What do I do if I am offered a job but the company is still posting the job and still looking for a candidate?

Anonymous

September 23,2021 at 6:41PM UTC

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What do I do if I am offered a job but the company is still posting the job and still looking for a candidate?

I applied to a job about 2 months ago. I went through 3 rounds of interviewing. Last week Thursday I received a call from the HR person but we were not able to speak. The next day, Friday, I saw that the job had been reposted by the company so I assumed I didn’t get the job. However, when I spoke with HR This Wednesday, they offered me the job at 25k less than what I asked for and will not budge. Today, while speaking with a friend of mine, I found out that the company had reached out to my friend on Monday about the same job. How should I approach this? I haven’t accepted or declined the offer at this time, but I am feeling all sorts of ways and not sure how to respond to the offer. Any suggestions?

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LeeSeptember 23,2021 at 6:56PM UTC
I'd thank them and move on.
AnonymousSeptember 23,2021 at 7:13PM UTC
Technically the job is still open and you have yet to accept the offer so the company will continue to try and fill the position. The company will continue to obtain an acceptance from a candidate and therefore continue to advertise the position.
AnonymousSeptember 23,2021 at 7:40PM UTC
If I were in your shoes, the first question I'd need to answer is if I even want the job at $25k less than what I asked for. If the answer is no, then the other circumstances are irrelevant and you can simply decline.
If you know the position is worth more and feel you can get a different job in your desired salary range, and if you are ok financially to hold out a while longer, I'd definitely wait for a better offer.
Some additional questions to ask yourself if you are ok with the lower salary: if they hadn't reposted the job, does the overall offer appeal to you? Is the role exciting to you and does the company have good employee reviews? If your answer is yes to those questions, then consider the reasons they might be conducting their search this way. Perhaps they've had offers out where they lost the candidate and didn't have a backup ready; perhaps they were needing to pay less, and actually want you for the role, but they know you might say no and they need to fill it quickly. Or - the risk you could be taking is that they might be hiring you to fill it while they continue searching (?) - but that's really not in their best interest.
All of the above is me thinking out loud... ;)
But in summary, if the offer and the job appeals to you and you wouldn't be thinking twice about it if you hadn't seen that it was reposted, then I'd give it a chance.
However, if it's not your dream job and you can afford to wait for a better job to come along, then I'd wait. You can just tell them thank you very much for considering you for the position, but that you aren't able to accept the offer they've proposed.
Hopefully that helps! Wishing you all the best.
Deborah MitchellSeptember 23,2021 at 9:06PM UTC
Is there only 1 of this position available ever with this company?
Could they be looking for multiple people for these roles because of growth, turnover or pending retirements?
AnonymousSeptember 23,2021 at 9:20PM UTC
The job is available so I think it's necessary to keep advertising to find someone.
AnonymousSeptember 24,2021 at 2:39PM UTC
What’s unethical about this?!?! The organization’s goal is to fill the position. Until someone has formally accepted an offer, recruiters will continue to screen candidates.
AnonymousSeptember 25,2021 at 12:32PM UTC
Exactly - and candidates should do the same!
Healthcare workerSeptember 24,2021 at 3:05PM UTC
When they offered and you didn’t accept what they offered they moved on from you. Do the same this interaction has run it’s course.
Ai-Mei ZhuSeptember 25,2021 at 12:11PM UTC
There are a couple of things to consider:
- When you had the initial conversation with them, did you set the right salary expectations? if you did, they should've let you know you were over budget by 25K (if they didnt thats a red flag)
- Companies will ALWAYS leave a job posting up until there is a signed offer letter or the person that signed starts. Not only that but they could also be hiring a few of the same roles given how crazy the market is right now with hiring and everyone's growing their teams.
- Bottom line, the 25K difference is pretty hard to think the bigger picture, if it was a 5-10k difference and they have amazing benefits and great culture, team, and career growth, then that is something to consider.
