Prospective Employer Didn't Believe My Salary Requirement
I have a lot of work experience, recently went back to school, and busted my butt to get my 4 year degree in 2. Clap for me, I graduated three weeks ago. Now, I'm in the job market and got a very nice call from someone interested in my background and skills. He asked what I thought was a reasonable salary. In my area, you cannot live on anything less than 70k, and I want a vacation and good food now and again, so I tacked on 5k extra so I can eat at the Cheesecake Factory and visit France. That's not a big ask, especially since I'm not entry-level. So I said 75k, and the pause was so loud.
He said the position pays 35k. 35k? For a full-time, in-office, business professional dress code, and only six paid days off a year in a city where the cheapest rent for a two-bedroom is 2,500/month.
Who are these employers out here who think someone living in abject poverty with the expectation to come to the office at 8 am and work overtime makes them a worthwhile company to work for? I will not ever be convinced this is anything other than the new American slavery. And somehow we're supposed to be happy for these "opportunities?" Pull the wool over someone else's eyes.
As for the employer, it's a well-known insurance company, and because I do my homework, I know for a fact he doesn't even have to call his own corporate office to pay out a claim unless it's over 500,000.00 for outside review.
We'll see if he calls back with a reasonable offer.