WWYD - low salary, or no job at all?

[howmuchifenough]

I've been offered a job with a local company, but the the salary is pretty low. It's being packaged as an admin job, but the responsibilities it covers are currently being carried out by Directors and Managers. The role is quite varied so it would need a lot of time management, organisation and I'm pretty sure process analysis and improvement. So it's underpaid, and probably under-scoped (IMHO).

I've been looking for a while, and there are roles in my old job arena, but they are all FT, or involve more travel that I can fit in with DC. DH works long hours and away so all the pick-ups/drop-offs fall to me.

I'd really like to start earning some money asap. Do I:

a) accept this job, stick to the responsibilities and hopefully present a case for promotion in the medium-term
b) accept this job and keep looking for something with a better salary
c) accept this job and accept that with all my constraints I can't expect better?
d) go back with an attempt to negotiate the salary (I'm pretty sure this will fail)
d) decline this job on the basis of salary and keep looking, but not be earning.

This sucks. I feel outraged that I should have to expect a lower salary just because I've had a few years out to raise DC and need some flexibility. How on earth should I encourage DD to reach for the stars, study hard and work hard only to have it all fall apart if she has DC and needs some balance.

[pizzaeatingmonkey]

A and B as well!

[Ladyface]

Agree - a&b. Is it a newly created role? If so, it really is what you make of it. I would take and if it doesn't work out it is a lot easier to apply for another job when you already have one.

[howmuchifenough]

Yes it's new. I guess I'm worried that I'll accept it, make it into something that demands a salary over and above admin, but not be able to negotiate the commensurate salary that and end up uber-frustrated.

Been in that situation before and feel it's so much harder to negotiate a promotion than it is to achieve a decent rate on recruitment.

[TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams]

(b) When you find something better use it as leverage to negotiate (a) if you like the job or to move on

Beware of a "non-job" though? ie something that is totally specific to a particularly company which doesn't have a recognisable job title or transferable skills. Ask questions about where they see the role developing, where they see it in 3 yrs time and your career development. At least go in with your eyes wide open.

[howmuchifenough]

Hmm, that's the thing I don't think they want the role to develop. It's an SME and I'd say chances for career development would be pretty slim.

Its in a different sector than I've worked in previously, so I'd expect the salary to be lower.

Am also concerned about affecting my future prospects. I'd like to do 4 days in 6 years when DS is at secondary, and so I could return to my previous project-related roles. It's going to be a hard sell though if I've spent 6 years (gruddingly) pushing paper just for the sake of earning money.

[LIZS]

A and b. Once you've been there 6 months you can ask for review of the job description and discuss comparable roles and salaries. If this is your first role after dc you can use it to see how working and home life can balance. Maybe in a few months you'd feel more confident about different hours.

[howmuchifenough]

I have worked since DC - we used a nanny as my salary at the time meant that was affordable. That was compared to nursery fees though.

Childcare options locally are full, and also pretty rubbish so I don't have a lot of choice on the childcare front hence that being a constraint.

[scribblegirl]

B. If the work you'd be expected to do is currently being done by directors then it must sound pretty good or at least have to prospect to be talked up at an interview. Eg "Before I came along, the Director of Sales had responsibility for our client database. Since I have been there I have taken it over and been responsible for maintaining and reviewing client records and lists". Even if it's just that you update phone numbers, the fact you've taken the role over from a director will sound pretty good - it makes you sound like someone who can be trusted and who will lighten the load.

Therefore I'd do the job for six months and then start to look for something new. Even if you're just after more money in the short term it'll be worth getting this job under your belt. It's much easier putting up with a job below your skill level if you're being paid decently! Then you can think about progression etc when family situation allows.

[howmuchifenough]

See, scribble, I fear it's the reverse. I think it's a job that's at the lower end of my skill level and experience, but being paid much lower! Is that worse? I don't know!

I'm terrible at negotiation - whats the best way to attempt to get a higher starting salary? I fear focussing on my previous experience will highlight the fact that I'm a bit over-qualified.