I am on the job hunt and feeling desperate pressure to accept the next offer because I'm out of money, but don't want to trap myself.

23 Comments

1. AnonymousSeptember 8,2024 at 2:01PM UTC

   Hello! Congratulations on the job offer! As a single mom who’s the head of the household and currently out of work, I do commend you for negotiating a better pay, reviews, and flexibility. Considering you need income rather immediately and this position offers on-the-job training, some flexibility, and room for advancement, I would embrace the new role with open arms. This could be the start of being able to pay all your bills, save a bit of money later on (based on your reviews), and management seems to be understanding of your role at home too. Don’t let your past workplace traumas hinder new beginnings and blessings. In the end, hard work always pays off! Congrats again!!

2. AnonymousSeptember 8,2024 at 2:10PM UTC

   This is an interesting dilemma. Take a breath, and do some math. You have a solid offer with what appears to be solid potential for advancement to where you want to be. They renegotiated and came close to what you wanted, but not completely. You may have trouble paying your rent next month. I'm not you, but the rent would be the tipping point for me. If your offer covers the cost of daycare and can help bridge the gap to the rent, I would say go for it. The alternative is to have no daycare and negotiate an extension with your landlord. I have worked as a case manager with people in your situation, and once they get behind on rent, the spiral downward is steep, so keeping your family housed and safe should be your number one priority. You can continue to look for other work, and if a better offer comes through, you can take it and quit this job (or use the offer to renegotiate again). Good luck to you.

3. mommyworksSeptember 8,2024 at 2:13PM UTC

   If this is your only option for income at the moment, take the job and continue to look for other opportunities that meet your needs.

   Apply for emergency cash assistance if you’re worried about being able to keep your home. Apply for other assistance (SNAP, etc) even if you think you won’t qualify.

   Bringing your past traumas into this new space only sets you up for failure. Remind yourself that this is a new place with new people and stay positive.

   I know it’s tough out there. Best of luck to you.

4. AnonymousSeptember 8,2024 at 3:31PM UTC

   I was/am in a similar situation as you. After 5 months of job searching and no unemployment income, I accepted a position I was in over 30 years ago. I've continued to actively search for another opportunity that is more aligned with my career goals - sometimes interviewing 3x per week - and still haven't landed another offer. At least your employer is offering job training and you will be acquiring new skills. I suggest you take the job and continue to actively search. It is exhausting, but it is your best option in my opinion.

5. AnonymousSeptember 8,2024 at 3:48PM UTC

   Let's start with your comment about being Black. Teach those who are not how to respect your experience because if they have not ever worked with a POC they don't often know how. Show them the way, and be confident about that, you can do it!

   IMHO you should take this job, take it and give it at least a year being open to other things perhaps in the short term but do plug in hard and get the job done, after 8 months out of work this sounds like they are flexible enough to take you on and to negotiate some additional rewards in the compensation to get closer to what you want. 7K seems fair and you never get all that you ask for, they could have issues internally with others if they gave you 100% of your ask. At the moment it is taking most people 6-9 months to find a new role. The upside here and the performance based bonuses sound terrific. Many companies have eliminated bonuses completely.

   If you think about the potential for your career which you mentioned think of this as a paid externship as an experienced worker that can get you to that next step. Cap the time you spend there if this is your goal or if the company is big enough and the next step is internal use that to your advantage while you get onboarded and rolling in this new position. When you start sit down with your new direct manager and be sure that you set clear expectations. Explain to them how to like to be managed, what runway you need, how they can course correct you, how they can recognize your good work, and how they can communicate with you (style and timing and forum-phone/text/etc) so that you both set sail on a good path ahead. Congratulations on the upcoming new position. I hope you will let us know how it goes!

6. AnonymousSeptember 8,2024 at 3:49PM UTC

   You are a business of one; take the job and if you receive another offer that fits better take it.

   This job market is crazy, but don’t feel trapped by accepting the offer. The first couple of weeks at a job are for both YOU and the company to see the fit. If they can let you go, why can’t you let them go if it’s not the right fit or the right environment?

7. Joann S. LublinSeptember 8,2024 at 3:50PM UTC

   I endorse other commentators' advice but have one more suggestion:

   Assuming you take this position, don't close the door on the other companies where you're currently a candidate. Let them know about your decision -- but also make clear you're open to again considering that workplace in the future should a better opportunity arrive. Then, keep networking with your best contact there. It might prove a good fallback position if things don't work out for you. Best of luck and congrats!

8. Susan RichSeptember 9,2024 at 10:54PM UTC

   Strongly disagree. Would you want an employee that ONLY accepted the job UNTIL they could find a better one?

