Comments on: When Do You Stop Looking for a Career and Take a Job

By: Kyle

Kyle — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:11:25 +0000

It is a step backward from a career standpoint, but I agree taking a job to pay the bills is a way to keep you from falling into a deep debt spiral.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:00:10 +0000

Nancy I know exactly what you mean. I have a friend that refuses to wait tables, work retail, or do any type of delivery despite being out of work for 9 months. Also Kyle I don’t necessarily think taking a job you feel is beneath you constitutes going backwards. In my opinion being blowing your savings and racking up debt because you don’t want to take a job that pays less is going backwards. If you scale back your spending and find a job (even one outside your industry) that pays your bills I think you’re staying even.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 02:48:37 +0000

I think I would hold out for a while. When it comes down to it though I will do what pays to help support my family. It is hard to go backwards but people need to realize it isn’t permanent it is just a means to survive until the right opportunity opens up.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:52:32 +0000

I agree. A friend feels anything other than her field is “beneath” her. Even though she has hobbies that would fit like a glove with some retail gigs. It’s a stubborn mindset. Have not been in that position yet, but I think I would be looking for multiple streams of income in many different areas.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:23:27 +0000

I have a very secure job, that is somewhat in one with my desired career. I could see myself doing this job for years to come but there are potential opportuniies that could pull me away.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:18:42 +0000

I didn’t mean to give the impression that you HAVE to stop looking for your career job. I know that was the title. My intention was to ask at what point do you take a job while looking for your career. I know people won’t bother to look for an income outside of their regular career even though income of any kind will improve their situation while you continue to look.

By: Revanche

Revanche — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:26:36 +0000

I asked myself this very question when I was facing a layoff, but I realized that the best plan is never to stop looking for either gainful employment in my career field or simply a job that can provide income – I’m doing both. My preference will be given to the career job, of course, but I won’t shut the door to any possibilities while in need of income.

By: Thirtysomething Finance

Thirtysomething Finance — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:57:24 +0000

I think you’re right — it surely depends on, among other things, the size of your emergency fund and monthly expenses (including debt repayment and whether you can defer any of the payments). Like a lot of people who are laid off, I’m looking for the opportunity to do something new, hopefully more of a “career” than a job” — but I’m different from them in that my job is quite secure, given my practice area. So I’m looking for my ideal career but am sticking with my “job” (which, to many, is a career) for now!

By: K.S. Katz

K.S. Katz — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:24:49 +0000

When I was a teen, my father lost his job as a construction project manager. He decided to start his own general contracting business. But while he was trying to build his dream, he also got a job working at a gas station. Between his freelance work and his gas station job, he paid the bills.

Getting a job doesn’t mean that you give up on your career.