Many people are looking for a new job. At times like these, it is common for candidates to ask themselves whether it is worth accepting a proposal that offers a lower salary than they earned in their old job. I believe that there is no standard answer to this question, mainly because we live in a capitalist world, in which we need money to survive. I also know that it is very easy to give an opinion without being experiencing the situation, but my professional experience and in the recruitment and selection market make me safe to recommend that the decision is only taken after four analyzes:
1. Is the remuneration you want compatible with that practiced in the market?
The first thing you need to understand is whether the reward you want to receive corresponds to the average level practiced in the market. You can conduct this survey by talking to people you trust, reviewing job ads, or consulting specialized research.
2. How is your training in relation to the professionals who currently occupy the position you want?
There are situations when a company promotes an employee to a certain position with a corresponding salary increase, but the professional does not work as well as we would like. Then, after the dismissal, the person is faced with the need to return to the market for a position lower than the one he held. It may also happen that a professional remains in this position for many years, without paying attention to the needs for qualifications and technical updates over time.
3. What is the minimum remuneration you need to pay your basic costs?
If you accept a salary lower than what you need to pay your basic bills, you will certainly find yourself in a situation of dissatisfaction in the short term. Consider that hardly an employer increases an employee’s salary before he completes at least one year in the company. So, if you have a choice, keep looking for a little more to respect and appreciate yourself.
4. What is your financial strength to wait for the desired remuneration to appear?
There is no harm in accepting a lower than desired remuneration considering the medium or long term, as long as there is planning and some expectation of growth within the company. After all, salary increases depend both on the performance of the professional and on the reality of the market and the company. However, if your situation is really emergency, accept the offer and keep looking for a better opportunity.
Plan each step of your career, whether you are employed or looking for a new job.