Should I leave for lower pay

16 Comments

1. AnonymousFebruary 16,2023 at 5:17PM UTC

   I left my VP job in June due to no work/life balance, a toxic culture fueled by nepotism, and a C-suite that had no business running a company for a lower level position with slightly lower pay but gave me the opportunity to learn a lot of new industries. Because of my experience, I picked up the role very quickly and within a week, was being told by leadership that I was great at my job. I felt reenergized and was starting to resemble myself again (my last job was a soul sucker). After the shiny newness of the job wore off, I realized that I was in another position at a company that was being run by people who had no idea what they were doing and was working even longer hours than I did at my last job. Like my last job, much of my time was spent working on tedious tasks that I made too much money to justify spending my time on but because of the mismanagement above me, either I did the work that others were supposed to be doing but weren’t properly trained for or we would lose clients. I found it rather difficult to work at the lower level and used it as an opportunity to recommend strategic changes to improve workflow efficiency and employee satisfaction, and to lead others through inspiration and mentoring. I was not sold on the role or the new company but was promised changes were coming that would improve my day to day. I bided my time until those changes rolled out, learning as much as I could and building relationships. The changes were introduced at the beginning of December and I got laid off the Monday before Christmas. Apparently these were not related, the layoffs were completely unexpected and a result of poor business and financial decision making. I was told it had nothing to do with my performance and that I belonged in a higher level position anyway but they couldn’t afford that due to the economic downturn. Given my dissatisfaction with the role and company, and due to some deep self-reflection, I was absolutely fine with getting laid off. I never once regretted my decision to leave my higher level job at the toxic company.

2. froerden@yahoo.comFebruary 16,2023 at 5:23PM UTC

   If you’re not happy with the job you have then you should consider taking the new position. You’re current position and all your past jobs are on your resume. Nothing can change that. If decide to go back to a higher pay/ higher level position you have the credentials to do that. Take the break for and “easier” job and see how you really feel about it after a few months.

3. Debra SesholtzFebruary 16,2023 at 6:03PM UTC

   I have had to take lower positions a few times in my career, mainly due to layoffs. If you can afford a decrease in salary to get better job satisfaction and the opportunity to gain industry experience in a new area, it might be worth it. You won't know if this role will give you the job satisfaction you seek until you get into the position. Things to consider...will it give you a better work/life balance, can you afford the decrease in salary, is there room for you to advance or take on more responsibility to grow in the role and increase your salary? You can also continue looking, especially since they have not yet made you an offer. Good luck!

4. Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume WriterFebruary 16,2023 at 6:39PM UTC

   It won't necessarily set you back, career-wise. The question is: What's your walk-away number - and is the salary they are offering above that number? In other words, can you live and will you be okay with the lower compensation?

5. AnonymousFebruary 17,2023 at 1:30PM UTC

   Let me share my story. Back in 2020, I - like many - decided to take advantage of the changes COVID brought about and pursued new opportunities after saying I was going to for a while (I was at my company at that time for about 10 years). I interviewed for a few, hadn't really put my all into updating my resume and being smart about where I was applying, not even brushing up on my interview skills. Long story short, I jumped at the first offer that came my way, almost $10k less than where I was at that time. I thought "man, I can manage the pay cut, this is a new/different experience for me, I can spread my wings a bit, blah blah blah." I didn't take into consider the bonus I was going to be sacrificing as well. All told, my pay cut was closer to more than $25k. And this wasn't including an LTIP I was in, and the 401k match I was getting and the PTO level I was at by that point. Within months, that job wasn't what I anticipated it was going to be, I was miserable. I left after just over a year and was without for a few months. It was definitely a learning experience and don't necessarily regret leaving the previous employer, I just wish I had been a bit more thoughtful about my next move.

6. AnonymousFebruary 17,2023 at 4:15PM UTC

   Seems like we hear this question a lot on this site. You, and only you, can determine whether this job is worth moving to. Lower pay but better flexibility, learning a new field in a different industry... What are you looking for? If you are unhappy where you are currently and seeking new employment elsewhere in the same or different field, then you have to determine what is best for you. If this new position is offered and gives you what you need to succeed and feel good about yourself, then go for it. A step back in pay and/or position can be explained to anyone interviewing you in the future (such as "I wanted to learn something new, so I took a step back...") I've done it a few times and I can honestly say, I am happy where I ended up. Good luck!

