8 Reasons Why Taking a Plan B Job Isn’t Settling: It’s Surviving

Things are not as they should be. There's no other way to say it. Now's the time to take action.

As it stands, you've exhausted your unemployment benefits and are wondering how you'll be able to pay the bills. You've applied for countless roles but haven't had an interview in the past month. Make that two months.

It's not for a lack of trying.

You were on top of the world, doing well at work, had recently received a great performance review, and then you were asked to meet with HR, where you learned you were no longer needed. They couldn't pay your salary.

You never saw it coming.

I'm confronted with this news from my clients every day at work. Although I love what I do, I hate the reality of unemployment. I've come to the harsh conclusion that the labor market is dismal, despite what the BLS reports*, and for far too many, it's a struggle. I came to this conclusion a year ago.

The majority of the people I coach are non-exempt, mid-management, and above. The term "white-collar recession" is a real phenomenon. Ageism is real. Fear is real. I don't say this to put fear in you; I say this because I want you to know that by taking Plan B, you're not settling. You're doing what needs to be done.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼

It's time to pursue Plan B for 8 logical reasons:

𝟭. 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲. There's no shame in taking a job that pays less than what you earned at your last job. Yes, even 40% less. Because some money is better than no money. The scenario of running out of unemployment insurance is a reality for many people. The possibility of losing one's house is also a reality. Avoid losing it all by taking a Plan B job.

𝟮. 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲. Getting out of your house will save your sanity. Get back into a routine, be around people, get away from your computer, and network. Eventually, you'll conclude that shot-gunning resumes is doing you no good—the black void is more evident than ever.

𝟯. 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝗽 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲. Employers understand how challenging the labor market is and will most likely respect you for taking a survival job. They understand why you went with Plan B. What they won't understand is why you didn't do anything to increase your knowledge and show a desire to work, any type of work. They want to see adaptability and flexibility, but most importantly to do what it takes to survive.

4. Build new skills. A Plan B job might not be your dream role, but it can expose you to new technology, processes, or industries. These skills can later be leveraged to transition back into your desired career path. Coming from the for-profit sector and entering the non-profit, will expose you to a completely new environment. One that you might enjoy more.

5. Expand your network. Every workplace—no matter how different from your last role—comes with new colleagues, managers, and connections. These relationships can become valuable contacts for future opportunities. I often talk about the value of weak ties, the people who are outside your direct circle of networkers. They have more reach than the ones in your "fishbowl."

6. Maintain confidence and momentum. Long periods of unemployment can chip away at self-esteem. Taking a Plan B job allows you to feel productive, successful, and capable, which strengthens your confidence for future interviews. Putting aside that you're earning less money, you will appreciate the fact that you're working for the first time in six or more months. It's a good feeling.

7. Fill emotional & social needs. Work provides more than income. It can bring structure, purpose, and belonging. A Plan B role helps restore those daily human interactions and a sense of accomplishment. Haven't you been alone long enough? Don't you miss human interaction? Has despondency set in? I think you understand my drift.

8. It's time for a change. You've been in the rat race for most of your career, selling software solutions. Your latest boss was stressed out, and because of it, he acted in a way that shocked even him. Now you need to "take a step back" and do something more enjoyable, less stressful. Take this opportunity to regain your sanity. This would be your Plan B.

I was talking with a client last week who is at the end of her rope. A director in academia, she had her hopes set on working at a university. The process took three months. It didn't pan out. What can I do? she asked me.

You have advanced, transferable skills that would make you a strong fit for any director position in a nonprofit, I told her. Look at all the universities, community colleges, secondary schools, government agencies, etcetera. Be proactive and contact people you might know or people who know those who work for these institutions. Network.

Then I asked her what her Plan B is, and she's taken aback. She's never thought of it. It's a matter of survival, I emphasize. It's temporary.

Another client I spoke with more recently is considering a job that pays almost half of what he made in his previous role. I asked him why he would consider it. Because of the stress reduction, he said. And he meant it.

That's another kind of survival.

*The reported unemployment rate is 4.2% but the U-6 (actual rate is 7.9%). Figures for "white collar workers" can be anywhere from 10-20%.