Brought back to interview for a role, now with lower pay

Anonymous

May 23,2023 at 2:41PM UTC

Welcome to Fairygodboss!

We’re the largest online career community helping women achieve their career goals. Gain access to articles, jobs, events, and a supportive network of women and allies. Membership is free, always.

Brought back to interview for a role, now with lower pay

Looking for some advice on how to handle! I was laid off from a role and company I loved a few months ago. Shortly there after I interviewed at a competitor for a role that really fit my own goals and interests, but paid around $10k less than I was previously earning. I pursued it anyway, but did not get the job. Almost 2 months later, I get a message from the recruiter that there was another similar position and the original hiring manager wanted me to interview for it. They are fast tracking the process (so to speak) and I am meeting with multiple team members at once. However, the role is now listed at paying $20k less than I was making at my last job. I am struggling with how to handle because at the end of the day I think I would prefer this role to some of the others I am interviewing for. But some of the others I am interviewing for are paying (in one case) $60k MORE than my last! I would be stupid not to take that and take this one instead.

To be clear I have not received any offers yet. But is there anything I can do about this particular role that has come back into the fold? Can I ask for more money or more SOMETHING to make it worth it? If so, how? It feels like a bit of a slap in the face for my level of experience to be paying me so much lower than market value - this would be a salary for someone many years my junior. But it would be a good step for my interests and career since it is at a competitor company in my ideal industry. Any Recruiters or Talent Acquisiton people I’d love to know how you’d handle a candidate like me too.

Why women love us:

Daily articles on career topics
Jobs at companies dedicated to hiring more women
Advice and support from an authentic community
Events that help you level up in your career
Free membership, always

18 comments

Share your insight

Join an authentic community that helps women support each other at work. Share your professional experience or ask for advice — you can even post anonymously.

18 Comments

Join the conversation

BeaBoss979975May 23,2023 at 2:55PM UTC
$60,000 is a lot. So is $20,000. Think about your future self in retirement and if you will regret settling for so little.
Brenda AlvaradoMay 23,2023 at 3:21PM UTC
I agree with BeaBoss.
That is a huge amount of money to consent to. I would first ask what is the salary range, then if it is still under your income requirmeent, ask how often raises are instilled, or for any other benefits that may offset that (i.e. vacation/sick/floating holidays) reimbursements, medical benefits, bonuses, etc. Also, is the travel distance long or short (this will allow you to save on gas/tolls, etc).
Do not settle for what you may regret later.
Good Luck!
AnonymousMay 24,2023 at 12:37AM UTC
Exactly.
And don't think: "I'll get on the door, they'll love me and $$$$ will follow".
They'll love you but see that you settled for less and give you little.
AnonymousMay 25,2023 at 10:38PM UTC
This. Spoken from experience.
AnonymousMay 23,2023 at 6:46PM UTC
Research the job's market value. Then ask them why the job is paying significantly less than market. Cite why you're a catch at $xx,xxx and what you can bring to the company.
Spend some time re-evaluating the actual cost of taking such a financial hit. If the salary is lower to begin with, take out taxes, any 401k, insurance, etc. and then your bills. REALLY look.
My guess is that this job is not for you.
AnonymousMay 23,2023 at 7:16PM UTC
Thanks all for this input. It’s really tough, because on paper - what I want in my next role, the company itself, learning opportunities, work/life balance and culture - the role has what I want/need. But since my lay off I have been opening myself to other industries I don’t necessarily prefer because I need a job, and those come perhaps with higher compensation.
It’s difficult to feel devalued by the salary available, but also know I would enjoy the work.
Rae WagonerMay 24,2023 at 2:06PM UTC
Tell them!
Zeecil KimmelMay 25,2023 at 3:03PM UTC
Do not take a job in which they are looking to underpay you 20k especially when they had the opportunity to underpay you 10k and did not take you then. A company (and everyone) will treat you the way you allow yourself to be treated and one very important message I have for everyone out there is to say "I am expensive but I am worth it."
AnonymousMay 24,2023 at 12:33PM UTC
The question is which role is a good fit for you in terms of salary and job duties. Also, you'd want to evaluate if they are offering market value for the position you like (i.e, why is the new position $20K lower). The higher salary job is ideal, especially at $60K more but only if you think you will be happy doing the work and you might be. In my case, I am changing career paths and I will end up taking a hit in salary but I will thoroughly enjoy the change and duties so for me a salary reduction fits in my budget and is worth it. This is a rock and a hard place for sure.
AnonymousMay 24,2023 at 5:06PM UTC
I would ask them about their salary levels if the company is big enough. Also find out about their cycle for reviews and find out how their stock and bonus programs work. 20K is definitely a lot of money but job sat is important. If you bring competitive data from your former company which could help them revenue wise then use that as a fulcrum in the conversation to suggest you bring what other candidates do not. Ultimately they may not have the budget to satisfy what you need or want to earn. Be mindful of that as you hear their commentary on my suggestions above because you definitely don't want to completely price yourself out of this job that way. Do note that if their bands are small then there could be internal compression they are dealing with where the manager might make the money you want so they cannot offer you more. If the money is your main decision point definitely bring all of this up before the end game or you will be disappointed.
AnonymousMay 24,2023 at 7:41PM UTC
Yes, I've seen more and more bait and switch experiences. I think it's a sign of the times.
AnonymousMay 25,2023 at 10:55PM UTC
Been there. And when you say something, management says not a team player.
I was added tasks to manage I had NO experience in (different industry at same company) in ADDITION to my hired role.
Organizations want something for nothing (no pay, no benefits) and can't understand why people burn out and quit
AnonymousMay 24,2023 at 11:13PM UTC
Yes, you need a job, but when you put that energy out there, that's exactly what you'll get-a job. Only you know your current economic circumstances, but I would restate my interest for the org AND my salary requirements. If they can't meet it, I would move on. You deserve to be paid for your experience and talent!
AnonymousMay 25,2023 at 1:19PM UTC
I would do some negotiation but ultimately take the job and continue your search. You can always leave once you get a new offer for more money.
AnonymousMay 25,2023 at 7:09PM UTC
This is what I am thinking. Being currently without a job, there is an element of desperation unfortunately. I feel I need to take the first thing I get offered even if it’s not right, which sucks. But that doesn’t preclude me from continuing to look either.
Julie EMay 25,2023 at 4:20PM UTC
I would never accept a position that paid less than what I’m making, unless I was really desperate and even then I’d be looking for another position. $20k is a lot of money. I would take the one for $60k more. I wish I had your problem.
That big of a pay bump would be life-changing for me. This would be such an easy decision for me
AnonymousMay 25,2023 at 7:08PM UTC
Just to be clear - no offers yet! No pay bumps or decreases on the table, technically. No “decision” to be made. I am comparing everything that I know, and is potentially on the table. And ultimately I would like to feel comfortable in the role without feeling overwhelmed and exhausted by the environment. A significantly higher paying role is great in theory but comes with a lot of expectations, and not sure I’d want that at the risk of my ability to have work/life balance and comfortably start a family, things like that.
AnonymousMay 29,2023 at 4:52PM UTC
If you get an offer you can always negotiate. If you can live on less money and it's a better fit and there's room for growth a lower paying position may mean less work stress. Salary shouldn't be the only factor in making a decision.