Temp work...
 

I recently finished my MBA and I am now looking for full time jobs. I took the last month off and rested and was even blessed enough to go to Europe, but now its time to make money because I am very broke.

I have had real job offers, but they are not at all what I want to do. I do not want to take a job just to have a job because I spent too long in school to not be happy in my work. Plus, I really believe in managing your career, I know where I want to be in five years, so I have to take steps to get there.

So, I don't mind taking my time to find a job that's a good fit, but in the meanwhile I need temp work. I served at a restaurant all through college and I so don't want to do that again, but I'm thinking its my best bet. I have been working with a temp agent, but they keep getting me placements that are like 6+weeks. And since they are 8-5, I wouldn't be able to apply anywhere else while I'm working there.

I guess I'm being way too picky, but I want to make at least $10 an hour (because this is the absolute minimum I'd make serving) and I want to have flexibility to still interview for 'real' jobs. Any suggestions??? (I'm in a mid-sized city!!)

You just got an MBA and you're looking for jobs that pay at least $10/hour?

I've never known an MBA-holder to make LESS than $85K.

How does that work, exactly? Where did you get this MBA?

She's looking for $10/hr jobs to do while she looks for the real job that pays $85K.

ET answer Penny's question - try UPS swing shift. You can sleep in the morning and go to interviews in the afternoon. There might be other things around you that pay decent and that have swing shifts but UPS is the first one that came to my mind.

Plus, if you've told this temp agency that you don't want temp to perm work and are looking for a job commensurate w/ your degree - they shouldn't be giving you placements like that. Try another temp agency that is more sympathetic to your situation.

Uhhh...I got that.

But, any temp job that requires anything more than a college degree, unless it's doing yardwork, should pay at LEAST $15/hour. Even in my hometown, which has like, 10 people.

We must be reading 2 different posts because I never saw her say that the temp job should be one befitting the MBA. Obviously not if she's willing to waitress again.

Have you thought about preparing tax returns? We're getting into tax season. If you're familiar with the tax code (or are willing to learn) you can do individual tax returns, either through an outfit like H&R Block or on your own. I'm assuming you took some accounting courses - they should help. This would give you a little extra $ while leaving you enough flexibility in your schedule to go on interviews - and hopefully by the time tax season is over, you'll have found that perfect job.

Good luck! :)

Thanks for the advice. First of all, MBA's can make great money, but it really depends on where you live. And no, I didn't graduate from Harvard, but my program is ranked and is especially recognized regionally, which is most important to me. I have had some very decent job offers, but I'm not willing to relocate to some parts of the country. You may agree or disagree with this, but I'm willing to sacrifice money to be near my family. As far as how much I make, where I live, you are extremely blessed to make $15/hour because while an MBA is great and all, its not necessary so they could pay someone with a GED to do most temp jobs around here. I'm willing to move for a full time job, but I have to do temp work here, where I have cheap rent! Again, don't get me wrong, the more money the better, but I don't want to spend all my time looking for a temp job, I want to get a job so that I'm not sitting on my butt all day and so I can take my time to find a job that matches with my career goals.

I think that aephi alum's tax return suggestion is good.

I suggest that you look into tutoring either business students or teaching a GMAT prep class.

Penny carter,
I so relate to you right now. I have lived in this situation that you are currently in and it stinks. I would try multiple temp agencies, plus one thing that most people dont know is looking into the school district(s) where you live. Often there is some kinda of teachers shortage so you could sub which could make up to 100 dollars a day and you can pick and choose when you want to work. Depending on the school district you can do something like playground attendant where you would watch the kids on the playground or sit and listen to a child read. With out a teaching certificate you would not be put in a place where you were in charge of an entire class. but maybe with your mba (depending on the district) you could even teach business classes, but i can not promise anything. Anyway, you can do a lot, the work is unskilled and really might only pay slightly above minimum wage. i know you want $10 an hour but sometimes it will be a better idea to take a less paying job that you will have a schedule that you want rather than more money and not have a schedule that would provide for the flexibility that you want. Usually there are many jobs as schools such as ticket takers at events or simple watching kids in detention.

Just look into the phone book and you should find a number for the school district office. Call the main number and see if there are any substitution positions available and what you would have to do.

Hope this makes sense.
Good luck and I wish you all the success finding the job you want.

I know its crummy, but look for jobs with weekend/evening hours. I know I've hired for a few, and it's very difficult to find candidates willing to work those hours, so there may not be too many applicants. this would free up your weekday mornings for interviewing.