I'm applying for a job!

[propita]

I went to a local law school, passed the CA Bar in 2010, but haven't worked. Well, I did a little bit, a real little bit...a few thousand dollars for the year.

I didn't go to law school to be a practicing attorney, but to prove something to myself--as posters familiar with me know, I've had a few health issues that got in the way of things, but all (hopefully) taken care of now.

But I've gotten used to not working. Hubby makes good money, our only big debt is the house, and we're hoping to pay that off within 5 years. The rest is routine bills and whatever we buy. (No kids.) Also, when something's come up with us, my family, his family, I've been available to handle it. And take care of Hubby from his stressful job without having a stressful job of my own to worry about or add to things. If we want to travel, there's only one schedule to worry about.

But now a position is open where I interned (unpaid) with the County Court, working for the same boss as before. I liked the work. I liked the boss. And I know she doesn't overwhelm the people with work they're not ready to do. She had even offered to be a reference when the internship ended.

I feel that I should at least apply. Even though my recent work experience is near-non-existent compared to classmates, the boss knows me and knows what I can do. I'm worried about what if I am offered the job? I couldn't turn it down, because...well...why apply at all if you don't want it, right?

I'm worried that I've become complacent to the point of lazy. There's LOTS of pluses to NOT working. Including taxes. I'd be taxed at our combined income--Hubby makes well over 2x this pay, almost 3x (public attorneys get paid well under 6 figures; well under), so my after-tax would be...not all that much for the hours worked and loss of available time.

Am I trying to talk myself into working? Or trying to talk myself out of working?

Stupid law school! Got so good at making arguments for both sides that I can't decide!

Advice?

 

[RoJoHen]

Well, I have no idea what kind of money you would need to make for it to be worth it for the number of hours worked. I just know that I would go stir crazy if I didn't have a job for an extended period of time.

 

[auntiehill]

You're worrying about a job you don't even have yet? Cart-before-the-horse time, isn't it?

Just apply. IF you get the job, try it for a little while. You might like it, you might not. No one will force you to do it if you decide you don't like the job after all.

And really....worrying about a job for which you haven't even applied yet? That's a bit ridiculous, hon, especially when you're in a position to walk away from any job you don't like. Most of us don't have that kind of luxury.

 

[Yoda]

If your home life, hobbies, and interests aren't satisfying you and you think a job would help, go for it! If I didn't have to sell my time to the highest bidder I certainly wouldn't, though.

 

[Tora Ziyal]

I understand your hesitation. I was once on medical leave for over a year. Going back to work full-time after being home that long was really hard, but totally worth it.

Given why you went to law school, you obviously like challenges. My advice: think of this as another challenge and tackle it.

 

[RJDiogenes]

If you think you're going to enjoy it, you should go for it. Even if it's long term, you'll have some extra money, maybe be able to pay off the house a year early, put a few more bucks away for retirement. Sounds like a nothing-to-lose situation to me.

 

[FPAlpha]

Definitely apply and take the job.. if possible get reduced hours if you don't want to miss your time off/need it for various tasks you need to do elsewhere.

Nothing beats gaining experience and you will never know when and if that might get important if one day you will really need to work.

Imagine you are past 40 and have never really worked a day in your life besides internships and a degree that is 1-2 decades old.. who will hire you in that field? Do you want to be a temp worker at 45 or something for which you are totally overqualified?
But working consistently 4-6 hours a day looks good on your resume and lets you keep up with current developments in your field.

Even if you get taxed to death you will still make some money and that's always useful and i don't know if you feel like that but you'll also have something productive to do in your life besides chores and helping out the family.

So get off your ass and at least apply.

 

[propita]

Hey Alpha, I AM over 40, lol! I turn 50 next month.

