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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

would you take this job?

32 replies

havenever · 01/04/2014 11:50

Its a WWYD, rather than AIBU....

I have a Masters degree and 5 years experience in the industry in which i work (was a career change, so have lots more work experience). Eighteen months ago I left work and started a course to change career again for more family friendly hours and job security. I suffered stress/anxiety/exhaustion and had to stop this. I am a LP to a 3yr old and an 8 yr old.

So now I am looking to re-enter the work place. There are not many jobs about. I have been offered a job on a graduate wage. On the 1 hand I am gutted. On the other hand I am a bit scared about going back to work and feel a lower wage will mean less is expected of me, initially. The job seems as if there will be good training opportunities and the people seem nice.

Would you take it?

OP posts:
wonderingsoul · 01/04/2014 11:54

yes i would, there good training opperunities and people are nice.. you cant really ask for more can you?

i would take it.

though i can understand the anxity issues.. but i think youd have this with any job you where going to start. congratulations on getting offered a job x

Melonade · 01/04/2014 11:54

Yes, I would. Graduate jobs are like golddust. Suck it up for a year or so, prove yourself reliable, then progress upwards!

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 01/04/2014 11:55

Yes for sure. It's a foot in the door and as you say there are good opportunities. Sounds like it will break you in gently.

antimatter · 01/04/2014 11:55

I don't know what else can you do?
Changing career means dropping down the ladder, later on you may be able to re-coup - now get the job and start building your CV/experience

Kefybaby · 01/04/2014 11:58

Don't let your fear hold you back. You have a lot to offer and should try to achieve as much as you can. If you feel you have looked for a job long enough, take it as a first step and keep looking whilst in the role. Else, I would wait for something more suitable to come along.

picasso87 · 01/04/2014 11:58

Well you've been out of the workplace for 18 months so they are taking a chance on you so aren't going to pay top dollar unless you can demonstrate that you've been keeping the relevant skills up to date and actively using them. Masters degree doesn't mean much tbh.

Once you prove yourself you will be able to move up the ladder .

redskyatnight · 01/04/2014 12:05

Yes.
The job market is hard at the moment. I (and other colleagues) were made redundant last year and we have all taken jobs at below the level we previously had - and that's with no employment break, career changing etc. Basically a lot of people getting new jobs are settling for below what they wanted which has a knock on effect - the job you might be ideally qualified for is potentially also going to be applied for by someone who is over qualified.

WipsGlitter · 01/04/2014 12:14

How badly do you need the money? Do you think something better paid is likely to come up?

I've taken a pay cut in the job I am in now, which I am really pissed off about, but my contract was coming to an end and I had nothing else lined up so thought it was better to be in a job than out of work. I am still applying for other things though!

Don't necessarily correlate lower wages with lower expectations though.

Original poster
havenever · 01/04/2014 12:14

Sorry, i wasn't very clear. This is a role, which i have 5 years experience in, and a Masters degree in the subject. I'm re-entering the profession i left

OP posts:
Original poster
havenever · 01/04/2014 12:17

wips yes, i really need to be working. My ego is taking a massive hit with this. And i am feeling fragile/lacking esteem. But, i really think i have to suck it up, don't i

OP posts:
whatsthatcomingoverthehill · 01/04/2014 12:23

It sounds like they are taking advantage a bit. Have you discussed the role with them, and what their expectations are? What the likely progression would be? I guess they might see it as a bit of a risk if you've changed career a couple of times.

EBearhug · 01/04/2014 12:28

Yes, take it. It may seem a step back in some ways, but it gives you a foot back in the door, which not being employed won't give you. It's meant to be easier to get a job when you're already working.

One thing they keep emphasising to us at work is that there's not really a straight path to the top these days - people take sideways moves to gain extra experience, and sometimes a step back, to reposition themselves better for the future. I think that's how you need to look at it. It may not be where you want to be, but it's a step closer.

WipsGlitter · 01/04/2014 12:28

Well if you need the work and think it would be a good place to work I'd take the job and then keep looking for something better paid.

good luck!

antimatter · 01/04/2014 12:31

Easier to apply for another job once you are working.
Next job may be well in line of salary you expect.

Youdontneedacriminallawyer · 01/04/2014 12:35

Take it. A job's a job. You can carry on looking if you find it's not suitable.

WilsonFrickett · 01/04/2014 12:35

I just had coffee with a friend who has been made redundant, lots of roles at her level in the company she's leaving but she's not getting a sniff at them because people who are one and two levels above her are applying down the way in an attempt to hold on to some income. By which I mean, there's so much competition for everything just now, I'd take the job.

BitOutOfPractice · 01/04/2014 12:38

I'd take it. Times are still tough imho and I think you've done really well to get anything in your field. See it as a positive not a negative! Well done and good luck!

Original poster
havenever · 01/04/2014 12:40

Thanks. I'm going to take it Smile

OP posts:
bedraggledmumoftwo · 01/04/2014 12:42

Presumably you applied for it knowing the level it was? And also presumably you have been applying for higher level jobs with no success?

i would say take it and keep applying. Depending on the salary you might be eligible for tax credits - i was very surprised you can earn over £50k as a single parent with two kids and still qualify

Original poster
havenever · 01/04/2014 12:44

No, i didn't know the level when i applied

OP posts:
antimatter · 01/04/2014 12:47

after nearly 2 years of unemployment (due to redundancy) I got a job in Feb 2011 at salary I was earning in 2005. I changed that job after 9 months to current one. Only now with weekend overtimes I earn more than I was earning in 2008.
Times are tough.

pussycatdoll · 01/04/2014 12:47

good luck in your new job :)

ilovedogsandcats · 01/04/2014 12:57

Yes!

SpringBreak · 01/04/2014 13:00

can you negotiate a review in salary / grade on completion of your probationary period? or performance related bonus, once you've proved your worth?

Original poster
havenever · 01/04/2014 13:05

Oh yes, that's an important bit of information that i omitted! They said they would review pay at 3 months and 6months. Which is good if it happens

OP posts:
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