BellaOnline Forums Career Job Search Sould you take a lesser paying job if offered?

If you were offered a job paying less than what you were making before, would you accept it or would you hold out for better wages?

Here is my latest article addressing lesser paying jobs:

When To Consider Taking A Lesser Paying Job

If it were "secure" and had benefits - yes. I have other ways of making extra money - multiple streams of income.

At my age, I value security more than anything

Gwen - Great article, as usual!

Robin, totally understandable.

I would say if you've been unemployed for awhile - you should seriously consider taking the job, especially if there is nothing in the forseeable future. The bills need to get paid. If you need income, sometimes pride needs to move aside.

One the other side of the coin, even if you're employed there are times when you should consider it.

Three times in my life time, I have taken jobs with considerable less pay. I had transfered to an office in NY with a prior job and needed to move back to the NoVa area. I took a $10,000 a yr pay cut to do so. Another time I took a $6,000 a year pay cut because I was switching careers (sometimes you have to step back to move ahead).

The last time I switched jobs 5 years ago. I took a small pay cut - but what did I gain? I work within walking distance to my home - instead of driving 2 hours each way. I can save money by going home for lunch. I get to see my kids off when they leave for school and I'm home 30 minutes after they get out. I get to leave and attend all of their school functions during the day.

Back when I had to leave work because they were sick - it didn't take me 2 hours to get to them. I could run around the corner, grab them from school, take them to the doctor if need be, then home and back at my desk in the 2 hours it would have taken me just to get home.

Funny, before my daughter left for college, she called me one day because she had an EMERGENCY - I needed to come home right away! Well the emergency was that her brand new laptop - that SHE paid for - stopped working. Granted I went home at lunch time, but still it was nice to be close enough to take care of their little "emergencies"...lol...

I guess what I'm saying is take EVERYTHING into consideration.
But in relation to if you're unemployed - don't let pride stand in your way of not losing your home or having your electric turned off.

Good answers all

Always evaluate the pros and cons of a situation and then follow through with your decision. In tough economic times like now pride has no option. Stick with your decision and then begin to work on your pride.

Changing times like these can open doors to opportunity in the near future for a better life style then you had before.

Example would be: less commute time and more time with family as well as more time at home and for self is equal to less stress. You also could have some extra time to begin working on other ideas and ways to supplement your income from other sources.

What are some other ways to secure multiple sources of income? Any ideas?

I know I use ebay for vintage items that I pick up at auction sales. I have always enjoyed going to auctions since I was young and decided to incorporate some of my time listing the items I have saved in boxes over the years. Also it was very enjoyable to unpack the boxes and revisit what I had purchased over time. Life time hobbies can sometimes generate additional income while you are working a full time job.

Anyone else have hobbies that they turned into additional income?

Besides writing?
I'm not sure if I should actually call my writing a hobby. But I do make money from it.

What is interesting is that many companies in today's economy want a lot and pay you next to nothing. Sometimes it helps to get your foot in the door, who knows, there may be other opportunities!

Welcome CLW

This is oh so true. That is why it is important to "enjoy" the work that you have chosen. It is currently an employer's market. Therefore, you can see why it is so important that you choose a profession that you enjoy. The benefits that you get in return have to be more than a pay check. Oportunity can be waiting any where. Get your foot in the door and take an interest in what you are doing. If you are not enjoying it then you should consider that job a temporary employment while you seek other.

i would take any job lol

I would, if it would not be enough to live on I would search for another job in my free time and if it would be enough to live on I would not search for another job.

I love the work I do. I'm sure I would be made more, outside of local government, but I find my job truly satisfying. Yes, I'm an HR Manager!