Rita BrunkSeptember 25,2021 at 12:21PM UTC
From my many years of experience, I would assume it could be one of two things:
1) they decided to hire more than 1 person
2)their sophisticated HR system automatically repost a job after a certain date and your paperwork was submitted after that date
AnonymousSeptember 25,2021 at 12:24PM UTC
I think companies often repost even if the position has been offered as the candidate still needs to clear background checks or if they decline the offer. They want a pipeline of other candidates so they are not starting from scratch. If you like the position and the salary is agreeable to you, then take it.
John PohlSeptember 25,2021 at 12:28PM UTC
It is common to keep the job posted until an offer is accepted, or even keep it posted/re-post until 90 days after the person starts...should it not work out
LisaSeptember 25,2021 at 12:29PM UTC
So I am curious, they called you on a Thursday and you didn't call them back because the next day that job posting was still up? Why wouldn't you call them? If I interviewed and the company called me I wouldn't wait days to call them back.
Most job postings are contracted to stay up for a specific amount of time and then expire.
That being said, offering you $25000 less .... Walk away.
AnonymousSeptember 25,2021 at 1:28PM UTC
Agreed. You hadn’t accepted the offer yet. So it makes sense the posting would still be up. $25k is a huge gap! I’d keep looking if I were you.
AnonymousSeptember 25,2021 at 12:31PM UTC
For me $25K is a huge loss, I would keep looking. Or better yet, accept, and continue to search for something better! Yep, that's exactly what I did...I didn't accept $25K less, but enough to keep me searching. And I found something more financially aligned to what I needed to live on...and then I QUIT!! That's what employers get for lowballing and exploiting people because of a "Pandemic". Serves them right. Games can be played at both ends.
AnonymousSeptember 25,2021 at 12:54PM UTC
Agreed. If they are still looking while offering you the job, don’t feel bad about accepting the job but continuing to look. If you really need a job or at least some income right now to hold you over until you find the right job, then go for it. But if you don’t really need to take this job and can hold out for a better one, then decline it. Do what is right for you because the company is clearly doing what is right for them.
AnonymousSeptember 25,2021 at 2:05PM UTC
I agree with Anonymous above. Been there, done that. In fact, I'm right there right now!
Current role is a pay cut of about $2,400 before tax, per month over what I earned last year. It's about $1500 short of the minimum I require to live on. But, $1500 short is much better than $7,000 short, which is where I'd be if unemployed.
I was clear that I was putting myself out there at a discount rate because we're in the COVID era. (And then they proceeded to dink me around further on compensation, won't go into it except to say that somehow I've gotten into a situation whereby for the first 14 weeks I work, I only see 5 weeks of pay. Full months of pay for a job I've worked since early September don't show up until December 31. And that is totally unworkable for me.)
I'd been prepared to accept the significant cut and find a side gig to do to make up the difference because the project is a compelling one that matches my professional interests. But the delay in payment, after I've already met them more than halfway by offering my expertise at a very discounted rate in order to beat my competitors' value propositions, just doesn't feel right.
I am continuing to look. And when I get an offer I will leave without a shred of guilt because, as you say, "Games can be played at both ends." I'm disappointed that I'm doing this, because I like the project. But given that it is insecure contract employment, going back to the well to try to up my TC is doomed not to work even if I explain that the only reason I'm leaving is the package. It's too likely they'd match it but then quietly find a replacement for me and I'd be out with 7 days' notice after I'd turned down whatever new opportunity I'd found.
GabriellaSeptember 25,2021 at 3:46PM UTC
I love this!
FlossySeptember 25,2021 at 1:02PM UTC
Tell your friend the entire story. 25k is a huge delta. Personally, I would decline the offer based on the salary. If they can meet the market, you are willing to speak further perhaps.
AnonymousSeptember 25,2021 at 1:03PM UTC
Keep in mind, a $25k change in salary in either direction would be a lifestyle change for most Americans....so to give you advice on whether you should accept or decline the offer is going to depend on your personal situation and since we don't have all of those details I'm going to give you advice on what I would do. Assuming that you've already tried negotiating....If I were in a situation and the salary that I asked for is what I want and it's market for the role, I wouldn't accept the offer if they wouldn't budge on the base salary or allow negotiations on things like a sign on bonus, more vacation, a better 401k match, tuition reimbursement etc.