9. Joann S. LublinSeptember 10,2024 at 7:16PM UTC

   I see your point but in the real world, that secretly happens all the time.

10. AnonymousSeptember 8,2024 at 4:50PM UTC

    Take it.

11. AnonymousSeptember 8,2024 at 9:14PM UTC

    Embrace the job and the opportunities it brings, while learning from past experiences to make better job decisions in the future.

    Consider the new job as a well-deserved opportunity that you have been waiting for.

    Been there, done that. At that time I needed the money for next month's rent badly. I did not blink; I took the job, aware that it was within my capabilities, likes, etc., only to discover in the first 60 seconds in the department that it was the wrong place for me. I took a deep breath, promised myself I would find a better job in two months, and resigned before the three month probation period ended, which gives the parties involved equal power to resign, continue, or dismiss. Good luck

12. AnonymousSeptember 8,2024 at 10:01PM UTC

    Take the offer. You can shop around but it’s being offered, you need income and also have children to feed. You mentioned you have a traveling husband. Not to dig into your financial dilemma, but I hope he can help provide and help sustain your home you are both responsible for paying. Do not take your past trauma to this new journey. Leave it at the door. Do your best, hunker down, commit, and you will shine! Sometimes we feel like we are going backwards financially when eventually we will move forward. I was laid off twice in one year, ended up taking a job for way less, lost my home, barely had money to eat, but survived it. Girl you’ve got this! You know what to do, don’t let fear drive you. Keep us posted and good luck!

13. AnonymousSeptember 8,2024 at 11:35PM UTC

    A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush...take it. Unless you are under contract you can leave whenever you get a better offer. Also, companies like to hire people who are employed...they can be mean spirited about unemployed people...

    Regarding being the only one ..that's personal choice...but think of yourself as a leader...and offer to give a talk to young people whom you could help network into the company...even approach HR and offer to accompany them to a networking event...that shows leadership.

14. AnonymousSeptember 9,2024 at 12:20PM UTC

    Take it , see how you like it, continue the job hunt. I’m assuming it’s for a regular job and not some sort of indentured servitude correct? Go for it and good luck.

15. AnonymousSeptember 9,2024 at 2:14PM UTC

    Take the first job you get offered and then keep looking. Nothing wrong with that.

16. ppinesSeptember 10,2024 at 7:49AM UTC

    Ultimately, hiring managers prefer to recruit and hire employed versus unemployed candidates simply because they assume someone else already evaluated them, hired them and values their work enough to keep them.

17. ppinesSeptember 10,2024 at 8:02AM UTC

    I agree with the others, take the role. It may not be your ideal role, but consider the benefits - steady pay, learning new (marketable) skills, opportunity to network within the company.... and if something more suitable comes along you will have a better chance of landing it whilst employed - if you stick this one out for while. This isn't the best market to be choosy.

    I took a $60K pay cut in order to avoid unemployment. It's definitely not my ideal role, I struggle to pay my bills every month, using the overdraft to help cover the mortgage and a credit card to cover the bills. I have been advised that I will be promoted to the next level in the coming weeks, so that's something.

    In the meantime, I am looking into starting a side hustle to supplement my income. I realise this may not be an option for you right now, but I would give it some thought for when the kids are older.

18. Sandy SabeanSeptember 10,2024 at 12:30PM UTC

    Take the job and release some of your financial pressure. Continue to look. If you are still with this company in six months, ask for a review and possible raise. If you get a better offer elsewhere, take it!

19. AnonymousSeptember 10,2024 at 2:01PM UTC

    I feel the same way took a paycut I'm still going to look for something better. Bit it seems nobody paying

20. Sandra SwearingenSeptember 11,2024 at 3:20PM UTC

    I have taken pay cuts to change jobs. The last one came with excellent benefits You have to weight not only the salary but the other things like culture,work life balance and benefits.

21. ppinesSeptember 12,2024 at 10:23PM UTC

    There's also the added (perceived?) advantage that the employed skills are up to date. People who quit their job or get fired are a red flag for HR. If you are currently employed they assume you must be a good employee and would rather pay a premium to ‘steal’ someone from another company than gamble on the unemployed.

    Unless your resume or cover letter adequately explains why you have been unemployed, the hiring manager often won't consider you. As a contractor, I would either volunteer or complete a course in between roles. This shows initiative, helps you gain new skills, and grow your network. If you are not doing anything to upskill it looks like you don't care and lack motivation. If that's the case, why would anyone want to hire you? And if the hiring manager is inundated with applicants, it's a fast way to screen people out.

22. AnonymousSeptember 14,2024 at 1:05PM UTC

    Take it. Go where they want you.

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