The bait-and-switch job offer is trouble. (Image by Stuart Miles)
You’ve just finished going through a series of interviews for an exciting job. You’ve invested hours of your time filling out job applications, researching the company, preparing for interviews, and writing followup notes. You’re praying that you’ll get an offer.
But, when you receive the offer, you discover that the salary is lower than you were told it would be. Or, the job you're offered is different from the one you had been interviewing for (for example, the company offers you a contract position, but you were originally told it would be direct hire).
But, when you receive the offer, you discover that the salary is lower than you were told it would be. Or, the job you're offered is different from the one you had been interviewing for (for example, the company offers you a contract position, but you were originally told it would be direct hire).
At this point, you feel angry, cheated, and betrayed. You really need a job, but alarm bells are going off in your head.
So what do you do? Here’s how you handle the situation:
Employer: “John, I’m pleased to offer you the position of Product Manager. The salary is $85,000.”
John: “Thank you for offering me the job. I’m confused about the salary, though. You told me the range was $95,000 to $100,000.”
Employer: “No, I never said that. The salary range has never been higher than $85,000. In fact, I’m offering you the top of the salary range!”
John: “Hmmm. Looking over my notes here, I definitely see that you told me the salary range is $95,000 to $100,000, and I remember confirming that with you.”
Employer: “Well, it sounds like you are having second thoughts about this job. I thought you were really excited about it. Maybe you aren’t such a good fit for this company.”
John: “Yes, I was really excited about the job, but my decision to interview for it was based on the salary range you originally gave me. Unfortunately, I no longer feel comfortable accepting this position.”
As painful as this situation is to John, it’s actually a blessing in disguise, and John handled it correctly by walking away. Because when an employer uses a bait-and-switch tactic, it means at least one of the following:
* The company is unethical.
* The manager is unethical.
* The environment is chaotic.
* The company is going through a reorganization.
* The corporate culture is abusive.
* The job is different from what you were told it would be.
* The company will rescind other things it offered you, such as bonuses, benefits, or vacation time.
Hopefully, you never experience a bait and switch, but if you do, count your blessings! You have just dodged a career bullet. And now you're free to find a job with a company that values you and treats you with respect.
So what do you do? Here’s how you handle the situation:
Employer: “John, I’m pleased to offer you the position of Product Manager. The salary is $85,000.”
John: “Thank you for offering me the job. I’m confused about the salary, though. You told me the range was $95,000 to $100,000.”
Employer: “No, I never said that. The salary range has never been higher than $85,000. In fact, I’m offering you the top of the salary range!”
John: “Hmmm. Looking over my notes here, I definitely see that you told me the salary range is $95,000 to $100,000, and I remember confirming that with you.”
Employer: “Well, it sounds like you are having second thoughts about this job. I thought you were really excited about it. Maybe you aren’t such a good fit for this company.”
John: “Yes, I was really excited about the job, but my decision to interview for it was based on the salary range you originally gave me. Unfortunately, I no longer feel comfortable accepting this position.”
As painful as this situation is to John, it’s actually a blessing in disguise, and John handled it correctly by walking away. Because when an employer uses a bait-and-switch tactic, it means at least one of the following:
* The company is unethical.
* The manager is unethical.
* The environment is chaotic.
* The company is going through a reorganization.
* The corporate culture is abusive.
* The job is different from what you were told it would be.
* The company will rescind other things it offered you, such as bonuses, benefits, or vacation time.
Hopefully, you never experience a bait and switch, but if you do, count your blessings! You have just dodged a career bullet. And now you're free to find a job with a company that values you and treats you with respect.
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