By Pat Schuler

The articles seem to be everywhere - IT Jobs Shrinking! US Jobs disappearing!

Sooner or later, you'll start to see articles about which is the lesser of two evils - to take a new job at lower pay and hope for advancement, or to be unemployed. If you've been in transition or are in danger of being right-sized, even a lower paying position may start to look good. Like most complex questions, there is no one-size-fits-all answer.

Some things to consider:

• Do you have a clear vision of where you want to end up in your career? If you don't know where you want to end up, you risk being pulled along by the dollars. Both you and the prospective employer are looking only at salary as your primary decision criteria. The danger here is that you become a commodity, the lowest bidder wins the job. If you have a strategic plan for your career you are more attractive to the employer. You stand out from the crowd. Don't know how to get strategic? Research on the web or read books. This is a place where investing in professional help from a coach or mentor can be a very wise and cost effective decision.
  
  
• Do you know if you even want to stay in the same career or industry? If you're in transition anyway, why not broaden your scope and ask what else is calling to you? Is there a dream you put away years ago? Some Job Services programs have money available for additional skills training. If you're not sure what careers your temperament and training are suited for, there are a number of assessments that will help clarify your options, especially in the hands of a skilled coach or psychologist.
  
  
• Do you know what you want, besides a job, any job? Yes, you're probably tired of high-flown discussions about finding your perfect job and following your bliss; especially if you've been in transition for a while. If positions like your last or current job look like they're being outsourced or right-sized on a wholesale basis, what skills would make you immune? What positions are still valued in your industry and being kept onshore? If you don't know, how can you find out? Again, research and professional help are the name of the game.
  
  
• Are you using your network and polishing your skills to use it even more effectively? There are dozens of books and articles on networking. More than seventy percent of jobs are found through unofficial, unpublished sources. There is no question that this is the smartest path for your job search. Use it.
  
  
• What are you willing to give up in exchange for the position and its lower salary? Do you know your bottom line? Successful negotiators know what they are willing to sacrifice and where they are willing to compromise. Know this before you begin compensation discussions, or you will never know if you've won. You're also far more likely to leave substantial money on the table if you skip this important step. Be clear on the trade offs. If negotiating, interviewing or networking are not your greatest strengths (or possibly your personal concept of hell), invest in yourself and your job search. Sometimes a few lessons or coaching sessions can make thousands of dollars difference in your job offer.