Insulted or Swallow your pride?

First, I wouldn't get insulted, I would laugh. If you need the money now, you better start enforcing parking regulations! If not, move on to the next one!

Is it what God has led me to do? Will I be able to serve others and tap into the gifts the Lord has given me? Without swallowing any pride, I take the wonderful opportunity.

I start my own business

Getting your foot in the door is important, and even a parking attendant is that foot in the door. Do what needs to be done to get where you want to be. Suck it up sweetheart.

Insulted or not, your first duty and responsibility is to your family and their well being. What ever it takes to put a roof over your head and food on the table. Save your pride for another day.

If you're truly that experienced and educated, your resume and interview were flawless, and then they offered you a parking lot attendant position?

You need to continue interviewing with other companies. Obviously it wasn't the right fit. No reason to get insulted (although in my opinion what they did was tasteless), just drive on until you find an employer who can appreciate what you'll bring to the table.

I would neither be insulted or take the job. I would simply move on and find employment where my skills are valued and would be compensated. It is rarely personal and most always business.

Might I suggest a new strategy. I know the job market is tight right now and if you really need the income take the parking lot job. It is not a career you can still look. However this points out several mistakes folks make while looking.

Look for a job when you have a job is of course the best, so when you are close to separating start working on a resume. You mention degrees. I don't mean to insult but what are the fields? Some degrees are not necessarily marketable such as cultural diversity or social sciences (at a BA level)

That aside as you start your search keep these things in mind. First determine who (i.e. which companies hire folks in your field) Are there professional organizations associated with your field (e.g Association of Human Resources , IEEE that sort of thing. Look at joining it is a good source for contacts) Next once you have a feel for the companies rank them in order of priority. Which would you like to work for the most at the top, could care less like the one that offered you the parking job last. Then start at the bottom with your interviews and work your way up. This way you make your interview mistakes with companies you don't particularly care about, have a chance to sharpen your interview skills, gain information on issues and trends in your chosen field etc. As you get closer to the top of your list you are comfortable, confident and in many cases running the interview. Some things to look for when you are interviewing. Does the individual folks popping their heads up) What are the demogragics ( once worked for four years with a large Aerospace firm. Great benefits, terrible management. I found out that they had a lot of young folks and a lot of older folks, no one in the middle. At the time the younger folks were engineers. The company had paid their relocation expense in return for a 1 too 2 year commitment. Once that commitment was up it was such a terrible company folks left. The other end was folks near retirement hanging on for dear life until they could retire. No middle management. Definitely a red flag.
Next during the interview be sure to ask toward the end if there was anything in your qualifications that made them feel that you might not be qualified for the position. This gives you an opportunity to address those issues. If they are insurmountable you can always follow up with a question like "I want to thank you for your time and I hope that you find the person you are looking for. However now that you know me better do you know of anyone who might be interested in someone with my skills?

Other miscellaneous points. Check in to the local reserve center. Sometimes companies or assigned personnel will post opportunities for folks with particular skills (If you are a reservist and happy with your position you might consider doing this for your fellow service members with your companies support.) If you are just separating not retiring consider the reserves it is a good long term insurance program (network opportunities, active duty opportunities, and retirement benefits). I think I have said enough for now. Good luck. What field do you want to go into by the way?

Depends on your financial needs. If you need a job and that money will get you by then take it. Keep job hunting while you are at least making a little money. Sure it's not the job you want forever, but if it pays the bills, then that's the main thing.

I'm in that position now unfortunately. I'm at the point where I'm going to be forced to take a significant pay cut so I can have a job and provide for my family. it SUCKS and that's an understatement.