Comments on: Why Smart People Use Umbrellas When It Rains

By: The Lesser of Two Evils : The Job Quest

The Lesser of Two Evils : The Job Quest — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 01:26:11 +0000

[...] yourself the question that Kerry at Clue Wagon asks, “Does having money suck more or less than not having money?” The answer to that [...]

By: Lise

Lise — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:14:42 +0000

Glad I’m not the only one watching trashy Bravo reality shows in my semi-employment. Usually I’m knitting while watching, say, Tabatha’s Salon Takeover, but I’m not sure that redeems it much.

I probably qualify as having taken some “umbrella jobs” in the six months since I’ve been laid off. The two web development contracts probably count as that, if only because they’re contract work, not full-time employment. But I’ve learned so much from them, and I hope they’ll serve as a foot in the door as I attempt to transition from market research to web development.
.-= Lise´s last blog ..Imagining Downsizing =-.

By: Carla

Carla — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 07:27:20 +0000

I know what there is to be ashamed about. I worked at a bakery, painted units for a former landlord (in exchange for rent) and freelanced as a bar tender for private parties (though I had zero experience). It was a lot of fun and it paid some bills.

By: HR Minion

HR Minion — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 22:16:01 +0000

The job market sucks and there is no shame in umbrella jobs. Hell, that's what I've been doing for the last 3 months. Money is money. .-= HR Minion´s last blog ..You call that onboarding? =-.

By: Emma

Emma — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:49:41 +0000

Well worded advice! I too, have taken an umbrella job and have no regrets whatsoever. Not only do you need to survive, you also need mental stimulation and the dynamics of having a job allows you to find new challenges.

By: The Lesser of Two Evils « The Job Quest

The Lesser of Two Evils « The Job Quest — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:01:40 +0000

[...] yourself the question that Kerry at Clue Wagon asks, “Does having money suck more or less than not having money?” The answer to that [...]

By: teresahrgirl

teresahrgirl — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:40:28 +0000

I would also suggest that if the job is for a “ho” make sure it’s the “bottom bitch” position. Cause I hear that’s the top of the field.

By: class factotum

class factotum — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:38:14 +0000

Jane, you may well be right. And I would love to know how to get my floor clean without getting on my hands and knees because after scrubbing the tub and the shower walls, it is my most despised household task.

But I do think that not every job should pay enough to support a person. Some jobs just aren’t worth that. I earned $3.25 an hour as a lifeguard in high school and college. Should that kind of job pay more than minimum wage? Should cleaning houses pay more than a few bucks an hour? I am a big fan of letting the market determine what a job is worth. If you want to make more money, up your skills and your value.

But that’s a discussion for another place, not here.
.-= class factotum´s last blog ..Chats du jour: In the merde =-.

By: Stephanie McDonald

Stephanie McDonald — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:17:15 +0000

The timing of this post amazes me, as always.

I just withdrew my name from consideration for an umbrella position. I’m being laid off next week and I had the option to apply for an Executive Assistant job for the VP of the department I used to recruit for. He’s a wonderful man who I would have loved to work for, and that’s why I did what I did. I know in a few months when a great recruiting gig comes along, I will leave. And leave him in a terrible state. He can’t train the new Admin, he doesn’t even know what she does. There is someone out there who would LOVE that job. It’s not me.

Now, in two months when severance runs out, come see me at Target. I’ll be on Isle 9.

By: Jane

Jane — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 02:25:29 +0000

I really, really think you misread Ehrenreich, cf. She’s a big fan of honest work; she just thinks that it should earn honest pay that allows one food and shelter. What she objects to isn’t cleaning floors, it’s that the company policy is that the employee needs to be seen on their knees to be perceived as doing a good job, even though there are other, less physically demanding ways of getting the floor clean (and even cleaner than most cleaning service protocols).

I’d say the only argument against an umbrella job (great term) is if it’s so exhausting it drains you of your energy to use it as a springboard to something else, and you’re in a reasonable position to wait longer for something else. Otherwise, it’s a good boost: financially, psychologically, and flexibility-logically!