Job offer, internship, & possible unemployment

LegacyUser

I'm going to try and keep this as vague as possible, so as not to make myself identifiable.

I am currently on a JobBridge internship, with 1 week left. I've got good qualifications, a years worth of experience with a large multinational, and also practically a years worth of experience with this job. Took this internship because I wanted to change career from what I ended up doing in my last job - it was a big risk, but it worked, because now I'm in a much better position than I was before.

However my internship is up in one week. The place is a small startup and wouldn't be making a lot of income, but the offer they made me is considerably less than what I'd like - much less than minimum wage. It would be for a 30 hour Monday-Thursday job, which is how they get away with it.

I mention the experience and qualifications because I know how much I'm worth, after looking at the job market I know I should be worth at least double than what they're offering. And that's just starting pay.

The issues -

I'll have to move house (would prefer not to get into the reasons, for anonymity sake, but it is almost a necessity) and the way rent is at the moment, I know that rent & bills will realistically take up 70% of my earnings, if not more, leaving me with barely anything to survive on.

However it is easier to find a job with a job, but there is no guarantee of how long that'd take, so it would mean me essentially struggling to survive for X amount of time.

I like what I do, but realistically I know that I'd feel like I shouldn't work more than I would normally, because I'm not being adequately paid.

I would also be required to move back to my parent's home, if I don't take it.

So I feel like I'm either taking a huge step backward, which is moving home, or a slightly smaller step backward, by taking a job that is considerably less than I should.

Other options I see -

1) Don't take the position, ensuring that they know it would purely be for financial reasons and instead go back to being unemployed, but taking the time to teach myself new stuff and take on some basic freelance work, so at least I won't have a gap on my CV of doing nothing. I wouldn't see myself doing much freelance, because I know the market is tough, so it would be more to just keep myself up to date and more practice.

2) There's a few jobs that would require working remotely - it wouldn't be what I'd like to be doing at all, but would be better than nothing.

I don't know what to do and everything feels like it is all over the place. It's an awkward and uncomfortable situation.

The pay I've been offered works out at just only over what I'd be getting through regular social welfare.

Batgurl

Your other option is to negotiate the job offer you have. By the sounds of it you've nothing to lose and companies always have wiggle room if they truly value someone.

LegacyUser

Batgurl Your other option is to negotiate the job offer you have. By the sounds of it you've nothing to lose and companies always have wiggle room if they truly value someone.

Unfortunately I doubt I'll be able to negotiate to anything that would be more than what minimum wage would essentially be.

chuckles30

It's definitely a tough situation, but as you said, it is easier to find a job when you have one.

Is it an option for you to take that job for now and continue looking? Then when you find something, you can leave. I know you mention that the company is a startup, but have you asked them if there is any way they could increase the offer?

You mention that you have a couple of options for working remotely - are these full time remote jobs or would you get to spend any time in an office/building/centralised location with colleagues? The reason I ask that is that I worked remotely previously and it can be challenging - both professionally and personally. Of course the money you would be getting paid and the experience you are gaining also have to be considered. Another thing to consider - as it sounds like you will be renting - who will you be sharing with? Will you be able to work undisturbed? Will you have adequate space to wfh? It wouldn't be ideal if your workspace was also your bedroom...

My situation was different in that the company closed the building & I was essentially forced to work remotely - but at that stage, I had already built relationships with colleagues. I would imagine it is very hard to start working remotely in a completely new position. You also need to consider the social impact of working remotely - there is huge social interaction in a work environment which you don't realise until you don't have it.

At the end of the day, only you can decide what is right for you.

LegacyUser

chuckles30 wrote: »

It's definitely a tough situation, but as you said, it is easier to find a job when you have one.

Is it an option for you to take that job for now and continue looking? Then when you find something, you can leave. I know you mention that the company is a startup, but have you asked them if there is any way they could increase the offer?

You mention that you have a couple of options for working remotely - are these full time remote jobs or would you get to spend any time in an office/building/centralised location with colleagues? The reason I ask that is that I worked remotely previously and it can be challenging - both professionally and personally. Of course the money you would be getting paid and the experience you are gaining also have to be considered. Another thing to consider - as it sounds like you will be renting - who will you be sharing with? Will you be able to work undisturbed? Will you have adequate space to wfh? It wouldn't be ideal if your workspace was also your bedroom...

My situation was different in that the company closed the building & I was essentially forced to work remotely - but at that stage, I had already built relationships with colleagues. I would imagine it is very hard to start working remotely in a completely new position. You also need to consider the social impact of working remotely - there is huge social interaction in a work environment which you don't realise until you don't have it.

At the end of the day, only you can decide what is right for you.

With regards to working remotely, there's a few places around this city that allow you to use hot desks to work from. If I were to get this job, I could rent out one of these desks and use it for when I work. A friend knows of someone that is doing just this and says it is working out excellently for them.

I'm going to negotiate with them, but realistically I can't see myself getting more than what they offered me and would still be less than minimum wage.

Witchie

It is a difficult one for you but as the job would only be for 30 hours a week, could you do a few hours freelance to supplement your income?

I have set myself up as a freelancer, working remotely and have lately had so much work am often working into the wee hours of the morning to get things done as I don't want to lose any work because am saving to travel. So basically what I am saying is you could do your 30 hours for the company and have a steady income and do some more work in your free time.

Another alternative is speak to the company and see if you could work for them freelance. In other words, you set up as an independent company and have them as your main contract and do work for others. This way they may be able to pay you more per hour as they won't have to pay PRSI etc. As you have technically been on the unemployment register through jobbridge, you could go talk to your local enterprise board and see if you could set up your business under the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance Scheme or any other help they could give you to become your own boss. If you are able to show that you should have approximately 30 hours a week with one client and the potential to bring in more clients, you should be a very viable business. There are loads of supports out there so you can look into them.

You could even ask the startup if you can use their office space to do some of your other freelance stuff too so then you are saving on costs of electricity etc at home and are in a more social environment.

You would then be in a position to learn more and have some security.

zoobizoo

Why not stay and use your Fridays for finding a new job and doing interviews?

That would put you in a better barganing position if you're offered one

LegacyUser

Definitely keep the job.
You have a 4 day week, ie, one day free to do interviews or freelance work. It's huge experience on your CV, plus what you already have, which can only benefit you.
You could try taking it on condition (in your contract) that your pay is reviewed in a year's time or 6 months time or whatever, with a view to an increase - just in case you're still there.
And keep telling yourself - it's not forever.