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Anonymous

April 12,2023 at 11:10AM UTC

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Hello! I had been with a company for 15 years. I started a new job at another place a little over a year ago, and it has not been a good fit. I've been looking for a while (very carefully).

A former manager from my old company (Who is now somewhere new) reached out to tell me she is hiring, but the pay range is about $10,000 below my current salary, AND there is significant business travel involved.

I'm trying to figure out how to respond without completely closing the door, and to figure out if there's negotiation room with any of it. The work travel is a huge "no" for me (I can only manage a few 2-3 day trips per year, for personal reasons).

But I also want to be able to leave room for her considering me for other future opportunities, if this is not the right one. Any advice on how I might respond to her? Thank you so much.

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AnonymousApril 12,2023 at 12:27PM UTC
If the work travel is a 'huge no', seems like you have a clear path to decline, based on that? If you might be interested in this opportunity now, with less travel and more pay... I'd take on discussing the travel up front, and if there's no wiggle room there, it's not worth taking on the compensation discussion. It's not closing a door to say 'no thank you', I would think, based on a level of travel that not everyone can or wants, to accept in a job.
Kristie WhiteApril 12,2023 at 12:40PM UTC
This is someone who respects you and has given you a great compliment by considering you for this position, so be brutally honest. Tell them you are grateful, but want to respect their need to hire someone who is the right fit. That you don’t have a personal life that can support that much travel because of other demands, obligations, etc. But if a position becomes available without travel, you hope they will contact you again. As far as the salary, I wouldn’t bring it up. The person who mentions money first sets the stage for the negotiation. If they contact you again, it might be a completely different landscape.
AnonymousApril 12,2023 at 3:04PM UTC
To have a manager who knows your skill and wants you to work with them is really a great deal these days, more than salary. If you are in good terms your salary might increase as well as he knows you joined for less and he will try to cover that up going forward . However if travel does not work for you then you need to mention it right away as it's a no fit for your expected job. Discuss it with the manager and see if that is negotiable else better luck next time for a different role.
Nicola BanksApril 16,2023 at 11:57PM UTC
How about -
Hello xxx,
I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for thinking of me for this position.
Unfortunately the significant business travel is not in alignment with my personal circumstances at this time.
Should another position pop up that you think I may be the right fit for, please do not hesitate to contact me again.
Regina BrownApril 19,2023 at 2:38PM UTC
EXCELLENT REPLY!!!