What do you do when you have been unemployed and you get a job offer that doesn't seem close to being enough?
Unfortunately, that's common these days. Take a look at our unemployment stories and you'll see how many people can't even come close to finding a job paying what their previous position paid.
Author and career columnist Joyce Lain Kennedy says "Many new jobs are being filled on the cheap -- lower pay, with minimal or nonexistent benefits."
In fact, National Employment Law Project describes most new jobs as paying less than $13 an hour. Despite the low pay, you might want to thinking about accepting a job offer, even if it's less than you expected.
Job offers are still few and far between and if you're unemployed and close to running out of unemployment benefits, a paycheck is better than no income coming in.
Kennedy advises "I'd take the job and evaluate the decision after six months to a year. If nothing else, accepting the available job repairs your unemployment status. At some companies, being unemployed makes you an 'untouchable.'"
Read More: How to Negotiate Salary
I agree with Joyce. In a perfect world, you wouldn’t be faced with this tough decision – but it isn’t a perfect world. I had lunch yesterday with a former client who, after leaving the military, could not find a position w/the compensation that matched his military pay. However, he’s happy with his new found career – the difference he is making in the lives of others – - and promotions are down the road that will greatly enhance his take-home pay.
When I asked him if he was happy – the smile on his face said it all. It is no fun to readjust your living standard DOWN, but sometimes the professional/personal satisfaction creates a balance in your life.
I did take a job for much lower money (about 40% less) because of the job market. What I was thinking of was that it is better to have half a loaf than no loaf. In a couple of weeks I will have been at the company for a year and have my eyes open to different opportunities that pays better. At least I’m able to keep up with the bills.
Brian: Been on the market for a few months. My thinking is changing on this and leaning towards your thoughts. Thanks for posting!
jim
If you need a cheap job, try to get something that is non 8-5 so that you can still do interviews during the day.
Not only was the average wage less than $13 per hour but most of the jobs were low level jobs with 48% being in the food preparation industry. Where are the higher paying jobs that disappeared with the recession? These have little chance of returning until businesses feel more certain about the future so that they can plan with some degree of confidence. This will not happen as long as the government continues to ramp up regulations, Obamacare is not repealed and replaced with the correct solution, the EPAs and its job killing initiatives are not reeled in, the current tax structure is made permanent or more favorable to business formation, there is tangible evidence that the debt and deficit challenges are being addressed and the states get their unfunded obligations under control by bringing sanity to the public sector union compensation packages.
Look at the countries that are turning around: Canada, The UK, France and Germany. All have conservative governments implementing fiscally responsible policies. Despite the short-term pain, the successful results are evident. It is unfortunate the Administration in Washington and many states do not get the message.
During the interview, there are strategies a candidate can use to build increased value. As employers often have some latitude in what salary can be offered, or other elements in the over all compensation package can be enhanced, if the value is built these strategies used effectively can result in a much better package.
I took a cheap job after coming off of 16 months of unemployment. I had to tell the owner that I had another income to even get the job because he told me he just was not paying much (true). I do have another part time income (this was true). I have now been there for 8 months with one (small) raise. But I have been discriminated against due to my age I believe and no more money has been forthcoming in spite of getting an Outstanding Performance award after an audit. I cannot pay my bills on what he pays me. I have benn looking again since Nov. 2010 but all I have found is EVEN CHEAPER JOBS!! I fully believe that the number one priority for employers is cheap labor. When you cannot eat enough, a line must be drawn,. Working two jobs is too much stress for me.
Well, the more people who are willing to work for far less than they are worth, the more you are digging yourself and everyone hell a big hole in which to sink. People have to stand up for their RIGHTS, whether they are expressly written or not. I’d rather file bankruptcy after struggling for a year to pay my bills than take a low-paying job. If society isn’t going to honor and PAY ME BACK with a DECENT-PAYING JOB that is commensurate with my INTELLIGENCE AND EXPERIENCE, then I guess I’ll just turn around and make “society” (e.g., credit card companies) suck up not getting paid back by me. It’s a two way street.
If you let corporations take advantage from you from day one with your salary, they’re going to take advantage of you with EVERYTHING…from benefits, to days off, to severance packages when you eventually lose your job, to everything.
Corporations already control EVERYTHING in this country. I will say NO when they dare offer me a job at a salary level that is an insult.
I sent in a resume to a company for a job that maybe only 20 people in my city could do. 15 of those would be military trained and working in the military, so that would leave about 5 that are left. If 3 are already working in other jobs, that leaves myself and one other person. Part of the advert was to let them know what your salary demand was. I lowballed it at $16.50 per hour. I still didn’t get the job, despite having more than the qualifications and special training the job required. This specific qualification would allow me to work on stuff like the Space Shuttle and high end stuff like that.
I am sure they were willing to pay 12-13 dollars per hour vice what should be a 18 -25 dollar an hour qualification and speciality skills job. Companies are fighting tooth and nail to NOT have to pay people what they are actually worth. Getting half to 60% is good right now, and 100% is the exception. Even if it doesn’t pay the bills. Screw the damned credit card companies with their 18.99% and higher rate when the bank rate is under 3%. They are screwing us over and making things worse. Visa and Mastercard should be no more than 4% over prime rate. 29.99% is highway robbery and they know it.
Be the suckers that they want you to be. Pay those rates! I am not paying those rates, and I am done with credit cards their way! I will NEVER owe them a cent that I cannot pay that same day.
I say take the job and keep looking for something that is worth your time.