Should I Quit My Casual Job?

beatrice on 24/09/2020 - 21:29

Hi OzBargain,

I'm currently a university student completing an undergraduate degree and am a bit of a dilemma. I work two casual jobs which are relatively relevant to what I study (finance) while still doing full-time uni. I expect to graduate mid-next year but have yet to apply for any internships/graduate programs. I'm considering quitting one of my jobs for the following reasons:

  • Not enough time to study properly and I feel like my grades are slipping.
  • My job mostly involves dry, boring and repetitive administrative tasks. Completely uninspiring and feels meaningless to me. I am exposed to industry documents and software and do some tax returns but I find them incredibly boring. I feel stressed and am always looking at the clock waiting for the end of the day to come.
  • Boss is a bit unreasonable sometimes; I was told to come to work earlier because he gets irritated if I come one minute late (which rarely happens) but he is OK with giving me work right as I'm supposed to leave without prior notice (and thus making me late for any plans/appointments I had made) and keeping me for at least fifteen more minutes.

I've been told that it isn't so important to have two jobs and just one would be enough for the experience. However, I've been at the job I'm thinking of quitting for less than a year and am wondering if interviewers will ask questions about why I quit or why I didn't stay at least a year. I also noticed that job postings usually have requirements such as "at least one year's experience" in a certain role.

I didn't sign any contract at my job and am not sure what the typical process is for quitting a job and how much notice I should give, given that I am a casual employee.

I would greatly appreciate any advice that can be given, thanks so much!

Education & Work

Comments

  • Hybroid on 24/09/2020 - 21:32
    +4

    Sounds like a no-brainer if you can still pay all bills. Getting decent grades to be accepted into a graduate career ladder is far more important at this stage.

    Nobody expects you to have a full job as a university student. It's an added boost but not required. Good luck to you.

  • [Deactivated] on 24/09/2020 - 21:37
    +5

    If I were to look at a resume of someone with two concurrent jobs whilst studying with reasonable grades, vs someone with good grades, I would pick the former any day.

    The grades mean jack. It's existence beyond pass or fail is to highlight those more capable. If you can hold two jobs and study at the same time, you are demonstrably more capable.

    I'd only look at grades when splitting hairs. I'd look at personality before I look at grades.

    • Hardlyworkin on 24/09/2020 - 22:20

      Agreed. Working 2 relatable jobs and studying full time is a great selling point, either for job applications or interviews.

      As a casual no notice is required. Though it wouldn't hurt to sit down with your boss, explain your situation and that you are considering quitting. You have not much to lose and maybe they will want to keep you in in a different capacity. Who knows, worth a try. If not at least you quit the right way and can get a good reference.

      • Muzeeb on 24/09/2020 - 22:38

        Username checks out

    • PugHugger on 25/09/2020 - 08:08
      +1

      So true. We have had grads come through who have spectacular grades, but no ability to practically do the work.

      I too would look far more closely at an applicant with work experience and (for example) a DN/CR average rather than straight HDs (do we even use these terms anymore or is it different). It shows an ability to balance more than just study, and time management is so important in the workplace.

      OP - I too did some mundane work as a student, but that work was instrumental in my graduate job which was instrumental in the junior position in my next workplace, and so on. Make your decision carefully, but also look after yourself.

    • mrvaluepack on 25/09/2020 - 08:54

      Only true in Australia. Where fitters and electricians are more valuable than engineers because of work experience. Go to any asian country and you will find the opposite.

      • [Deactivated] on 25/09/2020 - 08:59
        +2

        It has nothing to do with trades vs professional.

        In Asia, many uni students do not work whilst studying so it is pointless to make a selection criteria based on a rarity.

  • Boioioioi on 24/09/2020 - 21:39

    Sounds like you don't enjoy the job and you don't need it. I'd leave.

  • plmko on 24/09/2020 - 21:44
    +4

    Quitting now doesn't erase the fact that you had two jobs whilst studying, so it's not like your resume will change either way.

    • [Deactivated] on 24/09/2020 - 23:08

      Actually, it will. It's still impressive that OP had two jobs at one point whilst studying but it could be more impressive.

      Checking the employment history, including employment period, will disclose that one terminated their employment whilst studying. This will prompt the question, "why did you leave when you did?". The answer to that question can potentially be disastrous.

      Alternatively, one could maintain both jobs and after graduation, could have a foot in the door and demonstrate continuous employment whilst studying, a major positive there. Also, the question of "why do you want to leave the other job and take this one?" is very easy to ace. "I graduated and am looking for a role relevant to my studies."

