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!)
Browse recent posts
Seniority vs. experience
I joined my org last year, and the lead I was assigned joined the org two years earlier. That said, I have more experience and credentials than the lead (I've worked for very large orgs in our sector, they haven't), but this person is considered "above" me solely due to seniority and the fact that they simply were hired first. Lately, we've started butting heads because I draw different conclusions and need to manage my own projects without the lead's micromanagement.
I feel I should have been hired as a standalone professional reporting to a higher-level manager, and this lead is becoming another layer of management that doesn't add value to my projects. I'm just another person for them to manage. The other staffers on the team are the lead's own handpicked employees (I was hired by someone else and sent to the team, the others on the team the lead had a say in hiring). I'm starting to feel like the annoying stepchild. Any way to fix this?
0 Likes • 2 Comments
Remote work has many perks, but it can also blur the line between work and personal time, leading to burnout.
I recently came across this insightful article that shares practical tips on setting boundaries, creating structure and avoiding isolation while working from home. I would love to hear what strategies have worked for you.
Read here:
https://www.mind.org.uk/workplace/mental-health-at-work/dealing-with-burnout-when-working-from-home/
0 Likes • 0 Comments
How many job boards are there?
There are over 25,000 job boards worldwide! ?
And yet, some folks will still tell you not to use them.
Their advice? “Skip job boards. Just network.”
I respectfully disagree.
Here’s the truth: Job boards still land people jobs. But you can’t rely on them alone. You need a multi-pronged job search strategy—one that combines:
? Smart job board use
? Intentional networking
? Direct outreach
? Targeted personal branding
In my latest newsletter, I break down:
✅ Which job boards actually get results in 2025
✅ Real application-to-hire data
✅ My top 10 strategies for using them effectively (spoiler: ditch those outdated alerts ?)
? Because with 25,000+ boards out there… the question isn’t “Should you use them?” It’s how you use them that counts.
? So let’s hear it: What’s one job board (or tactic) that actually worked for you?
Or… what’s totally overrated in your experience?
Let’s crowdsource the truth about job boards.
#jobsearchstrategy
#jobboards
#jobsearchtips
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/melaniemitchellwexler_jobsearchstrategy-jobboards-jobsearchtips-activity-7351600312064884738-FXRH?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAE7zOABz83nZb53qdeC66Dyj4MTQ6Hhhqw
0 Likes • 1 Comment
Does anyone want to share your experience finding a GOOD job that lasted years and years?
Not necessarily a dream job, but a job that paid well, treated you respectfully and allowed you to work with pride. Oh and have a true work life balance, so that you could raise your children and pursue interests in peace. I am looking for realistic life inspiration for myself!
1 Like • 9 Comments
I made a big career change in January with hopes of taking a step back to have a lower intensity job.
I joined without a boss and that role was filled in April. Things have gotten extremely intense since my boss joined and I haven’t hit the very aggressive goals, that honestly seem unrealistic. I took a huge paycut for this job, over 50% thinking it would be worth it for lower stress. But it actually feels just as stressful as my prior field, with significantly less pay. My colleague keeps urging me to stick it out for awhile, but I actually think this role & environment is a bad fit for me. If I start job searching will being under a year in my role work against me? I haven’t job searched so quickly into a new job before. Any tips for navigating that?
2 Likes • 5 Comments
The Perfect Resume Won't Save a Poor Job Strategy.
Yes, your resume matters, but it’s not the magic key. Too many job seekers spend weeks tweaking bullet points while ignoring the bigger picture: Are you applying to the right roles? Are you networking? Are you tailoring your applications?
A polished resume supports your strategy, but it doesn’t replace one.
You could have the most beautifully written resume in the world, but if you’re applying blindly online, not leveraging connections, or chasing roles that aren’t aligned with your skills, the results will still be disappointing.
Here’s the truth: Job searching is a full system, not a single document.
Want results? Focus on:
- Clear goals
- Smart targeting
- Consistent outreach
- And yes, a great resume that reflects all that.
2 Likes • 0 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.