I had an interview for a dream job yesterday that would be a brilliant first step into the career I've always wanted to pursue. They said I was a good candidate and I'm awaiting the results. The problem is it's in London (where I'd like to move eventually) and it pays very little. Literally £100 a week in the first two months and then £200 with a possible increase in February. It involves going out and reviewing events for a website, particularly in the evenings. Not too much of a problem as I reckon I could possibly sofa surf at a friend's house if I get stranded and unable to go home to where I live (about 30 mins train ride out of town). I'd really be working round the clock, but having fun while I did it, and many of my expenses would be paid for.
I have been out of work for quite a while though, with the debt to prove it. Life would be incredibly tight, even after the initial few months. I'd have trouble finding a place to stay in London on £200 a week (which I'd almost certainly need to do because of the nature of the job), especially since I am currently overdrawn (and owe a couple of friends and my parents money).
At the same time I also have an interview lined up for a more local job for something I don't necessarily want to do (that in fact I'd rather not do) that pays 30K a year. This sales job wouldn't progress me in the direction I wanted, but I'd at least be able to stay in my hometown, pay off a few debts etc and possibly look for entry-level jobs that I wanted to do later. I do feel that if I take the latter job, I'd be pigeonholed into a career I don't want to follow and move me away from my dream career of working in journalism/music.
My questions are:
1. Do you knowledgeable folk reckon it would be better to take the plunge and live the dream or drop out and take the easy option?
2. Does anyone know of any government or bank schemes (personal development loans?) for people in my position?
― the next grozart, Thursday, 18 October 2007 11:35 (eighteen years ago)
Banks offer things called Career Development Loans.
Are you also eligible for income support of some sort? I dunno.
― Alba, Thursday, 18 October 2007 11:38 (eighteen years ago)
do you get free food in those events you review? do expenses paid for include transport?
you might be sorted in a way.
― ken c, Thursday, 18 October 2007 11:39 (eighteen years ago)
You're lucky they're going to pay you, seriously. It is much more common to have to work for nothing for a few months before you get on the payroll. But don't listen to me - I ended up taking something similar to your Option 2 so I'm just an old cynic.
― Madchen, Thursday, 18 October 2007 11:44 (eighteen years ago)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=NIyg2a72uV4
― Madchen, Thursday, 18 October 2007 11:45 (eighteen years ago)
If you really want to do this, you better start looking for temp jobs during the day.
― Ed, Thursday, 18 October 2007 11:48 (eighteen years ago)
This is my thinking. It would be better than doing months of work experience making coffee at a magazine for naff all.
I don't know how many expenses they would pay. Most likely just the entrance fee to clubs and shows. I doubt food/drink/travel would feature.
I am wondering about being able to claim and/or Career Development Loans (although I think these may only be for students).
Ed, this would be a round-the-clock job. No time for part time work. I'd be out seeing things in the evenings and writing up reviews and editorial in the day.
― the next grozart, Thursday, 18 October 2007 11:53 (eighteen years ago)
i'd definitely go with trying for income support/rent support. i was going to go with ed but if it's going to take up that much time then you should definitely be eligible for some kind of help with your income.
― darraghmac, Thursday, 18 October 2007 11:57 (eighteen years ago)
No scope for a Sunday job or anything like that?
― Madchen, Thursday, 18 October 2007 11:58 (eighteen years ago)
seriously, you can always find a way to toss in a few hours of extra work somewhere. it may be time-consuming, but worth it down the road.
― tehresa, Thursday, 18 October 2007 12:02 (eighteen years ago)
haha, madchen that reminded me i really ought to watch more screenwipe.
I guess I haven't been offered the job quite yet, so I don't know exactly how much I'd need to work. Sounds like a lot though.
― the next grozart, Thursday, 18 October 2007 12:03 (eighteen years ago)
A friend put it this way:
T"ry for the dream for a while and if it doesn't work out then at least you tried. Then go back and do the shitty sales job if you absolutely have to. Fuck it, you have no kids/mortgage etc... If you don't do it now you never will, the worst that can happen is you end up really skint. (which you are anyway) Better that then sit back at your daek in 10 years time at GE or some such crap and wish you'd tried a bit harder at what you actually wanted to do."
Little does he know that it's his sofa I'll be crashing on if I take the job ;-)
― the next grozart, Thursday, 18 October 2007 12:07 (eighteen years ago)
i think it's obvious you have to go for it, but try to find another way to bring money in for the first few months- i'm sure if you get the job that there must be some way to get a few hours or one day a week somewhere else, maybe even something crappy like typing from home, at least it's your choice of hours and workload.
― darraghmac, Thursday, 18 October 2007 12:20 (eighteen years ago)
your friend is totally right, you have to at least TRY. if you have a good relationship with your parents see if they'll help you out while you find your feet down there. maybe consider getting a credit card to cover some costs too, but obv make sure you have a strict plan for paying it off asap. good luck with it all btw, sounds exciting!
(update this thread every few months or so to let us know how you're getting on)
― NI, Thursday, 18 October 2007 12:43 (eighteen years ago)
the ideal would be if you could delay starting the job for a few months so you could get some crummy factory/temping job and save up as much as you can doing that, but i guess that won't be possible.
― NI, Thursday, 18 October 2007 12:45 (eighteen years ago)
Follow Your Heart
(..erm unless you have kids & mortgage and other responsibilities in which case steady job 9 to 5 take the cash and forget you ever had dreams...)
― TTTTTTT, Thursday, 18 October 2007 15:10 (eighteen years ago)
making a steady living isn't such a bad dream to have, it's a base to build from.
― darraghmac, Thursday, 18 October 2007 15:13 (eighteen years ago)