icon
Home icon

Home

Jobs icon

Jobs

Reviews icon

Reviews

Network icon

Network

Resources icon

Resources

|For Employers icon

For Employers

logo
about
careers
FAQs
privacy policyterms & conditionsfor employers
112k
20k
icon
© 2022 Fairygodboss. All rights reserved.
My ProfileMy MessagesMy NetworkMy SettingsGroupsEventsMy PostsLog Out
Mystery Woman
Tell us more for better jobs, advice
and connections
YOUR GROUPS
Discover and join groups with like-minded women who share your interests, profession, and lifestyle.
COMPANIES YOU FOLLOW
Get alerted when there are new employee reviews.
YOUR JOB ALERTS
Get notified when new jobs are posted.
Your post is published!
Anonymous
07/08/19 at 5:52PM UTC
in
Career

Job Interview

I recently went on a job interview and it went well. After the initial interview, I was called later that day and asked to come back for a second interview the next day. I did, and that interview went well too. I sent thank you e-mails to the two executives I met. I received a job offer the next day from HR. In reviewing the job offer, I noticed that the salary was the same as on the job posting, though when I spoke w the exec. director during the second interview, he mentioned salary and that he would find out about getting me the max salary for the position due to my experience and education (I just finished a doctorate program). When I reached out to ask some additional questions, and specifically asked about the salary, he said that he couldn't offer more. So if I accept the position, I'd be taking an $8,000 pay cut. The other manager that I interviewed w/ for the first interview, and who would be my manager if I accept the position, never responded to my thank you e-mail or follow up questions. Now this has me a little worried because I had a similar situation happen in my last job where I didn't receive any acknowledgement that the thank you e-mail was received and it was a nightmare to work with that person. The person was a work bully and aided in creating a toxic work culture. Our interactions were unpleasant and she often ignored my questions or requests and disregarded me altogether. I want to make sure that I'm making the next right move; no sense of getting into a job and then realizing it's a toxic environment. Is this a sign of things to come? Should I be concerned by the inconsistent communication especially when she was very talkative and enthusiastic during the interview process? Is this a sign of her management style?

