I have been unemployed for over a year and recently got an interview for a receptionist position. However when I arrived one of the interviewers came out before the interview and told me that I was way over qualified for the position and that they want to interview me for a higher one. During the interview they (it was four of them) asked how much I would like to be paid. I always dread this question but I told them a salary that I thought coincided with my skills, experience and the position offered.

The interview was successful. One of the ladies who referred me to the job in the first place told me that it looks good and that they liked me. Now I'm hearing word that contracts have been drawn up for me at a salary 8k less than the range I told them. I know I've been out of a job long but at least try to come a little closer to what I told them. I think that's just not right. I know my worth and it's even less then my last job's salary.

Should I try to negotiate a better salary or just be satisfied with what they give me?

I would negotiate, especially since they have already told you how you're more valuable to them in a higher position. I wouldn't even negotiate but would say, "Hey, wait a minute!"

Let us know what happens!

I would mention it, but you have to be prepared that they may go with someone else if you ask for too much.

I guess it all depends on how badly you want this job. In this market there isn't a shortage of people looking for work. You are replaceable, and that's something you always have to keep in mind.

Good luck.

If they already asked you for a figure, they should have discussed a final salary with you to put into a contract before it was written up. I'm sort of unhappy with them. Are they doing a bait and switch? If they are being underhanded right off the bat, maybe you really don't care if they hire you.

WG, maybe I missed something, but from what I understood of her post they asked what she'd like to be paid, but they didn't agree to give her the salary she asked for.

This happens all the time. Just because you want a certain salary doesn't mean that the employer is obligated to, or can afford to, pay you that salary. There are guidelines. If that is the salary other employees in the position she's applying for are paid, then they really can't deviate from that too much.

I don't think this is a case of bait and switch, because I don't think they ever agreed to pay her what she wants. They just asked what she wants, and then made an offer they could afford and accept.

That doesn't mean she can't ask for more, but she does have to keep in mind that if she does they may find someone else. Right now there are college grads working at McDonalds because of the poor job market. People are lucky if they can even find a job. She said herself that she's been out of work for a year. If she doesn't want the salary they offered then they can and will find someone that can accept that rate.

She may be worth more, but there is the saying "beggars can't be choosers", and right now everyone is begging for a job.

Yes you gave them a figure, and they feel that they can get you much cheaper. As a manager I would look at first how much unemployment there is in that industry and position. I would look at what the normal pay currently is for a position. I would look at how long the person I am going to make a offer to has been unemployed and try to make a offer that is fair but also that works best for me. At a 8 K difference there has to be a issue, not your skills but the job you are being offered what is the current average pay for that position in that area..

You can refuse their offer and you can counter with a figure you will work for. Remember once you counter with a offer they are free to merely hire someone else

WG, maybe I missed something, but from what I understood of her post they asked what she'd like to be paid, but they didn't agree to give her the salary she asked for.
I didn't say they had to agree. I said this; "If they already asked you for a figure, they should have discussed a final salary with you to put into a contract before it was written up."

If they had asked her for a salary idea, why did they disappear and then come in $8K less? Why didn't they discuss it with her before writing up the contract?

I agree WG, but the fact is that they can offer whatever they want, and she can either accept it, negotiate, or walk away. They have the same option.

It really does come down to how much the OP wants a job. Eight thousand less a year is better than nothing a year, especially in today's job market.

I agree WG, but the fact is that they can offer whatever they want, and she can either accept it, negotiate, or walk away. They have the same option.
The fact that they ASKED her, she gave a figure or a range, and then they didn't say a word to her, but threw a significantly lower figure into the contract makes me wonder (that's why I'm Wondergirl!) about them and their integrity. I'd run over to the public library to find out what this job is really worth.

If I found out it's worth that extra $8K or so, I would definitely bring that to their attention and not just shuffle along and be agreeable. If they say I'm worth a lot more than the job I applied for, I'd go into a renewed job search a little more circumspectly.

Not to sound mean, and I really didn't want to mention this, but if she's as highly qualified as she thinks, and worth as much as she says, then why has she been unemployed for the last year? She has a job offer. If the position she's looking for were abundant then she wouldn't be looking for a year.

There is some wisdom in not looking a gift horse in the mouth.

But it's completely up to her, and of course it's well within her right to ask for more money. I'm just playing devil's advocate, and stating the obvious, that it's also well within their right to take back the offer completely.

McDonalds is usually hiring. Right now there are tons of med school graduates working there, because there simply aren't enough jobs out there. If this doesn't work out she can always apply there and make significantly less then what this company is offering now.

But again, not my decision, just pointing out the facts.

I'll leave with saying I wish the OP all the best. :)

This is a hard one. On the one hand, you came in applying for a lower level position, I assume at a lower salary than the one you are being offered. So they know you were willing to accept something less.

Essentially you are in a buyer's market.