I've seen it a few times that when someone accepts a role and there is a disconnect between their salary and what they wanted causing issues....it's something that always bothers the employee, will often be a topic of discussion and they will leave for more money in the end.
Good luck!
AnonymousSeptember 25,2021 at 1:04PM UTC
weird. and your friend was offered the same job on Monday? What's your vibe on this? Mine isn't good. they are fishing for the cheapest candidate they can get. Move on.
Christine TalowskiSeptember 25,2021 at 1:09PM UTC
move on and look for another position.
cihelsleySeptember 25,2021 at 1:58PM UTC
Honestly it could be anything. I’m a recruiter and we rarely close a role before someone has accepted an offer. If it’s a role we tend to hire for frequently or may be planning for, it’s not strange for us to continue to reach out to potential candidates even when an offer is out. Not k owing much context about this actual job, it’s hard to say but I’d encourage you to focus less on that point and more on the compensation difference. If it’s not what you want then definitely move on and keep looking. But don’t hang that decision on the job reposting along since it could be a nothing burger.
Rachel RaquelSeptember 25,2021 at 2:16PM UTC
With more context we will have a more clear understanding of what happened.
What is the actual time gap between when you did not take the first call and the first time you talked to HR following that? You mention speaking with HR 6 days later but we are not clear if there were any conversations, background checks, drug tests, etc in the meantime.
Also, what was the contact with your friend? Saying “reached out” isn’t enough information for us to know if this means they just sent an email to see if she’s still looking or if it was a full blown job offer.
What was reason was provided by the company for the mysterious change in the salary?
AnonymousSeptember 25,2021 at 2:18PM UTC
When I was a hiring manager, it was our practice to leave the posting open until we have offered the position to someone and they have come onboard.
If I was satisfied with my top 2 candidates, I would not continue to interview new candidates.
$25K difference is a pretty big gap, so, they probably knew there was a good chance that you would reject. BUT, I'd also be surprised if they did not lay out other ways that would reduce the gap (stock options, bonus, etc.).
Good luck!
Milissa JacobsSeptember 25,2021 at 2:23PM UTC
If you haven't accepted the offer, the job is still open. It's silly to expect them to freeze in place waiting for your response.
Tamara MillsSeptember 25,2021 at 2:50PM UTC
$25k is a huge gap especially on the lower/middle ends.
Why would they offer you this job, so weird. Red flag.
Stephanie F, MSHRMSeptember 25,2021 at 3:14PM UTC
This is not unusual. Most companies leave a position open and continue to engage potential candidates until a finalist has accepted te offer and cleared pre-employment requirements for a final offer.
From what I gather in the initial post, you have not yet accepted or declined the offer. So you should focus on the offer under $25k and any other total rewards or compensation aspects. If it is not something you can do monetarily and growth-wise based on the position, then decline, but if it is something you want, accept.
I am also curious if they gave a deadline on your decision.
Ashley LaverdiereSeptember 25,2021 at 3:17PM UTC
Is it a position that multiple people can be hired for? That might be a reason
Focused721350September 25,2021 at 3:17PM UTC
Good Morning,
Really! Why are you even asking???? First off! Why should you settle for less and obviously they're looking for someone who'll except that low bid. Are you? Look somewhere else..... HELLO!!!!
Good luck and God bless ;)
Renee Radcliff SinclairSeptember 25,2021 at 3:17PM UTC
The company is not going to stop looking until someone accepts the position (probably in writing by signing an acceptance letter). Sounds like you haven't done that, so they're continuing to look until the position is filled. Right now, the position is not filled.
AnonymousSeptember 25,2021 at 3:46PM UTC
Like a few others have mentioned we don't have all the details to provide the most informed suggestions, however, based on what you shared:
1- The job posting - job postings could repost automatically. The company also could have reposted the role given that they hadn't heard back from you and they are on a timeline for filling the role. Another possibility is they have more than one position to fill. There are a number of possibilities here.
