What to do. I hate this.....UPDATE

[Codewiz]

Ok I have been unemployeed since I graduated with my degree. The whole time I have been searching without much luck.

Three weeks ago one of my friends was able to get me an interview with a government agency. It is a job that I would love to get and is definately what I want to do. The two managers that interviewed me have assured me that they want to hire me and it is just a matter of paperwork now. I don't have a formal offer from these guys. The pay for this job will be about 34K.

The past week another job has come up and I interviewed for it. It is far from an ideal job that I want. It is totally something that I don't want to do. I have been given an offer for this job. Pay will be around 25K.

I don't like burning bridges but I can't afford to turn down a job and have the first job that I want fall through. Should I take the offer for the job I don't like and if the first company goes through just explain that I can't refuse the other company?

Or should I just hope that the first company comes through because the managers assure me that they want to hire me and it is a matter of HR getting their act together? It is a government agency so I do understand they are slow as crap.

I am just normally not the type of person that is willing to burn bridges and this puts me in a bad situation because I have no intention of staying at the crappier job if I get the other offer.


Update:

Ok here is the deal. I just finished talking with the HR people for the government agency. They are required to give priority to veterans. All it takes is one veteran that meets the job specs to cause me not to get the job. That is what the hold up is. They have to make sure that no veteran qualifies for the job. She told me that they have been given permission to move to a new hiring system where they have more control but it isn't in place yet. Basically this means that I might not get the job.

What sucks is that the managers of the department lose control of who they want to hire. They want to hire me but HR can make them hire a different person. I just want to know one way or another. I just don't think that is too much to ask. She said it would be a few weeks before things get worked out. Drives me CRAZY.

 

[xirtam]

If it's a contracting company, it could take quite awhile for the paper to be processed.

Go with the 25K/year, but don't sign any long-term contracts. So go with the first option. Where's my poll?

 

[Codewiz]

Originally posted by: xirtam
If it's a contracting company, it could take quite awhile for the paper to be processed.

Go with the 25K/year, but don't sign any long-term contracts. So go with the first option. Where's my poll?

What do you mean about the long-term contract? I know that they want me for 1 year and possibly more. It is through a temp agency.

 

[xirtam]

If it's through a "temp" agency, then they shouldn't get pissed off when you leave after being a temp.

Edit: When you leave for the 34K job, just let your boss know that you have to feed your cats.

 

[captains]

go with the 34k job and hope it all works out......u can work at micky d's and make 25k a year

 

[dabuddha]

trust me on this
wait for the govt job. if you don't mind me asking, which govt agency is it?

 

[Spooner]

damn, i feel bad either way man.

Where do you live? Neither salaries would allow me to even live.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

Have you talked to the government guys lately? I think you could tactfully ask what their timeline was, where the paperwork was, etc... Just let them know that you really want to work with them, but are feeling a bit insecure about if and when you will start. Perhaps they could give you the offer in writing?

 

Are you HIRED at the first company?
Do you have any offical notification of your employment? Written or non?

I would say that you should stick around and wait out on the first job.
Or, you should mention to the second place, that you are currently in negotiations for another job, that is paying X amount.
They may bite at that and offer you some further negotiation.

If you really don't like the second job, DON'T DO IT! Unless you are insanly strapped for cash to the point where 1-2 more weeks would mean you don't eat.
Selling yourself out for a few bucks turns out bad in the long run.

EDIT: I see it's a govt. job. I've had these before. Did you get the job, and they are waiting for the "official hiring confirmation" from the state or county? I got a job before, where I took the civil service tests, went through the interviews and got the job.
After that, I had to wait for "the paper work" to go through for about 2 months.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

The other thing is that you could take the $25k job and quit when and IF the other one comes through.

 

[xirtam]

That's the first option.

 

[UNCjigga]

I picked a job that now pays $28k base but I was promised all sorts of options and profit sharing in a small start-up. None of those extra benefits ever came my way (though they do match my 401k contributions.) I hate my job and I hate the way my life has turned out (I'm on call on weekends, my @ss is owned till 8pm most nights etc.) I would say go with what you want to do. All of your patient searching and waiting would be lost in vain if you picked something you don't want to do and you're gettin paid diddly for.

