18 June 2008

Low Offer

The company called me yesterday when I left the office. She made me an offer over the phone and asked me if I would accept it. Well, the offer was low, and I wasn't ready to accept it. She said their budget was only for this much and she would need to speak with the executives if I wanted more. She asked what number I was expecting. I gave her a mid to high range on the scale, then said, with a chuckle, that I knew they wouldn't give me the higher number, but the salary she just gave me, I would really have to think about it. She said if they offered me this middle number instead, would I accept the offer? I paused, and said yes. She said she would let me know.

I called Dave and discussed the whole conversation. He said I did well. I was waiting for an email response from her today at work, but I received nothing. Instead, I got another two phone calls, one from her and one from the manager that I had an interview with. I called the lady back, she wasn't available. I called her again around 4 PM and she put me on hold for a few, then said that manager was leaving and would have to call me back later.

OK. I didn't understand why I would be speaking with the manager now - I am guessing that they are not going to raise the number, and are hoping to have the manager to talk me down. So the big question for me now is, if that's the case, that the number they offered me yesterday, is their actual and final offer, do I take it?

Or do I decline, say thanks, and move on?

I'm leaning towards the latter response. After all, they did call my company after I specifically marked "NO" on the "May we contact your current employer" box. That showed very poor respect and consideration. I also wrote how much I was looking for on the job application, and also on my resume. Therefore it's not like they didn't know what number I was asking, and now to seemingly low-ball me on the salary, what are they trying to tell me?

This is like car shopping. I walked out on one car I really liked because the dealer refused to give in just $500, then she kept emailing me afterwards, and lowered more than what I was asking for initially. Tough luck.

I am willing to walk out on this offer as well if they can't budge even one bit.

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