Architectural Designs

Potential Job stringing me along way too long, what would you do?

I moved to a Washington in June and had a job lined up ahead of time. I started working the day after I moved, but learned quickly that I hated my job. I started looking for another job in September. During my search, I was surprised to receive an email from a job I had applied for back in May. They said that they never filled the position and wanted to know if I was interested. I should say I am an interior designer and the position they mentioned was an Associate Designer position. I told them I am very interested, and we set up an interview. Before the interview I was asked to take an online personality test. I felt this was very strange, but did it knowing how much I needed something new. The interview went extremely well, and I left feeling very confident that I would have the job. My husband is working, so I took a risk and gave my notice where I was working because I was being treated so poorly. The potential job called me again, for another interview. This one did not go as well. They still seemed very excited, but were asking the same questions as the first interview and the job description began to change from an Associate Designer to a 'draftsperson'. They also had me take yet another personality test, and sent me home with their software so that I could train myself, unpaid. They told me to call them in 2 weeks. Of course, at this point I have started applying to other jobs, with very little to no luck. The 2 weeks passed, and I called the firm. They set up yet another meeting with me. This meeting was overwhelming and stressful. They told me they were interested in part time or contract work- still no mention of what the compensation would be- with no benefits. The position has now become 'grunt worker' They asked me to present them with an outline by tomorrow (the meeting was yesterday), basically outlining the benefit that I can be to the firm. The boss says "I know this is my job, but I'm delegating". YES, it is your job. I don't know your firm, so I can only tell you that I'll do a good job and do the best that I can. This is a decision THEY have to make. I am so stressed out and don't even know how to begin this outline. He was talking about me including things like training procedures and procedures for their overall work strategy. What would you do? I'm so desperate for a job, but I'm also tempted to tell them off. Oh, and the designer there is SO nice. I just love her and would have so much fun working with her. It's the boss I want to kill. I know it was stupid to quit before I had a new job. I even knew it at the time, but I was being treated so poorly, that I would take breaks to sit in the stairwell and cry. Just not worth it.

Public Comments

1. It sounds like you are getting a good picture of something you want to avoid. Be thankful that you are getting so much insight, before it gets worse. Keep seeking the right job, and now that you have learned a valuable lesson, remember: never close one door until the other is wide open. Have a healthy and happy leap year!
2. look for other jobs. in future, don't quit existing one first.
3. Well, I understand needing a job badly. I also know what it's like to take something out of desperation. This puts you in a bad position from day one, and they'll make you their.... Well you know. Besides, I'd be most concerned about the financial stability of the company. From what you've described, this company sounds poorly managed and financially unstable. It may be more trouble than it's worth. You have to decide whether you need to get your foot in the door to this industry or whether this job is going to make you miserable. By getting a job there and staying for six months, do you think you can (a) find another design job more easily and (b) remain sane and perform well. If yes, then do it; if no, then turn it down. You work with a whole office, not one person. The boss might make this job too risky.