Job Interview

Question

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?

Ruzana Glaeser · Answer

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!

Anonymous · Answer

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.

Katie Malone · Answer

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.

ANDREA HERRERA · Answer

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.

Madam anon663 · Answer

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 · Answer

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.

Anonymous · Answer

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 · Answer

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!

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