Dear Liz,
I've been out of work for quite a long time and have almost given up hope of finding something reasonable. Recently I was offered a position far below my skill level and my salary levels over the past several jobs. It is almost insulting to consider taking the offer, but I need to earn some money. What is your advice for someone in my situation?
Laura
Dear Laura,
If you need to take the job to pay the bills, do it. But don't walk in there deciding that this position now represents who you are, or giving up on your goal to get a more appropriate post. In fact, you should negotiate with the hiring manager, before you accept the position. The company may have zero flexibility as to the pay level, but they can acknowledge that you come from a more experienced background than other candidates, and
1) give you a better title and/or more responsible duties
2) include, in your offer letter, a guarantee of a performance and salary review three or six months from now
3) give you a feel for a career path upwards (if there is one)
In other words, don't take the effective demotion laying down. Don't be defiant or resentful once you start work - you are always so poised and lovely in every situation, right!? - or make a point of letting everyone know how much you're stooping to do this job, but keep your options open. If you made a tenure commitment to the new employer, honor it of course, but otherwise, you must continue job-hunting for something more appropriate.
A company that knowingly hires someone and underpays for their skills should expect that person to depart as soon as they can. You have nothing to be ashamed of if you quit in three months - they knew they were getting a golden goose for a duckling price. How do you job-hunt while working? Interview after work or early in the morning, keep up the local events networking, and use your WorldWIT discussion group (using your home email address or a new email address without your full name in it) to keep up the search for you.
Good luck Laura! This, too, shall pass...
Liz