2- The timeline - it sounds like you received a call from the company on Thursday and then almost one week later, on Wednesday, you finally spoke to them. In job offer days, that is a fairly long timespan. If there was no contact between you and HR in between they may have thought you were a passive-unresponsive candidate no longer interested in the role.
3- Your friend - You said the company 'reached out' to your friend in the timespan between when HR first reached out to you on Thursday and when you spoke to HR the following Wednesday. Based on what you shared, it sounds like the company was reaching out to other candidates in the pipeline, not necessarily with an offer, but to build the pipeline in case you were to fall through and not get back to them or not accept an offer. Since the company hadn't heard from you (or so it sounds based on what you shared), the company again may have thought you were a passive-unresponsive candidate and so they needed to move forward with reaching out to other candidates to stay on track for meeting their timeline for filling the role.
3- The offer - You indicate you had asked for a salary $25k more than what was offered. Was there a compensation conversation at any point in the three rounds of interviewing? Did the company provide their target salary range to you when you had originally provided your salary needs? The $25k gap is a big gap between your compensation needs and what the company is willing to pay which could have been avoided had there been a compensation conversation at an earlier stage. At this point, if they are absolutely unwilling to budge, it's up to you to decide your salary needs. As others have said, a $25k difference is not insignificant. Is this a job you really want? Is it worth it? Will it open other doors in the future? Can you survive or even thrive off of the salary?
Best wishes :)
AnonymousSeptember 25,2021 at 4:15PM UTC
If you'll have the availability to keep interviewing discreetly, accept the position and keep looking. Many interviewers prefer to interview in the early morning to minimize the toll that hiring has on productivity. Also virtual interviewing is common now, which helps.
Prospective employers may not be impressed with your job hopping, so you'll need to be stealth if you go this route. Don't list this position on your resume or LinkedIn, and don't discuss it in interviews. Basically, you work there in secret.
They say it's a seller's/employee's market right now, so you'll likely be outta there soon. Earn a little money and get some bennies in the meantime. Good luck!
AnonymousSeptember 25,2021 at 6:07PM UTC
As a hiring manager, I believe they probably are not confident you will accept due to the large pay cut. They likely just want to have a backup candidate ready in case you turn it down.
MandaTaylorSeptember 25,2021 at 6:31PM UTC
This response was not necessary. We are about bringing people up. Please respect your peers here.
AnonymousSeptember 25,2021 at 6:59PM UTC
The job is very much open and available until you've passed your back check and accepted the offer.
IntrapsychSeptember 25,2021 at 7:23PM UTC
I'm a hiring manager too. I believe the candidate and hiring managers equally assume the risks of accepting and declining an opportunity.
If a new hire jumps my ship then I need to assess why and how I can lower the chances of that happening again.
Either way, both employer and employee/ candidate have a right to decide and must be respected.
Dr. Jessica Parker, PMPSeptember 25,2021 at 7:30PM UTC
With a lot of people backing out at the last minute, it's not uncommon for companies to keep looking until a person shows up for their first day.
Consider long and hard whether or not you want this job given the significantly lower salary.
Good luck!
AnonymousSeptember 25,2021 at 7:49PM UTC
Salary Needs/Desired Compensation/Salary Alignment/Compensation Expectations - for the purposes of this post, I was using ‘salary needs’ a bit interchangeably.
Certainly let’s not “discount ourselves”. Let’s be our own advocates!
Again, we don’t have all the details to provide the most informed suggestions. Has the poster of this thread gone through rounds of negotiation only to land at this $25k gap? Has the company made it abundantly clear that $25k less is their good and final? Is this $25k gap a lowball offer after having had a compensation conversation in earlier stages of interviewing where the candidate made their compensation expectations clear and the company made their pay band/salary range for this position clear?
If the candidate/poster of this thread wants to consider proceeding, that is where asking some key questions to self is important: Is this job something I really want? Is it worth it to pursue this position and/or take the final offer? Will it open other doors in the future? Can I survive or even thrive off of the salary?
