Hey -

I wanted to get some not-my-family opinions on my job search, if y'all wouldn't mind.

Background: I'm 23, been working since I was 16, owned 2 businesses before I was 18, Bachelors degree in Accounting. I spent 2.5 years in the mortgage business - laid off, taught math for the past 2 years - laid off. Been out of work since May.

So, now I'm enjoying having time to quilt and go to the gym and all those fun relaxing activities it's harder to do when you're working full time. I've been looking for part time work. I have a tendency to be a workaholic, so I've been looking at secretary/office manager jobs since I think I'd be more able to work for a few hours and leave the job after those hours for the other things in my life.

I've been applying and applying and haven't gotten any calls back. I'm definitely qualified, so it's been frustrating that I haven't gotten calls for minimum wage, 20-30 hour/week jobs.

I went for an interview yesterday and got a call back today. The president indicated they liked me, but still have other people to interview. The job would be basic secretary work at min wage, 20 hours/week, which was what I was looking for, but they even said they were concerned I might be bored working there.

So where I'm stuck now, is do I want the job or not? It would only be about an extra $100/week (after taxes) which would be $100 less I'd be taking out of my savings to pay for my mortgage/bills/etc, but $100 really isn't that much. Should I keep waiting and hoping I'll get called back? Should I take the job and be glad I'm using less of my savings? Long term, this job isn't sustainable since I will have to be using my savings and they can't last forever...

Thoughts??

Thanks

Take it. There isn't much out there and be happy. There is always the fact that there will be pay increases.

I jumped at a series of crappy jobs, where they lay you off just before it's time for benefits kick in. Now prospective employers want me to do skilled work for minimum, and agencies think of me as a job-hopper.

If you have teaching credentials, those "learning centers" around here are always looking for accredited tutors.

Also, how much of that $100 is going to commuting costs and office clothes? If you really love the company and firmly believe that your future lies there, go for it, but be honest with yourself and keep your eyes open. It seems like you can make $100 a week tutoring and not lose your dignity.

It's tempting, but if you have to ask the question, then I would say the job is probably not for you.

Do you have temp agencies in your area? The company I work for uses temp agencies to find people. Sometimes these jobs are short-term, other times they turn into regular full time. There is nothing wrong with "trying a company on for fit."

Sounds like this isn't intended to be permanent, so how long do you want to do this for? Is this intended to be a short-term regenerating period, until you decide your next step? Is this just to earn a bit to supplement your unemployment until you find your next "real" job?

You know, of course, that you're having trouble finding those jobs because you're overqualified. They may be minimum wage, but secretaries are expected to stay with the job longer than a burger flipper would. So employers are leery of hiring someone who plans to leave in a few months. Are you able to commit to a year or two, or longer, of that kind of work? If not, why not leave that job for someone who wants something permanent.

MadQuilter's suggestion of temping would get you the work. I'd recommend AccountTemps or OfficeTeam (different companies in the same umbrella corporation). You'd get short bursts of work or longer-term jobs. Usually they are full time, which may not be what you want if you're trying to supplement unemployment.

I see that you're in Tucson. Arizona is home to many call centers. If all you want is a bit of income from work you won't overdo, try applying to one of those. You can specify part-time, I'm sure.

Another possibility is substitute teaching. One caveat with that is that work may be sporadic, so you won't be able to plan a schedule. Another thing: If you're on unemployment and AZ is anything like PA, you're not allowed to refuse work. So if they want you to work more hours or even a semi-permanent slot, you'd lose your unemployment by refusing it.

However, another possibility is online teaching. Google that and see what you think. You'd set your hours with that, and the pay is better than minimum.

Have to add a personal bit here. I'm unemployed, too. A recruiter sent my resume to a client for a job, then didn't get back to me for over a week to say what the response was. When I finally got him on the phone, he said he'd been busy hiring 42 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! people for another job. Well, hey, why them and not me? It was certainly a job I could do. "It only pays $11/hour," he says, "A person of your caliber would leave at the first opportunity." Well, yeah, but this person of my so-called caliber has been sitting around unemployed for over a year because of that attitude! It could be another year before I get hired elsewhere. And I'd welcome gettig the experience that job would offer. Oh, well.

