mulling it over
I think that the interview went well. I always think my interviews went well, though. LOL! But I’ll say this: near the end, the two people who were interviewing me exchanged glances and smiled. That can’t be bad, can it?
But here’s the rub: not long before that, the interviewer who would be my boss apologized for not telling me sooner, but they will most likely NOT be able to meet my salary requirement. I played it well, I think - I have a decent poker face. But inwardly I was a little taken aback. Why didn’t they tell me this before?
I saw the position in an email from a listserve I belong to. I sent in my resume, which I tailored to the position, a good cover letter, and my salary requirement. Now actually, I don’t have a set salary requirement. In most cases, I don’t send a salary requirement, I wait for an offer as a starting point for negotiations. In this case, however, a salary requirement was explicitly required with the submission of your resume. I did research to come up with a fair salary range. The amount of money I asked for was specifically tailored to the position, my strengths and shortcomings, and the average of what people in my area in similar positions with similar companies are making. When submitting my range, I told the employer that I consider the entire package, including benefits, the work environment, and other aspects of the position. I was pleased to be called in for an interview!
When they told me that they couldn’t meet my salary requirement during the interview, I didn’t have a temper tantrum. I am still genuinely interested in the job. The interviewer told me to take a few days to think about whether or not I am willing to make less than my requirement, and I said that it would depend on how far apart their offer might be from my range. Their offer would be in one $10,000 range less than my $10,000 range. I told the interviewers what I really want out of my next position - I believe that I can get it from the position I was interviewing for - and that I would still consider an offer from them. The interview ended well, but I left feeling deflated.
I’ve been mulling it over all weekend. The job market for people with my level of experience is so dry, it’s like the Grapes of Wrath out there. I really need to stop temping, and get a steady job with some benefits. I’d get great professional visibility and experience with this position, which makes it a great stepping stone to a better, more lucrative position in a few years. And I’d love the work. But the lower end of my suggested range really was as low as I was emotionally prepared to go. I have so many goals - homeownership, catching up on retirement contributions, motherhood, travel… All of that would be so much harder on the salary they would offer me. The reason I took the bar exam was to finally make more money than I did as a paralegal. If I take this job, I will have gotten nowhere on that front. I’m torn.
Of course, none of this matters if they don’t give me an offer. In the meantime, I’m sending out those unsolicited resumes and cover letters. I don’t know who’d want to hire in this economy, but I’ve got to do something. I’m facing an unemployed holiday season.
sorry to hear about the pay rates, I too am desperat to stope temping. How much of a drop percentage wise do you think it would be from what you currently earn?
Let’s not go there. It would be too depressing. Please just let it suffice to say that it would be to my financial advantage in the short run, by tens of thousands, to just keep temping.
Comment by Claire — October 6, 2008 @ 12:41 pm
Sistah, that doesn’t sound like it’s starting on good footing. Some thoughts from someone who’s been there before:
Hear them out and continue the conversation–maybe it was a test to see how you handle things.
Even if the salary is low, how does the total package look–benefits and any sort of those small perks like gym membership which add up?
No one says you have to accept an offer if it goes that far, and there’s no harm in talking with someone who wants to talk with you.
I’d try to force some tangible items into the arrangement, to make up for the lower salary, besides just words from them to see how committed they are to YOU. For example–professional org membership, work conferences, etc. If they do truly want you they will make some efforts–even a no-cost one such as to arrange an internal mentor will speak volumes.
If you end up taking it due to the poor economy, get your plan in order prior to day 1 of how this will be a stepping stone in two years. Everyone needs to pay their dues with an entry level job, I don’t think it’s such a bad thing, in the short term, if played well.
Comment by heather in europe — October 6, 2008 @ 4:25 pm