7. Reb562February 18,2023 at 2:47PM UTC

   I have taken two decreases because of layoffs. I have been successful both times in moving up the ranks and getting my pay back. My husband left his corporate job to clean pools. He is getting paid 1/6 of what he was making. He's never been happier. In other words, we both have had positive experiences with lower paying jobs.

8. Rosa GoesFebruary 18,2023 at 6:41PM UTC

   Good for you! I admire your courage.

9. Meghan BFebruary 18,2023 at 3:46PM UTC

   People make decisions all the time unrelated to salary. You have to determine what’s important to you and as long as you can meet your financial obligations with the new position and it’s in line with your values, do it. Your career will be fine.

   I went from a successful IT career to nursing and took a SUBSTANTIAL pay cut (about 30%). My family thought I was INSANE. But I was deeply unhappy with almost every aspect of what I was doing and had previously worked in the medical field.

   I enjoyed several years bedside before health issues forced me to move to my backup plan that I’d always had in my back pocket which was medical informatics. My deep technical experience along with the nursing experience makes me a highly sought after resource in this area. I now make some 40% more than I made when I left my IT career. My technical area is enough different from what I was doing before, and I’m much more fulfilled since I’m still in healthcare even if I’m not beside anymore.

   Not everyone will have outcomes like mine (not everyone is looking for outcomes like mine) but it just goes to show that your career is what you make it, and there’s always plenty of time to re-make it.

   BTW, I went to nursing school at age 40. I graduated at 42 with my first college degree, an associate in nursing. Within 7 years I had a BSN and a master’s in health informatics and I’m now 53.

   So figure out what matters, put in the work. The rest works itself out.

10. Rosa GoesFebruary 18,2023 at 6:40PM UTC

    Go for it! I took a lower paying job to move my career in a different direction. It took about 3 years to surpass the previous pay. But I'm happy I did it.

11. AnonymousFebruary 19,2023 at 7:15PM UTC

    If you can live on the lower salary take the cut, your career is a marathon not a sprint. You are worth it!

12. AnonymousFebruary 19,2023 at 8:02PM UTC

    Thank you, lots to think about. I have another round of interviews next week. I am unsure what to do. Sometimes I think I should go for it, other times I think I would be compromising too much. I can afford living on a lower salary for now, but am I short changing myself. Thd problem is I just feel frustrated with my current job.

13. Liz MilneFebruary 21,2023 at 12:24AM UTC

    If you can manage on the lower salary and the new job will allow you to advance and get back up to that level in a couple of years, I would say go for it?

14. AnonymousFebruary 21,2023 at 2:38PM UTC

    Monetary compensation is always a motivator, but your mental health is important too, and that is value that money can't buy. Is the higher pay worth the concerns? Like someone else said, if you can manage with the lower salary, make the switch! Of course, if given an offer, negotiate reasonably, and you might get closer to the pay you'd like. The other side is - really really research the new company and ask the right questions in your next round of interviews to make sure that you're not jumping into the same or similar waters.

15. Jennifer AndersonFebruary 21,2023 at 6:59PM UTC

    My hubby is doing this right now. He just recently moved companies (same industry) and took a pay cut but moved from an independent producer to a people manager. We discussed this and we realized that we CAN take the financial hit as the benefit is that his future trajectory will be better than what his former trajectory would have been. His past company might have eventually promoted him to a people manager but after being passed over a couple of times because they needed his technical skills more than his leadership skills we realized that they were getting both without giving him the title. The new title will produce a better forward trajectory for him It's going to be tight for a while but I have confidence that he will succeed.

16. AnonymousFebruary 23,2023 at 11:50PM UTC

    So I decided not to do it now. The money was a lot less and also while there would be some learning about a new industry it just seemed too much of a set back. This prompts me to think strategically where do I want to go, what positive next step am I willing to take.