YOUR FORMER SALARY - A KNOCKOUT FACTOR


Recently one of my clients was contacted by a company for an interview. Surprisingly the recruiter retracted the offer to interview without giving the person a chance to interview. What happened here?


The hiring company asked for two pieces of information in an email: leaving salary and salary range looking for as a starting wage.


My client was honest and gave them his leaving base salary and told the company that he knew they wouldn't match it, but that he would love to discuss salary options with them. The company representative told him that he would likely have to take a $50,000 cut in salary and that they would prefer not to interview him based on a reluctance to hire anyone having to cut their salary to anything below $25-30,000.


What’s going on here? Why are companies trying to hire only the most affordable candidate rather than the best candidate? My client asked.


Well…here’s the deal….


This experience isn't unusual in today's market. Recruiters are insisting on knowing what you were making in your last job and your earnings expectations up front. This information, once provided, is used to screen candidates out of the hiring process.

From your perspective, why shouldn't you have the opportunity to make the decision to pursue this opportunity and "sell" yourself. From the company's point of view it's not about hiring the most affordable, but rather, hiring an employee who will be satisfied with the pay arrangements and not leave for "greener pastures" when the economy improves. The recruiter is weighing investment costs in training and development and the person's retention potential. Someone who is willing to take a substantial reduction in salary may be perceived as desperate and willing to take anything that comes along...not the kind of candidate the company wants to hire.


It's becoming a "Catch 22" out there. People are facing long term unemployment, need to work, and are willing to work for less money, but companies are being very selective and rejecting viable candidates in search of the optimal candidate. It's a buyer's market!

Keep your spirits up! It'll get better... eventually!


Comments welcomed....

Job Search Survey: how long is it really taking to return to work?

How long is it taking you to find a new job? The USDOL stats indicate it's taking on average 35 weeks to land a new positon. What's your experience?

About the same, shorter, longer??


How has the extension of unemployment benefits impacted your decision to look for a new job?  Delayed, Dropped out, Accelerated, No impact

Have you decided to change careers or industries? 
Why or why not?

Will share results next....


Comments welcomed....