Job interview question: What if they ask how committed I am to a low salary?

So I have a job interview coming up with a small paper in my area (non-sports journalism). I had previously worked my way up to a medium-sized paper, where I had worked for many years, before being laid off.

I'm sure this paper won't pay what I was previously making, and I've reconciled myself to that. If anything, I'm thinking that this paper will be paying pretty low (maybe $12-13/hour, perhaps, in a fairly expensive area).

But one thing that I'm worried about with the interview would be what if they asked me how committed I would be to the position because of the low salary?

Quite frankly, I would be taking it as just a job until something better were to come along, whether that would be a week or a year later. But I sure as heck don't want to tell them that, or worse, go on a rant about how I had worked for years for the medium-sized paper and got booted out with 20-year veterans.

So, if I'm asked about my committment, how should I respond?

 

Re: Job interview question: What if they ask how committed I am to newspapers?

If you want to be honest and coy, say I'm as committed to this newspaper as it is to me. Judging by the salary, they have their own answer right there. If not just say committed, period. You shouldn't need to wax poetic about it. If they're worried about you getting a better offer, and they know it, they should up the ante.

 

Re: Job interview question: What if they ask how committed I am to newspapers?

Considering the current job market I can safely say I would be as committed to this job as I have been to any job I've ever had. One of the things I've realized lately is how important producing quality journalism is to me.

 

Re: Job interview question: What if they ask how committed I am to newspapers?

Can't believe that question will come up. What is anyone supposed to say? "No, not really. I'll be gone as soon as something better comes along."
But if they do ask it, tell them what they want to hear. Commitment's subjective. They can't accuse you of lying if someone offers you 100gs to make widgets

 

Re: Job interview question: What if they ask how committed I am to newspapers?

I'm asking the question now because I've had it come up in a couple of other non-newspaper interviews that have had low salaries.

Right now, I'm of the mind that I would take a job like that if offered, but I sure as heck would keep sending out my resume.

 

Re: Job interview question: What if they ask how committed I am to newspapers?

A long time ago I interviewed for a job that was clearly, based on experience and aspirations, a stepping-stone job. The editor asked me: "How do I know if I hire you that you won't leave for a better job on a year?"

Me: "You don't, but in the meantime you'll get the best I've got."

I didn't get the job, and I'm glad I didn't.

 

Re: Job interview question: What if they ask how committed I am to newspapers?

Maybe you interviewed at my shop.
During a recent hiring process, our SE told us he didn't like one of the candidates - who also just happened to be clearly the most talented writer - because of his aspirations to eventually move on to a big paper.
Effing weak.

Consider me in the same camp as coaches who hire assistants who want to be head coaches.

 

Re: Job interview question: What if they ask how committed I am to newspapers?

During the interview for what would eventually be my first job, the SE told me "we won't hold you back. If you have the opportunity to go to a bigger paper and we can help you get there, will do."

I worked there for one year, and got paid poverty-level wages. But when an opportunity came to move to a (slightly) bigger paper and get a 25% increase in salary, they did everything they could to help.

 

Re: Job interview question: What if they ask how committed I am to newspapers?

That happened at my first paper too. The publisher told me they knew that they were a stepping stone, paid poorly and that they expected me to move on pretty quickly. And when I did, they were very happy for me.

In a big way, if I were to get hired for this job, I'd definitely by taking a step down. Psychologically, it's tough for me. Basically, I'm just looking at it as a job that I would rather have than working at Wal-Mart while I'm still looking for something better.

 

Re: Job interview question: What if they ask how committed I am to newspapers?

Granted, I have limited experience doing the job interviewing vs. being interviewed for a job, but is this even a legal question? Unless they're thinking of abandoning a print edition and going online only?

If it's not a given at smaller papers that you're there to help newbie reporters/editors get to the next level, if that's their wish, then something's wrong.

 

Re: Job interview question: What if they ask how committed I am to newspapers?

I was going to post this exact same thing. Well done, sir. Except without the second "committed"