Wednesday, August 11, 2010

To Apply or Not to Apply?

Some of you know I have a job I'm not terribly excited about.  Don't get me wrong.  The people and the company are great.  There's just simply nothing challenging about the job that I'm doing and now that I've been there a bit the learning curve is closer to a straight line.

So, I have the opportunity to apply up.  It would be moving into the office side of things.  Balancing numbers, accounts, that sort of thing.  Traditionally, I'm not an office type... at all.  (I was 18 when I wrote that, though).  Last night I promised myself I'd write a list of pros and cons in the morning.  The morning is here (and gone), so in the interest of being a little more personal on my blog (and really hoping for a little feedback) I'll post it here.



Pros:
Full time hours.
Variation in work (would mix with my current position).
Benefits.
New experience.


Cons:
Not very experienced.
Commitment (I like the fact that I can justifiably give notice anytime).
Would probably end up hating office work.

Those are far less exhaustive lists then I thought they'd be.  Bear in mind that just because I choose to apply does not mean I'll get the job.  Another reason to just give it a shot?  The two last cons are the biggest ones, for me.

My sister says I too often do things because I think I should.  Rather then because I'm interested.  Or because I have a drive to book up my time.  I'm an odd sort of workaholic.  It has been refreshing to work fewer and better hours then I used to.  And for non-stressful management.  Although, the hours would still be good.


I'm just rambling now.  Your thoughts, please?

9 comments:

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

I remember telling someone that i rather work at a office job than my current job and that person response was YUCK! Can't remember who said that. I know! THAT WAS YOU!

Coyote Rose said...

I think you should do what you think is best for you. If this new job will give you a challenge and you'll enjoy it- go for it. Plus whats the worst that will happen- you don't get the job? At least you have a job.

Just remember you can always give 2 weeks notice to any job.

Castor said...

I agree with Coyote Rose.

What are the possible outcomes of applying for it?

A) You don't get the job, then you deal with the question of looking elsewhere.

B)You get the job and love it. Problem solved.

C)You get the job and hate it, then you decided from there whether to ride out the recession or take your chances on the job market.

There is a 66% chance of an acceptable outcome. I say go for it.

Anonymous said...

I think you should apply. You have nothing to lose, really. That's my basic approach to applying for things- even if I'm not sure.

Apply and see what happens.
Make a decision if/when you hear from them. At least that gives you an option and allows you to speak with them a little bit and confirm whether your cons really are cons, and if your pros really are pros!

Good luck!

Anonymous said...

I think you should apply. You have nothing to lose, really. That's my basic approach to applying for things- even if I'm not sure.

Apply and see what happens.
Make a decision if/when you hear from them. At least that gives you an option and allows you to speak with them a little bit and confirm whether your cons really are cons, and if your pros really are pros!

Good luck!

Kris said...

Absolutely optimal advice. Thanks to you all! I have a resume made up so I'll bring it in tomorrow. Honestly, when I'm decisive I'm pretty hardcore but the rest of the time I'm pretty easy to influence :).

Bobby- shoulda known that would come back to haunt me... Valid point none-the-less.

Tabitha Wells said...

There's no harm in applying, and always making the decision based on what feels right.

CkretsGalore said...

I found my happy medium. I do office work but on a construction site.
We wear jeans and work boots.

There's still the corporate BS but not so much in your face.