A helpful resource that may apply in this case: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/08/example-of-how-to-respond-to-lowball-job-salary-offer-and-2-things-you-should-never-do.html
AyianSeptember 25,2021 at 8:19PM UTC
Business is business. Income is business. It's not personal. The company could have passed on this candidate entirely. They know there's a risk that even if the OP accepts the position, they may leave for a better offer. There's no loyalty from the business to the employee so why would there be any from the employee to the business? The lack of respect is in the lowball offer, not a consideration of taking the offer until they can find something more suitable in salary.
Katherine Metres Akbar, Interview Coach & Resume ExpertSeptember 25,2021 at 8:40PM UTC
Accept it if you want it and decline it if you don't. You are not sure if you will accept the job, so why are you surprised that they are not sure you will accept the job? I think some past baggage about not being able to trust people's interest in or love for you is getting into the mix here. Remember, this is just a business process, not a statement on your value as a person. Best wishes!
Jackie RukaSeptember 25,2021 at 9:01PM UTC
They cannot afford you! And if you take it, will you likely stay with such a big cut?
They are covering their bases.
AmySeptember 25,2021 at 9:35PM UTC
We keep our jobs posted until that person shows up for orientation. So many people have backed out last minute, you can’t keep your eggs in one basket!
AnonymousSeptember 25,2021 at 11:53PM UTC
You don't have the job. I think you've missed your window to accept the job and the company has moved on.
AnonymousSeptember 26,2021 at 12:46AM UTC
If... the employment agreement is not a fixed-term contract requiring ongoing commitment for 6 months, a year, two years... Then... it is employment at will on both sides. Just as a company is free to move on if it finds a better way to meet its needs, the employee is free to move on if they find a better way to meet their needs. Welcome to capitalism. Business isn't always "pretty". There's generally nothing unethical about accepting the best option currently available while continuing to look for a better one. A job offer isn't a marriage proposal, even moreso in recent decades as the concept of jobs for life became rare and periodic RIFs became normalized. An exception would perhaps be if the company, knowing it's lowballing, has asked the employee to state their expectations for how long they can stay given the lowball offer that may be less than their market rate, and the employee conveys a false impression of longevity. Of course, it doesn't look good on one's resume to do this frequently. But in the context of multiple 4-5 year stints at other orgs, one of these wouldn't be a deal-killer for me when hiring -- especially if the candidate had a reasonable explanation for it. I'd personally have a go at spinning it as a business decision. There are customers' terms that are attractive to a supplier in a difficult market. But with limited resources to serve customers, a supplier can be more profitable in a good market if they focus on the customers with the highest business value. (Assuming that both customers seem to be equally stable in terms of ongoing business.) Add an explanation of how an employment opportunity at has a much higher degree of business value to you, etc.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistSeptember 26,2021 at 12:46AM UTC
The job hasn't been filled. The company needs to keep recruiting for it until it is.
Dawn DiMartinoSeptember 26,2021 at 1:18AM UTC
$25K is sizable, however, I do think there are some contextual pieces of information that would be helpful to appraise the situation. 1). Industry of the hiring company and type of company (for profit, non profit) 2) position you held 3) Type of company (for profit, non profit) you previously worked for.
AnonymousSeptember 26,2021 at 4:20PM UTC
It seems like they are expecting you to turn it down because of the large difference in salary. They are just covering their bases. I don’t think it reflects on how they view your ability to do the job. They wouldn’t have offered it to you if they didn’t want you for the role. Now it’s just up to you if you are willing to take that little in salary or wait a little longer to find something that is more what you are looking for. Don’t feel pressured into accepting just because they are accepting more applications.
Emily Ward GoldenSeptember 26,2021 at 5:17PM UTC
For 25K less. Unless you really need it or it's a very niche job I wouldn't accept it.
Kipley BruketaSeptember 26,2021 at 7:30PM UTC
I agree with others that job postings are removed just because an offer is made. Another question. Is the extra $25K something you just desire? Or are you taking a pay cut? If so, are you switching industries or moving to a not-for-profit or a smaller company with lower revenues? All of these are important considerations. Lastly, if you really want the job and would not be putting yourself in financial straits or would resent the less than salary, it could be a great choice.