Lucy: I can understand where you're at. For 20plus years I managed medical offices. I got to the point where I didn't want to manage--I wanted to be "just a nurse". Well, the people interviewing me thought I had done something wrong or I was nuts (I am but don't tell them) and stuff and would not give me a chance. They all thought I would leave after a few months to manage again. I finally convinced my present employer that this was what I wanted to do, took a large pay-cut and 8 years later couldn't be happier. In January I decided to finally hang up the old stethoscope and stay home and sew. Oops-Dh lost his job som I'm working one day per week and filling in for vacations, etc., at the same employer. You may have to convince the interviewer that you are serious about part-time work and plan to stay in that position, that it's not a job until you find a "real job". This is hard to do; it took me about 6 months until someone took me seriously. I wish you luck and wish I had better advice for you other than to keep trying.
Peace-Jan

i think its not the right move for you.

the pay isn't anything to talk about and those 20 hours a week will be wasted instead of spending it looking for the right job for you.

not to mention that numerous job on a resume looks worse then just waiting for the right fit - what employer wants to have someone who going to work for them for 3-6 months and quit to go some where else.

Is going back to school an option? Getting a paralegal cert. or medical tech. cert will get your foot in many doors to later apply for job openings there in your preferred field. I think going to school would be the better in the long run then working for min. wage.

With your background in math you could do some private tutoring and probably make the same amount. Less hassle than going to a "real" job too.

I don't know what minimum wage is in the US, or how unemployment works, but if I were your potential employer, I would see you're overqualified for the positions you're applying for, and would assume it's temporary. However, temporary income is better than no income if you're not on unemployment.
Do secretaries and office managers really make minimum wage?! Like, the same amount that being a wal-mart or grocery store cashier?

I second that.

Ten years ago, I made over 16.00 an hour, routinely. I had a full-time job, and a billing business on the side. Now, I am lucky to get $8/hour, using the same database administration and office skills I used back then.

What employers here do, is call the opening "receptionist", then expect you to do all the work required full-time in 20 hours a week with no benefits! I can tell you from experience, trying to pay full-time bills on one part time income just won't work!

Lately, the level of scams has been increasing alarmingly, too - one last week almost got me - after pages of entering personal information on an application for administrative assistant, it asked for my credit card number (required to get to the next screen). I put in bogus numbers, then the next screen wanted you to submit a sample of your technical writing skills by reviewing a website. Clicking on the link brought up porn, which could be accessed by charging that info. The job description said 15-20 reviews a week were required...

It makes me wonder what is being done with all my personal data.

Really? Wow, I did not know that. That really sucks for the workers, I can't believe there aren't laws protecting the workers from getting scammed like that. Minimum wage here is 9 dollars an hour... our taxes are way different though. I am a 3rd year apprentice and I make 2.5 times that, and with the taxes I still have a hard time making ends meet. How does your unemployment work?
Here, as soon as you lose your job, you're eligible for unemployment, it pays about 55% of your salary up to 540/week (before taxes, after taxes you barely get 400) for so many months, giving you time to find a job and not lose your house and all of your belongings. In the same situation, I would rather stay on unemployment till I found something decent that's better than minimum wage, and that has to do with what you're trained in. However, like I said, I have no idea how it works in the U.S.

You might try this website http://www.volition.com . Click on forums and check out the Mystery Shopping and Merchandising sections. I worked for Merchandising and Mystery Shopping for a few years before I had to quit to help take care of my Dad each month for a week. I got my start from this website and the information is free.

Hope it helps until you get the job you want. Hey it is a good way to get extra cash for stash too. It is very flexible work too.

Since you were teaching math, how about substitute teaching? You can work the days you want and the pay, while not great, is better than minimum wage.

i think somebody already made this recommendation, so i'd like to add my vote for the idea: look into working for a temp agency. if you find one that fits, you might find the variety of work, plus the opportunity to meet lots of new and interesting people a real bonus. :-)

I went to college for administration and a tech school to become an executive secretary. My first secretarial job in 1987 paid 5.25/hour - minimum wage. I stayed with the job and worked my way up within 8 years to Administrative Coordinator for 12.00/hour then moved to a different business doing the same thing and was paid 17.96/hour. I then became disabled and haven't worked since 2001. I guess what I'm trying to say is that you could take the job as a start back into the work force, you never know, they may have another position for you or create one for you. Jobs are hard to come by these days, you may take it to get a foot in the door.