"Any job" vs pursuing a career

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 00:22:06 -0400

So I find myself in that great debate with my s/o. Taking any job vs taking a job that gets you by on your way to the career that you're trying to start.

I'm almost 35 years old and I've spent most of my life outside of the military taking "any job", which has left me with a rather sizeable work experience section on my resume.

After returning from Afghanistan I hit the ground running when it came to job searching. I spent 4 months sitting at a computer filling out apps and living off the little bit that I had managed to save when I was overseas, which wasn't much because, being the sole source of income through the holidays.

I finally found a job in May and I've been riding it until I could get some things out of the way concerning the National Guard and now I'm on the hunt again for something that pays a little more. I'm no longer the sole source of income, but we're by no means living large. We're still scraping by.

To the debate: I say scrape by now while I'm working hours that allow me to get out and do the things that I need to do to set me up for getting into the career that I want vs going through the roller coaster ride of going from job to job looking for more money than the last and adding to my already sizeable work experience.

She has done a bit of a flip flop going from, before, saying "Take any job", to now saying "you don't make enough. Look more, look more, look more!"

This whole debate has put greater strain on an already stressed situation and has led to some, what I feel is, unneccesary conflict.

To me, it seems that continually jumping from job to job because I'm "not making enough" to do more than scrape by for now is going to hurt me in the long run, by adding more to my already lengthy resume, when I finally get the break I'm looking for and I finally bust into what I'm trying to do.

Am I wrong in thinking that? If I were in charge of hiring, I wouldn't look at something like that in a very positive manner.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2014 2:07 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 02:07:16 -0400

SSG Private RallyPoint Member. What is it you are wanting and/or trying to do? Sandy

Response by SSgt Gregory Guina made Sep 10 at 2014 2:10 AM

SSgt Gregory Guina — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 02:10:35 -0400

Sgt Barrie I think what you need to do is figure out what you want to do long term. Make it a point to get the training you need for that career and then get into it. Jumping from job to job isn't going to help you in the long run but it might help you in the short run.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Sep 10 at 2014 8:19 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 08:19:28 -0400

I feel your pain SSG Private RallyPoint Member. I had the job I wanted and was laid off after 8 years because they lost contracts I supported. Found another great job and lost it because the company merged and my position was eliminated. took me 2 more jobs to find another job I wanted and was laid off from that just recently due to the company taking big financial hits. I'm sick and tired of having to take the first offer simply to put food on the table, and I've taken 3 pay cuts and am probably facing another to get my ideal job. I don't get what's happening. Like you I am far from living large, am trying to put money away for retirement and do a few things to the house that need to be done while prices on everything go up and my paycheck is forced to go down. Go Figure???

Response by CW3 Bill Golden made Sep 10 at 2014 10:53 AM

CW3 Bill Golden — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 10:53:42 -0400

Send me your resume: [login to see]

What is your objective? What kind of job do you want? Where would you like to be in 5 years? What is your education?

Will be glad to do a quick screening of your resume and feedback to you what I think. I work with companies daily looking for defense folks.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2014 1:51 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 13:51:01 -0400

Your question as I read it, should you job hop for money or stay and build credibility. Is that correct?

I would state that the answer is how confident and skillful you are. As a previous hiring manager and one who has observed many industries, I can tell you this, if I see a resume with multiple jobs, which are less than 2 years, I am going to question the viability of the candidate to our requirement. However, if that candidate comes with exceptional skill and confidence then the retention period does not matter.

For me and many I consulted with, 2 years was a magic number before deep questioning.

Response by SPC(P) Chandler Lonergan made Jul 20 at 2019 5:15 PM

SPC(P) Chandler Lonergan — Sat, 20 Jul 2019 17:15:41 -0400

I saw a video by the owner of a company giving a talk on hiring Veterans. He is the owner of VET COR. his name is LtCol Paul Huszar. Google him, he is an awesome Leader1