Taking a pay cutI work in IT and currently hold a job with some managerial responsibilities and a lot of stress. I do not like it much and therefore am looking for a pure hands-on job. As the result the positions I am looking at offer lower salary than my current salary. I have no problem with taking a pay cut, but I am wondering what is the best way to explain it to the hiring company and avoid being labeled as "overpaid" and "overqualified". I am afraid that just seeing my current salary in the job application would make them see me as a less favorable candidate. If I tell the interviewer that I make less than I actually do and put it in the application could that put me in trouble later on? I there anything else that I can/should do in my situation? I wouldn't say you can't handle the stress of what you're currently doing. Instead I'd say that you excelled and therefore advanced into a managerial position but you now find that it takes you away from the technology that you really love. You're looking for a position that allows you to really make use of your technical skills and abilities (not your managerial ones). Then go on to say what your skills and abilities are...
Tess Thak you, I appreciate the feedback! That would help me explain why I want to move to another job. But how should I handle lower salary question? Don't answer it unless they specifically ask, but if they do say something like: "As a manager I'm currently making $400K a year. I realize that in a more technical role, I may have to take a lower salary, however, I consider that a good trade off for the chance to make better use of my skills and abilities..."
Tess Start by proposing a salary range in which you're willing to be. If you're asked what you were earning before, be honest about it BUT make it crystal clear that you realize you're proposing a lower salary and that you really prefer more of a hands-on role - just say that's what you genuinely like to do and that you fully realize that means a lower salary but that you're fine with it because job satisfaction is very important to you. I wouldn't mention the stress thing or making it appear that I couldn't handle the stress. Stress, (no pun intended), what you prefer doing and what you find the most job satisfaction doing. Hope this helps. Paul W. Barada The Negotiation Expert | |
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