Response to job offer

[mckenzie]

I had an interview yesterday and I've been offered the job. It's part time for a local but fairly large (115 staff) business. They are creating the role so although they've given me some job description, it's really going to evolve as we go along.
So,

1. The pay they have offered is rubbish.
2. I haven't been in paid employment for nearly 15 years and I am a tad anxious about going back out there although I also crave it.
3. in my past life pre children, I managed a small team, I had responsibly, I worked in a fast pace, stressful trading environment. I earnt very good money.

So, do I accept the rubbish pay for what sounds like could be a fab job, the opportunity to get back out there but for good, part time flexible hours?

Or do I go back and say actually, I think I will feel a little exploited and that I think the role they have described to me sounds worthy of a higher hourly rate?

Your thoughts please?

Have you done your research re. the wage? Is it actually rubbish compared to what is being offered for similar jobs, with similar hours and flexibility in your local area? If yes, then get some ideas of what the going rate is and see if you can negotiate it up.

Or do you mean it's rubbish in comparison to what you were earning in a different job, with different hours, 15 years ago? If it's in line with similar jobs in the local area then you may struggle to negotiate a higher wage. Whether you take it or not depends on what you think your chances are of getting a better paid job?

Generally; it doesn't hurt to ask.

As you've been out of work for so long I would accept it and use it as an opportunity to enhance your cv & look for something more suitable

Thanks for the replies.
I think a decent cleaner in my area earns about £1 an hour less!

I appreciate it's not going to be anything like I was earning before but I think it could be a great varied role that I will enjoy.
I will have to pay a dog walker one day at least and the dog walker will be paid nearly double the hourly rate they are offering me.
They do know that I am looking for work for personal satisfaction not the money per se and I just wonder if they are taking the micky a little but don't know if that's my fault for being honest about that and therefore I need to put up and shut up.

You could ask them to commit to a pay review after your probation or within so many months.

So long as it's financially viable for you and not actively offensive, I'd go for it.

Unless the job you're going for is as a cleaner or dog walker then what they get paid isn't really relevant tbh. You need to look at people doing similar roles or working at a similar level at the same company. Have a google of similar jobs in your area or of other jobs offered by the same company to get an idea.

What kind of job is it and what's the hourly rate? Tbh, if you have been out of work for as long as 15 years, I think it's unlikely that you would command a high hourly rate. Is it quite a specialised field?

Try and find similar jobs in the area, and see what they pay.
PT is the holy grail of jobs. Think carefully before rejecting it.
There is no harm in telling them the pay is not as high as you were expecting given the duties, and can they increase by XYZ.
The dog walker needs to factor in unpaid travel time between jobs.

Did you have any idea of the rate of pay before you applied for the job? Are they offering you the 'going rate' for whatever the job is?

I could be you, I recently returned to employment after 15 years as a SAHM (my choice).

I earn significantly less than I earned 20 years ago (not even taking inflation into account ) but it is the 'going rate' for the job I do. Barely more than NMW. It is totally irrelevant to the company I work for that I used to have a senior position, manage a large team, take part in board level discussions etc etc etc. I like to think I do a good job - but then so do lots of people.

If you want the job - take it, you might find opportunities for promotion or more responsibility.

I agree that objectively speaking, you're a bit of a gamble. They don't know you, the role isn't there as yet so arguably speaking, they don't necessarily need you yet and you have been out of the workforce for 15 years! I think what you earned, or what your experience was 15 years ago is a bit irrelevant the. The workplace was completely different.

And there are probably hundreds of people willing to do it such is the demand for p/t flexible hours.

I think perhaps you need to say it's less than you were expecting so try to agree a pay review in 3 or 6 months time when you've proved yourself.

I think your mad not to take it! Jobs aren't easy to come by. You've been out of the jobs market for 15 years.

There's nothing stopping you from keep looking. They may offer you more money as the role becomes established.

The money may not be what your used to but it's more than what your earning now

Is the offer in line with what was advertised? What about other benefits (eg sick leave, annual leave)?

You could ask them whether this is their best and final offer, or whether there is scope to negotiate. If they say the latter you know that there is a conversation to be had, otherwise you need to weigh up this job or (potentially) no job.

I understand how you feel - I have recently moved country, and the only way I seem to be able to get a foot on the job ladder here is to work for literally half of what I was earning before . I've just had to say to myself that it's better than nothing, it might lead to better opportunities, and it's always easier to job search when employed.

Thanks very much for all the replies.
And of course, you are right, there is no point comparing it to the rate for a cleaner or dog walker when it's a completely different role .

A friend who has a similar part time role for a very large local company is suggesting the going rate should be X which is about 20% more per hour.

The job itself wasn't actually advertised so there was no suggested pay rate to start with.
I'd applied for another job with this company, been offered it but I had to turn it down as the hours were just too unflexible and they then came back and offered me this new role.

Take the job, work to define the role, then negotiate based on what you bring to the business.