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Need advice: Providing valuable insight when withdrawing from an application from a job
I read this article about how to decline a job offer (https://fairygodboss.com/articles/how-to-decline-a-job-offer#reactbar-BeL9VDhJN) and I need advice regarding the last principle for providing valuable insight...
I just interviewed for a job where the title is a step up for me (going from Project Manager to Program Manager), but I learned the compensation is $10K less than my current salary, and $20K less than the goal I'm aiming for in my next position. The organization is not-for-profit with most funding sources from municipalities and donors, so I could see myself accepting it if the pay was similar to what I have now, but I cannot afford to go down in pay... I've done a lot of research on my personal worth as well as cost of living, and according to businessinsider.com, the compensation they offered is $30K less than the recommended income for living *comfortably* in my region. I recognize this compensation rate is unrealistic for nonprofits, but $30K is not even the same ballpark. I am tempted to share this datapoint with them to encourage them to improve payment to their staff, so they can attract and retain valuable talent. But I also want to maintain a strong relationship with this organization because they are in my industry and I hope to stay within the industry... So would it be inappropriate to share this info? Or is there a constructive way to make this suggestion as I decline to proceed with the interview?
Thanks in advance for your advice!
Gail Renfrow, PMPProject Manager and Systems Analyst in Chicago
192
08/19/20 at 10:05PM UTC
This is certainly difficult. I have actually been in the opposite position, strangely, where the non-profit I worked for had such great benefits, but not a lot of pay, and when I applied for corporations, the pay was there, but the benefits were severely lacking!
You might really want to ask if you can flesh out the details of their benefits package. Some non-profits have such discounts on health insurance, education benefits, caregiver accounts, and retirement matching that the decrease in "pay" can actually mean that you are saving/making more money!
If that is still not really helpful (or if you do not need what they can offer), then I agree with others that you can say that you cannot take the deduction in pay when the increase in responsibilities should offer you more. If they ask, you can provide the information, but otherwise, they know.
Laura McCannDriving results through people engagement
325
08/18/20 at 9:04PM UTC
Non-profits are a hard go! They have so many budgetary constraints and concerns. They will definitely not be competitive in the geographic area or in the industry itself. While they can provide great experience, they will not be where your compensation will stay static or increase. Could you do some side projects with them for the visibility?
Rebecca Lee VOperations Analyst
2.22k
08/18/20 at 1:28PM UTC
As the is a non-for-profit their budget it VERY limited. Most work on a show string budget and they are aware they pay is lower that the region average but as the first gay said, you work for a non-for-profit for the passion not the paycheck. Their annual budget is of public record as they live off donations. Donations that go off the work they do and not paychecks.
BeaBoss979975
218
08/17/20 at 12:34AM UTC
You could take my husband's approach to a San Jose company that wanted to pay him the same as he was earning in St. Louis for a scientific position. They would not negotiate, and he finally called and said that he "didn't think he could do good science while living in a tent in the desert." He did do some good. A coworker of his took a position with them later at a much higher salary.
Crystal Cummings
117
08/14/20 at 2:07AM UTC (Edited)
I'm seeing the undercutting even in organizations that "should" be offering at least on par with what an average income should be for that field in that region. I would have no hesitation in saying "I appreciate the interest, but this level is debilitating to me financially. I'm looking to move forward, not step back."
Not even a pandemic should be an excuse to chump a potentially awesome employee. the benefits just vastly outweigh the costs, and the ones who walk, know their worth. That's not exactly a bad thing.
Reneé ZungCareer Consultant
249
08/14/20 at 1:49AM UTC
Hi Jaclyn, I understand your desire to ask for more compensation and if it was an offer from a for profit company I would recommend you sharing the information.
I recommend that you take time to reflect on the position and remove salary from the equation to ask yourself a few questions
-Is this a company I would be proud to work for?
-Is this a job and company I would like to grow with over the next 3-5 years?
-Will this company/job provide me with experience I need to grow in my career?
Now you can decide if this is the correct career move. I’d it is you can ask if there is any flexibility in the pay and you might be able to be closer to what you were making. If money is the issue say thank and explain at this point in your career you are unable to move to non profits but would like to volunteer because you career goal in the near future is to work for non profits
Good luck
samantha downingHealthcare Marketing Leader
59
08/14/20 at 1:47AM UTC
I think transparency is the best route. As stated above, the org knows they are under market, but I think honesty is always the best policy. From an HR perspective, getting the actual reason for withdrawing an application helps them track and manage their interview process and refine/improve how they craft the job position, to attract people who are the right fit, and that includes salary. I recently withdrew my application from a potential job, not for salary but because of a rather unprofessional interview from one of the individuals in the company I did interviews with. I felt that HR and my potential new boss would want to know how their employees actions in interviews and subsequent representation of the company can affect the interview process. They thanked me and asked me to reconsider, but I knew I would not get along professionally with this stakeholder. Hope this helps!
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