After a tech layoff, I’ve been in the job market for almost 2 months.

46 Comments

1. AnonymousMay 3,2023 at 6:37PM UTC

   Their dishonesty about pay seems to be an indicator that they have no (insert red flag) intention of being loyal to their employees. Two can play that game. I say take the money & run as soon as that better job becomes available. Do what you have to do for your career & financial stability.

2. FrankieMay 3,2023 at 6:47PM UTC

   Yep, agreed. Take the job & keep looking/interviewing. I also would make it a point to put in the level of effort that reflects the salary while there and not a single ounce more.

3. Ashley ZMay 5,2023 at 1:00PM UTC

   This thought crossed my mind, too. Give them the work effort for the wage they offered.

4. Erin PettMay 5,2023 at 1:11PM UTC

   consider my own opinion updated with this! She’s ? correct!

5. AnonymousMay 3,2023 at 10:42PM UTC

   I'd double check with the person in the U/E office and let them know what happened. Ask for advice. Maybe there was a miscommunication somewhere along the way.

6. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistMay 4,2023 at 6:50AM UTC

   Absolutely not. If you need to take this job to keep paying your bills, you do whatever you have to do. Your responsibility is to you.

   I think it's complete BS that they pulled a switcharoo and made you an offer of half the comp you had discussed. Did they say why?

   Take the job but don't stop your job search.

   Please let me know if you have any questions. GOOD LUCK!

7. AnonymousMay 4,2023 at 1:35PM UTC

   the reason given was that they “…decided to change the budget for this role given the recent economic downturn…”

8. BethBMay 4,2023 at 8:01PM UTC

   Sounds more like they thought they could lowball you.

9. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistMay 5,2023 at 3:42AM UTC

   That's a crap thing to do.

10. Lidia AmbroszMay 5,2023 at 12:09PM UTC

    and offer half???? How could they make such a mistake? There isn’t a 50 percent unemployment rate?

11. Erin PettMay 5,2023 at 1:09PM UTC

    Not your problem…. They didn’t communicate that until they made the offer and won’t negotiate.

    even if it’s true the way they handled it ???

12. AnonymousMay 4,2023 at 1:42PM UTC

    Not wrong at all, happens all the time.

13. Lidia AmbroszMay 5,2023 at 12:08PM UTC

    Why manager did the same thing? wasted your time interviewing and lied about comp only to offer half. It’s fine to take the job and offer the same level of honesty. When better offer comes along then leave. Having 2 month gap is bad and you don’t want to go further.

14. Erin PettMay 5,2023 at 1:08PM UTC

    this no longer seems to be as true as it once was. As long as you have a plausible explanation….

15. Julie EMay 5,2023 at 4:24PM UTC

    No, it’s not bad. I have a six-month gap and it’s never caused me any issues. Just put years, not dates, on your resume and if asked say you were consulting during that time. I actually was but not getting paid for it.

16. GirlBossanova934974May 5,2023 at 12:49PM UTC

    If you have to take the job for financial reasons, OK! However, your state unemployment office will not find out about a rejected offer unless you tell them. This company is more than a red flag. Please do not expect anything out of them. I would keep interviewing for jobs every day while I was working for this company.

17. AnonymousMay 5,2023 at 12:52PM UTC

    Take the job. I took a job that's paying me 60K less than my previous job. No stress at all. Plus I'd rather make less than nothing at all. If something more of your pay grade comes along and it's the right situation TAKE it.

18. Ashley ZMay 5,2023 at 12:59PM UTC

    I am on board with the consensus here. If you need the income and are at risk of your unemployment running out, I would say take it and keep looking in the meantime.

19. cliffMay 5,2023 at 1:03PM UTC

    take the job as you look for another opportunity. If your current potential job lies about one thing, they will lie about ANYTHING. What type of tech job do you do?.

20. Erin PettMay 5,2023 at 1:03PM UTC

    let them pay you while you search…

    i must insist on a no politeness policy in this situation. They showed you how they treat you with the bait and switch salary…. They have earned their consequences. You now have the luxury of making all future dealings about your needs…. No loyalty. No Team thinking. Meet them at their level and save your loyalty and team spirit for an employer that treats you the same.

21. Milissa JacobsMay 5,2023 at 1:07PM UTC

    Absolutely not, as Erin Pett said, let them pay you while you search for a better job.