On the other hand, they did ask you for a range, but are coming in at less than you asked for. This could be because the position is budgeted for less than you asked or it could be a test to see how desperate you are.

I would approach it by asking if it is their final offer. But frankly they are in the driver's seat and they know it.

I'll play devil's advocate too. If she's been unemployed for a year and some company is amazed by her and says she's worth more than the job she applied for, then let them put their money where their mouth is -- or are they just blowing smoke?

I wonder what salary would she have gotten if they would have hired her for the job she applied for.

My problem is with this company.

WG, I'm working in a job where I'm way overqualified. Most of the people I know are. That's the market right now.

They may be amazed by her, but trust me, there are thousands more where she came from, and they know it. Worse, those thousands are all looking for a job as well, and most of them would be willing to work for any pay cheque they can get.

They don't have to put their money where their mouth is, employees are a dime a dozen right now. If she doesn't want what they're offering they can throw a stick and hit someone else, just as qualified, that will.

WG, I'm working in a job where I'm way overqualified. Most of the people I know are. That's the market right now.
I've worked in jobs all my life that I've been overqualified for. I understand what you are saying.

Maybe the way to say this is that she should bite her tongue, take the job, and knock their socks off. They'll see her value to the company and give her a raise.

I've worked in jobs all my life that I've been overqualified for. I understand what you are saying.

Maybe the way to say this is that she should bite her tongue, take the job, and knock their socks off. They'll see her value to the company and give her a raise.

That is the best advice anyone could give. I totally agree with that. :)

That is the best advice anyone could give. I totally agree with that. :)
It worked for me. I went from $3 an hour part-time shelving library books to a lot more (queen of cataloging) after a few years of proving myself. :)

You learn what you can where you are. Nothing is too menial to learn how to do and do well. I memorized Dewey Decimal numbers which paid off later when I became cataloging queen. Ask me any call number and I will tell you what kind of books are there.

It worked for me. I went from $3 an hour part-time shelving library books to a lot more (queen of cataloging) after a few years of proving myself. :)

I've been there too. I started as a temp making forms for an insurance company and it ended with a full time position in underwriting, and further college classes paid for by them.

Maybe the way to say this is that she should bite her tongue, take the job, and knock their socks off. They'll see her value to the company and give her a raise.

That's good advice. Kind of parallels my current situation. I got my current job after more than 15 months of unemployment. I almost didn't even interview because the agency told me up front the max salary which represented a huge cut from my last job.

But since I wasn't getting many interviews I decided to take it. I got a nice bump after 3 months and a huge raise after my first year.

Wondergirl you surely make a good point. TO be honest if they didn't ask me for a salary range I would have felt much better about it. The fact is they asked me how much I would like to be paid and gave them a range and they all nodded and smiled as if it were something they could work with. I will try to negotiate a salary of 5k more and see what happens. If they refuse to raise it believe me I will accept it anyway because as some have stated something is better than nothing and I am not completely unreasonable. But I will try to negotiate something better. It either works or it doesn't.

If you take their offer then you are basically downgrading yourself. Could be they are trying to see your worth and waiting for you to say that isn't good enough. I would call their bluff and stick to your guns by telling them what they are offering is too low.

If they vacilate on this, are they really worth working for?

If you take their offer then you are basically downgrading yourself. Could be they are trying to see your worth and waiting for to say that isn't good enough. I would call their bluff and stick to your guns by telling them what they are offering is too low.

If they vacilate on this, are they really worth working for?

I really have to point out, again, that today's job market is tough. The OP has stated that she's been out of work, unable to find employment, for the last year.

So to answer you last question, if they're really worth working for. I guess that depends. Does the OP want to eat, have a roof over her head, pay her bills? If not, then maybe they're not worth working for. But right now they're the only deal she has going. How badly does she want to work? That's really the only question she should be asking herself.

Wondergirl you surely make a good point. TO be honest if they didn't ask me for a salary range I would have felt much better about it. The fact is they asked me how much I would like to be paid and gave them a range and they all nodded and smiled as if it were something they could work with. I will try to negotiate a salary of 5k more and see what happens. If they refuse to raise it believe me I will accept it anyway because as some have stated something is better than nothing and I am not completely unreasonable. But I will try to negotiate something better. It either works or it doesn't.

You have to be careful how you say this. I would approach it saying, that the salary offer surprised you since you had discussed a range during the interview. So you were expecting a better offer.

Even in today's economy you can't allow yourself to be intimidated by an employer. If you know what your worth then stick with it. At a minimum accept the offer with 90 days for them to step up. If they don't put up then put them behind you. Skilled labor has a worth that can be compared to no other. Don't be bullied by tactics such as less money just so they can line their pockets. Stand up for yourself.

