job.


caliq

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Re: Unemployment--hold out for dream job in 4 months?
« Reply #4 on: February 09, 2015, 07:35:37 AM »
I think companies are prepared for new hires to walk out the door.  If you work in a field that's very close-knit and it might start rumors or get you a reputation, that's a little different.  But my husband had a job in WI right after he got out of the Marines and it was only barely related to his training and paid like $10 or $12 an hour; he had applied for a different job in NY before he got the WI job and finally heard back from them and was hired through phone interviews, for something much more related to his career and at $24/hr.  He was only at the WI job a month or so before giving notice, only gave 2 weeks (they needed him ASAP in NY), and his supervisors absolutely understood the situation.

My state (CT) has a 90 day 'trial employment' type period and I think that's pretty common in most states.  In my book, if the employer isn't on the hook for unemployment/benefits/etc. before 90 days, the employee isn't on the hook for a high amount of company loyalty either.  It's a way for both sides of the transaction to test the waters and see if it's a good fit. 

But your husband should definitely try to get an offer in writing for his dream job -- if he had that, I don't know that I would keep applying for or start a different new job.

Edit:  I don't know if this is possible in his field but it just occurred to me -- could he work with a temp agency?  Even if it's only marginally related to his field, that might be a good solution for both him and an employer (and your bank account!).
« Last Edit: February 09, 2015, 07:38:43 AM by caliq »

frugaliknowit

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Re: Unemployment--hold out for dream job in 4 months?
« Reply #5 on: February 09, 2015, 09:27:54 AM »
1.  He should keep looking.  Nothing is done until it's done.

2.  If he's been out of work about 9 months and no nibs, he needs to change his approach.  Repeating the same thing over and over is bound to fail.  Maybe the resume needs revamping to make his skills appear more current, for example.  Maybe he needs to network more...?

ems2014

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Re: Unemployment--hold out for dream job in 4 months?
« Reply #6 on: February 09, 2015, 10:21:18 AM »
1. If he wants the dream job, he should take the friend/mentor out for coffee to express his strong interest, find out more information about the job, and learn about the organization's process for replacing the person after he retires. Job offers and the negotiation process can take some time, and the organization may want to have the new person start immediately after the retirement of the exiting person, or even overlap a bit before that person leaves.

2. He should continue networking and applying for other positions in the meantime. He may find another great opportunity and, should he receive another offer, he'd have some leverage in negotiations with the dream job, if things get that far.

Good luck!

Stachetastic

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Re: Unemployment--hold out for dream job in 4 months?
« Reply #7 on: February 09, 2015, 11:39:23 AM »

2.  If he's been out of work about 9 months and no nibs, he needs to change his approach.  Repeating the same thing over and over is bound to fail.  Maybe the resume needs revamping to make his skills appear more current, for example.  Maybe he needs to network more...?

Thanks all! I agree that he needs to change his approach, but we're kind of at a standstill. He's had several professionals review his resume, and no one had anything to really change. We live in a small town, and have been networking like mad. His parents own a business here (read: they know everyone in this town) and they have been networking on his behalf, as well. He has also applied to many jobs outside our city, where he doesn't have any contacts. The frustration is palpable.

Lia-Aimee

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Re: Unemployment--hold out for dream job in 4 months?
« Reply #8 on: February 09, 2015, 01:16:57 PM »
Pursue the dream job as much as possible, but do not stop applying until there is a signed offer letter in hand. Even if his mentor 100% wants to give him the role, you never know what may fall through.

Provided he does get the job with a start date of May or June, it would be ideal if he could find a temp job in the meanwhile. In a larger city I'd say no big deal to start and stop a role, but if it's a tightknit community where not only his but his parent's reputation matters, be wary. 



rmendpara

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Re: Unemployment--hold out for dream job in 4 months?
« Reply #9 on: February 09, 2015, 01:46:57 PM »
Pursue the dream job as much as possible, but do not stop applying until there is a signed offer letter in hand. Even if his mentor 100% wants to give him the role, you never know what may fall through.

Provided he does get the job with a start date of May or June, it would be ideal if he could find a temp job in the meanwhile. In a larger city I'd say no big deal to start and stop a role, but if it's a tightknit community where not only his but his parent's reputation matters, be wary.

Am willing to bet that there are other people on the short list of candidates if/when his friend retires/leaves.

I agree, it's unfortunate if he took another job and left shortly afterwards, but the cost would be minimal if he had to leave a new job for his "dream" job.

For someone out of work for 9+ months... I can't imagine a situation where it would be wise to stop looking. It's clear that his skills have few matches, so the best choice is to find something else to do until there is a match, or just find something else to do, period...

Hope it works out. Good luck

Stachetastic

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Re: Unemployment--hold out for dream job in 4 months?
« Reply #10 on: February 09, 2015, 07:03:40 PM »
[quote author=Lia-Aimee link=topic=31480.msg549371#msg549371 date=1423513

For someone out of work for 9+ months... I can't imagine a situation where it would be wise to stop looking. It's clear that his skills have few matches, so the best choice is to find something else to do until there is a match, or just find something else to do, period...

Hope it works out. Good luck

Thank you. I guess my op made it sound like he hasn't been working much. He was working full time for a friend in construction until the holidays came and business slowed. Things are starting to pick back up with that. In the meantime, he has also been helping his parents with their business and another friend who is a small business owner. So all in all, he has had many weeks where he has brought home more money than when he was working at his "real job." He is now considering substitute teaching to make some more contacts and build his resume.

Retire-Canada

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Re: Unemployment--hold out for dream job in 4 months?
« Reply #11 on: February 12, 2015, 09:36:52 AM »
I am successful, well educated, well spoken and have great experience. I have never - not one time - rec'd a call back from an online job application process. To me that's a complete waste of time. So if he is doing that stop now and save your energy.

I have been 100% successful at finding companies locally and going to visit them then submitting a proposal showing that paying me to work there is a net benefit for all parties.

So if it was me I would do whatever I had to in order to get the dream job, but also researching which companies that were close enough I could go visit would be a good fit for me. Then start making those connections.

The dream job may not work out or it may be less dreamy from the inside than it looked from the outside.

I'd always prefer to have multiple options to choose from than just one.

-- Vik