A
female
age
41-50,
anonymous
writes:Ok I desperately need as many opinions and thoughts as possible as this is quite an important decision I need to make with in the next few hours - the more help I get the better.The economy in the UK right now is extremely bad - the value of our money is at its lowest, many many companies going bankrupt and a high rate of umemployment. I would say about 65% of people I know have been made unemployed - fully educated professional people with degrees etcI also became unemployed a while ago through no fault of my own. I have been tirelessly looking for a job now for about 5mths, I have sent hundreds of application forms etc - but because the problem is so bad, there could be hundreds of people applying for one job. Out of the possible 400 applications I have sent in the 5 mths I have only had 2 interviews!I went to an interview for the last job as I felt quite positive about it - ie the role and that I would be able to have a significant positive contribution; the role itself is perfectly suited to me in EVERY aspect and utilised every single one of my skills I have gained over the years. I was earning about £30 000/yr before, and with this particular job there are far more responsibilities and it is more senior also. However what was offered was just £20 000/yr. At the interview I highlighted this was below my required but as I felt so positively about the job I was willing to negotiate for something we would both be happy with in between (I was expecting an offer in between, ie £25 000) Eventually they got back to me but now they have said because of unforseen things, the role can only be offered on a part time basis - which means even less money now £13 000/yr!!! But they still want me to work for them.Honestly, the last time I was on so little I was about 16yrs old, and frankly I may get paid more working at Mc Donald's! They have said of course things may change in the future and it will go back to full time etc and renegotiate, but I am not going to hold my breathe! More interested in the here and now - and you know what companies are like and all the drivel they can say!I do like the job and I feel strongly I can do alot to take the company further - but this is such a HUGEEE paycut!!! And after speaking to my best friend (who told me off big time for not jumping for the job) I am having second thoughts, he said that most ppl havent got jobs right now and at least £13 000 is better than nothing (which is what I am on now) and it could take me another 5mths to get another job (which is true) and something is better than nothing at all.So I feel so troubled, I need to give an answer today but it feels like I loose either way. I take a job that I will just about break even (IF I am lucky) be extremely underpaid and permanently broke! Or if I don't take it then I risk not finding a job for a very very long time still and having no money at all coming in. I do not know what to do! Feels like I loose either way! This is so demoralising!Thoughts please anyone??? HELP !!!
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (27 March 2009): +++++I AM THE ORIGINAL POSTER++++++Thanks everyone for the helpful advice! I just wanted to give an update to let you all know I took the job and I start on Monday. Thanks for all the wonderful insight and suggestions - much appreciated.And for the suggestions I am being a snob for picky etc: for the record, I have only JUST finished paying for expensive student loans for my Masters Degree. This sort of role / position the typical salary is £40 000 minimum. So considering those two factors, of course I am going to feel undervalued at just £13 000 esp after spending a fortune on all my degrees, qualifications etc not to mention everything that is actually involved in this particular job itself I will be responsible for doing. There is absolutely no one in my position who wont stop to consider this wage, especially that this salary will most likely not even cover my living expenses - my mortgage alone is £900/mth plus I have all the additional bills - gas, electricity, telephone, council tax, food, travel etc! I just felt a comment like the last one was unjustifiable and unkind.Thanks to everyone else!
A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (27 March 2009): At least you have been offered a job! I lost my job in September due to company cutbacks caused by the credit crunch and recession. I have applied for hundreds of jobs and only had two interviews. I would do anything for a job right now and if you don't want to take the job offer then leave it to someone who deserves it! If you can afford to be picky about the job you want, you obviously don't need it that badly!
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (27 March 2009): Take the job because you have the perfect 'excuse' if you like. You are out of work and its part time - leaving you time to look for something else or even do a part time course. Sometimes a recession or redundancy is a good time to re-think our lives. You could go one of two ways with this job - it could develop into full time once they can afford it. You could find something better in the meantime. You could change your career and one other option is to have a portfolio career - google this and find out because in a recession having several part time jobs can be fun, rewarding and keep your motivation up. Try not to let your ego get in the way (not being rude) and see this as an opportunity to work differently. We have to be flexibly minded at times like this!
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A
female
reader, wonderingcat +, writes (27 March 2009):
 Everyone said take the job (only one said take it but with reservations in case you are being exploited). At the very least, you need to have your basic expenses covered by this part time job.
I know friends who took a pay-cut initially, only to be promoted so fast in such a short time because their bosses or - if the job requires meeting other people from different companies - their "competitors" (or colleagues from other companies) suddenly saw that my friends had soo much added value to the company. Once your true potentials are "exposed" in the workforce, believe me, the world notices!
You never know when or where the window of opportunity will open up again for you. They can happen when you least expected it too.
Life is a cycle. You may feel at the bottom now, but then you only have to go up from now on!
Good luck!
Cat
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A
female
reader, SirenaBlusera  +, writes (27 March 2009):
 Take the job! You'll regret it more if you don't. The decision to take the job is not irrevocable, the decision to turn it down is. Once you turn it down, you may not get another chance. Once you have the job, you don't have to do it forever, and it enhance your chances of getting something that you do like.
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A
female
reader, jessica04  +, writes (27 March 2009):
 Take the job. Many companies are only hiring internally for new positions, so getting your foot in the door with them can lead to a better, full-time position.
If nothing else, it's a job, and no one says you cannot keep looking for a better one while still working PT.
You can also take the off-time to do something you enjoy but have never had time for. Or even start up your own small business that can be run out of your home.
The fact that it is PT means that you will have extra time to find ways to supplement your income, while still earning a steady paycheck that you can rely on.
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A
male
reader, yum yum  +, writes (27 March 2009):
 In principal I would always rather have a job than nothing however on these circumstances i would not take the offer, there are limits. They would be exploiting you.
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (27 March 2009): I would try to get over the demoralizing part and see if you can afford to take the part time job, I mean with the costs of the commute, the hours and how that would work for you.....then I would think about taking the job with the hopes that it would turn into full time work as the employer would get a chance to try you before they buy you, and the rest is up to you. The good news is that you can still send out 400 resumes and continue to go on interviews until you land the permanent position that you seek. It is always easier to find a job when you are employed, you have bargaining power and you seem more marketable even in a down economy.
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