Applying to a position that is a step back for you.
Hi guys, Last time I looked for a job was a very long time ago and it looks like my negotiating skills became very rusty. So I would appreciate any advice. March 1 is the time when I expect a promo and I shared this with a recruiter who contacted me via LinkedIn. I also shared descriptions of projects I was leading and after all that I was asked to apply to a position that would be a step back for me. It’s a respectable company and I’m not sure what’s the thinking process here. I lost interest but maybe the strategy should be to still apply and then negotiate a better title/level/salary upon receiving an offer? So the question is whether I should raise my concerns now or after the interview.
Depends on how much the step back you think is. MSFT levels are not
Respected much nowadays.
Never do it. If you jump just for salary you will be frustrated every day in your new job where people much lesser to your experience will be your peers or superiors. If u interview for a lower grade and pass it, highly unlikely they will bump u up just based on your post interview talk. Its a waste of time.
You can double check the target level with the recruiter before starting the interview loops. For most companies, it would be harder to negotiate a higher level after finishing the loop.
Be up front with what you want with the recruiter now. Otherwise you may be wasting your (and their) time. Part of negotiation is knowing what you want and communicating it clearly and tactfully. Do it now before it’s too late. It feels unlikely you could go through the process for something you probably don’t want and end up being able to negotiate a higher title after an interview, not to mention that everyone involved on the other side of the table will be some mix of frustrated/confused/doubtful about you after you go through the whole process and then ask for something different than you interviewed for.
Agreed. I took a drop in title to go into another industry with a very well respected company. Pay was actually slightly more and perks/benefits were a huge step up. Leveraged that into a skip level promotion 1 year later. It can work for you even of you take the position.