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AIBU?

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Original poster

Keep getting interviews and then not getting the job for jobs below my pay grade !

37 replies

hirolla · 04/10/2024 12:11

What is happening ?

I'm interviewing for jobs I easily got in 2018 with less experience?

I've had two maternity leaves in the last 4 years and I can't help but think it's that.

For reference, I work in Business development, tech.

I've been interviewing with 5 companies in the last 4 weeks and only for one role, I made it past the sales manager stage. All others have failed at that stage.

OP posts:
Original poster
hirolla · 04/10/2024 12:58

Blinkii · 04/10/2024 12:50

Why would they need to know that you've had 2 maternity leaves? I wouldnt add maternity leave to a CV as I'm still employed at that job.

Because I'm in business development and I didn't have a target for those years and you have to list your achievements every year. So it kind of needs to be in there as an explanation of no achievement. I don't know another way to put it.

OP posts:
sorrythetruthhurts · 04/10/2024 12:51

Do they know your current salary? I wouldn't hire someone on 20-30k less than their previous role. For me personally I'd feel too guilty, but there are plenty of others out there who would be against it for different reasons and it can be interpreted as you being overqualified even if you don't think you are.

Blinkii · 04/10/2024 12:50

Why would they need to know that you've had 2 maternity leaves? I wouldnt add maternity leave to a CV as I'm still employed at that job.

Original poster
hirolla · 04/10/2024 12:40

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 04/10/2024 12:38

Is there a reason why you’re not staying in/ going back to your existing job?

I don't see a future where I am, for reasons I didn't wish to disclose, as too outing.

But it's not a reason that's a bad reason to leave from a recruitment point of view. It makes sense for me to leave.

OP posts:
Original poster
hirolla · 04/10/2024 12:38

since1986 · 04/10/2024 12:36

It's likely people with more experience than you are also applying if thats the case, OP.

I think this could be a problem

OP posts:
GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 04/10/2024 12:38

Is there a reason why you’re not staying in/ going back to your existing job?

Original poster
hirolla · 04/10/2024 12:38

InfoSecInTheCity · 04/10/2024 12:35

Are you up to date in your knowledge? Are there any common questions coming up that you may be giving limited responses on?

I know that Business Development Team in the company I work for is heavy into AI innovation and how it can be used to streamline their processes and how they can integrate it for growth and improved customer experience. Anyone who couldn't speak confidently about that in an interview today wouldn't be considered.

No that shouldn't be the problem.

OP posts:
since1986 · 04/10/2024 12:36

It's likely people with more experience than you are also applying if thats the case, OP.

InfoSecInTheCity · 04/10/2024 12:35

Are you up to date in your knowledge? Are there any common questions coming up that you may be giving limited responses on?

I know that Business Development Team in the company I work for is heavy into AI innovation and how it can be used to streamline their processes and how they can integrate it for growth and improved customer experience. Anyone who couldn't speak confidently about that in an interview today wouldn't be considered.

Original poster
hirolla · 04/10/2024 12:29

Well it's not as black and white as this.

The roles out there I'm interviewing for are 20-30 k below my current salary, however I am probably not overqualified for them- if that makes sense ?

I am not demanding my current salary as I know it's pretty high and some don't even know that's my current salary, as they haven't asked.

But in terms of experience, I got a similar role in 2018 at a similar pay.

Maybe you're right and it's the problem.

But I really need a job and I'm afraid I'll be up against people with a lot more experience than me if I start going for the roles that pay what I currently make. It's complicated.

OP posts:
Catza · 04/10/2024 12:21

If you are interviewing for positions for which you are overqualified, you are very unlikely to be successful. I would be very careful giving a job to someone who is likely to be very underwhelmed with their workload and will be understimulated and, frankly, bored in a role. I would also have concerns about their longevity in business as they are likely to chase progression opportunities elsewhere. Unless they have a very good reason to do it (like needing flexibility for childcare so would like to work as bar staff even though they are a chartered accountant).

mindutopia · 04/10/2024 12:20

In my industry, it’s very difficult to get hired to a role below your current pay grade. You are viewed as a liability (likely to leave) and you are expensive. Even if paid at the lower pay grade, I’m costly to budget in because of my experience. Ultimately, I cost more than someone with less experience and they worry they’ll retain me. The only jobs I’ve not been successful getting were ones where I was overqualified. They’d rather have a new graduate than me with 20 years experience.