Job offer, dont know what to do

[Mumofasleepthief]

Just had a job offer after having a break from work for 2 1/2 years (was made redundant and the industry is in a bit of termoil, some companies are still laying off). The pay is about 1/2 what I was on. Would be about £100 month short per month on childcare. Other jobs applied for recently were more on par salery wise with previous job. Worried if its my only shot at getting back into my old career (which I loved) if we should take the hit and accept the job while looking for something better paid. DH thinks no as would set me up for lower pay in next job too. Also I would be working 5 days 9-3 but they would pro rata holidays so would only get 18 days as oppose to the normal 25 the company offers, doesnt seem right as would be working more days effectively than normal employee even though only work 2 hrs per day less . Guess bit of a wwyd as I feel would be easier to get a job on better pay if already had one and worry may be last chance as job market so overheated with numbers laid off in last couple of years.

Do you have any leeway with negotiating with them? Worst case they won't move on the salary and you keep looking. Best case you move closer to what you were expecting (or at least cover childcare costs while still looking).
Either way, in terms of future jobs there's no bar to you saying you'd taken this one merely to keep your experience 'current' and negotiating up on salary for the next one.

The holiday is incorrect- see the other thread on this right now. You should get the same days or they should calculate your leave in hrs.

The holiday calculation is wrong. If you're in the office five days a week then you should also get 25 days but obviously your day is 9 to 3 rather than 9 to 5.30.

What's your gut feeling?

Salaries are rubbish at the moment but I would be wary of taking something for half the salary. If the industry is in decline is it worth looking for something different?

YOur DH is right about the salary. If you take this, and when you apply for a new job in future they will ask your current salary, and make a judgement what to offer based on what you earn now.
Know your worth.

I took a lower paid job after redundancy on the basis I'd soon work my way back up the ladder. That was 7 years ago, and I'm still earning less than in my previous job.

Hi thanks for the advise, DH pretty adamant I shouldnt even consider as is currently. He says hes not been doing a job he hates for last couple of years so we can stay in this area for me to take such a big step backwards ( the industry we both work in is only really viable in a couple of locations in uk but his skill set is more transferable to other industries than mine). Industry is in decline in UK but think some recovery is expected just not to previous levels. Other jobs applied for although not offering as much as previously are still a lot more than this one. Pretty sad about it as is a small company made up of quite a few old colleagues from early in my career who I got on with relly well and is great hours for school drop up and pick up so DD who started school the year I was made redundant wouldnt be upset either as I can still pick her up and take her to activities etc..

Think im going to put back that although I would love to accept the role but unfortunately due to childcare costs will not be able to accept it on the basis of the current salary and see what they come back with. Will also mention the discrepancy in the offer holiday allowance, didnt make sence

Go back to them about the holiday - ask for annualised hours. You should get the same number of days off but only be paid 6 hours holiday pay for each holiday day.

I'd acccept and keep looking for something else. The longer you are out of work the harder it gets. There's nothing to say yet in 3 months a better job won't come up. You are also more attractive to prospective employers if you are working.

I'd ask for more money though if possible. But regardless you'll have a job, and earning and improving your skills.

It's a tough one, isn't it?

I would go back to them on the holiday and the salary before you turn it down. See what they say.

Hi zippy, think thats what i will do saying currently too low for me to be able to accept. We worked out dh would basically be subsidising me to work... he would rather i be sahm for dc's if he has to pay for me to work. Not going to flat out refuse yet will at least try negotiation

The holidays are just wrong. As for the idea that you take the job and then look for another - depending on what the rest of your career history looks like, you need to be careful not to look like someone who changes jobs constantly. So 3 months there might look worse than not doing the job at all.

The impact of taking a low salary will follow you for the rest of your career if you are unlucky. When negotiating a salary, I think you should assume that £1k more is an extra £1k every year for life. I know it doesn't always follow, but there is some logic to it and it makes you less likely to think, "it's not that much, it doesn't matter".