Is it worth going for?

Jimmy Bottlehead

Hey all.

Been out of work almost two years now - graduated in 2006 and was working solidly in a load of different jobs until 2008. Not one interview since.

Anyways, I got a call about an interview for a technical support role. Problem is, the money is quite poor - €20500 for a 40 hour week, which after tax I've worked out at €315. (though I could be wrong!)

As it stands, my social welfare weekly payment is €326 as I claim for myself and my girlfriend who lives with me (she's a student).

While I definitely want to work, and I know how scarce jobs are, I would prefer if the job I take is at least a tiny bit more lucrative than the dole. So I'm wondering should I chance my arm and ask them to knock it up to 21k if they offer me the position? Or am I shooting myself in the foot?

Any advice would be terrific.

Thanks!

rebel10

It's great you found something!
Yes i would definately ask them to bump it up a bit.
Does seem quite poor for the hours you will be doing.

genericguy

irrespective of whether or not you're making a huge amount more with this job than on the scratch, when a better opportunity comes around you'll have experience and the fact that you've made a concerted effort to get off the dole on your side to bolster an application. plus there's the added bonus of having a reason to get out of bed in the morning.

bongi69

OP, assuming that you have the standard tax credit, it should work out at €367.20 for a week after PAYE, PRSI and Levy. At this salary, a medical card that you may hold doesn't make any difference to your PRSI.

The standard tax credit I've used is €3660. Considering that if you start the job this month, you're still entitled to the full yearly tax credit so you may very well get a refund of some of the tax you've paid at the end of the year.

Its really up to yourself, and as someone mentioned you'll have to take into account commuting expenses, lunch etc. I will say that AFAIK you will not lose your medical card should you hold one, straight away when starting employment.

Personally, I would take it, as the old saying "Its easier to find a job when you're in one" certainly is true.

bongi69

Wanthousenow wrote: »

Its 340 on taxcalc.

€20500 = 394.23 per week (20500/52)
Tax credit = 70.38 per week (3660/52)

Tax:
394.23 x 20% = 78.85
Less tax credit -70.38
Total Tax: 8.47

PRSI: (Class A, between 352 and 500 per week)
First €127 is ignored for PRSI purposes. Remainder at 4%

394.23 - 127 = 267.23
267.23 x 4% = 10.69

Levy:
394.23 x 2% = 7.88

Net Pay:
Gross pay less Tax, PRSI and Levy:

394.23 - 8.47 - 10.69 - 7.88 = 367.19

Ok so I'm a cent out doing it manually versus using the Excel sheet I have, probably due to rounding.

Jimmy Bottlehead

Hey everyone.

Thanks so much for the responses and the calculations. I just assumed tax was 20% from the €20500. Goes to show what I know when it comes to tax!

At about €370 a week it'll definitely be worth my time. A Steep drop from the €30k I was making back in the day (madness for a 21 year old) but better than claiming, which I've always disliked.

Now fingers crossed I can nail the interview!

bongi69

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

Hey everyone.

Thanks so much for the responses and the calculations. I just assumed tax was 20% from the €20500. Goes to show what I know when it comes to tax!

At about €370 a week it'll definitely be worth my time. A Steep drop from the €30k I was making back in the day (madness for a 21 year old) but better than claiming, which I've always disliked.

Now fingers crossed I can nail the interview!

Good luck OP!

MagicMarker

If they feel you're the man for the job then you're in a position to negotiate, there's nothing wrong with asking for a couple of grand more. If you don't ask you won't get.

yop

Good luck OP, I admire you for getting off your bum and hopefully it will stand to you in the future.

Best of luck with the interview.

mickman

yeah fair play.

90% of people in this country would no way work 40 hours for an extra 60 euro

Jimmy Bottlehead

mickman wrote: »

yeah fair play.

90% of people in this country would no way work 40 hours for an extra 60 euro

lol really begs the question whether I'm daft!

yop

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

lol really begs the question whether I'm daft!

No your not. I'm in a similar enoughish situation, have to leave my job due to not been paid in last 4 months. Best I can find is 2 days per week in Dublin, means living up there for the 2 days, but at least I am making money.

You will feel better about yourself anyway and your CV will be better for it.

tenchi-fan

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

While I definitely want to work, and I know how scarce jobs are, I would prefer if the job I take is at least a tiny bit more lucrative than the dole. So I'm wondering should I chance my arm and ask them to knock it up to 21k if they offer me the position?

It's not a great wage. But an awful lot of people would work for it - don't underestimate the amount of service desk jobs that ended up in New Delhi.

Do yourself a favour and forget about asking to bump it up by a lousy €500.. less tax = €375!

If you are going to ask, say you are pleased to have been offered the job but you have a few questions. Ask about whether they make PRSA contributions for you, how many days annual leave, sick pay, is overtime paid, etc etc. If the benefits are scant, you can start your patter... that you had understood professionals with your level of experience earn €24-25k and in the past worked for much more, but you are eager at the opportunity to work in this high-profile company. Ask them to consider higher remuneration, or perhaps a 9% contribution into a PRSA. No harm in asking! Then again, if the job was advertised at €20k you won't have much room to negotiate!

Welease

You are going nowhere on the dole..
In this job, you can potentially move up through the company, or become more attractive to your next potential company..

Take the job...

Jimmy Bottlehead

I just got offered the job and accepted Starting July 19th!

Nolanger

Did you apply for the Back to Work allowance?

Jimmy Bottlehead

Nolanger wrote: »

Did you apply for the Back to Work allowance?

What is that?

Welease

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

I just got offered the job and accepted Starting July 19th!

Congrats look at it as a stepping stone to something better

ruthkell

Congrats Bottlehead!!!! Well done....

Do u have a medical card? If so, you are exempt from the health levy portion of PRSI and exempt from income levy. If you have had a med card for any length of time in 2010 just send a copy to your payroll dept and inform them to switch you to A2 prsi (i think, check this out on prsi guidelines) and inform them that you are exempt from income levy. They should know all this but they will need a copy of your medical card for their files!! Good luck!!