Should I Interview for a Low-Paying Job?

Many years ago, I accepted an employment offer which was $3,000 a year less than what I earned in the same position for a former employer. The going market value rate which other companies were paying for the same skill level was definitely $3,000 a year higher than this job offer. I knew the employer which gave me the job offer had a reputation for being extremely cheap and always under paying their staff. I had been out of work for two months, was close to being unable to pay my rent - so I accepted a job offer I knew was far below market value rate what other employers were paying for this job skill. I didn't want to wind up being unable to buy food or pay rent, so I took a huge pay cut and accept the low paying job just to stay afloat with a roof over my head.

I stayed with this job for 3 years and STILL wound up earning less than what all other employers were paying in my area. After 3 years on this job, even with the dinky raises they gave me, I was still severely underpaid. When I got fed up and realized, I'd never be adequately paid, I started going on interviews for a new job. Although I explained on interviews, I accepted a huge pay cut because I had a rock solid work ethic and wanted to stay productive - it was VERY difficult overcoming potential new employers belief that somehow I wasn't "good enough" if I was being paid such a low amount of money. Trying to explain to new, potential employers that my current employment had an official policy of refusing to pay the "going rate" for their industry didn't help....you are NEVER EVER supposed to say anything critical or negative against your current boss, right?

I wound up spinning my wheels for 3 years in that dead end job. Eventually, I got a lucky break through networking and was offered a job at what I had previously been earning at my older job from 4 years previously. Technically, accepting that severely underpaid job kept me from being destitute with no place to live - but it meant spinning my wheels for 3 years in a dead end job.

I think unless you are TOTALLY desperate and stone broke - don't accept a huge salary cut - because even if the employer gives decent raises, it could take a couple of years just to get back to the wage you had been earning previously.

In a bad economy with high unemployment, job seekers can't be too picky. I definitely do not advise anyone to turn down a job if you've been out of work a long time and not much money left in savings. There are some people who WILL accept a job they know is a dead end, very underpaid just to survive until they find something else which pays better and has a future. You can do this a few times - but don't be a "job hopper" flitting about from one employer to the next. Employers want to see you have longevity and a stable work history.

Sometimes I have accepted a very slightly lower salary because the hours, working conditions, location from my house had very short commute, benefits were good.

Helen Highwater of CA 1:40AM April 20, 2012