Job candidate learns after 3 rounds of interviews that the salary for the position has decreased by $40,000: 'Thank you for wasting my time. I withdraw my application'

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Jul 28, 2025 2:00 PM EDT

Imagine going through a long interview process and feeling secure that this was the position of your dreams, until the rug gets pulled out from under you. This author's husband had undergone three rounds of interviews for a position that he initially believed would pay approximately $140,000 a year. However, at the next interview, the human resources department buried the lede a bit and subtly implied at the end that the salary range had been "readjusted.' When the interviewee pressed further on the matter, HR then admitted that the position was now going to have a salary capped at $100,000. 

That 40k difference was a major contributing factor in the interviewee's search, and presumably, for other candidates as well. It's possible that these job seekers turned down other opportunities because of how enticing the initial offer was online. Unfortunately, according to several members of the online community where this story was shared, this kind of practice has become all too common these days. Keep scrolling below for the full story and for the best reactions from folks in the comments section.

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    Cheezburger Image 10534566912
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • We have to agree with this commenter that this “egregious” difference deserves to be confronted head-on. If they're shady and avoiding transparency from the start, then there is no reason why they won't be shady down the road. That is the biggest red flag of all red flags!

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    "The job my husband has been interviewing for just dropped the salary by $40k."

    Just a vent. