Hello, I have been looking for a high paying job and submitting lots of applications.

Anonymous

February 3,2023 at 4:23PM UTC

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Hello, I have been looking for a high paying job and submitting lots of applications. One firm is interested, although it is small and compensation is below what I would like to be paid. If they give me an offer, can I accept the job, keep looking and interviewing and if I get a better job in a month or two, just resign and take the better job? What is the downside? It seems safer than not taking the job, as I might not get an offer from another firm anytime soon.

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Barb HansenFebruary 3,2023 at 4:46PM UTC
If you need the job, then take the job.
If you are offered a higher paying or a job better aligned to your career growth, you can take that job.
You can then choose to list or not list the potentially "short-stint" job on your resume. If you are at the short-stint job for a few weeks, you may choose to not list that job on your resume (obviously, you'll have to scrub that job from your LinkedIn and you won't be able to use anyone from that company as a reference).
If your job-search takes 6 months or longer, you can choose to leave that job on your resume as by then you'll have a new position pushing that short-stint job into the 2nd or 3rd position on your resume.
Have I faced a similar issue?
Yes.
During the 2008 recession, I was unemployed and actively looking for work. I took a job where the annual wage was a lot less than I "should have been paid" because I needed a job. I continued my job search, while I provided excellent value to my existing company. Two months later, I got a great job offer and I accepted that job offer. Is that short-term job listed on my LinkedIn or on my resume? Nope.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistFebruary 3,2023 at 5:52PM UTC
OF COURSE YOU CAN!!!!!!!!! Good Luck!
Cindy GrossFebruary 3,2023 at 6:26PM UTC
What would happen for you internally if you only applied to the top 3-5 jobs that you REALLY want?
AnonymousFebruary 3,2023 at 6:52PM UTC
Maybe I was not clear, I am currently without a job due to some specific problems faced by my previous employer. If I only apply to 3-5 jobs and do not get one, I still need a job. I can sit out a year without working, but that makes me uneasy.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistFebruary 4,2023 at 1:04AM UTC
Please do not just apply to 3 - 5 jobs. You're out of work. Cast as wide a net as possible and don't take your foot off the gas until you have a written offer in your hand.
AnonymousFebruary 3,2023 at 6:28PM UTC
Based on your question, are you sure you are qualified for a high paying job?
I mean, you can certainly accept an offer and continue looking and accept another one that is more what you are looking for.
The downside is the world gets smaller and smaller every day.
AnonymousFebruary 3,2023 at 6:48PM UTC
Yes, I am qualified. I am told that it is difficult from mid-November until the end of January due to the holidays and firms finalizing their budgets and plans for the year. I don't understand your comment about the world getting smaller. I would not quit the job from the place that did work over the holidays and January until I got the better offer, at which time I would stop looking after I accepted it.
Mr. RiceFebruary 4,2023 at 1:29PM UTC
The world gets smaller meaning job hopping is bad for your career and you are burning bridges. Leaders speak and believe it or not, we do seek references.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistFebruary 4,2023 at 12:57AM UTC
YOU SAID:
"Based on your question, are you sure you are qualified for a high paying job?"
Why in the world would you ask her if she's "qualified for a high paying job?"
Based on what, specifically, in her question would you ask her this?
AnonymousFebruary 7,2023 at 5:25AM UTC
Though I wasn't the person asking - I have to say that slipped through my mind too as I read through. I think it may be our definition of high-paying. I have what would be considered a high-paying job by most, and what I do isn't the kind of job where I could go and put out a dozen applications, and when I did the potential employers would probably already know me or know of me. Certainly wouldn't do a short stint unless it was labeled as a consulting project. So I think it may be along those lines where the question was coming up - high salaries may not have the same meaning for everyone.
Vickie Fig.February 5,2023 at 3:01PM UTC
Hi Anonymous. I'm with you. Is the applicant applying for jobs outside her skill set? Companies may have stronger candidates to pursue. Is she applying online or in-person? That could be making a difference. Candidates look alike virtually. I would take the job offered, and see if there is room for salary negotiation, training, add'l vacation, bonus for performance pay. If a job with less money helps build a strong resume, it may be worth it. It's only short-term, after all. (Unless the job offered is close to minimum wage, and her needs are $30 per hour and above, then take the job, secure another asap and be charitable when you resign.)
AnonymousFebruary 4,2023 at 3:11PM UTC
If the job is something you want to do and will enhance your career options, you can first try to negotiate for more. Explain you are hesitating because you are looking for X amount of money and are trying to work through your budget to see if you can make it work. By negotiating, you are letting them know that you were expecting more but have the option of accepting the offer anyway. You can take or decline the offer if they cannot stretch their budget to meet your request. I would probably take it, especially if I did not have an adequate "rainy day" fund, and continue my search. You can decide whether to renegotiate your current salary, stay, or leave if something better comes. By letting them know that you are coming in under your desired salary up front, they should not be too surprised if you find something more closely resembling the offer you were expecting.
AnonymousFebruary 4,2023 at 3:55PM UTC
The downside is they see you aren’t really committed and show you the door.
AnonymousFebruary 7,2023 at 5:33PM UTC
I would work at a high level. I am committed to whatever I do.
AnonymousFebruary 6,2023 at 6:26PM UTC
Why do that? Why take a job that you think is beneath you? Clearly you are putting the money before the content of the role. A company will value you financially against their stance in the market, their budgets, and their internal pay grades. If you don't like what the range is walk away. Why mess it up for others who are serious about working there, it's a selfish move. Think again because the way you are approaching this is not good for you or your career
AnonymousFebruary 7,2023 at 5:33PM UTC
Laid off single mom with a family to support.