I am going back on a job which I left 4 mts back. Pay less than earlier? What to do?

I am going back on a job which I left 4 mts back. Pay less than earlier? What to do?
I left my job 4 months back and tried for other opportunities but was not successful and like to go back to my previous job. When I had a talk with my ex-Manager he agreed to take me in but with a lesser pay than I used to draw earlier. In that Co. all other employees pay were hiked and hearing this I felt I should go back. Now if I join for lesser pay that too without revision which my colleagues got in my absence, my self respect hurts and I am in a dillemma whether to go or not. But then I have no choice but to join here for lesser pay than before. Please help me whether to join or is it better to remain jobless than re-enter a job and get humiliated.
Amisha India

This is a tough decision and it is too late to handle the situation well. You should have secured another job before leaving the first one. Yes it can be humiliating and a loss of self respect to take the old job back at less pay, especially since your colleagues had gotten an increase. The alternative is to say "No thank you. It would mean a loss of respect." The manager may change his mind and agree to the appropriate pay. A lot depends on how much the company needs you and how valuable you were to them. If they are indifferent to you, they won't relent.

However, in that case you have to be prepared to look elsewhere. That may mean leaving the area and moving to a new location where job prospects are better. It can also mean taking a job at less pay than you earned on the old job, but at least it would not humiliate you in the eyes of your new coworkers. Best of luck to you.

Take the job. It is easier to find a job while you are working. While you are employed, keep sending out resumes and making phone calls!

Go back with your head held high and admit you made a mistake. Work your butt off and in 6 months go to your manager and let him know you are working harder than everyone else and ask for more money. Good Luck

I would have a talk with your x manager and with the human resource department...and simply ask why they are telling you, you will make less than before especially since everyone else got a hike in pay !!
and I would tell them (if you want to) that youd like to come back,but you feel that it would only be fair that you come back at the same pay rate that you had before.
I had a company do this to me recently, and I actually turned them down and remained jobless for a few extra weeks..
yes, it stunk being jobless,but I made do for the few weeks that it took me to get a descent job offer that I knew I could survive on...
I am not sure where you live , but what about a temporary job ?? do you have any temp work agencies ?
it would be something to get you by until you found a descent permanent job...
I definatly wouldnt take a job that I was going to be humilliated at
or
if they wont give you the same pay rate you had before,take the job and consider it just a temporary job until you find something better - you would at least have an income for now to tide you over....
how much less are they offering you ? is it just a small amount ? is it a situation where you start at less but then after your probationary period your pay goes back to what you use to make ?

Try to ask yourself. Which one is more acceptable to you - being jobless or being humiliated? It would be your choice.

It is quite understandable that when you left your job 4 months ago, your employment status has been stopped. So, being a newcomer, you begin from zero once again, without consideration to your previous record. You get a job below expected rate but you are paid. Humiliated? It depends on your perception but that's temporary. On one hand, if you choose to remain jobless, can you handle and afford it ? Do you have more resources to extend more time in searching for other opportunities? If so, look for more and your self-esteem remains intact.

It is still your choice.