When I was pivoting away from my failed academic career - and the ripples of the Dot Com bubble were still fresh in most employers' minds - I had a job intervie

When I was pivoting away from my failed academic career - and the ripples of the Dot Com bubble were still fresh in most employers' minds - I had a job interview that went more or less like this: HR Clerk> Why should I pay you [for a full time position] more than what you are currently making [at your current, unsustainable, part time gig]. Crpatino> Because I'd rather scrub toilets and sell potatoes by the road before giving away my skills for nothing. HR Clerk> I am sorry, I did not intend to offend you, but you must realize this is a question every employer is going to ask... The interview went more or less uphill from there, though I did not end up getting the position. But what I want to point out is that you are not required to just take whatever X employer is offering you. You must remember that this is a game with asymmetric information. They are trained to low-ball you every time they have a chance, expecting that you will push back and negotiate. And if you do not negotiate, they just shrug their shoulders and pocket the difference. I am aware that it is different when you already have a job. But it is not the only way to "put food on the table", no matter how much it looks like. There are other jobs, and there are other industries. And you always have the option to create a job for yourself if all else fails. You may need to take it as it is for some limited time while you put your ducks in line, but you don't have to do that forever.