Waiting for a Job Offer - Should I Accept Less Due to Age?

[FlexGunship]

Get outta here. I'm sorry to hear the flex

I'm really surprised, actually. The only consolation is that they're not hiring anyone. It's not like someone else got the job and I didn't. I just don't know why they went through so much effort creating a new job title, calling me back for a second interview, calling all of my references, explaining their new prototypes, letting me play with their software package, and disclosing all of their liquidity, debt, and related issues...

What a waste of everyone's time.

 

[dacruick]

I'm really surprised, actually. The only consolation is that they're not hiring anyone. It's not like someone else got the job and I didn't. I just don't know why they went through so much effort creating a new job title, calling me back for a second interview, calling all of my references, explaining their new prototypes, letting me play with their software package, and disclosing all of their liquidity, debt, and related issues...

What a waste of everyone's time.

I feel like they wasted more than your time. There must have been a lot of mental energy invested into this, beyond what we've seen on this thread.

 

[FlexGunship]

I feel like they wasted more than your time. There must have been a lot of mental energy invested into this, beyond what we've seen on this thread.

Not to mention I bought new clothes for the interview to better reflect what I understood the company image to be, I burned two vacation days (when I only get 10 a year), and I drove 2 hours each way twice.

I don't know... I was excited... thought it would be a great opportunity. I was really looking forward to trying something new, and I felt like I was a great match for what they were looking for.

 

[dacruick]

I don't know... I was excited... thought it would be a great opportunity. I was really looking forward to trying something new, and I felt like I was a great match for what they were looking for.

Rightfully so. I figure that without that type of excitement, rarely will you be motivated enough to achieve success. I think you used your excitement as a tool to better your chances, and it's unfortunate that you weren't rewarded. If I were you I'd be bummed out, but I wouldn't regret a single thing.

 

[turbo]

That sucks, Flex. Hang in there. You shouldn't have to accept a low-ball offer because of your age as long as you have relevant experience. Hope you can find a job that fits your skills.

 

[DoggerDan]

I'm really surprised, actually. The only consolation is that they're not hiring anyone. It's not like someone else got the job and I didn't. I just don't know why they went through so much effort creating a new job title, calling me back for a second interview, calling all of my references, explaining their new prototypes, letting me play with their software package, and disclosing all of their liquidity, debt, and related issues...

What a waste of everyone's time.

Don't let it get you down. Might have been an internal hire, and they had to do the public posting and interviews to meet legal requirements, but when they stumbled across you, you gave them a run for their money, so they gave you a fair shake with a second interview before hiring the internal. Or, it could also be the requirement died during the hiring process.

I'm sorry to hear of the lost days of leave - that stinks. Perhaps next interview you can work out some flex time to interview during the week but make it up on the weekend.

I'd tell yourself "I've got the credentials and am in the running - it was close, so I'll just have to do better next time." Work with your local job placement center. We have a very good one here in Colorado Springs, and I'm working with them. Just got a call about a position today, in fact.

Keep at it!

 

[S_Happens]

Wow. Very unexpected. Not that the outcome is REALLY any different from them hiring someone else instead, but it certainly makes everything SEEM like more of a waste.

It might be difficult not to have a sour taste left in your mouth, but you never know what could happen down the road. I was pretty put off by my former company and the poor HR decisions around my going back to school. I wasn't sure if I'd go back, but I committed to what I was doing, gave them a chance and just accepted an offer last week.

Maybe your hard work during these interviews and sacrifice of vacation will pay off down the road and they'll contact you later (not much of a consolation, I know).

 

[FlexGunship]

Grr, wish I could make them eat bugs.

 

[rhody]

Grr, wish I could make them eat bugs.

Flex,

I believe everything happens for a reason. I bet that the company you were applying at was large one, I work for one so I know how they operate. The HR Dept and Engineering Depts have multiple layers, and processes in place that are slow due to the sheer number of people and steps involved. Breakdowns in communication happen often. I have seen it time and again with offers to prospective employee's. I bet when the last quarter's numbers were tallied, that things didn't look quite as rosy as when you interviewed.

Things will work out for you. You seem to have a good head on your shoulders and are doing everything possible to land a position with commensurate pay worthy of your skills. Hang in there, and try to blow off some steam with a good speed bag session, bike ride, etc... you will feel better once you do.

Rhody...

 

[FlexGunship]

Flex,

I believe everything happens for a reason. I bet that the company you were applying at was large one, I work for one so I know how they operate. The HR Dept and Engineering Depts have multiple layers, and processes in place that are slow due to the sheer number of people and steps involved. Breakdowns in communication happen often. I have seen it time and again with offers to prospective employee's. I bet when the last quarter's numbers were tallied, that things didn't look quite as rosy as when you interviewed.

Things will work out for you. You seem to have a good head on your shoulders and are doing everything possible to land a position with commensurate pay worthy of your skills. Hang in there, and try to blow off some steam with a good speed bag session, bike ride, etc... you will feel better once you do.

Rhody...

Less than 25 employees actually. I found out what happened from the recruiter. They were set to make me an offer when they had one last candidate. He turned out to be big into business development. They decided that he was what they really needed. Made him an offer, and he refused. As a result though, they decided to look for more candidates like him.

 

[S_Happens]

Sounds like maybe they have no idea what they need and are attracted to anything shiny. Maybe they lied to you out of their own interests (maybe out of fear that you'd get enraged), but I always see lame excuses like that simple cowardice that really bothers me. How hard is it to tell somebody the truth, especially someone that you'll probably never see again?

I don't want to sound like sour grapes, and my previous post was still enthusiastic, but I'm not a fan of operating that way. I'm always honest and up front and expect to be treated the same.

 

[DaveC426913]

Made him an offer, and he refused.

Sounds like they lowballed him. So they would have lowballed you too, and it would have had nothing to do with your age.

BTW, I wouldn't trust a recruiter's explanation as far as I could throw it. They are not in he business of being candid when it comes to talking about their clients.

 

[Evo]

Sounds like that company has a small budget and no idea of where they're going much less how to get there. IMO, you're better off not getting sucked into a company like that. With your skills, a "real" job will come along.

 

[turbo]

Sounds like they lowballed him. So they would have lowballed you too, and it would have had nothing to do with your age.

BTW, I wouldn't trust a recruiter's explanation as far as I could throw it. They are not in he business of being candid when it comes to talking about their clients.

So true, on both counts. Recruiters are paid to whisper in your ear, and the real payoff comes when you sign up with their client. If you are a viable candidate for any job that they have pending, they will never give you bad news, since you are a potential payday for them, and they need to keep you on the hook.

If you are a great candidate for a well-paying job, recruiters will hunt you down. If you are a rising star in a new position, they will hound you, trying to lure you out of that position into another one. I gave up a position (well-paying, but dead-end) at one company to jump to a more responsible position at another company at twice the salary, only to find a year later that my new employer had already been "in play" and was sold to their most capable competitor. The experience was an eye-opener. It made free-lance consulting look like a walk in the park. It wasn't, but at least I was in control of my own destiny.

 

[DoggerDan]

Sounds like maybe they have no idea what they need and are attracted to anything shiny.

I think S_Happens nailed it. So often, HR depts of smaller firms are just casting in the wind.