I just learned a new a new phrase
I was offered a job recently. Hooray for me, right? Well, if you look up salaries in my field within my region, you'll see that the bottom of the pay scale is around $70k to $75k per year, the upper part of the pay scale is around $105k to $110k.
This guy -- with a straight face -- offered me $38,000. When he saw my jaw drop, he said he had "some wiggle room" and raised it to $41,000. I reminded him I have a master's degree, over a decade of experience in my field, that my last job in this very same field paid $87,000 and that I was earning more than $38,000 in the 1990's. His answer was, "We're a fiscally conservative company."
So THAT must be the politically correct way to say, "We're ridiculously stingy and unrealistic in our hiring practices. We want lobster and champagne for the same price as fish sticks and a Sprite." I was wondering how one politely tells his employer they are CHEAP AS HELL and now I know. They aren't cheap, they're "fiscally conservative." Ahhh, the American love of jargon, what with their "fiscally conservative" nonsense. Well I like jargon too -- so I told them to SHOVE IT. I went through two phone screens and four face-to-face interviews over nearly a month for THAT insulting offer?!?! I was quite irritated...to say the least.
I'm looking for work and am open to accepting a lower rate of salary under the right circumstances. HOWEVER a FIFTY-SIX PERCENT SALARY REDUCTION is a LOT more than just a lower rate of salary. That's not going to work. Not at ALL! What the hell is WRONG with these people?
Finding jobs with realistic performance expectations and competitive salaries is a major issue keeping advanced degree job seekers unemployed.
Hey I'm worth $28 at least.. Noone offers that.
I would always recommend addressing the salary questions early in the interview process. Not only can it be a waste of time for you, but that company also wasted hours of their own employees time. They should have done a better job checking that in the beginning and not putting you through that whole process.
I agree with you, Randy Warren. Until more potential employees refuse to accept these insulting salaries from potential employers, we will ALL be low-balled.
It was a job though! I know you want...probably need more money than $41,000 a year; but they do not seem to be hiring people right now, SO, $41,000 is better than no job at all, right? You must have money to spend now. Sorry, but I can't get hired right now and am down to $36!
That is so annoying, but it's very common. I've seen ads where they call the position "entry level" but when you read the job description, it's clearly for someone with at least three or four years of experience and has a college degree. They only call it entry level to justify paying an entry level salary. I just don't understand why employers are so cheap these days, especially with corporate profits at an all time high. I have no idea what sort of employee they expect to get for $40 dollars a week over minimum wage.
Sooooo annoying! I hate that little game they play with salaries! Just list the pay range on the post! What a colossal wasted of time. So sorry you had to go through that. I've read a lot of job descriptions that were so lengthy and obnoxious and at the end required a Masters Degree! Unbelievable how little people want to pay anymore. Recently I had to spend my hard earned money (and put on pantyhose!) to go to an interview. When I got there it turned out that there was no such position at all-just an "opportunity" to get licensed for doing tax returns. I could spend money with this company for their program and their books. Then, if I passed the exam I could possibly be hired to manage one of their offices and be reimbursed for the cost of the exam! No wonder there's so much unemployment. I think there's a way these things can be reported on Glassdoor. Hope you find something soon:)
Happen to me too...
Yep, no seems to understand...truly understand that yes there are entry level-pay jobs out there but if my husband doe find something like this....we would still lose our home, our vehicle ....etc -lis we don't have time to build up to a living wage from really low offers..... I /we understand a pay cut....just not something that is an insult and done just because we are all needing work badly...so the employers know this and it feels exploitative. We do understand and are willing to be flexible. Just not insulted, especially by someone who is younger than our son...oh, I'm sorry I am just frustrated .....
It's easier to find a job, when you already have job. So, if you are unemployed, I would recommend to accept the offer and keep looking for something better..