question after second interview

awhitmer83 · #1 11-03-2006, 08:58 PM

I had a second interview this week for a job I desperately want - it's down to me and one other person. During the interview, I was asked if I would be willing to start out PRN. The company can't make a formal offer until December because this is a new position that hasn't been budgeted yet, but there is an open PRN position already budgeted. The interviewer said I could get started on my orientation (IF I get the job of course) and move to full time w/ benefits when the budget is completed.

Okay... So is this some kind of lame scheme to hire someone PRN with no intention of FT, or does this actually happen? I keep thinking they're going to offer me the PRN just to get cheap labor until they hire the other person FT. Maybe I'm paranoid, but that's the kind of luck I have. If I am offered the PRN position, how do I ask whether that means I get the FT position without seeming (a) rude or (b) like a dumbass? If they say that I have been hired FT, do I need to get that in writing with the date I'm expected to move from PRN to FT? I feel like I'm getting a little ahead of myself, but I want to know what to do when/if they call. I've never had anything like this happen before. Any ideas?

Xander · #2 11-03-2006, 09:04 PM

If it's better in pay/experience than your current position, take it while actively looking for other opportunities. Don't trust that they'll make you full time. Honestly, the situation sounds bogus to me, and I'd walk away, but it sounds like you really want it...

wordsmith · #3 11-03-2006, 09:14 PM

Meh, I was told when I position I'd applied and interviewed for extensively was put on hold definitely due to budgetary concerns (maybe it was, maybe it wasn't), that there was a possibility of taking me on temp to hire. I cautiously said that might work, keep me updated. Thus far, nothing on that, though. Not that I'm holding my breath.

swordfish77 · #4 11-03-2006, 10:37 PM

Don't care about it. You THINK that you want this job. First of all, if no one is kind to you in the interview, probably no one will be kind to you on the job. Do you want a job where everyone treats you like a centuries-old turd? I think not. There are so many jobs and so many online sites for them. Don't sweat it.

awhitmer83 · #5 11-05-2006, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swordfish77

Don't care about it. You THINK that you want this job. First of all, if no one is kind to you in the interview, probably no one will be kind to you on the job. Do you want a job where everyone treats you like a centuries-old turd? I think not. There are so many jobs and so many online sites for them. Don't sweat it.

Um... okay. Did I miss something here? Because my interview went very well and the people are great.

I'm unemployed right now, so it's not like I would be taking the PRN position and leaving something FT. I feel like PRN is better than nothing, but I don't want to pass on other opportunities if they aren't going to make me FT. I've been looking for six months; I'm ready to stop interviewing and start getting paid! I wish everyone had to be brutally honest in interview settings...

TinyDancer · #6 11-05-2006, 05:07 PM

I thought that this sounded borderline shady at first. . . but then realized that. . . Hello!?! I did this when I started out.

The company that I interviewed with did not have anything full-time at the time, but I really liked the company so I gave it a shot. They had a part-time position that they offered me for five months, and they hoped in the meantime that something would come up FT. Something actually came up within a few weeks, so I moved to my new location and started FT.

I also didn't have a FT job at the time that I took the PT job at my company. I was taking a risk in that I had to move for the PT job. . . but I was making money, and it was a risk that I was willing to take.

I don't think that you should rule this out completely. . . especially if it's what you really want to do and it will give you some experience. If it looks like they might not pull through FT, keep looking for jobs. At least you're making money and getting experience in the meantime.

CityGal · #7 11-05-2006, 06:01 PM

If you are unemployed, what's the harm in getting some extra bucks??! Until they can really give you that position, I would keep on with the job search. The position may be yours or it might not....at least in the interim you would have money for food, other necessities, and you would be gaining some experience.

winneythepooh7 · #8 11-05-2006, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awhitmer83

Um... okay. Did I miss something here? Because my interview went very well and the people are great.

I'm unemployed right now, so it's not like I would be taking the PRN position and leaving something FT. I feel like PRN is better than nothing, but I don't want to pass on other opportunities if they aren't going to make me FT. I've been looking for six months; I'm ready to stop interviewing and start getting paid! I wish everyone had to be brutally honest in interview settings...

You're in Social Work, right? From what I recall you saying in the past, is that you don't have much working experience though. This is probably what is preventing you from finding a good job in this field, trust me. I've been doing this for a living for many years, and also hire. My advice is to take the PRN position. At least you will have something to put on your resume then. I have also heard of human service agencies hiring like this to "test people out". I know one very well-known, reputable agency in NYC that does something similar before they hire someone on F/T. I am also going to be honest: I do realize the job market is tough, but at the same time, when I see someone who has a huge gap in employment, I get really nervous, like, there's something "wrong" with them or, maybe they got fired or quit other jobs. I know that's not YOUR case, but I know this is something that crosses employer minds. One last thing I want to add: if you take this job, you will be working in the field and meeting people who can connect you to other jobs, even if it's not at that particular agency.

awhitmer83 · #9 11-06-2006, 02:46 PM

Thanks all. I totally understand taking the PRN job just for the money and experience, but my problem (which I somehow neglected to mention) is that I also interviewed at another agency. I would rather have this job, but if the other agency offered me the job and I turned it down for a PRN position, I'd be kicking myself if they never moved me to FT. It may not be an issue; I may not be offered either position. But if I'm offered both, I don't know what to do. I just don't know many people who start PRN and end up working FT. I'm terrified to make the wrong decision.

winneythepooh7 · #10 11-06-2006, 03:07 PM

Maybe that will give you leverage down the road. If you do get offered the other F/T position, and you are at the PRN for a bit, let them know that you need to make a decision based on long-term employment.

awhitmer83 · #11 11-10-2006, 08:13 PM

Just wanted to update and let you all know that I GOT THE JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I knew they would be calling today, but when 4 PM passed, I figured I was beaten out yet again by someone with experience. I nearly died when the woman called. The salary is $10k more than the other jobs I've been interviewing for, and the benefits are awesome. After 6 months of worrying, interviewing, and spending 2 hours a day looking at classified ads, my search is finally OVER.

Thanks to all of you who have responded to my posts since I joined here. I never would have survived if I hadn't realized I wasn't alone. Hopefully this job will be everything I've hoped for.

TinyDancer · #12 11-11-2006, 11:42 AM

CONGRATS!

I'm assuming that this is Full-time given the benefits talk?

Best of luck with everything!

awhitmer83 · #13 11-11-2006, 12:38 PM

Yep, full time. The budget came through sooner than they thought it would.

thedave · #14 11-26-2006, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awhitmer83

Yep, full time. The budget came through sooner than they thought it would.

I just read this thread now, but congrats!!! Don't you love when things work out?
congrats again!