Does this job offer seem strange? (employment, interview, application, unemployed)

[xacrosstime]

I'm a recent graduate with a bachelor's degree. I recently applied and interviewed for a "desk clerk" position at a medical office, figuring it was a job that I could take for now and, hopefully, live on. The interview seemed to go well. She was passionate about the company, but also disorganized (she lost my résumé in a mound of paper on her desk). She was a little vague on how I would be trained other than getting help from the people around me. She said there were multiple positions open, briefly described them, but didnt ask if i preferred one over the other. She asked what my pay was at my current job and - this was probably my mistake- I told her the truth, $12/hour. A few hours later, I received an email from her. She offered me a position in "patient and provider support" which appears to be, based on her description, a fancy name for customer service (not what I was intending for) at $12/hour. My concern, primarily, is this pay rate. I simply can't afford my cost of living on $12/hour with my student loans coming, even with another part time job. I responded to her email, expressed my interest in her company, and asked if there was room for negotiation here, as I would require two dollars more an hour to make ends meet and would gladly take on extra responsibilities in the office. She responded with a simple "no." I asked when opportunities for review were, and she said "it varies and depends on the employee." In short, the job supposedly offers three weeks vacation, a $1500 stipend towards health insurance, and an IRA plan. But I'm being rubbed the wrong way.

With my concern being able to survive, do I take this position in the hopes that ill find something else (my current job is temporary and ends in two weeks) or pass up on it? It's the only offer I've received out of 60+ applications but I'm very much concerned about being able to afford my bills...

[HockeyAndRugby]

So how would ypou afford your bills if you don't have a job?

[manderly6]

Originally Posted by HockeyAndRugby

So how would ypou afford your bills if you don't have a job?

Exactly. I'm guessing it would be much easier on $12 an hour than on $0 an hour.

[STT Resident]

Originally Posted by xacrosstime

With my concern being able to survive, do I take this position in the hopes that ill find something else (my current job is temporary and ends in two weeks) or pass up on it? It's the only offer I've received out of 60+ applications but I'm very much concerned about being able to afford my bills...

I agree with the previous posters and would suggest that, if you decide to take this position, you adjust your budget accordingly. When you start looking carefully at what you spend money on you'll find (as do most) that a lot of what you spend is frittered away on totally unnecessary things. You can get some very helpful ideas in the "frugal living" forum!

[cowherjaw]

1) Income is better than no income
2) No employment gap is better than employment gap
3) New environment to meet new people and faces (read potential network) that may lead you to a better gig is better than no networking and getting that lead at home from behind your computer.

[TanyaWill35]

That's a tricky one... you don't want to be stuck without a job but you don't want to take a job that doesn't even permit you to make ends meet... I would probably take the job and keep searching full force.,, I guess that's the best you can do for now

[MSchemist80]

Wow not even a 10% increase. Never give your real salary. Take it and keep looking.

[joe from dayton]

You will be unemployed in two weeks and you are being offered a job making what you are making now ... is this really a question?

[DCmum]

Say yes and keep looking non stop

[Arthur Digby Sellers]

It's MUCH easier to find a job when you already have a job. Chalk this one up to a life lesson.