Take a pay cut?

Col_M

Col_M

Col_M

Soldato
Joined
17 Jan 2005
Posts
3,822
Location
London
Hi guys, looking for some advice on job and career progression.

Here's an outline,
I was a salesforce.com admin for a global company with >650 users. The company was acquired and we had to change CRM system. As the existing system was already being run by their own team I am now a "business analyst" for the current CRM system. However I'm essentially first line support for a system I don't know well. Initially I stayed as I thought I'd learn new things and get another string in my bow, however that's not the case and I want out.

I've been applying for salesforce.com jobs but it turns out that being >1 year out of the game is putting employers off. I've had a chat with some recruiters in the industry and they have said that I could easily get a more junior role and get some recent experience under my belt. The slight problem is this would involve a ~10% pay cut, I can afford it as I've been living well within my means so it's not like I won't be able to eat.

It seems like a no brainier but I guess the thought of a pay cut is going backwards and making me hesitate, even though I know it will be worth it in the long run. Would you do it?
 
As long it's 1 step back for 2 steps forward I'd say it's worth it.

Although are you sure there's no chance of you getting a role more senior than a junior position?
 
Yes, 10% in the grand scheme of things is absolutely nothing if it'll get you back into something you actually want to be doing and with your previous experience it's not like it should be a long term thing once you've gotten back up to speed.
 
Try bypassing recruiters and searching for jobs directly on Linkedin etc. 1 year isn't a big gap, and its not like you've been doing something utterly different.
 
Judgeneo said:
Try bypassing recruiters and searching for jobs directly on Linkedin etc. 1 year isn't a big gap, and its not like you've been doing something utterly different.
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That's what I was thinking, it won't be the case for every one but at the end of the day they want their commission and will get you into anything even if it may not be in your best interest.
To be honest I've just been testing the water as a recruiter can give you feedback and I can assess where I stand, applying directly is something I've planned on doing as well.

jamief said:
Has Salesforce.com changed so much in a year that you need to tell them about "a year out"?
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Not really, I have a free developer edition that I have been playing around with, new things have been added but fundamentally it's exactly the same.

Cheers guys, all good input! :)
 
I don't really know your field, but I echo what has been said here. It seems silly to take a pay cut before you've exhausted all your options. I would give it a few months and if you're still not getting anywhere, you know you have an acceptable alternative.
 
A year out is putting people off?

Just don't tell them. Update you CV with the "correct" information.

It's not like you don't have the experience.

Recriuters want you to take the junior jobs because there's more of them, they're easier to place, and they get their money quicker.
 
As said, why are you mentioning this year out if you do genuinely have a wealth of experience, and it is causing a problem?

You can surely massage your slight job role change through the acquisition in the way you need to?
 
I never really considered changing my CV, I've always told things exactly as they are but I am coming around to being a little more creative.
 
just keep applying for jobs... it is in the recruiter's interest to sell you a lower paid role if they can - makes a marginal difference to their commission vs a higher chance of being able to place you there

it doesn't mean you're not capable of getting a higher paid role just that it would obviously take more effort and they can see that they'd be able to sell you into a junior one with greater ease

obviously if you're still struggling to find something then perhaps look at taking a step down but it doesn't have to be the first option just because some recruiter suggested it - their interests aren't aligned with yours

I'm not too familiar with salesforce though there are people at my company who use it... is there any way you can brush up your skill set on it in your spare time without an expensive license and/or obfuscate the fact you're not currently using it in your company on your CV... I don't mean lie and claim you're still using it but don't explicitly point out that you haven't for a year

is stuff like this any use for your spare time or too basic:

http://blog.udacity.com/2013/11/app-development-with-salesforcecom.html
 
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