Low Income Is Better Than No Income: Here's Why

Living in a society that suffers from severe unemployment levels is hard. There are jobs on the market, but for every job that is out there, there is over one hundred applicants clamouring for a chance. Due to the pool of candidates being so large, employers now have the ability to be picky about the people that they hire and take their time whilst they do it. Most people now feel lucky to be working in a low-income position, rather than be a position of no income and sometimes that can feel like a slap in the face, especially if you are a skilled and educated person.

There is a hierarchy in the working world, that sees those on the top of the career ladder in a better financial position and with better job security than someone on the bottom of the career ladder. Those on the bottom are often expendable for a company, so when there is hardship in the industry, the last hired are often the first to go. However, when you are unemployed and desperately searching for work, you don’t often look at the top of the ladder, you just feel grateful for anything that comes your way. Dealing with job loss and unemployment, especially during market and industry crashes, is difficult. It doesn’t just have an impact on your mental well being, but on your ability to see what’s in front of you. Losing your job can feel like you are on a downward slide and have suddenly got a time limit on finding another one before the next round of utilities or mortgage is due. The pressure of searching for a job in a market saturated by other desperate people in the same boat can feel demeaning and quite sad.

There are myths out there that certain industries are safe from redundancy and heavy job loss, but that isn’t true. Currently the world of healthcare is precarious, with the lack of funding shutting down crucial services, meaning that jobs on the bottom line are being lost and whole services are being cut. These types of cuts can be read about in more detail here, and you should be familiar with these already as they are happening industry-wide. These cuts, especially in healthcare settings, have meant that people are moving into private healthcare instead of public, as there is more funding in private healthcare. It is also becoming more popular to use medical recruitment agencies to find work, as the salaries are often slightly better than directly applying for work with the healthcare setting you want to work in. Jobs include nursing, surgical staff jobs and theatre jobs. You can apply for such jobs via https://www.staffnurse.com/jrp-theatre-support-worker along with other recruitment sites. Understanding where to look for work when you are out of a job is important, and knowing that there are recruitment agencies suited to your own industry is key.

Hitting a period of unemployment hits more workers than you could possibly imagine, it’s just not something most people speak about. It can feel shameful, to lose a job and it’s this shame that makes people conceal their panic, especially if the role they were in was fairly high up the food chain. The idea of starting again from the beginning in a different company or even a different industry can be terrifying and make you feel like you haven’t achieved anything. However, don’t be defeated! It’s not a bad thing, to want to be recognised for the skills that you have, but there are many reasons you should be thankful for the chance to start again, and it’s not just about having ANY income. We’ve put together some of the reasons that starting again on a lower salary can be a positive thing, so that while you’re looking for work, you can feel bolstered and fired up to do well.

New Skills. One of the biggest pluses of starting again in a job lower in salary and different to what you are used to is the fact you learn skills that can be different from what you knew before. If you worked in a large hospital setting and then you lose your job, you could find yourself in a smaller, more private setting and this can give you the chance for more one-on-one working. The skills you can learn directly from a mentor can be invaluable and different from what you knew before.

Paying Bills. Of course, the biggest draw for an income – whether lower than you are used to or not – is paying the bills. The stress that comes with not being able to pay your rent or your household grocery bill can take a huge toll on your mental health. Having an income can mean a lot less stress and a feeling of relief.

Benefits. When you lose your job, you also lose your healthcare and pension benefits that come with it. If you don’t pay for insurance outside of your work healthcare plan, you are left open for injury and no way to cover yourself. This type of stress is hard to cope with and makes you more likely to need a doctor! A new job means a restoration of health care benefits and retirement funds.

Security. Job hunting is a difficult task. You have to sift through hundreds of job adverts and while you may take a role that is less in terms of the income you are used to, you can hold onto job and income security while you try and get back into a position of the same level that you lost. A job – regardless of the level – offers you security while you try to find other work.

Resume. Everyone knows how difficult it can be to explain unemployment gaps on a resume in a job interview. Taking any job available to help you avoid gaps in your employment can be easily explained in a job interview. Employers are a lot more understanding about gaps in work than they used to be due to the understanding of the industry being more difficult.

Savings. While you’ve been off work, you may have been living off your savings as well as unemployment benefits. These benefits are not permanent, and neither are your savings. Depleting your savings fund can add to your stress, as this money wouldn’t have been put aside for bills and mortgage payments while you are unemployed.

Turning down income in a time where an income is hard to come by is not a smart decision. Many articles such as these will tell you to hold out and wait for the job you want rather than plucking anything off the shelf. However, the pros of taking any job that is offered far outweigh the need for you to wait around for work to come your way. It may never come your way and you would have waited around for nothing! Taking a job as a means to survive may be a temporary fix, but you could also end up finding a new career out of it. You may enjoy working in your industry, but what if you discover that you love something else? That right there is why a low-income position can be better than nothing at all.

If you are in a position right now where you are taking your job for granted, it’s time to start appreciating what you have, and hope that you never end up in a position where you are panicking about putting food on the table. Luck comes in many forms, and the ability to have a steady career in this economy is lucky!