 

[Codewiz]

I talk to my friend at the first company everyday. He also checks with the management about everyday. They just tell him that it is a matter of HR. But that they have no authority to offer a formal offer. That is HR's responsiblity. They just tell HR which people they want to hire. They know the situation.

As for the second job, yes I don't want to do it but it is better than working as a Sears Shoe Salesman like I did from Oct to Jan of this year. I graduated last May so yes I am strapped for cash. That is why I just have a tough time turning down a job offer when presented with it. I have busted my ass for so long trying to get one and I finally land an offer. Although it is something I don't want, I would do it in a heart beat if I had no other prospects on the table.

Just to give an idea.

The first job will give me the freedom to do all sorts of projects. I will be starting with a Web development project.

The second job is a first level tech support job. The type of thing I did in college.

 

[Codewiz]

Originally posted by: yamahaXS
The other thing is that you could take the $25k job and quit when and IF the other one comes through.

I am worried there will be something in the contract that could prevent that......

I guess if there is something like that I could just be a terrible employee and get hired so that they break the contract

 

[Brutuskend]

IMHO life is too short to work at something you don't enjoy.

That's why I do what I do.

No $$$ in it, but I like it and I sleep well at night.

 

[Garet Jax]

Take the first job in a heart beat.

If the second one comes through great! Deal with it then. If not, then you have a job.

 

[Spooner]

Seriously, I want to know where you live.

Can you afford anything on either of those salaries? Couldn't afford rent living in boston (where i live)

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: Codewiz

Originally posted by: yamahaXS
The other thing is that you could take the $25k job and quit when and IF the other one comes through.

I am worried there will be something in the contract that could prevent that......

I guess if there is something like that I could just be a terrible employee and get hired so that they break the contract

Don't do that.
Just be honest about the other situation. Call the guys at the job you do want and ask what the status is. If they still hedge, then let them know someone else is wanting you. If they give it up, no harm. If they really want you, they'll let you know.
Just be honest about it , IMHO.

 

[FeathersMcGraw]

Originally posted by: Codewiz

I don't like burning bridges but I can't afford to turn down a job and have the first job that I want fall through. Should I take the offer for the job I don't like and if the first company goes through just explain that I can't refuse the other company?

Ask the (non-government) company for a grace period in making your decision. Explain that you are in the process of negotiating employment with other companies. Unless they have explicitly stated that the offer expires in a certain amount of time, there should be some flexibility in it. If you're feeling particularly ballsy, this discussion may be a means to negotiate a more favorable starting salary.

Although taking a job with a lower salary that you're already sure you will hate sounds like a recipe for more unhappiness than even unemployment.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Tell the first company that you have another offer. That gets the fire under their butts a bit and might speed things up.

 

[hdeck]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
Tell the first company that you have another offer. That gets the fire under their butts a bit and might speed things up.

 

[palad]

Originally posted by: Spooner


Where do you live? Neither salaries would allow me to even live.

FYI, I make $30k and am the sole provider for a family of 4. We live quite comfortably.

 

[wnied]

Go with the 25k job until the Govt calls you back to their 34k a year position, that way your not without money.

I worked at an IT consulting firm at 30k a year, and turned down a 42k a year job because I wanted to be loyal to the employer who'd given me my first real IT job...

...six weeks later I got laid off from the consultant position, and that solidified my position that I would never again turn down a position that offered me more money out of loyalty to a current employer.
~wnied~

 

[OrByte]

Temp agencies are just a revolving door. They are used to it, so don't feel bad about leaving them early

As for the gov't job.....its up to you to make them move otherwise it will take forever. Another thing about gov't jobs, if they want you bad enough they will figure out a way to get you in. If they say you are in, then get your butt over there and make HR work!

Never leave it up to HR to do the paperwork, go over there and get in thier face about it

<---------gov't employee

 

[Codewiz]

Update........