The question comes up repeatedly in this economy: "Why should I even consider a low-paying job when I can continue to draw unemployment?" This is a great question, and one that there is no easy answer to.
From the standpoint of benefiting your state and national economies, working at any job will put you back in the group of citizens who are contributing taxes into the system. Whether you can truly afford to take a lower-paying job will probably be the final deciding factor. There are those who have adequate savings, or other income, that allows them to take a lower-paying job for a time until "the dream job" comes along.
Does having several lower-paying jobs in a row on your résumé draw unwanted attention to the fact that you are, at times, willing to settle for less salary and/or benefits? Perhaps yes. It is certainly something to think about. On the other hand, it demonstrates a work ethic that does not allow you to "take handouts," which can be a plus in a tight job race.
Be careful how you list short-term, low-paying jobs on your résumé. They should be at least briefly entered (as little as one line per position) to fill in the time frame, but should likely be underplayed, especially if they are not in your normal career area. If a position is in your normal career area, or is an internship that is on your path to a new career area, give some thought to how this can be beneficial to list along with the rest of your experience.
Ultimately, working at any job gains you skills and knowledge that can be transferred to future positions. So consider every job opportunity carefully, and weigh its pros and cons as they related to your overall financial needs and future goals. ©gJones2011
