Job interview

ldawngirl

Last week I had a job interview (first one in years!) and I just got word that I've been asked to go for a second interview.

With my resume, I was asked to submit salary expectations, which I did. In the first interview, the woman asked my expectations and I repeated what my letter said. She then apologized and said that I should have been screened out as my request was $20,000 higher than they had. At the time I gave some comment about the benefits, etc. coming in to play, etc. But really that's a huge difference and not worth my leaving my current job for.

However, the job itself seems incredible - great company, lots of community involvement, nice atmosphere, etc. and given my issues at my current job/with my current manager, I'm getting desperate to leave. I'd be willing to take some pay cut, but not $20,000.

So here's my dilemma, for the second interview, I have been asked to create a marketing campaign for membership retention and present on it. This would be a significant amount of work, but not unachievable in the two weeks I have.

But, if I'm not too keen on the job (i.e. lower salary), is it worth it to go through with the second interview and the work required?

On one hand, I wonder if she was kind of playing me with the whole "you should have been screened out" thing just to see my reaction and maybe they do have more money than they say (their salary is quite low considering the type of position, and the job itself was changed from a higher-up position when they re-organized and now it's just a senior specialist type position, not director But given at one point they had a director in there and they don't anymore, that salary money has to be somewhere...).

But on the other hand, maybe she's serious and it is indeed a non-negotiable. 

To throw another wrench in this, I just got a call for a job interview with another organization, but one that is VERY closely tied with this first one (the second place actually funds the first and they all work in the same building and very likely know each other well). Sooooo... I'm concerned that if I don't go through with the second interview, it might get talked about with the people involved in this other job and it could reflect badly.

Thoughts?

ZeroOrchestra

I would just do it. Do both. You really never know. 

athlete010688

I agree. I would go ahead and do both.  Like you said, you don't want to give yurself a bad name.

quirky75

I agree, do both. Interviews do not mean you have to take the job or that you'll even be offered it (no offense) so it's worth a try to see if you get an offer. Then when you have the real offer and the real info on salary and benefits you can make your decision.

erollis

quirky75:

I agree, do both. Interviews do not mean you have to take the job or that you'll even be offered it (no offense) so it's worth a try to see if you get an offer. Then when you have the real offer and the real info on salary and benefits you can make your decision.

I second this. You just have to try and see what happens. Not because you'll get a bad rep but because the greater the chance on getting what you want.

ky29

Another vote for both interviews.  You never know what they may end up offering you, and you'd rather go through it knowing what happens, than thinking the 'what ifs'. 

ldawngirl

Thanks everyone. I'm scheduled for both interviews and started working on the assignment for the one. worst case scenario is I've gotten interview practice!