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I am currently in a manager position and would like to now have less responsibility or be an individual contributer. I can not back track in the current position I am in, but would like to apply for non-management positions. The issue is most positions that I am interested in would pay less money. I am not sure how to approach that subject. I would imagine that being willing to take less money is a red flag and would discourage a company from entertaining my resume. I am not necessarily looking to make less money on purpose. I just want a slight career change that may require that I accept less. Has anyone had any recent experience with applying for positions that pay less? How did you explain it away? I almost feel as if I would come out better quitting first, then applying. At least in that case I would not have to explain why I am wiling to accept less. At that point I just need money.
I have not done this myself but in my corporate HR role I witnessed these transitions several times. There were two scenarios: 1) A manager w/i the company began a dialogue with the senior management team indicating the desire to be a specialist/individual contributor and over a period of time training opportunities became available and the managers were been moved to a new spot as needed. When this happened, the past managers didn't have a reduction in pay. Typically they had either freeze of merit increases for a while or the new specialist role - when market priced -- actually priced out close to where the pay was already. This was done for highly valued employees with specialist goals that met company needs. The other scenario was applicants who weres manager desiring to return tos past role as individual contributors. I have seen many successfully find a spot if they had very strong/expert individual contributor skills and great references in past IC roles. There's no shame in recognizing one's strongest abilities are in a hands on role if, in reality, they can make the go to that role without second-guessing or challenging the manager.
I just applied for, and got, a job that is 25% less than my current pay. The situation may be different as it was in a different state.
They seemed apprehensive about it, so they inquired would the pay cut be okay before bringing me in to interview. I stated that I knew I would have to take a pay cut as the cost of living is different and I understood that. However, I stated that the trade off in the school system and cheaper cost of living would balance it out.
With your case, state that you understand you would have to take a cut in pay. But, the job and/or field is really what you want to do and you would rather take the pay cut now than continue to advance in your career and get to a point, financially, where you cannot take such a pay cut. Plus, be very indifferent about the pay cut and let them know that loss in pay will be made up in the commute, parking expense, quality of life, or something.
Thanks for the responses. I was just wondering because I applied for a job that sounded just like something I wanted to do. focusing on more of my analysis skills. 2 questions into the screen, the interviewer asked my salary and immediately said the job was no where in the ball park of my current salary and did not proceed. I could not think to get it back on track to ask what was the salary. He immediately said nope you will not be interested in this position and started talking about other positions, but I have not heard back. I didn't really want him to think that I was desperate and would take anything, though I am tired of my job enough to take the pay cut. I am trying to convey that I am looking for a new challenge as opposed to I just need to get out of here.
Thanks for the responses. I was just wondering because I applied for a job that sounded just like something I wanted to do. focusing on more of my analysis skills. 2 questions into the screen, the interviewer asked my salary and immediately said the job was no where in the ball park of my current salary and did not proceed. I could not think to get it back on track to ask what was the salary. He immediately said nope you will not be interested in this position and started talking about other positions, but I have not heard back. I didn't really want him to think that I was desperate and would take anything, though I am tired of my job enough to take the pay cut. I am trying to convey that I am looking for a new challenge as opposed to I just need to get out of here.
I think you needed to tell the interviewer what you just said. Sometimes people. It seems you know what you like doing and want to do that. When the issue of salary comes up you need to let them know that you are willing to take a cut in pay to do what you love to do. Use your management experience as a learning opportunity and how you have come to learn what you like to do. You can say " I am an effective manager but I have learned that it is not my passion".
I was a former manager that took a couple steps back to work myself into a role I love.
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