Do you think taking a McJob or a job that is beneath your skills will hurt your career chances later

[renaissancewoman101]

Recently, I read a thread where a guy posted wondering about how women would view him since he was unemployed and content with collecting unemployment while looking for a job that was more his skill/career level. Many posters got on him for collecting unemployment and NOT taking a McJob or any job (custodial, etc) to tie him over.

 

Which brings me to this question, do you think employers would look down on your resume down the road (when the economy gets better - which it will), that you had a McJob or low-level job (cust service, temp, custodial, retail, etc) while still looking for a job that is more your career level, or would that impact you negatively in the job hunt for a professional job.

 

For example, if you were an accountant and got laid off (due to company downsizing), and could not find a job in your career base, so you ended up taking a retail job to make the bills and make ends meet, while still job hunting. Would employers look negatively on that, or would they look negatively on an accoutant who lost his/her job, collected unemployment and only looked for jobs in that level/skills/range, without resorting to taking a low-level job?

 

Just curious.

[coldplay.]

Your not obligated to post all of your job experiences.

 

This is coming from a college student though, who can just explain absences in work because of college or what not. But me myself, i only tell employers about the more 'prestigious' jobs ive had versus dishwasher, sub maker, or whatever else (Im not saying that those jobs are not respectable.)

[Binoo]

Personally, I think it looks better to have the lower level job rather than a large gap of unemployment on a resume.

It can always be explained during an interview that jobs were limited and the lower level job was simply to keep themselves afloat financially while looking elsewhere.

[CoCo2009]

I wouldn't take a McJob if it paid less than my unemployment because it would cause me even more problems. I would take it if it paid more and just not list it if I thought it would mess me up.

[Alezia]

The guy has been giving money out of his cheque every pay cheque to be able to get EI. I say take it.

I would personally use that time to find better prospects, take a little vacation (heck always so busy working that you don't get time off very often), spend time with family etc...

[lady00]

If I could get by on unemployment money, I personally would not take a job significantly out of my area of expertise that required significantly fewer skills or no skill. I would think that most employers would understand there being a gap in one's employment during a recession.

[HellFrost666]

It really depends on the employer. With the economy the way it is right now though, I doubt people will see that as such a negative thing.

 

When I graduated college I worked for four yeard for the same company. I ended up being their IT Manager. Then I lost that job and had to go work in a factory making just above minimum wage. I kept looking for something else. Some employers had issues with my then current factory job, others didn't.

[renaissancewoman101]

If I was in that position, I probably would take a McJob for a while, mainly to keep income coming in. But I wouldn't do it, if it meant that it would look bad on a resume.

[redrose85]

ANY job you take lets you develop even more people skills and life skills, so I don't think there are any jobs that should be "frowned upon".

[lavenderdove]

Unemployment insurance is not the dole. It is paid for and basically earned if you meet the criteria to receive it, so there is nothing wrong/shameful with taking it.

 

But there is also nothing wrong with taking a low level job if that is what you need to do to earn money.

 

Most employers know it's a recession and hard to get work, so they won't hold either against you.

[COtuner]

I would list it at the bottom of my resume under "supplemental information" or something like that. You too often get screened based on the title of your last job. A friend of mine was out of work for two years because he took a job in customer support. Didn't matter that previously he had been a high ranking manager at a Fortune 200.

[shikashika]

I took a second 'mcjob' once..well a couple of years ago as a second job (not mcdonalds... just serving in a bistro) and I met some of the best, most interesting people I ever met who i'm still close with today.

 

And, they had a 'help yourself policy ' to the wine which i really enjoyed as well!

 

All a bonus!

[thejigsup]

If a potential employer knows your SS#, they know all of your past jobs. Don't lie, list them. People who are willing to work minimum wage jobs more than collect unemployment benefits are held in fairly high regard, it shows they WANT TO WORK! Usually a big, big, plus.

[WomanWriter]

If I got a MCjob, I would be getting less than I do for Unemployment, so why would I want to do that?

 

My last job was a full time elementary school teacher so I am allowed the maximum amount of UI, which I have to say I freakin DESERVE since I worked in a TERRIBLE urban school last year that was downright one of the worse experiences of my life. The administration was horrible, my classroom had rats, filth, and too many students, I was not even allowed to have violent kids take a time out!

 

So I am going to get all the UI that I can! After all, I have been paying my taxes for the last 10 years that I have been working. That's the way I see it! I used to feel guilty but now I don't because that's what UI is for!

 

If I had to take a McJob, I would, but I didn't pay big bucks in college loan money to work at McD's and not collect the taxes I ALREADY PAID INTO!

 

I say take the UI unless retail pays more. Do whatever is best for YOU. After all, no one is else is going to look after you except YOU!

[Pressfit]

Employers are generally more concerned with large gaps in employment history rather than (where) you worked. I'd list everything I did to fill in any gaps the best I could. Wage structure is based on the industry, so only if you were to keep within the same type of job would it likely effect future wages.

[lady00]

Employers are generally more concerned with large gaps in employment history rather than (where) you worked. I'd list everything I did to fill in any gaps the best I could. Wage structure is based on the industry, so only if you were to keep within the same type of job would it likely effect future wages.

 

For me personally, I'd avoid gaps by doing volunteer work in my area of expertise. This may not be possible for some professions but for many there are often unpaid volunteer positions available. That way you're not twiddling your thumbs and you don't have a gap in employment. But frankly, any employer would be crazy to fault you for a gap in your employment during the worst economic downturn since the great depression, so I think most people are off the hook in that regard.

[renaissancewoman101]

Thanks for all the opinions put forth in this thread. It is interesting to see how people view unemployment benefits. Personally, I think we ALL pay into UI and if we get laid off, we are ENTITLED to those benefits. My biggest concern would be how employers would view you down the road if, during this economic downturn, you were laid off and could not get by on UI, so you went and found a job (albeit a McJob) right away. Would it hurt or harm your chances to get back into your field down the road. From all the opinions listed, if I were stuck in those shoes, I'd probably collect the UI and try to find a job in my field. But sometimes, esp when lack of income causes issues, people do take McJobs to survive.

 

I dunno.

 

Lady00, volunteering is a good idea too.

[Alezia]

I love the volunteering idea! Going back to school full time for more education is something else i'd consider.

 

You can do it in a field you always wanted to do ex: beauty, fashion etc... but that doesn't pay enough for you do actually do it full time. I don't think McDonalds would be the same as I don't think i'd love that very much! lol

 

Or for the volunteering, if it's for your field, it's translatable but do something that you would not normally do at your old job to get more skills.

[shikashika]

Yes, I think if you've paid into it, you can get it.. and yes, in many cases, you would get more money getting EI than working for minimu wage... but I dont' think that means that people should sit around waiting for that perfect job either.

 

 

What I've found funny, is that I've head some young twenty-somethings not taking jobs that they think are beneath them, when they are only a couple years out of university, whereas i know of people who had been in the workforce for 20+ years taking jobs in retail, because they want to be working.

 

i certainly wouldn't see anything wrong with someone taking a 'mcjob' int he meantime.

 

 

There are other things you get from work, like I mentioned in an above post, more than just something to put on your resume.. you always meet new people which is a bonus as well.

[Pressfit]

For me personally, I'd avoid gaps by doing volunteer work in my area of expertise. This may not be possible for some professions but for many there are often unpaid volunteer positions available. That way you're not twiddling your thumbs and you don't have a gap in employment. But frankly, any employer would be crazy to fault you for a gap in your employment during the worst economic downturn since the great depression, so I think most people are off the hook in that regard.

 

 

I think you may be right. Particularly with your last statement and considering this.

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