I'll put a TL;DR at the end of this. Just need some insight because it's stressing me out.
Back story: I got referred to a corporate job by a relative, saying it's work within the field I studied in. Gave me their friend's email and asked me to send a resume over. I'm not actively job searching at the moment but said okay, why not.
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Company's a 2hr travel each way to and from where I live, so I was already iffy about that. Either a looong commute or I'd have to relocate which isn't ideal. My current job is literally around the corner. But under pressure from my relative constantly going “Just try it!” I've been trying to see if it's worth it
I email my resume and the conversation with the friend moves to text/call. He tells me more about the company but also tells me half-jokingly that he's overworked, underpaid, doing the job of two people… ok. Ends the call telling me he'll forward my resume to my potential supervisor and to HR.
Next day, the friend tells me he's informed HR and that the potential supervisor will schedule a call with me. I thank the friend and let him know the days I'm available this week, since I don't have the supervisor's contact info yet. No response.
I don't get contacted by the supervisor until 11 days later, who called me out of the blue in the afternoon. I missed it because I was at work (I usually don't have it on me at work), and was expecting a message or email beforehand since the friend said a call would be scheduled with me. Supervisor sends a text saying “Not sure what your schedule is please let me know when we can talk” I let him know what time I'll be available that afternoon/night, and gave him a timeframe for the next day as well. No response until the next morning, when he tells me he's going to call within the next hour.
We talk, I'm mainly asking/clarifying about the job and day-to-day responsibilities because I never saw an actual job description, just been told that they needed help using software I'm well-versed in. Supervisor's replies were along the lines of “Oh I'm all over the place!” and aside from the software, he described other job duties unrelated to my field. Basically this job is turning out to be different from what was initially proposed to me.
He tells me that they'd only like to have me on for 2 days a week, indefinitely, and that if it's a good fit they'd endorse me to get hired full-time. But later on, he contradicts himself and expresses concern that if I come to work on a Monday, and my next work day isn't till Thursday, there'd be a gap in time where projects aren't moving forward. Internally, I was thinking: They're the ones who don't want to have me on full-time, why is it sounding like it's an issue I caused…? Is he implying that I should take the work home and do it on my off days?
I then ask if I could have a timeframe or general idea of what next steps there are in the process. All he says is “Uhh I will talk to HR, and yeah” we thank each other for their time and tell each other to have a good day.
No contact from anyone for two weeks. By the first week passing, I had already been leaning heavily towards withdrawing my candidacy. The job is far away, job description is too vague/broad and sounds like they're making it up on the fly, and it just doesn't seem like they're even interested in hiring someone. Week 2, I let the friend know that I've decided to withdraw, thanked him for his time and effort, and said I hope to stay in touch.
He responded saying they came up with a “unique proposal” this week and that “I've been reminding [supervisor] to call you!!”
Supervisor calls me (again, while I'm at work) and leaves a voicemail saying “Hi! Ummm give me a call when you have the chance”
Should I bother knowing what the proposal is, or stand firm in my decision to withdraw? Apart from the lack of clarity, the communication makes me wonder if working there is going to feel as disorganized as it does right now.
Also, I have no idea but is it weird that this has been going on over the span of 2 months but I have yet to actually talk to anyone from HR? The friend is an IT guy. Supervisor is in my field. This is a company with 50 or less people.
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TL;DR: Was referred to an acquaintance about a job in my field, 2hrs away, but trying to see if it's worth the travel/move. Company's vague about job responsibilities and wants to hire me 2 days a week indefinitely before endorsing me for full-time. People at company seem overworked but also seem hesitant to hire. I decide to withdraw and inform them of my decision and they reply telling me they have a proposal. Should I bother asking what the proposal is?