Lower Salary

As a Recruiter and HR practitioner, most jobseekers I meet usually ask for a higher salary in their next smooth. This is normal behaviour. In my course of work, I come across people who are open to lower salaries. Sharing 3 real cases :

𝐉𝐨𝐛 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐉 :

J is reaching her mid-30s. She rose from the rank and was promoted to a junior Manager, after working for the same employer for over 10 years. She was tired and felt that she had hit her ceiling, in terms of learning opportunities. She left.

She took on a non-managerial job with another company with a slight pay cut, hoping to learn the skills in the role in depth. The new role didn't turn out to be expected. She was looking out again.

After an interview, the hiring manager decided not to proceed with J because she was not convinced why J took a pay cut and accepted a lower lower-ranking role.

𝘒𝘦𝘺𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘦: Hitting the ceiling and seeking new challenges

𝐉𝐨𝐛 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐊

K has been in the same function for 2 decades. He was retrenched from his employer after being with them for the same tenure. He seeks to pursue his specialisation and is passionate, yet willing to be flexible in the rank and salary.

The new role's salary is a substantial 2-digit % cut of his last drawn. When I asked why he was open to considering, he replied that he believes in using his skills and attitude to prove himself.

𝘒𝘦𝘺𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘦: the emphasis is on the job function, not the salary or the rank

𝐉𝐨𝐛 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐋

L has a high basic salary but has no bonuses, not even the 13th month, while the hiring company I work with has these. I worked out the monthly salary including the bonuses and it was higher than his last drawn. He attended the interview and is looking forward to the next step

𝘒𝘦𝘺𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘦: Monthly salary vs annual salary.

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬

Besides the above cases, other common reasons for people to accept a lower salary are:

1️⃣ Change of industry and/or career track

2️⃣ Better work-life integration (less traveling, shorter working hours, no shift work, flexible

work arrangement options, etc.)

3️⃣ Return to workforce after a longer than usual career break (homemakers, sabbatical leave, family care, etc.)

4️⃣ Being an entrepreneur

5️⃣ More growth and learning opportunities in the new role

Career growth is never linear. Salary growth may not necessarily be linear too. We make our choices!

𝑸𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓:

🎯As a hiring manager/interviewer, do you have concerns when the jobseeker is willing to accept a pay cut?

🎯As a job seeker, what is your view of a lower salary in your next move?

LinkedIn Post:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/anne-ong-lightwayhrconsultancy_lightwayhr-career-salary-activity-7114457317827375104-5w5a?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

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Image credit: LinkedIn