Yeah, I have to apply. Regrets for not applying for what I think is a perfect match of a job would be much greater than not applying. Btw, without 18 months full-time experience, pay is only $48k-$57k. The pay scale tops out at $75k. Most lawyers don't make much money. The pay is fine for me, might not be enough for someone with student loans. When I got downsized 13 years ago, I was making $52k--on an AA degree after 16 years on the job.

I emailed my boss from the internship to get my start/end dates. She gave me the months, and said that she would be reviewing the applications. Yikes!

I emailed a prof and asked if a redacted confidential memo that I produced during the internship was okay to use as a writing sample. She said yes, if fully redacted of all identifying info. Here's hoping no problem on that.

 

[Spot's Meow]

I wouldn't worry about whether you accept the position or not, since you haven't even applied yet. Honestly, I wouldn't get your hopes up about actually getting chosen. There are probably hundreds of people applying for this one position. And that's not an exaggeration. Having worked there before certainly helps, but I have seen many many times, in the last few years, people who were promised jobs or had an "in" not get the position because the competition was just so fierce.

So, take it one step at a time. Many folks these days are applying to well over 100 jobs before they even get a call back, so I would not fret too much about this one position.

Also, saying the pay is "only" $48-$57k is kind of insulting. I know you don't mean it that way, it's just that many people would kill for a job that pays that much. That's almost twice what I make, and I have two Master's degrees. But when you don't have the 20 years of experience that the people applying for those great jobs have, you have to take what you can get.

 

[RJDiogenes]

That's true. After five years at my current job, I'm still making just over half of what I was making at BMC (of course, this is a non-management position). But these are tough times-- I'd be very happy with 48k.

 

[Tora Ziyal]

Yeah, so would I. I've never made that much, and I have two master's degrees. Actually, at this point I'd be happy to be able to work, period.

 

[Snaploud]

Hubby makes well over 2x this pay, almost 3x (public attorneys get paid well under 6 figures; well under), so my after-tax would be...not all that much for the hours worked and loss of available time.

I would think in terms of money post-expenses (ie discretionary income and savings). Your household expenses could be 50% of his income or 99% of his income. That extra $30,000-40,000 a year post-taxes will make a bigger difference in your lives if you are spending closer to 99% of his income than 50%.

You also have to factor in current assets. At age 50, you have a relatively small window to build up savings before retirement. An extra $400,000-700,000 in savings (over the course of a 10-15 year career) may mean a great deal for your retirement plans.

The bigger factor may be your mental health, though. It's hard not doing anything during the day, and now is definitely the time to find something you might enjoy post-retirement. A lot of people think of retirement as the day you stop working, but, for somebody with your education, you may find it more enjoyable to find something that you can steadily do well into retirement part-time. You can feel out such positions full-time now and see if you can transition into part-time later.

 

[propita]

The"only" on the pay was because most people think lawyers make well over six figures. Most do not.

And I realize that I'm sounding premature in enthusiasm, but I know that I require telling myself positive because I tend to go negative. I don't seek "atta girls" from others. I don't need to hear it from others, I need to tell myself so I remember--no permanent storage of confidence.

I tend to evaluate consequences, both good and bad, from the options. So, consequences of getting it and of not getting it. Regrets of applying v. not applying? Everything points to greater regrets if not applying. Identify consequences in advance, if possible; deal with them as they arise, but have ideas available.

Yeah, I'm applying. We'll see what happens.

 

[RJDiogenes]

^^ Good luck!

 

[propita]

Thanks!

There's an "additional info" section on the application that has me stumped. I'm not sure what to put there. I know I can put things that otherwise are obvious, but boasting is not my strong suit.

 

[RJDiogenes]

"Member of TrekBBS."

 

[Alidar Jarok]

I'd recommend against putting that one down.

Good luck Propita.

 

[Starbreaker]

"Member of TrekBBS with Rear Admiral commission"

 

[RevDMV]

Good luck on the process!

 

[Tora Ziyal]

"Member of TrekBBS with Read Admiral commission"

That should get her the job!