Job Seekers' Support Group

Hello All,

I hope someone can give me some advice.   My husband has been out of work since last April.  It's been a tough slog, as his field (IT Recrutiing) has been decimated.    He's had few and far between interviews, and FINALLY got an offer today.   Problem, the base salary is 15K less than what he was making before.    Worse, the health insurance is outrageously expensive, to the point that we couldn't even afford to buy it.    Now there is commission, but it will take a while for him to build up a client base and make repeatable commissions.

I don't know what to tell him to do.    The job market is SO bad, and he had to negotiate this company UP to this number, they started LOWER.   I know they want him, but I don't think they have the budget to go higher.   So does he take it, just to TAKE something?  Or does he hold out?    I just don't know what advice to give him and the rules are so different now.

Thanks for any advice you might have.

Yikes that is an icky situation to be in.  Ultimately only you 2 together can decide what is best for your family.  If I were in your shoes, I'd sit down with my husband with a notepad and get it all out on paper.  List all current expenses, debts, and any upcoming expenses (home repairs, childrens needs, etc).  Then list all current sources of income and savings.  Once you have these lists it should be a little easier to see just how much effect this job will have on your family.  If there will be no significant improvements then it may not be a big deal for him to pass and keep looking.  However, if this salary (even though its less than what he's worth and is used to) will make significant improvements to your livelihood then it may be worth taking in the interim.

As for the health coverage, it may be cheaper to buy a plan independently and forgo the employer plan should he opt to take the job.  Does your auto or homeowners coverage also offer health insurance?  Definitely research your options here before assuming the employer plan is the only one.

From what you’ve said here and on the “Coping with Unemployment” board, your husband is not in a position to ‘hold out’ or negotiate  The chances of him finding any job are bleak – that’s just the way it is.  The chances of him finding a good job in IT Staffing  and earning anywhere near what he used to are very slim.  A low ball offer is better than no offer.  Meanwhile, instead of waiting for offers he needs to do whatever he has to do to earn money – lawnwork, repairs, delivering pizza, whatever it takes.  A lot of people are doing what they have to in order to help pay the bills and to keep busy.

OTOH, in another thread you said your husband got a large sum of money from his father’s estate, and that you’re working part-time.  He doesn’t have to work to make ends meet so I don’t think he will be doing lawnwork or delivering pizzas for awhile - at least not until the money runs out.  You also said he is very stubborn and doesn’t want advice from anyone and that he has a right to be depressed and angry.  Then, you said he refuses to consider looking into other areas of employment.

If you need to vent, that's fine if it helps you, but I'm not sure what it is you’re expecting in the way of advice or even support.

In this position, I think I'd probably take the job.  He can always continue looking and hopefully when the economy gets back on its feet, he can get something that's paying what he deserves to be making, but sometimes we all have to take a pay cut so we can pay the bills.  However, as someone else said, only the two of you can make this decision based on whether he needs this job now, whether he can hold out, etc.  I've been in the position many times where I've taken pay cuts just to have a job, and it does suck, but it's not forever.  Just because he's getting paid less now doesn't mean he won't ever be back to what he was making before.

Good luck!