Share

Join the conversation...
Anonymous
07/10/19 at 4:19PM UTC
I would absolutely take this as a warning sign. What feels off right now will blow up into something much worse later. In my last two jobs, I noticed something felt "wrong" about the people who interviewed me...but I ignored my gut and accepted the jobs anyway. They were two of the worst jobs I ever had, and it was due to the very people I felt "off" about in the interview. Listen to yourself. Also, don't settle for less money. Know your worth, and chase it! You will get it!
Anonymous
07/10/19 at 1:14PM UTC
Definitely a challenging situation. I have worked in several different companies where I have been in touch with the hiring manager and not HR, so the communication could be a red-flag, but may not necessarily be. Assuming you haven't accepted yet, I would let your potential manager know that you were very surprised by the offer, especially considering the conversations during the interview process. Let her know that this changes things slightly and you will need to weigh this out and decide if it's best for your family. In general, I would say you should never take a pay cut. Also, that said, I'm currently in a job where I took a pay cut to be closer to home, and with great fringe benefits. I mainly took my current job because the environment at my last job was incredibly toxic, and it got to the point where I just needed to get out. When I accepted my current job, I really liked my hiring manager, and the benefits are amazing, which made the decision easier. Unfortunately, she left after my first year, and I hate my new boss. I'm now stuck in "golden handcuffs" - I know if I leave it will mean a longer commute, less time off, etc... however, it will mean more money, and likely better job satisfaction. It's hard to weigh out all the variables, and impossible to predict what could happen in the future. Good luck!
Anonymous
07/09/19 at 11:39PM UTC
Thank you everyone for you comments. Here's the update...So I called and left a voicemail. I received a reply e-mail later in the day to my initial e-mail where the manager stated that she had talked w/ HR and she wanted to know if I was accepting the position. She also clarified the few questions I had asked.
Katie Malone
star-svg
1.28k
Social Media Manager + Mother to two daughter
07/09/19 at 5:33PM UTC
Yes, I wouldn't take the job unless they can match your salary requirements. And I agree with a previous poster... at some companies (mine included) you are not allowed to be in contact with a prospective employee unless you are working through HR. So to me, the red flags are all around the salary situation and have nothing to do with the manager not responding.
Anonymous
07/12/19 at 5:49PM UTC
Thanks for the response. The salary is a red flag because they're the ones that mentioned it in the interview and stated that they would offer me more. The manager not responding is a bigger red flag for me. In my current job, my boss doesn't communicate and when he does, he yells at folks. That doesn't make for a positive or trusting relationship. Also, in a past experience I had a similar thing happen and it was so telling of what I encountered after accepting the job. The lack of response ended up being intentional and not an oversight. The person disregarded me the entire time and made it very clear that I was not welcomed. I would very much so like to avoid that. At the time, I chalked up the lack of response as oh she's busy or maybe she didn't receive it, but had I known that I would be treated that way and that she had done the same to others and the company allowed it, I would have never taken the position.
ANDREA HERRERA
star-svg
508
Human Resources Leader living in NYC
07/09/19 at 3:59PM UTC
I'm curious why you're looking, and why you're willing to take a pay cut (there are, I think , valid reasons: company, experience, flexibility, etc.). Regarding the lack of communication, I'd say pick up the phone and call your future manager. We've become reliant on email communication but that's not always everyone's preference. Sometimes I'm overrun with emails and a call is just plain easier. Lastly, dd you look for reviews on places like this site, Indeed, Glassdoor? I've found company reviews while not always 100% accurate (let's face it unhappy people tend to post more than happy employees), there is often some truth to be found, especially if you're concerned.
Anonymous
07/09/19 at 11:42PM UTC
Hi GirlAndy, thanks for the response. The position is in a different field and is literally 5 mins from my house and the fringe benefits are great. The pay cut is $1,200. Currently, I travel 30-40 mins to work and I work in a different city. I have looked for reviews, but didn't find anything. It's a local gov. position.
ANDREA HERRERA
star-svg
508
Human Resources Leader living in NYC
07/10/19 at 2:21PM UTC
There’s more to compensation than salary. If there are fringe benefits that are valuable, a shorter commune, etc. Seems like a small pay cut for an hour a day back to your life and not spent commuting. Keep us posted!
Madam anon663
star-svg
1.5k
Learner, skeptic, direct.
07/09/19 at 2:13PM UTC
She never said she accepted the offer. Personally, I never take a step backward in pay. Ever. You just got a doctorate and they want to pay you less? I would not even hesitate to decline that job.
Anonymous
07/08/19 at 11:30PM UTC
It may also be a case of all communication must go through a specific person. After interviewing candidates I am not allowed to interact via email, phone. linkedin etc, everything must be done via HR. If I sent an email saying “great to meet you” I could get in trouble.
Anonymous
07/12/19 at 5:41PM UTC
Thank you for the response. That may very well be the case, but in this ever-changing job market it's silly. There's so many job articles and info out here about how candidates can make a good first impression, but what about corporations? Most job boards say that you should send a thank you note and show your enthusiasm, and if you don't, it's rude. When she and I spoke, she gave me her bus. card and told me not to hesitate to reach out if I had any further questions. Well I did have a few more follow up questions that were important to my decision making process and things went silent. Job candidates shouldn't be the only ones jumping through hoops.
Anonymous
07/12/19 at 10:12PM UTC
I too am job searching but currently work for a hyper worried employer who thinks everyone will sue them and every employee is so incompetent we will screw up, hence why i am looking, But in the meantime I have to tow the party line and follow party rules to keep getting my paycheck.
Ruzana Glaeser
star-svg
950
Co-founder of brightmeetsbrave.com
07/08/19 at 6:42PM UTC
I would follow up with her. Emails sometimes do get missed, and sometimes I think I have responded just to find my response in unsent items. It's rare, but it happens. Now that you have accepted the offer, it's totally acceptable to reach out to your hiring manager, and say a couple of sentences in regards to you looking forward to starting your next adventure. See how she responds to that. I know that I have tried to stay connected to new hires after the offer was accepted and in the past my employer has always been in contact with me before my official start date. I do think that if she is unresponsive or isn't as excited, then it's a red flag, but I would give her another chance. As far as the offer goes, the best way to communicate about offers and counter them is directly through the person who is in charge of the budget. I don't know what your situation is, but you don't have to accept a sub-par offer, you can always tactfully say that yours skills, experience, talent, etc put you in a different bracket and you don't want to sell yourself short just to foster resentment later. I know that during interview process it often seems as employer is in the control, but you are interviewing the company as well, and have just as much power to say 'no' as they do. Also, if their budgets can't accommodate for your market value and potential, then you can always state in the hiring contract that your salary will be bumped to $x in certain amount of months or during next fiscal year, allowing them to reset their budgets. Good luck and keep us posted!

You're invited.

See what women are sharing on Fairygodboss.
What's new today
wand-button
Personalize your jobs
Get recommendations for recent and relevant jobs.
Employer Reviews
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
3.0
Shiny objects aren't always the best. You'll find dozens of...
Seagate Technology
4.4
Such a great place to work, they offer great benefits and...
Recent Content
I Pivoted From a High School Teacher to a Director of Innovation and Architecture: Here’s How!
Only 63% of Women Report Feeling Mentally Healthy at Work — Here’s How Benefits Can Change That
Here are 5 Strategies Companies Can Implement for a More Inclusive Hiring Process
icon
© 2022 Fairygodboss. All rights reserved.
  • about
  • careers
  • FAQs
  • privacy policy
  • terms & conditions
112k
20k