      (I'm probably over thinking it.)

      • elgrande on 24/09/2020 - 23:25

        What about if OP needed to take 4 weeks annual leave?

        • [Deactivated] on 24/09/2020 - 23:27
          +1

          According to OzBargain, my work ethos is outdated.

          Take all the leaves. Take the whole tree.

  • SlavOz on 24/09/2020 - 21:51

    So you're struggling to balance all your commitments, find your job degrading, and your boss is an (profanity).

    Quit if that's what you want to do but the above is true for virtually human being on earth. Welcome to adulthood.

  • kanmen on 24/09/2020 - 22:28

    Yes, you should. If you don't see the value.

  • Mechz on 24/09/2020 - 22:34

    Pro tip, you control what's on your resume.

    I'd definitely quit if I was you.

  • netjock on 24/09/2020 - 22:35

    Not enough time to study properly and I feel like my grades are slipping.

    Depends on where you're slipping from. From 69 to 61 you're still getting credit. But if it is the difference between grade bands then definitely get out.

    If you can survive on one job then just let go of one, you'll have plenty of stress going forward.

    You're studying finance but you're doing tax returns, that is darn confusing.

  • Bonbi on 24/09/2020 - 22:37

    Tax returns = accounting, not finance.

    • [Deactivated] on 24/09/2020 - 23:10
      +1

      Bea is all about them numbers. Accounting, finance…

      That's like red wine and white wine to an alcoholic. It's all good.

  • Emerald Owl on 24/09/2020 - 23:10
    +1

    Decrease the hours in both?

  • elgrande on 24/09/2020 - 23:20
    +7

    My job mostly involves dry, boring and repetitive administrative tasks. Completely uninspiring and feels meaningless to me. 

    Good to see your getting some good experience of what its like in a finance role..

  • SnoozeAndLose on 24/09/2020 - 23:50

    if you are in the final year, the course should be easier compare to Year 2, Year 2 is the hardest for a three years degree IMO.

    You should find year 3 a bit easier, hang on for a month or two quit if you can't handle, you still have lots of time working like 40+ years ahead.

    Once you get your first job, your academic result is not much useful, people just ask you for the certification and how much experience you have.

  • AustriaBargain on 25/09/2020 - 00:47
    +1

    Huh a boss that's really selfish and has double standards, that sounds really rare. Are you sure that guy was really the boss?

  • AustriaBargain on 25/09/2020 - 02:32

    And how much notice, as much or little notice as you want. Tell them an opportunity at uni came up that you can't turn down. No matter how much notice you give them, they still have the freedom to not give you any hours in that notice period, so don't count on that money. Three hours a week I think is the legal minimum for casuals.

  • Windows7forever on 25/09/2020 - 05:26
    -1

    Welcome to the world of employment. Suck it up sunshine.

  • Candour on 25/09/2020 - 07:08
    -2

    quit a dead end job and a dead beat boss. explain that the work environment was not a good one without elaboration. say you wanted to focus on your grades as that is mroe important now than any casual experience. ask the DIR - dept of industrial relations how much notice you need to give as a courtesy. you may not need to give much. do not overthink your life. read 'desiderata'.

  • BargainCowboy on 25/09/2020 - 08:42
    +1

    Don't let your grades slip no matter what.

  • brad1-8tsi on 25/09/2020 - 09:29

    It's a casual job. People drift in and out of them all the time. That's why they are "casual"

    Recruiter: Why did you leave job?

    You: I was studying and had 2 casual jobs. I left to concentrate on my studies.

  • bobbified on 25/09/2020 - 10:17

    I was told to come to work earlier because he gets irritated if I come one minute late (which rarely happens) but he is OK with giving me work right as I'm supposed to leave.

    If you're going to quit one, quit this one. Usually, I'd say to not burn your bridges, but this guy deserves to be told where to go… and you should at least have the satisfaction of doing that! :p

  • Pro-crastinator on 25/09/2020 - 23:34

    Quit the job, but stay on good terms with the boss in case you want a reference.
    I have regretted in life not quitting (casual) jobs earlier to find jobs that I enjoyed more.
    Not all jobs I did ended up on my resume, if you’ve got 2 jobs, then there will be no gap in employment which is what a potential employer might look for.
    Alternatively, if he’s a huge docuhe and you don’t want the reference… give him some very direct feedback and walk out.

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