I normally would never negotiate for higher pay, but I chose to do so in a job interview that I had on Wednesday. It was for a receptionist position in a dentist's office, their posting said their compensation is "competitive" but they list the pay to be $15/ hour.
I go to the interview knowing the role would require so much work, and I was right: receptionists are to answer phone calls during their 30 min / 1 hour lunch break, expected to travel to 2 of their office locations as needed, full time job but they expect people to be okay with $15/hour?
I asked for $30 / hour, the manager asked me if I can lower my expectations. I did a little, but then said "if I'm expected to travel to 2 locations, commute prices are expensive." Needless to say, I wasn't picked for the job.
I don't understand this "labor shortage". I want to work full time, but to be paid fairly, and have some semblance of benefits to not just barely live, but to be comfortable. I'm tired of getting rejection after rejection, when I have been applying for work for almost a year.