Im worth more I think? 🤔

[Thoughtsforcoffee]

been in my current role 8 years, works well as i can fit it around my kids and caring for my dad, not overly challenging etc. however, salary is low £28k) and I’m a single parent so I’ve often dreamed of “climbing” the ladder. It’s clear to me now that’s not going to happen where I am as there is no ladder and no room for progression.

i finally came across as strong possibility that would also tick the above flexi working arrangements I need which is so rare in my area. Salary is £14k higher than I’m on, would be much more challenging but I’m ready for that. Stuck in a good application (I thought) and just heard back that I’ve not been shortlisted for that role but they’ve submitted my application for the junior role underneath it. I hadn’t considered it as it’s only £2k more annually than I’m on just now, there’s not any more perks than my current one so my gut instinct is to politely say no thanks, I was only interested in the one I applied for.

But before I send this, am I being a bit hasty? Is it ever wise to move sideways not up? Potentially there may be more scope for promotion but I don’t know and they clearly don’t feel I met the threshold for the post I went for sadly.

No one IRL to bounce this off! thanks ☺️

You know there is progression in the new role though so I think you'd be silly to dismiss it. They clearly see something in your application that shows that.

No chance of talking with current employer regarding pay rise?

Do you enjoy your job op? The people you work with?

I would only bother with a move for a £2k increase if I was miserable where I was. Keep looking.

Love the team and the job is easy and I enjoy it but I’m definitely ready for a new challenge, mainly just because there’s no hope of a pay rise or promotion where I am which is frustrating.

I would go for it and see if you can negotiate more than 2k pay rise- would you move for £5k more for example?
Or you use the job offer as leverage to get a pay rise in your current role.

I think my current employer is definitely going to say no to a rise as they have made it clear there are no raises this year or next. Probably more tempted to move for £5k increase than 2, but the £14k increase was what really motivated me to apply as it also came in with more career development which the junior role doesn’t as it would basically be doing the same role I am just now.

Is it possible though that the junior role in the new place is more likely to lead to opportunity for a senior role later?
That's worth considering

That’s what I’m wondering too. But I had hoped to at least get a foot in the door for a shot for the promoted role which they clearly don’t think I’m ready for sadly.

If it’s a bigger organization there may be more opportunities for training and progression than where you are now, but it seems less enticing if you’re going from say, one small family business to another

So you were looking for a 50% pay rise and promotion effectively? That’s, er, optimistic. You should go for the equivalent junior role with them. That already gives a £2k pay rise and if you prove you can do a good job, they clearly have opportunities for longer term progression / career growth which is an improvement on your current role.

Check what the is means in terms of moving into a new tax bracket? If you find it’s barely worth it then politely tell them that and see if they will offer you more

You DO have a shot at getting your foot in the door - the junior role in a company that you know has progression opportunities. And that is one of the benefits that you initially disregarded, as is the 2k pay rise. I’d kill for that right now as almost a year ago I was made redundant and took a 2k pay cut in my new job.

Going from 28k to 30k is not going to put her in a new tax bracket

Don't turn it down until it's offered! 😄

Go for it, check it out, find out the promotion opportunities, what they could do about a salary increase, if you would even want to work there, etc. If they offer it, you can always say 'no' if you don't want to take it. Before an offer is on the table (and be negotiated upwards) then it's a moot point.

When was the last time you interviewed for a new job?
Going for the junior role interview would give you some practice. It’s also an opportunity to learn more about employers expectations and ways of working. So even if you don’t get the job you may have a better idea of how to climb that ladder in the future. You can ask them how flexible they are and potentially negotiate more than 2k.
Are there many other opportunities locally? If not it might be your best bet until you’re ready for the more senior role.

just heard back that I’ve not been shortlisted for that role but they’ve submitted my application for the junior role underneath it.

Did they explain why? I honestly don’t think the upheaval of a new job is worth it for £2K, and ‘scope for growth’ is really nebulous. However, if they gave you the above information it could be useful for future applications.

Thanks so much for these thoughts. They just said they had a high number of excellent applicants for the senior position but wanted to move me forward for the junior position.
my worry is I’ll be leaving my comfort zone for essentially the same salary (albeit a small rise) and the same role, when I was excited for a step up. But it’s a bigger organisation so possibly room for going upwards one day. Just not sure about the upheaval for a minuscule rise in pay.

Maybe ask if there’s a payband for the role. If it’s non negotiable at 30k, you may not find it worth the upheaval. If they could offer at 33k (plus chance for progression in bigger organisation), it could be a good bet.

It does say non negotiable for the junior Role (the senior one was circa)

I last interviewed a year ago and it went well, but unfortunately i couldn’t take it as my dad got sick around the same time. But absolutely take the point I’m ahead of myself thinking I could get it! I’ve just never experienced applying for a job and then being automatically moved to a lower scale vacancy without being talked to first 🤷‍♀️

I recruit globally for my organisation and we get a significant proportion of our applicants applying for roles that are the next step up from their current role. Our policy is NOT to promote people into roles. We expect new recruits to (apologies for the cliche) hit the ground running. That isn’t possible if they’ve never worked at that level before and is setting them up to fail. We get a few who are adamant that it’s the right level for them and refuse to accept the feedback. Which demonstrates just how badly they’re lacking readiness for that level!

You should be pleased that they think you have potential or they would have outright rejected you instead of putting you forward for the junior role. Yes it’s not much of a payrise to compensate for the risk/challenge of a new organisation but if you want to develop and move up the career ladder, you need to take calculated risks and push yourself. You’ll never reach a senior level by staying in your comfort zone. I think you have some hard thinking to do.

Super helpful, thank you! Fully admit I’m naive in career progression (as my 8 year current role shows) so it’s helpful to hear I’m ignorant in thinking I can hop into a more senior role without proving myself first. Thank you.