Yahoo Finance Seeking Opportunity Over Salary When Job Searching
There are turning points in life when you may have to make a career change or even put a total hold on your career. This could be due to caring for a sick family member, adopting or having a child, or relocation due to a partner's career move. If it's possible financially, these junctures are perfect for taking a timeout to decide where you want to go next.
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Whether you take time off or not, it can be difficult to find a new, comparable job when you've had a life-changing situation. Many times, we end up facing the prospect of taking a job that we're overqualified for or is lower in salary than our previous role. It can be demoralizing to take less in salary or a demotion. However, there are benefits for you in the long run.
Resume builder. At the end of the day, every new role -- volunteer or paid -- is an opportunity to build your resume. While it may not be on the career trajectory you'd hoped, it adds to your career profile and toolbox, possibly in ways that you cannot foresee. People do not often stay in a job anymore for more than a few years, which gives them a collection of experiences that may not be directly related. If you accept a job that you feel is not on a traditional path in your career field, you may later discover that you're drawing a thread through your experience that will shape your career in an exciting way.
Network builder. Unless you're working entirely alone in front of a computer with zero contact (that includes phone, email, text or in-person interactions) with the outside world, you're making connections. The people you meet and relationships you build through work -- with colleagues, clients and partners -- may lead to new things. You may learn something small but invaluable about yourself or your field. You may learn about a profession you didn't know anything about before. If you cultivate these relationships and stay in touch, some of these people may be able to help you find future career development or job opportunities.
[See: Tips for Surviving a Career Transition.]
Skill development. You may never have thought you would do sales, and you're saying, "Me, in sales? No way!" But your definition of sales may be entirely different than what it means for this particular role. Give it a chance: If you have doubts about a job requirement, ask questions to ensure you completely understand what is expected. You also may not have ever thought you'd learn to use Salesforce or Wordpress, but this job might give you the opportunity to do so. These are valuable tools that are used in many companies and are a great addition to your skill toolbox and resume.
Growth opportunities. Ask the employer about professional development opportunities, both external and internal. Even if a company isn't large, they may reimburse you for membership in an association for professionals in your field, training or even a conference. Also, don't forget about the chance you have to learn from people working at the company with many more years of experience. These can be great formal or informal mentors who you can learn from and bounce ideas off of with regard to your career development.
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Quality of life benefits. A high salary doesn't necessarily equal satisfaction. Consider what is most important to you and where you're willing and unwilling to make concessions. If a higher salary isn't an option, you can consider asking about the possibility of a bonus or yearly performance-based raise. Outside of pay, investigate the type of work environment it is. What are typical business hours? Do people often stay after hours or need to attend evening or weekend events? If your personal time or family time is important to you, you may want to work in a place where people leave the office at 5 p.m., in lieu of higher pay.
Negotiable benefits. Speaking of what's most important to you, things like work hours, vacation time and holidays are negotiable. If time off is your highest priority, discuss that with the employer and try to come to a consensus. If you need or want to pick up your kids from school, talk about that with your employer and ask if that's possible. If not, perhaps working a few days or one day a week from home after an initial period of work in the office is possible.
Salary is typically our main focal point, but you can try to reframe your perspective. If you find yourself at a transitioning point in your career, consider what is most important to you beyond salary. With that in mind, remember some of the less obvious benefits you receive from taking a job that isn't on the trajectory you'd planned. Then take your top priorities and negotiate for what you want in lieu of a higher salary or role. You may be surprised by how you feel in a more flexible situation, and realize that the prospect of opportunity is equal to or greater than the prospect of a high salary.
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