What Would Make You Take Any Job Offered?

by Miranda Marquit · 4 comments

Underemployment remains a common problem today. Even though the most recent recession has technically been over for years, many people still feel the pinch, and the labor market hasn’t really recovered — or maybe it’s changed.

Many people are working as temps or freelancers, part-time instead of full-time, and/or in jobs they would’ve scorned a few years ago.

At the same time, though, there are those who still won’t take jobs they think are “beneath” them. They’re reluctant to take pay cuts, or they won’t work for minimum wage. Additionally, some are concerned that taking a “lesser” job might mean employers won’t hire them for better jobs later. It’s a tough position to be in.

Doing What it Takes for Survival

Of course, there are those who have the luxury of deciding whether or not to take work they feel they’re too good for. In the case of some of the Millennials I know, they simply move back home and let mom and dad take care of them until they can find a job they’re satisfied with.

Others have adequate savings, that, along with unemployment benefits, allow them to take their time with the job hunt. If you have the resources to be choosy about your job, there’s no reason to hurry along. Of course, the longer you’re unemployed, the harder it is to get a job, so be careful you don’t run out of savings before you find the “right” job.

In the end, though, if you need the work to survive, you’re more likely to take anything that’s offered — even if you don’t feel like the job is up to scratch. People have been known to put up with a great deal when survival is on the line.

Saying You Have a Job

Another reason to take any job offered is simple: you want to work. It’s hard to maintain a good outlook on life when you don’t have something meaningful to do. Even though my husband doesn’t have to work for our family to survive, he likes to.

As a result, he’s considering accepting a job that might not be ideal, just so he can say he has a full-time job. He’s been struggling as an adjunct university professor, since the schools he’s worked for so far don’t value his hard work and student-centric focus. So, even though it might mean accepting something less than ideal, he’s willing to go anywhere his efforts to help students advance on their own terms are appreciated.

It’s been interesting to watch as he’s changed what he’s willing to accept as he prioritizes his work requirements.

What about you? What would make you accept any job offered to you?

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  • Aldo @ MDN says:

    I’m not saying you should take just about “any” job that is offered, but taking a less paying job might not be a bad idea if you continue to look for the job you want. You are putting food on the table while being able to pursue other opportunities. For the most part, there are no penalties for leaving a job too soon unless there’s a contract of some sort, so working some place for 3-6 months until you find the right job might help you. First, you will be getting paid and second, there won’t be a big gap in your resume. It doesn’t look too good when people look at your resume and see that you haven’t been working for the past year, unless you are going to school or have a legitimate reason other than “couldn’t find a job.”

    • David @ MoneyNing.com says:

      Taking a temporary job is always a good idea, because it keeps your mind sharp and may even help you learn some new skills. If you are motivated, you might even be able to find a new career in that new industry.

      No job is ever “beneath you”. How could an employer see it as a negative if you tell them everything you’ve learned in the temp job and how you’ve become a better worker because of the newly acquired perspective and skill set?

      It’s all about the attitude.

  • Bill says:

    Simply put, I would never take any job that was offered to me and unemployment benefits are hardly enough to subsist on. Having said that, I am open to any number of jobs that I can get job satisfaction from. Having spent 40 continuous years employed and then laid off at 62, there are some options that just don’t work for me. Retraining for a new career is one. Taking a couple of years to go to school and emerging at age 65 to look for a job doesn’t sound like the best use of my time. Teaching is a possibility as is part time work, but there are too many jobs that I’m simply not qualified for or would not be able to stick to.

    • David @ MoneyNing.com says:

      It’s great to already know what your preferences are. I think taking years off school for possibly better job prospects is always a tough choice unless the new career substantially pays more. After all, the lost of salary, years of lost compounding etc will take a serious cut financially.

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