Last week I had a job interview. It went well. Little Miss G had a great time with a nanny she didn't really know and I felt excited. If I find the right job and the right nanny, life is going to be good and it would be nice to earn money again.
On Tuesday at 5am Little Miss G woke up with a bad cough and that was the day of my second interview. At 8:00 the same "borrowed" nanny arrived and at 10:00 I was giving it my "best shot" in my second interview. I did well and they actually admitted that they were confident that I could start there tomorrow and do a good job. I rushed home and I got a call from the job. My salary, a reflection of my experience, was a problem as they could nowhere near match it. They asked me to have a think and get back to them.
I did not have much time to think because by 5pm I was at the doctor with a lethargic baby in a full blown asthma attack. Her heart was beating way too fast, her chest was struggling to get air and A&E was seriously considered by the doctors. The steroids did the trick and 24 hours later Little Miss G was on the mend, yet again.
I emailed "the job" on Tuesday night to say that I would compromise to their salary offer, which would be a big pay cut, but only for a 4 days week. I talked it through in length with Mr H and a good friend of mine in the industry. We all agreed that taking their salary for 5 days a week would leave me with not a lot in my pocket after the cost of a nanny and that, in itself, would become a very demotivating factor. Let alone the fact that I would be earning what I was earning 4-5 years ago, which really wouldn't feel good.
Today I got the call. They were very professional and actually lovely, but they said that I am overqualified or too senior for the role. Probably true. Even if they pushed the salary, the job itself would not provide me with enough challenges. Probably true. They were very impressed by meeting me and they will keep my CV in mind should anything more senior come around. I hope this is possibly true.
I am feeling a bit strange right now. Having experienced what would be like to have to rush into work when the baby is sick, I feel OK about waiting a bit longer to find something. At the same time having seen what a good nanny can do and how Miss G could actually benefit from not being around me all day long, I am now slightly more keen to start working again that I was before this experience. I have to admit it, I have enjoyed putting a nice dress on and "being back in the game". There is a part of me that really misses it now.
So, here are my questions. I think I know the answers, but I would honestly like to hear your thoughts. Honestly. Should have I accepted a big pay cut on my first interview (admittedly for an amazing company)? Are we in a financial situation whereby people are taking these big pay cuts to have a job? How would I feel doing a job that is admittedly more junior than my experience and that doesn't make me all that wealthy, if at all?
Please do feel free to tell me what you think. If you think I have been foolish to stick to my guns, please say so politely as I might be a bit fragile to hear it in harsh terms. Anyway, it's Friday and I am going out tonight and forgetting all about it! I have 6 wonderful lady bloggers to meet and they all seem like a hip and creative bunch. Amazing food is on the menu too, so I hope that by 8 pm tonight I would have forgotten that call, I will let you know...
I don't think there is a right or wrong salary to accept. They have to offer you what they can and you have to decide if you'd be happy to work for it. This one obviously wasn't for you. As time goes on, if you don't find something that you're happy with you can decide if it's worth setting your sights a bit lower in terms of salary. It might also be worth thinking of a nursery instead of a nanny as they generally cost less which might give you a bit more flexibility on the salary you can reasonably accept and you have the advantage that you won't have to worry about a nanny calling in sick on the day you have an important meeting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting on this. Yes, I do agree, I need to see more people before lowering my previous salary rate. At least now I am aware that it might have to be done *shrieks in horror*
ReplyDeleteA nursery is really not much of an option as in my area they cost a fortune, have 10 months waiting lists and Miss G has bad asthma and food allergies which means that there is a much higher chance that I'd have to pay the nursery whilst having her at home ill more often than having to deal with a nanny calling in sick on us. Which maybe is another factor in the fact that I have not rushed to go back to work, because her doctor appointments and crisis do unfortunately happen very often.
Thanks for commenting on this. Yes, I do agree, I need to see more people before lowering my previous salary rate. At least now I am aware that it might have to be done *shrieks in horror*
ReplyDeleteA nursery is really not much of an option as in my area they cost a fortune, have 10 months waiting lists and Miss G has bad asthma and food allergies which means that there is a much higher chance that I'd have to pay the nursery whilst having her at home ill more often than having to deal with a nanny calling in sick on us. Which maybe is another factor in the fact that I have not rushed to go back to work, because her doctor appointments and crisis do unfortunately happen very often.
This is a difficult situation to be in. But Cat is right - you need to decide if you want the job enough to accept the salary they offer.
ReplyDeleteBecause Miss G gets ill quite often, it must be an even harder decision to make - as to whether you want to leave her for many hours a day - possibly four or five days a week... To be very honest with you, I'd be terrified to leave V. At least while he's still so young.
I'm sorry I'm not much help!
x
I don't think you should take a job below your old one in level or too much in salary. I assume you worked hard to get there and it would be a shame for you to take a step back. It is hard to leave them every day so it needs to be worth your while :-)
ReplyDeletei think you offered a good deal to them. i know that the current employment climate is tough and you cannot always afford to be picky BUT you shouldnt work for nothing either not should you take a job which is a LOT under where you left your last position. I think they were fair to come back to you and be honest with you too.
ReplyDeleteyou know what feels right and you should use your own instincts xx
i think you offered a good deal to them. i know that the current employment climate is tough and you cannot always afford to be picky BUT you shouldnt work for nothing either not should you take a job which is a LOT under where you left your last position. I think they were fair to come back to you and be honest with you too.
ReplyDeleteyou know what feels right and you should use your own instincts xx