Cal, I agree entirely. Basically what I stated, only you said if better. I don't think OP should lower her standards for a job that doesn't really promise what she wants. Job hunting nowadays anywhere is stressful, but the market is always open to qualified people.

Cal, I agree entirely. Basically what I stated, only you said if better. I don't think OP should lower her standards for a job that doesn't really promise what she wants. Job hunting nowadays anywhere is stressful, but the market is always open to qualified people.

When was the last time you had to hunt for a job? I very much disagree with the above. I'm not saying the OP should sell herself short, but in this market, people need to to be very sure the job is not for them before turning it down.

I was out of work for 15 months, before I landed my current job, 2 years ago. In my field I am very qualified, but I wasn't even getting a lot of interviews, even though applying for jobs that I was qualified for. We don't know what field, expertise or other issues the OP faces. So I really have a problem with advice like the above.

When was the last time you had to hunt for a job? I very much disagree with the above. I'm not saying the OP should sell herself short, but in this market, people need to to be very sure the job is not for them before turning it down.

I was out of work for 15 months, before I landed my current job, 2 years ago. In my field I am very qualified, but I wasn't even getting a lot of interviews, even though applying for jobs that I was qualified for. We don't know what field, expertise or other issues the OP faces. So I really have a problem with advice like the above.

That's my point exactly.

I don't think you are being quite fair. ScottGem, I was offering my opinion, OP can sift through all of this and make her own decisions.

I have been on the bottom rung of the ladder before and no one ever forgets hard times, I have had my share, but quite happy I have found my nitch and at 70 working way passed retirement because I have to.

I have never forgotten how hard it was at times over the last 50 years job hunting.

Tickle,

That's not the point. I'm very sure you have experience here. But this job market is different from anything since the depression. Unless you have experienced this job market and understand the skills the OP has, I don't think your advice is valid for her.

But yes, let her digest both our opinions and choose what is best for her.

Tickle, I think you're missing our point.

Right now there are people with degrees in medicine working at McDonalds because that's the only job they can get in this market. They have skills, but the jobs simply aren't out there.

The OP has stated that she's been out of work for a year. Obviously she's been looking, but this seems to be the only offer she's had in the year she's been looking.

She could be the top of her field. I'm not debating that. She could be the best of the best at what she does. But there are many people that are the best at what they do working in jobs far beneath their skills, because there aren't jobs out there right now.

I'm not saying that the OP shouldn't ask for more money. I never said that. If she feels she deserves more than she should ask. You can't get if you don't ask. But she has to be realistic. She's not the only person out there looking for a job, and if she pushes too hard she may well lose this opportunity. If that's a risk she's willing to take then she should take it. But this market is not like any other we've ever experienced. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of people standing in line waiting to take this job for the price the company quoted, and they are probably just as qualified as she is.

Alty, I have to disagree. In the OP's words the company felt that she was qualified for the higher position. Its obvious that they too have been searching for the right person and hadn't found one. It is bogus to think that you have to work cheaper then the normal pay scale. Those that are working at McD's are doing so because of a place they have put themselves in. Its not a matter of the market so much as it is a matter of means testing. If your going to rebuild then your going to want the best. And if that best walks in the door you don't just shoot it down. If the company was a stand up company then at the interview they should have made a counter offer instead of trying to surprise the OP with one. Tickle has a very valid point. Its not about just money but about expectations. The OP has them and the company is hungry for them. This isn't a job at McD's. $8,000 a year is roughly $4.00 an hour. That is a large chunk of change. The company at a minimum needs to answer for that.

Alty, I assure you I am not missing the point. I just have a different viewpoint.

Alty, I assure you I am not missing the point. I just have a different viewpoint.

And I just don't understand that viewpoint. I could understand if jobs were abundant, but in today's economy I don't understand at all.

But I agree that the OP should consider both points of view and decide for herself. Whatever decision she ultimately makes is up to her, and whatever the company decides is up to them. I just hope that things work out, that she's not searching for a job for another year without success.

Sorry Dad, but I still disagree. You are making an assumption here. You are assuming that the company is offering less than normal pay scale. I don't think that is a valid assumption. The fact is the OP came in for a position below her qualifications. The company felt they had a position she could fill. During the interview process they asked her what salary range she was looking for. It is very possible that the range she mentioned was above the pay scale for the position. However, since they knew she started looking for a lesser position then felt she might accept lower than the stated range.

Now it could be they are offering less then their scale for the position or it could be that her range was above the scale for the position. We DO NOT know. Frankly, I think she is dealing with a standup company because they saw the possibility of her fitting into a higher level position and offered it.

But the fact remains that they knew her expectations and offered less. There are two possible reasons for that. One is that, given the job she originally came in for, they felt they can get her for less. But the other possibility is, as I've stated, that the salary range for the position was below the range she specified.

In today's job market, one needs to be careful about turning down a viable position. It is not selling oneself short, but accepting the realities of the market.