Offered job - not enough pay- What do I do?

Question

I currently have an office job and I don't like it. I have a degree in Baking/Pastry and am a freelance wedding cake designer. was offered an AMAZING pastry cook position at a very reputable wedding facility. The exec. chef told me that I would bake and plate desserts, but if I didn't like it, I could solely bake or plate. Also, he would find me another job at one of their other facilties if I didn't like this one. I could also help make their wedding cakes.
The problem is that he said that the pay is probably around $10.50/hour. I honestly can't afford take a job lower than $15.00/hour. But it's such a great opportunity! Is there something I can do? Are there any places or jobs I can get in NJ like this that would actually pay a decent amount?
Thanks for your help!

The problem is I really can't live on $10.50/hour. I added up all my expenses that are necessities (rent, car, loans, etc.), and I just can't make it. I don't make good enough money on wedding cakes to have it supplement some income, and my job now wouldn't let me work part time.

Answer 1

Here in Jersey, as you well know, most cooking/baking jobs don't pay a livable wage. (They want to pay the bare minimum and then work us to the maximum, until you're going to qualify for overtime and then your hours get cut...) I work for the foodservice contractor at a small southern NJ public university, so I totally understand the crappy pay part of your question. It sounds like the Exec is more flexible than most, so I'd try to negotiate the pay upwards, especially if you're flexible about working with multiple facilities and doing desserts and wedding cakes. I'm not sure where he's getting his offer from (probably someone in Payroll determined the number), but if he expects to receive the kind of work you can produce, then he's got to be realistic and meet your asking price. If the place has a reputation to uphold, it seems like you're not asking enough because you B/P folks are just amazing ;)

There are lots of wonderful wedding and catering facilities here in New Jersey. I'm sure any one of them would love to have you, especially with your current office experience (shows that you have a wide range of talents, including with computers that older chefs are loathe to use) and your B/P credentials. I say stick to your guns and get what you need to live on! Good luck, and let us know what happens!

Answer 2

Unfortunately, I know nothing about NJ or the pastry business. But years ago I was in a similar position in my field. I ended up taking a job in my field that paid less than minimum wage at the time. My boss at my other job offered to let me work part-time so that I could make it workable.

Sometimes sacrifice is needed to get into the field you want. This is your foot in the door. If you are young with energy, perhaps you could work this new job and have another part-time job on the side. Hopefully, when they see what a great job you do, they will value you and up your pay.

If you are older, you might want to keep the job you have. It is harder to find jobs that pay well when you are older.

Answer 3

I dont like it. He knows you are a good asset for the company and he wants to use your talents AND not pay you great wages.

Negotiate. Tell him that you understand that he wants to try your services first. He probably wants to see how many finished products you can churn out at a given time. This final tally will tell him if he makes a profit or not. His decision will be based on how fat he wants his profit vs the payout of your wages will be.

Ask to be tried out first, and you want a little increase every 3 months.

Why? Because you also want to learn the tricks of the trade. And lets face it, you may be slow and inadequate.
Stay with them until two things happen.
1. You become certain that you are being used, and they are raking in money while paying you peanuts.
2. You have learned enough to start your own company doing the same thing in another place /town or country.

Good luck.

Answer 4

I think you should take the job and discuss the salary with him. He might agree to up your pay after 90 days or something. If you want to into this field and your experience is limited, you do have to accept a pay cut.
Perhaps you can continue to freelance wedding cakes to make up the difference, and when you have the experience, move on or get a pay raise.

Answer 5

A great position with a great company AND the exec chef seems willing to bend over backwards for you. Take it!!

Now the money thing does suck, but could you do something else part time to make some extra cash? I'm guessing this is something that could work out (money-wise) in the long run.

Answer 6

Can you work there part time for the experience like in the evenings? I don't cook, but I would jump at the chance to get experience in a field that interested me if it was part time. Especially if I needed extra $$$.

Good Luck with your decision!

Edited to add this response:

But would the wedding facility allow you to work part time, like on the weekends or evenings?

Answer 7

If they stated "around $10.50" it sounds like a time you can negotiate. Tell them you are very interested but you wouldn't be able to do it for $10.50. See what they will do. Maybe you can get them up to $15.00. I don't know though. $15 for an entry level might be tough. Good Luck though!

Answer 8

you would be doing something you love to do. honestly how many people really enjoy their job? i would try to figure out a way to budget and maybe in time you could advance, plus this would be a great experience for you.

Answer 9

are there other perks you can get? transportation allowance, paid time off, health benefits, signon bonus, guaranteed pay raise in 60-90 days, free meals, uniform allowance

Answer 10

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