Temporary work interfering with paid technical interview

JCSlacker · 29 Jan 2013 at 21:49

Hello guys

Agency is very busy and will get rid of me if I take a week out for a paid technical interview
- They did for a day off - 1 day paid tech interview (same place)
Moving out for first time, with new housemate
- already set in stone, (signed, rent, white goods bought etc)
1 week paid technical interview to see how I get on in a junior software dev job

I have the opportunity for a 1 week paid technical interview (doing the job under supervision) for a junior software developer, my dream career ladder.

I work for an agency which has had some difficulties and is desperate for people to work as much as possible. They needed me in and threatened to get rid of me elsewise (had to delay house signing etc), which they later cancelled the same day and called me in for the night shift later on.

It's practically a dream job but I'll lose my job for trying, I'm in the middle of moving out and the agency may get rid of me anyway. I know a temp' worker contract I can get for 2 weeks work elsewhere.

I really need help,

Any advice on how to scrape money in? get a job fast if both fall through

craptakular · 29 Jan 2013 at 21:53

I have no clue what you are on about.

Can you rewrite this in English?

danielanthony · 29 Jan 2013 at 21:55

Just say its a holiday...

d_brennen · 29 Jan 2013 at 21:58

Get out from where you're working, it sounds awful. And it appears to be messing with your cognitive functions

mollymoo · 29 Jan 2013 at 21:59

Call in sick.

geekyEd · 29 Jan 2013 at 21:59

I hate to say it but I would leave and claim JSA for the week over the interview, you can attend the interview and if unsuccessful back on to temporary work afterwards if there is any. If it really is your dream job then its worth a risk.

dowie · 29 Jan 2013 at 22:02

danielanthony said:
Just say its a holiday...

he doesn't have to say anything... he's asking for time off, they've seemingly told him that if he wants to take take time off then he's out of a temp job

call them on it, tell them you want to take time off, there is a good chance you won't be coming back at the end of it anyway. If for some reason this probationary week doesn't work out then get a different temp job...

JCSlacker · 29 Jan 2013 at 22:06

Oxy said:
I have no clue what you are on about.

Can you rewrite this in English?

Done, sorry about that. Between moving house, interview prep, 1 day technical interview, and full time manual labour work. I'm quite exhausted

danielanthony said:
Just say its a holiday...

Agency workers in their first year are only allowed 2 days each month paid holiday.

d_brennen said:
Get out from where you're working, it sounds awful. And it appears to be messing with your cognitive functions

Yeah the last management was fired for a small thing to be made an example of, it was fine with the previous manager

JCSlacker · 29 Jan 2013 at 22:10

dowie said:
he doesn't have to say anything... he's asking for time off, they've seemingly told him that if he wants to take take time off then he's out of a temp job

call them on it, tell them you want to take time off, there is a good chance you won't be coming back at the end of it anyway. If for some reason this probationary week doesn't work out then get a different temp job...

Is it really so easy to just walk in to a new temp job? the one I know about isn't advertised. But my friend who temps a lot informed me of it.

Swifty55 · 29 Jan 2013 at 22:16

JCSlacker said:
I work for an agency which has had some difficulties and is desperate for people to work as much as possible. They needed me in and threatened to get rid of me elsewise (had to delay house signing etc), which they later cancelled the same day and called me in for the night shift later on.

So they are desperate for workers, but would happily sack the very thing they need?

Makes me laugh.

JCSlacker · 29 Jan 2013 at 22:27

Swifty55 said:
So they are desperate for workers, but would happily sack the very thing they need?

Makes me laugh.

Yes, the old manager was fired as an example by the higher ups and the new guy is new to managment and was the guy who phones the workers before hand. So his job is as likely on the line as much as everyone elses.

Would anyone be willing to look over my CV?

dowie · 29 Jan 2013 at 22:38

JCSlacker said:
Is it really so easy to just walk in to a new temp job? the one I know about isn't advertised. But my friend who temps a lot informed me of it.

who cares... get a bar job, work in Maccy D's...

You've potentially got a job that you do want - if you're successful at the end of the week will you not be simply kept on? I doubt they're going to be paying many candidates for a '1 week interview' - its an indication that its more likely than not you'll get the job.

The real question is - is it going to be easy to find another opportunity like this?

I can't believe this is even a dilemma...

JCSlacker · 29 Jan 2013 at 23:05

dowie said:
who cares... get a bar job, work in Maccy D's...

You've potentially got a job that you do want - if you're successful at the end of the week will you not be simply kept on? I doubt they're going to be paying many candidates for a '1 week interview' - its an indication that its more likely than not you'll get the job.

The real question is - is it going to be easy to find another opportunity like this?

I can't believe this is even a dilemma...

It won't be easy, I know, I can't pass this up. I'm just stressing about how to deal with the aftermath if things blow up in my face, so to speak.

danza · 29 Jan 2013 at 23:05

Angus Higgins, but with bullet points?

Do the interview. Temp work will only get you so far. You might get lucky and be taken on by someone in the future, but as you have an actual opportunity, grasp it with both hands. You owe the agency nothing, you are resource to them.
If it goes belly up, get back on board with the same or a different agency until next time. You have to make the step one day.

Westyfield2 · 29 Jan 2013 at 23:09

Tell the agency you're taking one weeks unpaid holiday and they can sack you if they want (aren't they desperate for workers though?!).

One · 29 Jan 2013 at 23:11

JCSlacker said:
It won't be easy, I know, I can't pass this up. I'm just stressing about how to deal with the aftermath if things blow up in my face, so to speak.

If this temp agency is desperate then it seems like they're just using scare tactics. If for whatever reason this 1 week interview is unsuccessful then you can just go back to the temp agency and ask for work again, if they're even slightly hesitant then just beg and say you'll work twice as hard and they'll take you back.

MickeyFinns · 29 Jan 2013 at 23:12

"1 week paid technical interview to see how I get on in a junior software dev job"

Where the hell are you applying? I got a job as a Lead dev on a project off the back of a two hour interview?

JCSlacker · 29 Jan 2013 at 23:42

MickeyFinns said:
"1 week paid technical interview to see how I get on in a junior software dev job"

Where the hell are you applying? I got a job as a Lead dev on a project off the back of a two hour interview?

I have no work experience except temp manual labour and no degree. I have a decent college qual. He wants to see how well I work as part of their team, it's a small firm and they need decent people.

There wasn't even a junior position available but someone recommended me, and my college work made a great portfolio.

Thanks everyone, I've calmed down a bit now. They offered the week interview today, I'll sort this out when I have some sleep, but I'll not pass this up.