Would you take a lower paying job

[debster812]

I worked for the same company for 17 years, until they had an epic melt down, crashed and burned, and closed their doors forever.

I was laid off Halloween of 2008. Collected unemployment for about 8 months.

Found a job. 20 minutes from home, significant pay cut, but it seemed to be the perfect opportunity. (9-5, close to home, fairly low key). It was TERRIBLE. The people were awful, the hours were ridiculous, and my boss was a tyrant.

I got a call back from a position I had applied to for months before, for a part-time, work from home opportunity. I jumped at it. Again, this was not a great fit for me. Fortunately, I was an independent contractor, and they decided not to renew my contract.

I then found a part time job, 10 minutes from home, doing data entry and operations and logistics for a small discount retail chain. If I do say so myself, I was highly overqualified for the job, but wanted to keep some money coming in.

Finally, about a month ago, I was headhunted for a job in my area of expertise, for a local company. It's part-time, but 32 hours a week. Perfect for me. However, I did give a full 2 weeks to my prior employer, for which they were very grateful. So much so, that I am doing some consulting for them, working on some operations projects, to help them get their Fall back to school buy finished.

I guess the point to my long rambling post (sorry), is that you need to look out for your self and your family, but there are ways to end work relationships professionally, and keep potential doors open.

 

[yoopermom]

As someone else who has been unemployed off and on the past five years, I would say to take it UNLESS the expenses associated with the job are going to negate the extra over unemployment income. Example: last year, in order to get a teaching job in my new certification area, I took a job that was 90 miles each way for a 25% pay cut from what I was previously making. However, I wanted the year experience enough to make the fact that the $$ was basically a wash ok. This summer, when looking for another teaching job, I have to decide on a base pay that I HAVE to make in order to make it pay, compared to staying home.

Never easy decisions, good luck!
Terri

 

[Tiggeroo]

thanks, alot of advice along the line of how were were thinking. The concern was that this company was going to offer him something on the spot and want him to start immediately. He has several second interviews with better promise this upcoming week and it just felt a little wrong to grab the sure thing. Fortunately this company is not looking for anybody to start until the end of the month, giving him time to explore the other options.
He is not required by unemployment to take a significant pay cut. Also, since he is a union member he is not required to show proof of work search, although he is doing this diligently, including non-union.
Dh always works hard to support the family and it is because of this hard work that he doesn't have to jump at the first offer, except for the current economy. That is why he is feeling the need to take something even if it is likely that there will be something else. And RedPepperFlakes, that is a classic dilemna that he often faces, when the economy is slow. Also, we are very south Jersey. Around here companies tend to be smaller doing mostly small projects requiring less skill and less pay. If he wants to get something with his old income we may have to move which we are trying to avoid.

 

[quasar4legs]

I wouldn't turn down an 'actual' job for a 'maybe' job. Nobody knows what is going to happen further down the track and getting back in the work force is going to be a better option than holding out for something that may not be there.

Best of luck to your husband, it must be a difficult time.

 

[kirbsam]

if he says that he wouldnt take a better paying job, he probably wouldnt get hired anyway because the employer would think he was stupid.

 

[Disney Doll]

I would take the job.

With regard to the "leaving for a better offer" question, I will tell you what I think:

There is more to a job than salary. There are also stress levels, work/life balance, benefits, work environment, and many other things that go into making a decision about a job. So really, he has no idea what he would do if a better salaried offer came in. What if the better offer was a 50 mile commute? Would he take it because it offered more money but also meant more wear and tear on the car, less time with his family etc.? Maybe not.

So probably the best answer would be "There is more to a job than salary, so a higher salary offer would not necessarily make me change jobs".

 

[Mandychelle79]

I was employed but basically given an ultimatium I was unwilling to work with. I was told I could not go to school and work my position so I had to go and work as an CNA ( vs the activities director). It was going to be a pay cut. So what did I do? Took a job with both a pay and hour cut but am much happier now then I ever was there. OH and my current job, CNA at the hospital.