Kipley BruketaSeptember 26,2021 at 7:31PM UTC
And I meant to type “…companies DON’T remove postings…”
Julie ESeptember 27,2021 at 12:08AM UTC
Unless you really need the job, I would turn it down and move on to the next one. $25k is a significant pay cut and I wouldn't want to work for a company that dicks me around like that.
AnonymousSeptember 27,2021 at 12:24PM UTC
It could also be tht they have multiple similar openings, so that it is not actually the identical position. They may look for resumes for future openings. Unless you have actually formally accepted it, I would not read too much into them reposting it, often this is automatically done, especially on outside job boards. If it is indeed just one opening they will keep posting it until you are (or someone else is) actually on board.
Do you have a job and can afford to keep looking? Or are you out of work and really need it?
In regards to the pay cut (and $25k is a lot) there may be other things they could offer, e.g. more vacation, more flexible work arrangements, or similar. With such a large pay cut there is probably less responsibility, are you okay with that?
This is a complex question and we can really only give you some pointers, but cannot give advice.
60isthenew40September 27,2021 at 3:23PM UTC
Sounds like they're trying to find the person who will work for the least amount of money. Unless they've given you an offer in writing, I wouldn't consider it a real offer. Proceed carefully.
Karen GongawareSeptember 27,2021 at 4:41PM UTC
It does sound like they are deliberately low balling you. Are you desperate? If the answer is no, tell them thanks but no thanks and move on.
Sophia KellySeptember 27,2021 at 7:27PM UTC
If you negotiate an offer that has some compensation for the lower pay (eg: you get to work remotely, or flexible hours or some other perk) get all of that in writing in the offer, maybe with the proviso that those items are worth 25k to you and if removed the pay will be adjusted upwards by x amount to compensate. It looks like they like you but don't want to pay more but haven't got any other suitable candidates willing to work for what they are willing to pay. If they dont' get any candidates who will work for their lowball offer, you may be in a better bargaining position to demand more and some additional accommodations (in writing).
Jazzy McGruderSeptember 27,2021 at 8:30PM UTC
Pull up a chair, and get comfy. I believe everyone who's in tuned to your station, wants to know this. Are you currently employed? Are you seeking something more better, and challenging? I mean, it would add some virtue to my response a great deal. And shine light as to why you've become curious to know why the company hasn't sealed the deal, or removed it from the job listing board.
Eew chile', 25k is a pretty deep cut, and will definitely take sometime to heal from, financially, economically, logistically, you know where I'm going with this. But it would make a huge difference in your life, if your current position is paying in the high range of 0.
Now, is it safe to say that your friend elaborated on what their offer was, right? Yes, and the details were not as similar to yours. So, now we are feeling some type of way? Yes. (PAUSE) Honest Helen would. But,
I would not disclose with HR, about the little tactic of "bait, hook, and reel em in;" it's there job to find a candidate to fill the position, or simply put. "It's business..." I need you to stay focused on the goal, and filter out all of that negativity . AaaaaNNNDDD! Take Ms. Sophia Kelly's advice re-negotiate. Include the extra values, skills, acknowledge your accomplishments with the company, present your "value" through your positive worth. And "Anonymous" take care yourself, you matter.
Andrea Jackson-DiazSeptember 28,2021 at 6:38AM UTC
The number of red flags flapping in the cosmic winds warning you are too many for you to ignore: low-balling, lack of transparency/integrity, double-dealing, etc. You deserve better than this. Would you enter into a friendship with a person exhibiting this kind of behavior? If you take this job (maybe out of need - I don't know?), rest assured there will be multiple problems attached with the leadership, culture, and overall working environment. When financially feasible, avoid these types of pre-employment premonitions of disaster. People "show" you who they are and we need to listen to them. You may work there one year or fifteen years and you will constantly find yourself questioning your decision. Employment is supposed to be an exchange - based on professionalism, fairness, and basic human decency. This ain't it.