Need Job Advice from My Friends Here

Apple Head · ‎01-31-2015

So many of you have been so kind to me and offering support and caring thoughts.

I have a dilemma and tonight there is no one to run it by to. I've called friends, but they are all busy, and I just need some input.

I've been out of work for some time. I lost a job of 20 years due to a system-wide layoff. I've had a number of interviews and even a few offers. Long story short, the offers had some red flags and it was a good thing that I declined at the time as I've learned since.

I have applied at all kinds of companies and organizations. I've sent out tons of resumes and filled out applications. You're lucky if you get one response back from 20 you put out there.

I interviewed at a non-profit a few weeks ago. I love what they do and really like the people. It's a very "family" type environment. The interviews went great. I came from a place (a big organization) where they never had your back and it was all politics and a rich CEO.

I got an offer at this organization yesterday. The head of the organization said such nice things about me. The big issue is salary. It's a not for profit and my salary takes a $12,000 a year nose dive. I knew I was never going to make the same salary again, but I never expected to go that far backwards. They have good insurance (they pay 100% of your premium), a lot of holidays, and it's only 15 min. from home. What they do is helping so many lives. But the salary is like a dagger in my heart. I know it's better to have a job than not. I've been borrowing from savings all this time.

I need some guidance (or just a pep talk) about all of this. The salary is quite low, back to what I earned some 30 years ago. I'm in my early 50's so it will be hard to reclaim that salary I've known for over 20 years. I know I can look while I have a job, but it's so not exciting to go into a job with that attitude.

Everything clicks except the salary.

Thanks for any thoughts. I'm feeling glad for the offer but depressed about the income.

Desertdi · ‎03-13-2010

ONE thing you do NOT want to do is keep dipping into your principal

♥Surface of the Sun♥

Ms X · ‎09-13-2012

1) Could you live on that salary? What kind of hardships would this present?

2) Is there room for advancement?

3) Could you do some work on the side to make a few extra bucks or would that be too many hours?

I have no advice, but maybe if you answered these questions some with better advice than I can offer could comment. If it doesn't work out, you could always look for another job. It's not like you'd be signing your life away. I'm not saying definitely take it, but it's not forever if you don't want it to be.

GCR18 · ‎07-03-2013

I guess the question is can you live on the salary? If you can't live on it and be able to bank some for retirement, then it sounds like it should be a pass. Is it realistic to find a job with the same or better salary as the previous job? From what I've seen with friends and family, that's a tall order. My sister is making half of what she used to make. Need to take those things into account.

Goldengate8361 · ‎01-27-2014

Hi Apple - I would suggest taking the job for all of the reasons you stated. You may want to look for other ways to create an additional income stream to bring your overall income back to what you have had. I don't know you, so it's hard for me to offer specific advice on how to do that....I would, for example, look into teaching at a local university on the side or doing special consulting work.....maybe editing and writing jobs. You never know....sometimes those secondary jobs turn into real opportunities. Just a thought....good luck!

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

No one here can tell you what you should do. Only you can make that decision after you've weighed all the factors. One thing you didn't mention is that you wouldn't have to stay there forever. You could continue looking for work and give your financial situation some relief.

Non-profits are notoriously low-paying but the work can give you a lot of personal satisfaction. You'd be doing something very ptoductive.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

Tantallum · ‎02-16-2011

At the end of the day, is it enough for you to live on?

Re it being lower than you are used to, that is how it is in the non-profit world. I have worked for a non-profit for 12 years and I make about 75% or even less of what I would make if I worked for a big corporation. But I love the mission and I love my job. that is worth a lot. Sounds like there are a lot of other perks you are describing to make up for that difference in pay...

DoneTryin · ‎03-09-2010

One thing I know for sure is that it's easier to find a job when you have a job. Have you considered accepting the offer & continuing to look for something that pays more? That may sound crass, but any organization can lay off employees at any time for any number of reasons, as you've already learned. So accepting this position is not guaranteeing that you won't leave if/when you gat a better offer. By the same token, you're not getting any guarantees about how long this position will last, are you?

My good wishes to you as you try to work out this concern!

KimmyK · ‎04-07-2010

Congrats on the job offer! May I share a story from this past year; it may provide some insight. My job at an oil & gas company was coming to an end; I was sending out a lot of resumes, had a few interviews. I interviewed with a company and they seemed ok, they offered me a job but I was not happy about the pay and vacation time, however, I thought it was best to take it and continue to look. About a week into the job, I got a call from an employer that I really wanted to work for; I interviewed with them and got offered the job. I completely understand where are you are coming from, it's almost exactly what you are looking for, but.....

A suggestion might be to accept the position and continue to send out resumes. I wish you the best of luck!

Snowpuppy · ‎03-09-2010

Im a working professional but at the height of the downturn I had been out of work for 2 years. It was scarry.

Well meaning people told me to just take anything but that's tough to do when NO ONE is calling you.

Will there be opportunities to network with other agencies or corporations if you take this job? Much easier to find a job when you have a job.

While it's a cut in pay of $1000 a month you will easily spend 500 a month now for a single health plan at many employers today. How long will your savings last? Mine ran out in yr 2 of unemployment.