Will you take this job?

[Deagle 508]

You know what they say, a low job is better than no job.

[Ash.1101 1,756]

You know what they say, a low job is better than no job.

Agree'd. If anything, you can use this job to gain US experience and make it a stepping stone to that salary and company you really want to work for.

To each its own though, some people are happier having 0$ deposited in their bank account not working a job they feel cheated with, while others are happier with even 50$ being put in the bank account with a job that is under their standards.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Hmm, I so disagree. The OP would have to list salary history and might make him/herself less desirable in the future. I would pass on this job and use the free time to find a better one.

Edited October 28, 2016 by Harpa Timsah

[Cathi 5,771]

I had an job interview around 3 weeks ago and completed a brunch of assessment tests and I received an offer today. I am wondering If I should just take it or should wait for another opportunity.

I understand that as a new immigrant, we always start with lower salary but I didnt expect be almost 60% lower than what I used to earn. Can anyone share your view with me if you were me.

You cannot compare your salary from another country to US salaries. You are 100% comparing apples to oranges. Even within the US salaries vary greatly from state to state and even city to city, and company to company even within the same field. It may be a way for you to get your foot in the door in your industry. I will give you a very good example. My husband is a computer engineer, 4 year degree and several years experience in his home country before he entered the US. He was unable to find a job in his field, so after 5 months he took a job at Walmart, no one was willing to hire him as an engineer with zero US experience. After 10 months he took a job as an engineering INTERN, it only paid a little more than minimum wage. He took the job because it was way for him to get his foot in the door, he had to literally start from scratch. After 4 months they promoted him to a senior engineer with full benefits.

You literally gave us no details of what the job is so I suggest Googling the average salary for that position on your state and region to get a better idea. Also you can go to Glassdoor and Indeed.com to compare. Honestly I would never throw away the chance at employment especially if it's in your field. My husband was laid off from his job last November and it took him until July to find another good job. Even though we live in the greater Boston area where there are literally thousands upon thousands of high tech companies the market is still very competitive.

[RobertM54 36]

Depending on the industry, there could be a lot of considerations. In many ways, I think the skills transfer is more indirect than for a more technical field. Procurement laws are different, Compliance is different. They may think that you are essentially entry level until you learn how it works in the USA. You probably do not have a list of contact ere in USA relevant to your company's industry. In my industry, procurement is complicated with stringent compliance requirements. You would be faced with competing requirements. I would be concerned that your Singapore experience might even be a detriment here.

That said, I tend to agree with what others have said that this might be a good starting place. If you are good then you should advance rapidly in salary. And eventually, you will get that big bump that gets you back to where you should be.

As you become indispensable, you can be clear that you are not happy with your salary. If it genuinely is low, then depending on the size of your company, you will be normalized. My company is about 2500 and is just starting to consistently normalize its salaries to industry standards. If yours is a lot smaller, then it may be a real negotiating process. If it is a lot bigger, then it will have the relevant salary data and can slot you appropriately once they know you are good.

Edited October 28, 2016 by RobertM54

[usmsbow 802]

I was a Procurement Director back then. I am looking for a Procurement Manager/ Director position here. I didn't expect to earn the same wages. I expect to be around 20% lesser than what I used to make. But the salary this company is offering is way to low.

My experience in that field is 100% public sector, so keep that in mind when I say: you should pass on that job, or at least give them a counter offer. That type of position is in high demand, and the # of people that qualify is relatively low (and the # of procurement people that are not so bright is depressingly high).

But like I said, that's the public sector, which requires knowing a ton of laws and policies, plus having the requisite training.

And maybe I missed it, but how long have you been looking? If you can afford to wait longer, why not do so? The job market in Seattle is pretty strong right now from what I've gathered, so it probably won't be too difficult to find another opportunity.

[acajim 16]

Find the average salary for your specific area (for the reason listed before), then write to the recruiter, list your qualifications and achievements, and explain in a very nice way, the reason you think the offer is low and as somebody before me suggested, counter offer with your salary expectation. Some employers do ask what is your salary expectation.

Don't forget to thank them.

[RobertM54 36]

and the # of people that qualify is relatively low (and the # of procurement people that are not so bright is depressingly high).

+1

[TBoneTX 45,568]

In 9+ years on this site, I've read countless posts from new immigrants who are desperate to find ANY job.

Millions of native-born Americans are in the same boat.

It's always easier to find a new, better job when you're already employed.

You absolutely need U.S. work experience, and good references.

Any job is a good job.

Seize this one, exceed the employer's expectations, and blow them away with your capabilities.

People -- internally and externally -- will notice. Trust this.

After a few months, follow this advice:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/449151-the-steveandtiff-stupremacy/?p=6471637

[Hanane S 4]

Procurement manager salary in US is aproximatly 80.000 $ a year ..

[corrycorina 6]

Thanks you all for your valuable opinions. I do agree with most of you that low paid job is better than no job considering I have no working experience in US.

I am also very concerned about the salary history but I can always tell my next employer the reason why I take this low paid job. Since my husband is working in one of the tech company in Seattle with good paid. Money is not the main problem, the experience working in the US then become an important factor. I guess I would make them a reasonable counteroffer just to show that I want this job but I also find it a bit low. If they still want to take me, then take me. If not, I have to pass.

Thank you all. Have a good evening.

Edited October 28, 2016 by corrycorina

[TBoneTX 45,568]

Thanks for explaining your intentions. Sincere best wishes.

You can ask for this thread to be closed, if it has served your purpose -- just hit the "report" button below a posted message and so request. You're also welcome to leave it open.

Edited October 28, 2016 by TBoneTX

[EmilyW 1,459]

I took a 50% wage drop on my first role. Within six months, I was promoted and am back to within 20% of what I was earning before I got to the US.

If you are as good as you think, take the job and prove yourself. They will promote you once they realize your value. I knew that I wouldn't be in the role I was offered for long, once they could see what I could do.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Thanks you all for your valuable opinions. I do agree with most of you that low paid job is better than no job considering I have no working experience in US.

I am also very concerned about the salary history but I can always tell my next employer the reason why I take this low paid job. Since my husband is working in one of the tech company in Seattle with good paid. Money is not the main problem, the experience working in the US then become an important factor. I guess I would make them a reasonable counteroffer just to show that I want this job but I also find it a bit low. If they still want to take me, then take me. If not, I have to pass.

Thank you all. Have a good evening.

I agree with this approach. It all boils down to how badly you need/want the job. There is also a lot to be said for a new immigrant gaining US job experience, so you would want to weigh this in your decision making. Any job might be better than no job simply for the experience alone. It would also get you out of the house, being stuck at home all day can be depressing after a while.

[jostermacedo 54]

Hi,

I also immigrated to the US a year ago and I got a CFO job three months ago. I don't know anything how job offers are made in Hong Kong, but at the level you are applying, employers expect you to counter offer. Never accept the initial offer they make. I was able to increase mine for more than 20%.

I was a Procurement Director back then. I am looking for a Procurement Manager/ Director position here. I didn't expect to earn the same wages. I expect to be around 20% lesser than what I used to make. But the salary this company is offering is way to low.