My mother taught me life is full of tradeoffs. And it is so true when looking for a new position. I don’t know any job that will offer you everything you might want. You often have to give up on one thing to get another that is equally valuable to you. 

This is the predicament that many job seekers find when they are looking for a new position, whether they are changing careers or seeking a similar role with a different employer.

And this reality of tradeoffs causes much stress when a job seeker finds a job that seems a good fit, except for the salary, when it does not meet your needs or expectations.

What should you do then?

When the Salary Does Not Meet Your Minimum Requirements

Before you get into the interview phase of the job search, you will usually be asked about your salary requirements. Employers want to have this information to understand better if they can meet your compensation needs before they invest time in formal interviews. When asked this question, my best advice is always to provide a range where your lower end would be slightly more than the minimum salary you would accept. 

If the employer can only offer less than this amount, you will be told this and asked if you could accept it, or you won't be told anything and will be eliminated from the hiring process. Obviously, if it is the latter situation, there is no decision on your part to make. If it is the former, you will likely be asked if you could accept what could be offered. It is okay to say no if you can’t. We all have to pay our bills. A recruiter will understand; they are used to people not moving forward in the process because of money. 

But suppose this is a good job that allows you to do the type of work you want in an organization that aligns with your values and provides promotion opportunities. You may want to analyze if your minimum is a true minimum. This may mean taking drastic steps like downsizing your home, taking on a second job, or side hustling. But if your long-term career may benefit, it could be worth it.

If you decide to move forward in the interview process in this situation, I would make sure to have conversations about salary expectations with the HR team and hiring manager throughout the interview process. It is important to make it clear what you absolutely have to have to take the offer, so you don’t get any rude surprises at the end. 

Do not forget about other monetary benefits. Suppose an employer cannot offer you more for an initial starting salary; they may be able to provide a bonus or more generous bonus, stock, additional vacation time, or other perks that could be worth it to you.

When the Salary Is Lower Than You Expected

Let’s say you have a conversation with a recruiter about salary, and based on that conversation, you believe that the employer will make an offer within a certain range, but instead, your offer comes in lower. You try to negotiate it higher, but the employer doesn’t budge. What should you do?

A job is a lot more than money. You must think about the role, industry, and corporate culture to determine if they may be worth more to you in the long term than monetary rewards. Don’t discount these aspects of a job. Many people have found out the hard way that they would gladly trade salary for them.

Will This Job Advance Your Career?

Always keep your goals in mind when accepting any job. How does this position advance them? Whether you have short-term goals like acquiring specific skills or experiences or long-term goals, such as pivoting to a different industry or profession, if this position helps you meet your goal, it should be something to consider. Also, consider how long you have been searching for such a position and the opportunities you have found that align with your goals. While talking less money than you want is never ideal, if you can advance your career in a way that makes sense, it could be a good choice to take the offer.

Does the Position Align With Your Values?

As a certified YouMap® coach, I teach that one of the four pillars of career clarity is understanding your values, and thus, finding work where it aligns with your values is very important to thrive in your work. 

So if you have discovered that your values will be honored in the role and organization, such as respect, meaningful work, autonomy, status, trust, challenge, or balance, do not discount this as an important aspect of job satisfaction. Many employees may be paid well but are unhappy because their values are violated at work. I have had this happen to me. I lasted at that job for a year, and I ensured that those critical aspects of job happiness were there for me in my next position.

Will I Enjoy Working with My Manager?

Don’t dismiss the ability of a good manager to propel your career. A good manager will keep you motivated and set clear expectations for performance. A good manager will prioritize your development and provide opportunities for you to grow and learn. A good manager will give honest and helpful feedback and treat you respectfully. This should be something all managers do, but we do not often find a manager that prioritizes this. In fact, many managers do the opposite.  If you believe your new manager would do all this for you, even if the money is not what you would have liked, having this person in your work life could be worth it.

Will I Have a Good Team?

Another vital factor in liking your job is the people you interact with daily. Having a nice group of people to interact with can make your work situation more enjoyable. During the interview process, you may even have had an opportunity to meet some of your peers. You can learn from team members that have different skills from you, you can have people that will support you when you need a helping hand, and you can find a sense of community. These are all important aspects of thriving in your job and career and are often hard to find.

Is There Anything I Can Do About My Salary after Deciding to Take the Job?

Sometimes your compensation is initially lower because of internal equity issues, lack of targeted experience, or even budget constraints. Before you formally say yes to the role, I suggest you speak with either the hiring manager or HR about the salary situation. If you have tried to negotiate, you may have already mentioned that the offer was lower than anticipated. Communicating this before you accept the offer is good because you may want to make one last ask…to revisit your salary in six months. 

Six months is a reasonable time frame because you will have had an opportunity to show your value. Also, you may be in a new fiscal year, meaning that more budget money may be available for salaries. Ask if this would be possible and if they agree, get it in writing. You could try to negotiate a specific percentage increase based on performance, though I would caution that many organizations would likely not agree to this. You can also try to negotiate to be part of the next merit increase process, even if you would not typically qualify due to your tenure. 

Conclusion

While it is disappointing not to get the salary offer you would like, be mindful that salary is only one aspect of a job. Depending on what is important to you in your life and career, it may make sense to take a job with a salary offer that you find disappointing. Evaluate everything you need and want from a job, and then decide if this opportunity is the best.

You may also be interested in Salary Tips When You Get A New Offer.

Shelley Piedmont is a job search coach. She wants to help job seekers put their best foot forward by providing the tools for a successful job search. If you need career coaching, resume preparation, interview skills assessment, or LinkedIn profile assistance, she can help. Schedule a 15-minute no-obligation consultation.