Low pay job with long commute

Mrs OBumble

BuzzMcdonnell wrote: »

I certainly won’t be staying there for minimum wage beyond the contract.

I really appreciate the help, thank you

You don't even need to stay for the full contract, either.

Take the job if there's nothing better available. But start looking for something better immediately.

Minimum wage is for shelf-stacking and contract cleaning. Anything which uses degree content should be paying at very least a little more.

Go for it you can always resign if it is not working out as long as it's not some 'media' type job, and the prospects of it really making a difference and turning into to a career are there. The fact that they are paying minimum wage and are still able to fill a professional job is a bit of a red flag.

ThunbergsAreGo

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

You don't even need to stay for the full contract, either.

Take the job if there's nothing better available. But start looking for something better immediately.

Minimum wage is for shelf-stacking and contract cleaning. Anything which uses degree content should be paying at very least a little more.

In theory yes, but we dont know what field or location it is. A small accountancy firm is West Kerry for example, might be struggling at the moment and that might be all it can offer?

Well done OP, for at least entertaining the idea of this job and not being content on welfare etc. (something that must be very tempting given the times that is in it).

You are much likely to get offered a job you want while working in a job, employers like employment.

I would take it, take 3 months and then start looking.

_Brian

It’s not unusual to start at work that pays low wages. It’s a real bonus if it’s building your experience in what you have.
It’s an old saying but true, it’s easier to get a job when your in a job. It proves you have what it takes to get him and out day after day, even better resolve if your building skill rather than just taking in cash.
Early on in your career it’s important to get experience and references.

One thing I always look for is workers, people who have worked will always work. I hate to see cvs of people who have gone through school and college without ever having a part time job somewhere, clearing tables, washing dishes , anything, anything shows your willing to roll up the sleeves and get stuck in.

Look at this job as an investment in yourself.

Misguided1

I'd suggest taking the job to get your career started. Once you have 6 months experience, you can start looking for something that pays better.
A permanent position might even come up in the company with a higher salary. See it as an opportunity to start your career but keep your eyes open for something that pays more/has a shorter commute. Best of luck whatever you decide.

Smee_Again

You won't be doing much else for the next few months so may as well spend the time commuting and building up your CV, but medium to long term I would recommend looking for something closer to home.

70-90 minute commute is a killer in the long run, many people do it, but it takes its toll.

Take the job, give it your all for 6 months and then start looking for something else. When asked in interviews why you're looking say that it is a 10 month contract and you're trying to line something up for when it finishes.

Have you asked for more money? You don't have to accept their first offer and at minimum wage any increase goes a long way.

dinneenp

As many have said take it. As you said it's extremely good work experience. Also you'll get to meet people in that industry and could make helpful contacts. Listen to podcasts/audiobooks or just accept the driving time/don't get annoyed by it & take it as time to yourself, your thoughts or reflection on your work etc.

TheBlock

It took me over an hour in the car each way One side of Dublin to the other during normal times for 10 Years plus . An Hour of a Commute is not un-common 90 Mins should be doable for 10 Months.

ricksanchez

OP,

I was in a very similar position before. I was offered a job with an organisation I loved who did work I was truly passionate about. I was just out of college, it was a temporary one year contract at minimum wage (with no guarantee of a job afterwards).

At the same time I was offered another job, for an organisation I didn't know much about who did work I was fairly indifferent towards. It was a permanent contract starting at just over 32k.

Being young and fed up of being broke, I took the latter and have regretted it ever since. I've not been able to get near the first area of work again and apply for jobs in that field every few weeks, although I've just about given up any hope of getting into it.

Deal with the crap money if it's really what you want long term, ten months will fly.

Skipduke

ricksanchez wrote: »

OP,

I was in a very similar position before. I was offered a job with an organisation I loved who did work I was truly passionate about. I was just out of college, it was a temporary one year contract at minimum wage (with no guarantee of a job afterwards).

At the same time I was offered another job, for an organisation I didn't know much about who did work I was fairly indifferent towards. It was a permanent contract starting at just over 32k.

Being young and fed up of being broke, I took the latter and have regretted it ever since. I've not been able to get near the first area of work again and apply for jobs in that field every few weeks, although I've just about given up any hope of getting into it.

Deal with the crap money if it's really what you want long term, ten months will fly.

easy say that now when you're on 32k, big drop there to minimum wage. ultimately OP needs to work for next to nothing + do a long commute or get another job with better terms and conditions.

A few years ago my ex accepted an internship where she got nothing, but at the end she got a really good recommendation letter, a reference, and instead of a long absence on her CV she had something to put on it.

10 months of not a lot of money, long-ish commute, but it's doable, and will be worth it in the long run. It's a section on your CV thats relevant to your degree.

I know more than one person who couldn't get a job in their preferred role in their industry so went back to college to get a Masters and still couldn't get a job, probably because they had no work experience.

I didn't go to college, I started in Tech Support 17K a year and moved up from there.

