Failed Job search due to salary

[PinkLadyLove]

So interviewed for a great job opportunity via a recruiter who asked my expected salary. Aced interview all went well.
Just been told was second choice but due to salary they chose someone else.

Am I crazy for thinking the recruiter should have discussed salary negotiations with me? The other candidate took 5k less! I would have been happy with that to get out of the funk I am in job hunting.

I am even considering emailing the company hiring manager outside of the recruiter and putting myself forward. The salary is middle of the road, and it seems like professionals are selling themselves short for job security.

I am honestly so saddened by this whole process.

Any thoughts or opinions welcome.

The recruitment consultant hasn’t done their job properly imo. Unless you’ve stated a complete lack of flexibility on salary then they should have come back to you, if you were the preferred candidate, to see if you would accept a lower salary.

Thanks for the reply.

That was my immediate impression; why wasnt I included in this discussion?? She said that she'd asked my salary expectations, and I assume to her that was that. However, if I high balled and the others low balled, call and discuss with me! She's send 15 other meanlingless emails but failed to discuss more important details. If the salary I expect vs what the other two candidates expect are drastically different, isn't that a cause for discussion.

Gosh its made me so so sad. Job hunting is horrid these days! I want to get off the fecking horse!

Sorry, ranting.

I don't know what your role is but if you both were equal and the other candidate was happy with £5k less, they'd be better than you - on past experience, I'd assume that you would be less happy if you had to take £5k less.

Can I offer a different perspective - we pay very good salaries - if someone wants more - we would consider that they'd be better off going elsewhere to get what they wanted. We want people to be happy with their employment offer and recently hearing from one of our team that on refusing to negotiate on starting salary left them feeling devalued (even though they said they were happy with the offer at the time) has left us a little once bitten... and a recruiter might not be able to talk us around on this.

@Redfringe yes but it’s still worth the conversation surely? Especially as it was only £5k out. I appreciate if someone is looking for £10k+ more then they’re probably too far out and as you say compromise less likely to be found but for the right role/ organisation fit increasingly candidates will consider being a bit flexible on pay in my experience.

@PinkLadyLove good luck with the search, it’s hard when you’ve put a lot of energy in to reach this outcome. It might be worth giving the consultant some feedback - I would be wary to work with them again though - you need them to have your back and negotiating to secure the best role and package on your behalf.

@Tallesttiptoes thanks for the well wishes. Will definitely not be using this recruiter again, especially considering she contacted me about the role. Id not seen it on LinkedIn but had like a left a comment on another post, which she saw.

@Redfringe I'd have been open to a discussion and if we couldn't agree, that would have been fine.

Its honestly more the time wasted than anything for 5k difference. Drove 45 mins for job interview in person after 2 interviews via zoom and a screening phonecall. It seems 4 interviews become the norm.

To be fair they probably just have you rhat as an excuse. If you were first choice candidate they would have offered and been open to discussion,