Should I accept a lower role than what I applied for?

[MTalhaImtiaz]

Hello everyone,

I have a small quick question...

I recently applied for a role in a digital agency. They got back to me offering a lower role. My question is whether I should accept it or politely decline?

Also... should I ask the interviewer for the reason?

I would appreciate your opinions.

Regards,

Talha

[MTalhaImtiaz]

Hello Lumina, ahsan88 & Zippy-Bungle,

First accept my apology for not responding on your contributions earlier than today. Just got very busy with family. Actually I did reply to the thread from my phone but the answer didn't get updated.

Anyways... the updates are that I thought well in light of your answers and I decided to push back politely. I contacted my interviewer saying something like... 'I was hoping to get some feedback on my interview earlier ... and that I was actually offered a different position". I added her on Linkedin and sent her an message from there (I had her email but i hadn't taken it from her personally so I thought it would be impolite to land in her mailbox).

Well... She never replied back to me.

I waited a week and (12 days to get an answer from the HR guy) and eventually sent an email to the HR person to get a status update on our last conversation.

Its been 4 days now and he too never got back to me.

I don't know what to think about it... but I do know that it is not professional to say absolutely nothing in response to an email etc.

Anyways... my job hunt continues and hopefully I will find one... someday... hopefully soon.

Thanks again for your valuable answers and I truthfully appreciate them all the more because I think its great of you guys to have taken out time to reply on a question which was more of a personal nature.

Peace to all,

Regards,

Talha

[Lumina]

I think you sound like you already know the answer, but want confirmation that you should look for other opportunities. While you may have other talents and fit other criteria, I'd expect that the language barrier would be enough that you won't be able to work effectively or happily.

However, another option would be to take the job with the intention of it being a temporary situation. And who knows, you may end up finding that it's something you're happy with.

Either way, it sounds like you wouldn't be happy there on a permanent basis.

[Zippy-Bungle]

A pleasure.  Do let us know how it turns out.

[MTalhaImtiaz]

Great answer Zippy-Bungle,

Quite sound advice. I will do almost just that

[Zippy-Bungle]

It depends on what you will be doing.  If the new role is more demanding and challenging than the old one - go for it. Titles are corporate fluff and shouldn't define who you are and your sense of self worth (they probably do though. Just like they impact me )

Will you learn and grow in the new position or is it an intellectual and emotional dead end? Whichever, you've got a job at the moment and don't need this one. So push back and ask for a second meeting to discuss and understand.

You our can then use that meeting to understand the role being offered and upsell I to the head if digital if  here istheopportunity.

EDIT - can't edit or correct typos in iPad. Sorry.

[MTalhaImtiaz]

Thanks Ahsan,

I appreciate your answer.

[ahsan88]

I don’t think if there is a straight no or yes to this question. I believe it is very much depends upon situation to situation. Here is my answer, if I would be at your place, I would have said yes and no keeping the following few things in mind.

-          If the company is great and there is a chance for growth in that particular organization.

-          If you really think that the company name in your CV will help you in the future.

-          If you really think that the competency level in that organization is much more powerful than the one you are currently working on.

-          If you really believe that accepting this offer will help you strengthen your skill level and you can grow within the same company after some time or in some other company.

Just do some tough QnA with yourself and come up to the conclusion. At the end of the day what matters is the fact that you are growing and this decision (Yes or No) is going to help you in the future.

Best of luck with your decision.

[MTalhaImtiaz]

Hello Lumina,

Thanks for the detailed answer.

I will give you some details because I think your advice would be valuable and sincere.

I applied for and was interviewed for a Head of Digital position in an agency. I am currently head of digital in house. The interview went quite well too.

My weakness I believe is that I do not know arabic (I'm located in Dubai by the way). However I did give a convincing answer on how I can make it work. I fit in quite well to rest of the job criteria.

Now they are offering me a PPC/SEO specialist position. Reporting to the head of digital.

So my apprehension is two fold...

1. I just won't feel good about it. And I can't sulk to work everyday.
2. Would they treat me at the same level they would have otherwise. Probably not.

Salary too would be lower than I expected ofcourse.

So tell me what you think?

[Lumina]

Hey there,

Since I obviously don't know the specifics of your situation, I'll give you an answer based on generalities. I'd say that there are probably 3 possible reasons that they'd lower the position offered to you:

1. They found someone they feel is more qualified for the position.
2. They no longer want to fill that position.
3. They simply don't feel that you currently fit the criteria, but that you might after more experience.

However, it doesn't matter why they might have offered you a lower position, I think what matters is if you'd be happy at the one currently being offered. If not, then be gutsy and ask them frankly why they offered a lower position - either you won't be hired (which you don't want) or they'll explain and you can make a more educated decision.

If you're happy with the lower position, or you feel that there's high potential to move-up, then go for it. The worst case is that it doesn't work out, which would leave you where you are now.

Please keep in mind that this is all subjective opinion - I, and no one else, should tote it as anything other than that. Good luck to you! I hope it works out for the best.