Learn to love Aldi frozen pizzas.

BuzzMcdonnell

BuzzMcdonnell wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. Yes I was thinking the experience would be of huge benefit when seeking other employment.

Hardest time to get a job is when you have not got one

ricksanchez

Skipduke wrote: »

easy say that now when you're on 32k, big drop there to minimum wage.

It's easy to say I wish I had taken less money?

I'd still rather be on minimum wage and in a job I enjoyed than on big money dreading work every day.

Purple Mountain

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Learn to love Aldi frozen pizzas.

I gather from the posts that the OP is still living at home. If so, then this is the perfect time to get out there and trial this for ten months.

Purple Mountain

Purple Mountain wrote: »

I gather from the posts that the OP is still living at home. If so, then this is the perfect time to get out there and trial this for ten months.

If that is the case, he should definitely take it.

BuzzMcdonnell

[Deleted User] wrote: »

If that is the case, he should definitely take it.

Yes I’m living at home, my only monthly outgoings are about €95 for insurance and my Spotify subscription so next to no expenses thank god.

Soilse

Op why don't you rent it would be pretty much the same as commuting

BuzzMcdonnell

Soilse wrote: »

Op why don't you rent it would be pretty much the same as commuting

Do you think so? I wasn’t so sure considering I’ll be paying for insurance, tax etc regardless. Will the price of diesel really work out more expensive than rent and electricity bills etc?

Sonic the Shaghog

BuzzMcdonnell wrote: »

Do you think so? I wasn’t so sure considering I’ll be paying for insurance, tax etc regardless. Will the price of diesel really work out more expensive than rent and electricity bills etc?

What's the commute in km would you reckon? You'd get an idea then of the price of fuel.

It's depends on the price of a room plus bills.

You have fuel, tax and insurance yes. But also wear and tear, like tyres and putting up possible big mileage on your engine

BuzzMcdonnell

Sonic the Shaghog wrote: »

What's the commute in km would you reckon? You'd get an idea then of the price of fuel.

It's depends on the price of a room plus bills.

You have fuel, tax and insurance yes. But also wear and tear, like tyres and putting up possible big mileage on your engine

The commute is about 75km, I live out in the back end of nowhere and have to commute to just outside of the city (not Dublin)

Firblog

BuzzMcdonnell wrote: »

Do you think so? I wasn’t so sure considering I’ll be paying for insurance, tax etc regardless. Will the price of diesel really work out more expensive than rent and electricity bills etc?

Rent as close as you can to the work, within walking/cycling distance, suspend/cancel the car insurance, when something better comes along you can start it back up again.

Purple Mountain

Check out the price of single rooms in a house share near where the job is.
However, many might look for a 1 year minimum.
It might be something to consider.

pc7

House sharing not ideal in a pandemic to be honest, I’d avoid at all costs.

Mrs OBumble

pc7 wrote: »

House sharing not ideal in a pandemic to be honest, I’d avoid at all costs.

On minimum wage, avoiding it isn't really an option.

OP, I'd be concerned about whether you can afford to replace the car if something goes wrong with it. A commute like that will takes it a toll on the car, but you don't have any other options.

Whereas living close, you can walk/cycle etc.

House sharing is ok, provided you choose people who have a similar attitude / approach to risk as yourself. Smaller houses are better, eg in a 2brm you'll often have a bathroom to yourself. And if you're going to be exposed to people at work, it means you don't risk taking germs back to your (by definition older) parents home.

Pcgamer

What you could is as well is have a look at booking.com and similar sites and see if any cheap rooms going for one or two nights a week.

I did this a lot and often got 2 nights in places for 60 euro in Dublin. Sometimes even for four nights for 140.

Not the ritz or anything but grand rooms. I usually checked for cheap rooms daily. Some weeks though no bargains whatsoever.

BuzzMcdonnell

BuzzMcdonnell wrote: »

Yes I’m living at home, my only monthly outgoings are about €95 for insurance and my Spotify subscription so next to no expenses thank god.

I used to have a 3 hour round trip commute and living alone one of the biggest hassles was making dinner when I got home. I got reasonably well organised by doing batch cooking so I could just microwave something when I got home. If you're living at home, just get your mum to keep you a bit of what they had for dinner.

Do it for ten months and hopefully get something permanent in your area that pays well and you can move closer to the job.

tomwaits48

Think of it as a 10 month investment into a 40 year career. Do it.

Pete123456

Just a point to note on the salary... in my experience, particularly larger companies, they will base increases and promotion pay raises on your previous salary. HR will have some sort of calculation that will allow no more than 10-15% of an increase on your base salary. Maybe not all companies, but a lot of the big ones your starting salary can shoot you in the foot a bit. You would really need to jump to another company to get a decent increase.

It might not be something to worry about right now, but if you started with a company on say 20k, they might bump you to say 30k when they make you permanent but then you’re not gonna get more than 3-5k of a raise for a promotion after that unless you have something to bargain with. Just my opinion/experience