When you're offered a position you dislike...

Dionysus · #1 01-16-2003, 02:21 PM

Whenever a job, chapter, or club, etc. offers you a position that you are overqualified, underqualified, not confident in, or simply dislike how should one handle it?

Should one turn it down? EVENTHOUGH that position will get you money if it's a job or more privledges if it's a chapter or club.

Should one take it and do one's job well so one will get promoted? I tried that once and it backfired, I did so well in my position that they didn't want to replace me.

Should one take it and half-a$$ed it so one will be offered another position? I tried this a few times and it also backfired. I actually lost an EC position and a job using this strategy. Instead of them offering me another position because I was dissatisfied of the current one, I was terminated from that position and job and was not offered another one. On the other hand, I was just offered a better EC position in my chapter, because I complained and slacked on the last one...but that was an exception.

What am I doing wrong? Is there another way around besides the above?

sigmagrrl · #2 01-16-2003, 02:33 PM

I was offered a position recently that I REALLY wanted, but in the end, declined. I did the classic Pros/Cons list, but what worked was visual imagery. I put myself in the position in my mind and tried to picture a new "Day in the Life..." and it sucked. I was tired, cranky, miserable. I had a job that was similar in the past, with less responsibility. Some of the pluses were AWESOME, but I know in my heart I made the right decision. Don't ever take a job in anticipation that "it could get better". If the initial job responsibilities seem unappealing and you haven't started yet, guess what? It will be worse when you are actually living that life....Wait and take the position that you ACTUALLY want...
I firmly believe that taking a job JUST for the money could pan out poorly in the end. Money is important and fun, yes, but your job should be stimulating and fulfilling as well. I wouldn't say this is the case 100% of the time, but it's my general rule (to each his won)...
Also, don't turn down a job simply because you think you are underqualified because, unless you outright lied, you deserve the challenge, particularly if it is going to lead you to a better position later on.

lovelyivy84 · #3 01-16-2003, 02:36 PM

Sigmagrrl is right on the money with that one.

If you don't like the position in the beginning, it really won't get any better in general. There are exceptions I suppose, but I have yet to come across one.

I have taken jobs because they looked GREAT on the resume, but in the end I had to quit because I HATED doing it. And it was just a waste of everyone's time in the end. If I had just been honest about being bored with what the job entailed then everyone would have been happier all-round

Kevin · #4 01-16-2003, 03:16 PM

I was treasurer for a year in my chapter... I never wanted the job and didn't like doing it. However, I have a high level of dedication and a strong wish to see my chapter succeed... That outweighed my dislike for the office. If you asked someone in my chapter I think they'd say I did a pretty good job.

To take or not to take.. You have to weigh all the factors, not JUST the job.

White_Chocolate · #5 01-16-2003, 09:57 PM

i seriously thought this was something about sex. . .

Rudey · #6 01-16-2003, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by White_Chocolate
i seriously thought this was something about sex. . .

I like how you think.

-Rudey
--There should be more girls like this one!!!

aephi alum · #7 01-16-2003, 10:07 PM

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!

prospectiverushee · #8 01-17-2003, 12:30 AM

I agree wiith everyone on here. Do what makes you happy. I was recently offered another position in my company and I am completely miserable. My company was nice enough to find me this position to avoid laying me off. I would much rather have been laid off then to do what I'm doing now and am seriously considering finding another job. I don't really care at this point if I have to take a pay cut(I'm not making all that much to begin with),but it will be worth it. I'd rather have a job where I made no money but everyday I came home happy. Right now I make a little bit of money but I come home tense and mad and just want to hurt people