 

[vsimeone]

I did EXACTLY this in 2008. I was laid off from my job in June and collected unemployment until I found a position the following September. It was about a 20% cut from the position that I was laid off from but more than double what I was making on unemployment AND it has health benefits that I did not get while collecting unemployment.

It was actually a MUCH bigger cut per diem as I was laid off from an education position where I worked 190 days per year and now I'm in the private sector with 3 weeks of vacation per year. I work a LOT more days for that 20% cut!

My "new" employer never asked if I would leave if a higher paying job came along. I don't think that is a fair question to ask or assume. If DH is the best candidate for the job and he accepts the position knowing what the salary is - that is a chance the employer takes!

 

[laurie31]

I did EXACTLY this in 2008. I was laid off from my job in June and collected unemployment until I found a position the following September. It was about a 20% cut from the position that I was laid off from but more than double what I was making on unemployment AND it has health benefits that I did not get while collecting unemployment.

It was actually a MUCH bigger cut per diem as I was laid off from an education position where I worked 190 days per year and now I'm in the private sector with 3 weeks of vacation per year. I work a LOT more days for that 20% cut!

My "new" employer never asked if I would leave if a higher paying job came along. I don't think that is a fair question to ask or assume. If DH is the best candidate for the job and he accepts the position knowing what the salary is - that is a chance the employer takes!

That is so true! How is a new employee different from one who's been there 20 years? If something significantly better came along, wouldn't ANYONE take it?

And, OP - my brother did this very thing just this week. A few months ago he got very unexpectedly laid off (he saw the handwriting on the wall for the last year, but still thought his job was safe). He took a job this week and is thrilled to have it, despite it being a huge cut in pay from his old job. He said before, he would have negotiated for better salary, or not even considered it, but now he just said, thank you, when do I start! He has several former co-workers who have not been able to find ANY work for nearly a year.

In this economy, ANY job is a good job!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'm a believer in taking something that is a good fit, even if it isn't perfect. But don't lie to your future employer if you still plan on hunting.

It is the risk you take. The good news is, if they refuse to hire you, your employment continues along just fine.

The reality is--you don't know when the next job offer will come along.

The other reality is--if your resume is componse in such a manner that an employer can tell that you will jump ship, it may be a good idea to consider modifiying your resume so that you don't "sell so high".

I have known people to practically be begging for a job, but their resume is so inflated (legimately--but very inflated for what they applied for)--that the employer doesn't need to ask if they will jump ship. They just know that they will.

You just have to be careful.

DH took a job that was originally sucky--but it was the first and only job offer and for our circumstances, we simply could not survive on his unemployment.

It would never pay what his prior job (that he was laid off from) did.

But within the first week, they were already negotiating a deal so that he would be less enticed to keep looking for something better.

Not my cup of tea, but they did up the ante so that we could afford for him to keep the job for a longer term.

 

[Luvchefmic]

You are absolutely right...I have had more invites for an interview (nothing yet but hopeful) since I "removed" my higher education from my resume' and pared down the responsibilities I had in previous jobs to not scare away a potential employer

 

[Planogirl]

I believe that you should craft your resume to fit the job you are applying for if you can. I don't mean lie but omit those things that are irrelevant and won't help you.

I also believe that you tell prospective employers what they want to hear. Again don't lie but don't shoot yourself in the foot either. If they ask if he would leave for more pay, explain that pay is only one part of what makes a job attractive.

 

[Robinrs]

I would and did so twice!

I'm a single parent and have no choice!

My 14y job came to an end when the owners changed and they ousted all of the top management, including myself. I lived off of the severance and unemployment for about a year then took the first job that came along, and it was less than a THIRD than what I was making. It turned out to be the BEST job I ever had and I loved it.

Now I'm back in my bracket but it took awhile. No matter where you are you can network and make connections that will get you where you need and want to be.