u/Laylaonthemoon

Not even sure what I am seeking here. Just wanted to vent to someone because I have been crying for the last 30 minutes.

I work at mid-tier firm. Have been a senior for 1 year, total 2.5 YOE. I interviewed for a senior position at a non -big 4 top 10 firm. Two rounds of interview for a senior position. Then at the end, they told me they like me but don’t believe I’m ready for a senior. They want me to come in as an experienced associate. Their reason is because of the learning curve.

At my current firm I lead audits and do very well. So this is really hurting my pride. I know this is insane to cry over, but I worked so hard for the senior title so that it opens up doors for me at bigger firms, so this was such a slap in the face.

Edit to add for context: I was told the salary I requested is still within the range (but at the higher end) for the experienced associate position. So it means the salary wouldn’t be lower than what I expected unless I lowballed myself with my initial request.

Long story short: I am a senior in public doing audit. I’m so tired of my current firm and started exploring what is out there. Job market is really bad. I only could get interest from CLA for a senior assurance and one small nonprofit.

CLA did two rounds of interview with me. Each 1 hour long. Got an offer.

Small nonprofit - staff accountant doing mostly receivables - initial interview with the external recruiter, 1 hour with CFO and Controller, 1 hour with their Asia team, 2 hours with CFO and Controller and a person from their development team (this is in person). The external recruiter is so disorganized that she didn’t show up to the first initial interview, multiple times would say she will call me but never does, and emails me at odd times about follow ups and will say she is on vacation and wants to talk to me on the weekend since Monday is the in-person interview and she wants to give me some tips.

Are industry roles this complex? I feel like I am interviewing for the FBI and not just some receivables entry level position.

We had future interns tour our office today and got lunch.

When we all went to the women’s restroom, I noticed I have the quietest pee of all of them. I was pushing hard to make it sound louder, but I wasn’t successful.

How do you assert dominance in these situations?

For context, I am a senior.