Hi everyone.
I'm looking for some feedback on whether I should read my current situation as a red flag with a potential employer. I'm currently employed as Senior Manager at a company where I do not think I will have the opportunity to advance much within the next couple of years.
I am ready to level up to a Director position. I am truly doing that level of work already and unfortunately have not been recognized for my contributions to the team. It's a tough place to work in my department, as we report up to a VP that doesn't understand the complexity of our work or really understand the value of the department as a whole.
I have decided to look elsewhere and have been applying for director level positions. One of them was, "Head of [department name]". I assumed that would at minimum be a director position. Also, when I initially spoke to the recruiter, when asked my salary range, I told her that depending on the bonus structure, my salary expectations are between X and Y. She told me at that time that my range was within their range.
I went through six interviews in total. The position is a great fit for my experience and skill set. The whole team really seemed to love me and I truly think this would be an amazing place to work. Well, I received an offer from them last week. It was offered as a senior manager title for $10K less than the bottom of my stated salary range. The type of work is actually director level work, as I would be starting a brand new team that would include seven or eight people. When I mentioned my disappointment in the title to the recruiter, she said that they advertised it as "Head of..." to draw in more candidates. It honestly feels a bit like a bait and switch to me. And I don't understand why they would offer so much less than my stated range when I was very clear up front.
They are regrouping and will get back to me next week with their final offer. My question to this group is, if they do meet my expectations, should I look at this experience as a red flag that should make me reconsider working for them?
Anonymous
10/11/21 at 1:46PM UTC
Titles can mean very different things at different organizations/industries, so unless it's critically important to you, try not to get hung up on that and instead focus on the job description/comp package. That being said, having changed the title from posting to offer should be a red flag unless accompanied by a plausible explanation (restructuring, re-evaluation of the role, etc). Of course, they should have told you about reorg plans during the interview process. As others have said, it's a big red flag that they purposely inflated the title to draw in more candidates. It's wrong for an employer to inflate the job title for the same reason it's wrong for an applicant to inflate their employment history. At best, this company simply doesn't have it together and doesn't realize how poorly their actions have come across. At worst, they're trying to pull something. Either way, best to look elsewhere.
Monica Lynn Sadler
Fashion Designer in New Jersey
346
10/11/21 at 12:42PM UTC
Run! She flat out told you that the title was made to "draw in" more candidates. My gut is that there is something they're not telling you. You sound like you a highly skilled candidate. I would not suggest you run the risk of working for them. I'm afraid you'll be further disappointed. The right job is out there for you where you will be appreciated and your employer will be honest. Praying for you.
Anonymous
10/10/21 at 6:05PM UTC
This is interesting. The industry I'm in, the "Head of..." roles are top level and equivalent to a VP role. Which also means the Head of.... gets paid MUCH more than director, not less! Either way, this is a major red flag. If they bait and switch during the interview process, imagine what they do when you're in the position.
Anonymous
10/10/21 at 2:25PM UTC
I would kindly decline the position. This wasn’t bait and switch. They flat out lied. I know it sucks to have an offer, but better to look now than while miserable in another job.
Anonymous
10/10/21 at 1:46PM UTC
Yes.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist
21.99k
10/10/21 at 4:02AM UTC
You should absolutely look at these issues as gigantic red flags. Companies are on their best behavior when they're trying to convince you to come to work for them. It's only going to get worse from here.
They pulled a bait and switch on the title, are trying to get someone to do director level work for senior manager title/ comp and they low balled you on the offer.
I would be very leary of accepting an offer from this company. My advice would be to consider continuing your job search.
Anonymous
10/09/21 at 9:08PM UTC
I would say keep looking unless you absolutely need to leave your current company.
The reason is they don't see you as a director at the moment and see you as someone who could get the job done and save them some $ in the interim. They see your current title and made a little step but are only looking at the bottom of your range and decide to go even lower. It's a win win for them.
They most likely will bring in someone above you at a later date and you'll remain in the lower rung of your range.
VMIn search of obstacles to tackle!
99
10/10/21 at 1:39PM UTC
This!
Anonymous
10/09/21 at 8:19PM UTC
Run like the wind!!
Lorna Rose, J.D., M.S.Taking You From Resilient to Resolute
2.13k
10/09/21 at 7:09PM UTC
Answer to your question: yes. Using a fake title to draw in applicants feels a bit like a bait and switch because IT TOTALLY IS! The fact that they're offering you $10k less than what they already agreed to shows that they have no respect for you as a professional. This is not a company I would trust any kind of bonus structure from, they clearly play the "tell them what they want to hear" game. Even if they offered you a salary that you're comfortable with, I can almost guarantee that it won't make up for the company culture.
Anonymous
10/09/21 at 6:59PM UTC
Job titles depend on both the field and the organization. What's called "director" one place could have a different title someplace else. The big questions would be whether your salary package is equal to others with the same duties & responsibilities and whether you want to do the work. Starting a new department from scratch is risky for the organization. Is there growth projected for the department? Maybe tying your title & salary to the success of the department would be an option for them.
