It’s one thing to worry about your health, but today’s global crisis has led to many people worrying about their financial security or how they will be able to start their career after graduation, on top of everything else that’s going on. This undeniably tense and stressful climate means that many are either poring over financial budgets or looking for alternative ways to support themselves and start or continue to gain experience in the hospitality industry.
Looking for other sources of income leads us to the question at hand: should you accept any position available in the hospitality industry? Where do you draw the line when it comes to accepting a job that pays versus going after something you want to do?
While some are lucky enough to be able to stay at their current jobs, many more have to make the difficult decision between these two questions. So below are a few factors to keep in mind when it comes to deciding whether you should take a job offer at this time.
The Type of Role
Business Insider estimates that hospitality job openings have decreased by over 60%, which speaks volumes about the pressures that recently furloughed or laid-off workers face when it comes to looking for new roles, however, there are still roles available, from entry-level roles such as cook and housekeeper, mid-level roles like general manager, administrative assistants, and reservations agents and finally senior-level roles like sales director, executive chef, director of operations and many more. You may also have to consider taking a temporary role to hold you over during this job market and gain some experience that can transfer over to the hospitality industry, including warehouse associates, delivery drivers, and grocery shoppers. You can find out more about temporary roles here.
For those who would rather stay at home, remote work opportunities are available. There are many openings for virtual assistants, customer service representatives, and sales representatives roles where you can put your hospitality skills to use, such as helping customer experiences, having quick problem-solving skills, or being very organized. It will also be a huge plus if you are bilingual, many positions specify the need for this skill.
Remote and on-site jobs each have their particular advantages and disadvantages. When it comes to deciding what role you’re willing to accept, you should also consider how much effort you’re ready to put in to immerse yourself in the role.
The Expected Compensation
At the end of the day, your salary is one of the main factors you’ll probably keep in mind when it comes to accepting an offer. In fact, your expected salary may even help you decide whether to take a position that’s totally outside of your comfort zone.
If you’re looking to negotiate your potential salary, it’s always a good rule of thumb to keep your credentials updated to really make a case for why you would be the best fit. From there, asking for a salary range helps you gauge how you’ll be compensated. The range trick works for when you want to discuss your expected salary, too: but just keep in mind that your lower and upper figures should be within 20% of one another in order to seem reasonable.
Salary negotiations can be tricky, but they’re a necessary conversation to have especially if you’re looking to land a new position at this time. It’s worth going through your budget and savings to see how much you already have, as well as outline how much you might need based on your weekly budgeting. This process will give you a good idea of just how much you need from an expected salary, or whether you even need another job in the first place.
Your Current State and Situation
Your current mental state is also something that should be factored into finding and accepting a new job. While it’s normal to feel a bit askew during these times, CNN notes that increased feelings of helplessness and crippling anxiety are warning signals that your mental health is taking a turn for the worse.
If this sounds like you, going through the pressures of a new job might not be what you need — no matter how much you think a change of scenery will do you good. Take some time to refocus and reach out to loved ones, perhaps asking them for some advice. This should give you some clarity moving forward.
Also, consider what your current financial situation is. You may need to accept a job to help cover living expenses, and that is perfectly okay. Employers will be more understanding of different measures and circumstances people need to take. Remember that you can choose to not include a job on your resume if it doesn’t fit in your planned career path or help you learn any new skills or experiences that would help in a hospitality role.
Preparing for a Job Switch
If you are in a job that is making you unhappy and you feel it is the right time to move, don’t let the current situation stop you. However, remember that unless you have a new job lined up it can be very difficult to make the switch if things don’t turn out as planned. This is why preparation is vital and should begin as early as possible. A post on the financial concerns of changing jobs by Marcus outlines how you must budget for gaps between paychecks ‘including insurance, rent, and any relocation costs. The last thing you want is to make the decision to change jobs and find that you misjudged the situation and are now without the financial resources to continue looking efficiently. This will force you to accept the first job you are offered which puts you at a disadvantage, especially now
Our post entitled ‘Take These Steps to Plan Your Return to Work’ outlines ways you can continue to be proactive about the job search at home. Whatever you decide to do, remember the importance of looking after yourself throughout this difficult process.