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To Interview or Not to Interview - That is the Question
During my job search, I was excited to receive an email to schedule an interview with a great organization. In scheduling the interview, I was asked for a salary range that I was looking to earn to be respectful of one another's time.
This is where the agonizing you-need-a-job-don't-blow-this inner dialogue begins. I decide to tell them a range that would make sense for my experience, the market, the position...etc. would support, etc. I will say I did it with trepidation because this was an opportunity at a great organization and they are not lining up outside of my door. After I provided the salary range the scheduler responded that the budgeted amount for the post was at least 10K less and asks if I would like to still schedule the interview.
I call another meeting in my head (phoned a friend) and rationalize the following thoughts:
1. This is not what I want to earn and realistically won't be able to maintain with that salary (chances are zero to none they will be dazzled by my brilliance and offer me more).
2. It beats a blank - could interview and they still hire someone else or I could get hired and then what....keep looking?
3. This could be great practice, it's been 10 years since you've been on an interview.
4. If I say "No thank you" to respect all of our time, will I slam that door shut for other opportunities with this amazing organization?
Ultimately I decided it would not be courteous or professional to waste our time scheduling the interview. The scheduler thanked me for my transparency and told me to keep an eye out for other positions on their site.
Should I have gone on the interview? Was the response a polite one as my resume went through the digital shredder? What are your thoughts here? (Thank you in advance!)
Valissa PierrelouisI help firms gain insight & enhance operations.
45
11/02/20 at 11:24PM UTC
Shawnette, great question and context. I absolutely relate to your situation and inner dialogue as I'm pursuing my next career success. Everyone has to do what's best for them.
Here's advice I received from my coach. "Have the conversation."
Three benefits I realized:
1. I got to experience the company through the interviewers. Is it a place I want to work? You may or may not think so after the interview.
2. You may make a lasting impression and get called for future opportunities. This has happened for me. I've also done it as a hiring manager.
3. Upon an offer, there could be an opportunity to negotiate a 6-month bump.
Vinnette PerryClinical Operations Leader
59
11/02/20 at 9:07PM UTC
Shawnette, I love your internal dialogue, and based on that you made the perfect decision. But what if it happens again. I've discovered that the more I interviewed the more confident I got. Interview also allows you to see if there is a cultural fit with the company or your new boss.
I keep hearing from others, in this market take whatever you get, and work your way up. These are all personal choices based on your individual circumstance. If you're behind in rent, mortgage , student loans, credit cards, can't make payroll for your part-time start up you would make a different decision than if you were job eliminated with a years severance.
No bad decisions here. You made the right decision for that time. Good idea to think about what you would do the next time.
Renee Radcliff SinclairCommitted to building engagement in government
910
11/02/20 at 4:50PM UTC
I think you did the right thing. I recently fell for that "give us a salary range" ploy in regard to a job a really wanted that would have required a relocation that I was willing to fund. All the way through the process, the recruiter kept telling me I was their top candidate and so I went ahead and went through a three-stage interview process, the final one being with a panel of the organization's board members. At the end, I got hit with the "You've asked for way more than we can pay you..." thing, but noted that I was still their top candidate and I said I could work with their projected salary and fund the move on my own, in order to make this move to a very desirable area of the country . So, when I DIDN'T get the job...it all came down to, "We couldn't afford you." I think you did the right thing.
mcasterlloydDallas EA; Writer, Artist, Graphic Designer
52
11/02/20 at 3:09PM UTC
If you are desperate for any job, then take the interview. However, if you have resources and time to look for a better opportunity, I would thank them and decline the interview. This is not an amazing company if they don't value the position with the compensation that you should expect.
Anonymous
11/02/20 at 1:56AM UTC
Hi there - I probably would have taken the interview for the reasons described by several others. However, we are in such a unique time with COVID implications, and you have to make sure you do what’s best for you personally and professionally. At least you are fortunate to have a job, and no point in looking back and having regrets!
Lalitha JanakiramanKeen in Entrepreneurship and Authoring.
148
11/01/20 at 4:33AM UTC
I think your decision is right...All the best for getting into a better org with better title!
User deleted comment on 11/01/20 at 4:32AM UTC
d
19
11/01/20 at 2:28AM UTC
Hi Shawnette, don't be too tough on yourself. I was in a similar position a few months ago - a role came up that was interesting however when HR told me it was around 1/3 drop in my base salary, I told her it wouldn't make sense for me to go ahead & interview however I was very interested in the organisation, so if anything else came up that was in my range, I'd be happy to discuss. She was very understanding and a few months later, she called with a more appropriate opportunity. I think basically, you have to know your own financial and personal boundaries on what you are willing to accept, and if the doubts or concerns in your mind are already dealbreakers (eg if your values don't align with the company). I can understand also that you don't want to waste anyone's time and that makes sense too. It's never easy to make choices, go with your gut & be ok with that. That's all you can do!
Annetta MosesConsumer Insights and Strategy Leader
1.3k
11/01/20 at 12:54AM UTC
I am inclined to take the interview. 1) It is practice and you mentioned you had not interviewed in a while. 2) You learn more able the company and you are in a position with more information to not want the job or to work at the company. This puts you in the position of no regrets. 3) The company likes you but does not think you are a fit for the role for which you interviewed. The company redefines the position and is able to increase the compensation. The company has you interview in another part of the company for a role that is not posted but will be available in the next 2 months. Bother of the scenarios in point 3 happened to me and I received offers in both scenarios.
Best of luck to you in your job search. I am not sure of your skills but REI, Microsoft, Facebook, and Google having openings and some of the positions can work remotely.
Denise Howell
45
11/01/20 at 12:07AM UTC
I think you did the right thing. If the employer is that rigid about a $10k difference, that tells you something. $10k is not that big a difference and they should not be locking in salary expectations so rigidly before they have even met you. Now, if I was paying $100k and the applicant wanted $200k that is not reconcilable. But $10k? I have learned that trusting your gut about people and situations is so important. When I haven’t, and was bothered by something, I was sorry later that I didn’t trust myself.
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