22. Amy Carissa OliverMay 5,2023 at 1:18PM UTC

    If the job pays more than 15% less than your prior job, I don’t think unemployment will require you to take it. Unemployment laws typically have a clause about “gainful, similar employment and compensation.” They don’t want you to be underemployed just to become employed. That said, you don’t ever owe a company your loyalty. It doesn’t even have to be about the bait and switch. What if you start and hate it? What if you get a week in and an offer for $40k more comes along? Your employment is about you and what’s best for you. That means today, tomorrow, on your first day, three weeks in, 20 weeks in, 15 years in. When you worry too much about effecting the business you work for, you start living to work. The whole point of a job is to make the life you want possible. Always make “work to live” your priority.

    edited because I saw some other comments that need addressing:
    A two months gap in tech is nothing. Nobody cares because everyone knows what is happening in the industry. Even a year gap means nothing in your industry, so don’t let the gap drive you to make fearful decisions.
    you do have to tell unemployment about jobs you’ve applied for, and yes, they do call to check randomly. If you have applied for enough jobs to not have to list this one, then you wouldn’t have to report it at all. If you have already reported it, or end up having to, and they check it out just be calm and explain that the compensation is less than half what was discussed and is x amount less than you made before, and that it will not constitute gainful, similar employment.

23. AnonymousMay 5,2023 at 2:45PM UTC

    I will say take the job, but ask for a better title to keep yourself employed and show on your resume/LinkedIn. This current company is taking advantage of your unemploy status so they are scum anyways. You don't owe them anything.

    I have started at jobs within the 1st week realizing that they have lied to me about that nature of the job and used that paid time to look for something better pay. You can bluff the next company that you are not in a rush to jump, and negotiate a better paying job when that comes along.

    But definitely ask them to adjust your title if they can't adjust the pay.

24. AnonymousMay 5,2023 at 3:15PM UTC

    Everyone else is giving excellent advice. I'll only add this bit that I haven't seen yet. Once you are safe to do so, Post this on Glassdoor in a review to warn others. If they did this to you they will to others.

25. Joann S. LublinMay 5,2023 at 3:15PM UTC

    I agree with other commentators' advice but suggest you go one step further: ask your hiring manager to consider a raise after six months of successful performance. That means you both need to agree in advance about how you'll be measured. Good luck!

26. Laura BrennanMay 5,2023 at 4:01PM UTC

    And get it in writing! You already know this is a company that doesn't honor verbal agreements. Good luck!

27. Michelle S.May 5,2023 at 4:12PM UTC

    I appreciate it, but I disagree. If they offered half of what they originally discussed, this place is going to be a nightmare, and the odds of her getting any kind of reasonable increase or slim to none. I’d say deuces and explain it to the unemployment department.

28. AnonymousMay 5,2023 at 3:23PM UTC

    I don't know what state you are in, but in NC, you don't have to accept any position that pays below what you put on your initial claim about positions and money amounts you were willing to accept and look for during unemployment.

29. AnonymousMay 5,2023 at 4:26PM UTC

    In ANY state, you have the right to say yes or no.

    Either the employer offers more or you see value in getting less.

    Your call.

30. AnonymousMay 5,2023 at 4:13PM UTC

    Agreed with the below. I am not sure which state you are in, but in CA you can refuse work if the offer is lower than what you were originally making or what was initially negotiated. In CA they basically call you once you file with unemployment and "interview" you asking why you refused work. You explain the situation, and with a little bit of shaming (rediculous really), they usually say "okay". I almost took a job for less than my original position because of this same fear, and held out. I ended up scoring a job less than 2 months later for for 25% more than my previous pay. It is worth it, if you can stick with your gut and bypass the stress.

31. Michelle S.May 5,2023 at 4:13PM UTC

    I would say see you and explain it to the unemployment department if needed. Do you have to mention that by the way? Offering you half of what was originally discussed means that this place is going to be a living nightmare. And if you are forced to take it for some psychotic reason, absolutely leave, even a week later, if you get a better job. You don’t owe them anything.

32. Julie EMay 5,2023 at 4:40PM UTC

    If you have to take the job to pay bills, keep looking. For half the salary I would do so on company time if you’re able to. Their reasoning is BS. Your mortgage or rent isn’t going to be cut in half because of the economic downturn. When you do leave for another position I woods be very clear on why you’re leaving. After enough turnover they’ll realize how stupid their logic is. Everything rebounds and when it does people who applied with them will remember their shady tactics.

33. AnonymousMay 5,2023 at 5:39PM UTC

    If you need to take the job to pay the bills, do that, but there is nothing wrong with continuing to look for a new role that fits better and has better pay. Sure the company will be upset if you leave shortly, but they take that gamble by paying below market rates. Also, they can lay you off if there's changes in the organization, or for any reason beyond anyone's control, and they wouldn't spare you because you're a new hire. Work has to be transactional for the employees as well, because if not, then the employer will always have the upper hand, and employees will always suffer the most.

