Background:
Twelve years ago I was happily employed minding my own business when a recruiter reached out to me for what would have been a promotion and a pay raise. I went through multiple rounds of interviews and everyone liked me and I was excited about the job. A few days later they called with the offer.
The offer:
A lower title with less responsibility than I currently had. To make it even more enticing they wanted to pay me 10% less than what I was already earning.
Needless to say this was not the promotion and pay raise they used to entice me to interview with them.
My response:
Gentlemen,
Thank you for the offer for Sr. Consultant with your organization. I appreciate the time, effort, and attention that went into your decision. While I believe XXXXX has a lot to offer and opportunity to grow I do not believe it is prudent for me to take a reduction in responsibility, authority, and pay at this time.
I wish you all the best in the coming year and perhaps there will be additional opportunities then that will be beneficial to us both.
Thank you again but at this time I must respectfully decline your offer.
Sincerely,
Their reaction:
If there is another opportunity you will have to prove to us why we should consider you.
Needless to say I had dodged a bullet.
This afternoon I just got an email from the hiring manager asking me if I wanted to interview for an open VP position with them. The proposed compensation package is of course less than what I am currently earning.