What if I'm told that a prospective employer likely can't compete with my current salary?

Question

I currently work for a large company. I recently sent a resume and cover letter to a small company. The company looked like a great opportunity and an interesting place to work. I would possibly even consider taking a pay cut to work there if it is as good as it looks. I received a response from the CEO telling me that I was perfect for the job, but he doesn't think he can compete with the salary my company pays. Is this an indication that he thinks I'm overqualified or he has another person in mind for the job already? We didn't discuss salary numbers at all. What should I tell him?

Answer 1

I don't think he necessarily doesn't want you for the job. Maybe the company you are currently with has a reputation for paying high salaries. I would pin him down a little more. But also think about what other things, besides money, might make this job good for you. If he is sincere about the salary angle, then you could tell him how much you want to work there and that other perks, like flex time, a couple days more vacation, reimbursement for your cell phone or an occasional work-from-home day would make up for the difference in salary in your mind. If you make that offer and he is interested, he should respond in a positive way.

Answer 2

Is this a job that will teach you something that will benefit you or your growth in your career direction, something you can't learn elsewhere? If you have all the school courses and a degree but you need some type of internship and this is the best place to get to where you need to be. Move forward with your request to interview and maybe ask for a performance bonus. If you have skills that the company needs they may be willing to pick up gas allowance or bus costs or free lunch or 4 1/2 day work week etc.

Answer 3

He honestly told you that he could not offer you what he thinks that you are making. Regardless of if you are willing to take a pay cut or not, he is assuming that you would require more than what he can pay you and therefore he does not wish to waste his time or yours.

If you are willing to take a cut in pay then tell him that money is not the only thing that makes a job, you want to learn from new experiences and would like to work in a smaller setting.

Good Luck.

Answer 4

He was being honest with you - that he feels you are more than qualified and would be a great assett - but based on who you work for now - he reasonably can assume where about your salary is - but can't possibly pay you near that.

You should call him and have a meeting. See what he can afford, and if you can live on that - work a deal with him for a structured pay raise based on performance with stock options to make up for the rest.

Answer 5

You should respond that you are interested in opportunity, not salary, and that you feel his company can offer challenges and benefits that your current company does not.

(No, his response doesn't indicate you'e overqualified or that they found someone else. It means that he's reluctant to hire you, for fear you would leave for better pay later.)

Answer 6

That is an invitation that he is interested but he doesn't want to pay you as much as he feels you will ask for. I would contact him and let him know that your salary requirements are negotionable and that you would like an interview to discuss it with him.

Answer 7

Then ask yourself what you see yourself in the career path for the next company. It is either money or career prospects you should be looking at.

Answer 8

Sounds to me like- the job is YOURS, if you're willing to swallow the pay cut. The next move- is yours. Good luck.