34. AnonymousMay 5,2023 at 6:02PM UTC

    Take it, and see it as a temporary assignment, while you keep looking. Recruiters unfortunately seem to connect more readily with employed people than active job seekers. The company is taking the biggest risk by offering below market rates.

35. Lisa GreenbergMay 5,2023 at 8:35PM UTC

    I agree totally. The company must know (or will soon find out) that they cannot retain the employees that they shortchanged in salaries. I feel that unemployment rules would not ask you to take a job at half your salary, just as they would not require you to take a job outside your field. Only you know if you need the money to pay your bills while you are looking for something else. Good luck!

36. AnonymousMay 5,2023 at 6:26PM UTC

    If it is half of what you made before and you need the money, then no. If you are taking it and don't have the confidence that you might find something soon then yes take it. If you know there is a long empty road ahead with limited job options or at this time your role is being discounted because of tons of talent in the marketplace then take it. Keep looking and find the right place for you.

37. Titra HamiltonMay 5,2023 at 6:59PM UTC

    With layoff in technology, I knew that the job market would become an Employer Market. I have been I totally agree with what others have posted. Accept, pay your bills and stay afloat until you can secure a better role. Make connections and see if you can move up and over into a better, higher paying role. Another thing I have seen is that many who were laid off came out of companies where they were paid salaries much higher than the market. I am thinking of the UI/UX Designer I interviewed. She previously worked for a large tech firm and was seeking $200K with five years of experience. Um, no. Going to a smaller company will necessitate adjusting salary expectations. Good luck.

38. misskelleypMay 5,2023 at 7:20PM UTC

    Absolutely it is NOT wrong. The company will always do what is best for it, and you should always do what's best for you. Take the job, keep looking (quietly). When something better comes along, take it. Just make sure you do all your homework regarding the new offer! Honestly I don't know why a company would talk about one salary all through the process and then offer less, they have to know that doesn't make people happy!

39. AnonymousMay 5,2023 at 7:26PM UTC

    It is not wrong! Take this job. Show up add value do the work. Continue to search like the previous post stated (quietly). Don't get complacent. It could be that your company paid more than the market rate for your old job. Also, I do know that some companies will not hire ppl that are unemployed and as the old saying goes, it is easier to get a job when you have one! Good luck!

40. AnonymousMay 5,2023 at 9:56PM UTC

    Take the role and keep looking. It's still better to have a role when looking for a job.

41. Liz MilneMay 6,2023 at 4:38AM UTC

    I wouldn't take it - if they offered more during initial talks, they're trying to play you to see how much of their crap you'll take. Call their bluff, tell them you need $X as discussed, and that you'll keep looking if they're not prepared to keep their own word...

42. AnonymousMay 6,2023 at 4:55AM UTC

    I would definitely take the offer. For what its worth, also laid off in tech but I've been looking for almost 7 months now and I am currently working a contract temp assignment at literally half what I was making before just to make some extra $$ because unemployment barely paid my bills and my savings is gone now. I would gladly take something right now just to have while still looking for the perfect fit. Don't feel bad about doing whats best for you.

43. Krystin MorganMay 6,2023 at 5:06AM UTC

    I'm not sure what state you're in, but I wonder if you really do have to take a job if it's half your previous salary (I know that's not exactly what you stated here, but presumably you asked for something close to your previous pay). I'd investigate what the rules are, because I know in Washington where I am, if the pay is wildly off for the type of role, it can be allowed to decline an offer.

44. AnonymousMay 6,2023 at 11:35AM UTC

    In ANY state, you have the opportunity to resign (or refuse employment) if it's not a good fit for you.

    With unemployment involved, when it's done, it's done. You don't get extensions because of lower salaries in the marketplace.

    Not happy? Go elsewhere. That simple.

45. AnonymousMay 6,2023 at 11:41AM UTC

    Unemployment requirements are one thing, taking a job to have a job is another.

    Post-pandemic, many people including myself "took anything". Then kept looking for something better.

    Depends on your situation, and your finances. It's a job, not a lifetime commitment. Take it, keep looking. With phone interviews, it's much easier to look while working and easier to get a job when you have a job.

46. Bradford McCormickMay 9,2023 at 3:54AM UTC

    What does ethics matter with people who are so unethical as to cut an offered (OK, implied, even) salary in half? They deserve whatever they get.

    I am taking what you wrote literally. It is disgusting. It is "unthinkable", i.e., all too believable. You have to survive. You don't want ot work in this place, do you? They do not deserve you, do they?

    There is an old film about the Gdansk Polish revolution against the Soviet occupation ("Man of Iron"). It ends with the Soviet negotiator being driven out of the shipyard and he rolls down the window of his car and says to a reporter: "Agreeents signed under duress are not valid." Don't hurt yourself.