I think it's obvious to say that everyone wants to get paid what they feel they are worth.  But what happens when compensation shrinks as does opportunity?

In this economy the amount of jobs that are being eliminated on a monthly basis is astonishing.  People who never before have been challenged by a job loss are experiencing it for the first time.  If you are one of those individuals, the question you should be prepared to answer is : Will I accept a job for less money than what I have been paid?

The answer will vary depending upon each person's own circumstances: Are you the sole financial provider? Did you get a severance package from your last job?  Do you have money to tap into as a reserve? Will this opportunity lead to growth in the near future?

Regardless, once you begin your job search, you could be faced with the reality that you could be offered less money for the same or more responsibilities than your previous job.  Why? For obvious reasons – supply & demand.  It is an employer's market and like it or not, they call the shots. Companies have the luxury of choosing within a greater pool of candidates than they have had in years. So where does that leave you?  One of the first things to do is sit down and write out precisely what your monthly expenses are.  Calculate exactly what you need to make to be able to pay your bills and survive.  Use that number as your absolute low, meaning:  even if it was the best job on earth, if the compensation is expected to be below your absolute low, you couldn't take it. If an offer comes in anywhere over that amount, you are in good shape.  Once you know that an offer will keep you off the unemployment line and out of bankruptcy, the next question is: do you accept or decline?

It's hard not to let your ego in the way of a great opportunity and it's natural to feel insulted if an offer is made below your usual earnings. But the reality in today's market is that there are still great opportunities out there but unfortunately your expectations of what it should pay may be lower than what the company is willing to offer.  In this economy, what is more important:  opportunity or compensation?

 

Published On: April 13th, 2009Categories: Blog News, Interview Advice

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

Sign up for our blog

    All fields required

    What interests you?



    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

    What our happy clients are saying

    Michele St Laurent
    Rated 5/5 based on 25 customer reviews
    Treeline Inc. has been qualified individuals throughout a five-year-long engagement. They’ve made numerous placements of talented and qualified individuals for our business.

    Treeline Inc. provided us with the most candidates that aligned with our needs and were of the highest quality.

    Dr. Jeffrey Klein Head of North America Sales, Satchel Pulse
    5.0 5
    Treeline Inc. provided us with the most candidates that aligned with our needs and were of the highest quality.

    Treeline Inc.’s collaborative, flexible, and communicative approach resulted in a smooth partnership. Beyond their recruitment expertise, their unique sourcing model was efficient and effective.   

    Sera Holt Director of Operations, LNS Research
    5.0 5
    Treeline Inc.’s collaborative, flexible, and communicative approach resulted in a smooth partnership. Beyond their recruitment expertise, their unique sourcing model was efficient and effective.   

    Their professionalism was outstanding. Treeline Inc. was extremely thorough and ensured that we were on the same page before they started looking for candidates. They listened to us and did a great job working with the candidate to close out the process.

    Cate Grant AVP Customer Success, Nasdaq
    5.0 5
    Their professionalism was outstanding. Treeline Inc. was extremely thorough and ensured that we were on the same page before they started looking for candidates. They listened to us and did a great job working with the candidate to close out the process.

    Thanks to Treeline Inc.’s intricate and thorough screening process, the company is able to hire six high-quality candidates that fit perfectly in the company’s culture. The team is highly receptive to concerns, and internal stakeholders are impressed with their unique recruitment abilities.

    Anna McKean Sales Recruiter, Insider Intelligence
    5.0 5
    Thanks to Treeline Inc.'s intricate and thorough screening process, the company is able to hire six high-quality candidates that fit perfectly in the company's culture. The team is highly receptive to concerns, and internal stakeholders are impressed with their unique recruitment abilities.

    Treeline Inc. has been qualified individuals throughout a five-year-long engagement. They’ve made numerous placements of talented and qualified individuals for our business.

    Michele St Laurent VP of HR, The Institute for Applied Network Security
    5.0 5
    Treeline Inc. has been qualified individuals throughout a five-year-long engagement. They’ve made numerous placements of talented and qualified individuals for our business.

    Contact Us for a Free Consultation

    Tell us more about your business and how we can help.

      * required

      What can we help you with?

      This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.