I've just been down this road... A few months ago, after being laid off, I took a job that I was way overqualified for. I was often bored out of my mind, and my boss was a b!tch, and the pay sucked - but it was a high-visibility position that helped me strengthen my network, it was only part-time leaving me a lot of time to job hunt, and it got me out of the house.
At first, I tried to do well, but I quickly found out that no good deed went unpunished in that place. So instead I did exactly what was asked of me, no more, no less.
In a situation like that, you have to weigh the good against the bad. I took the sucky job, not for the money (what money?) but for the visibility and the networking opportunities.
I just quit that job, though, because I got a job in my field!
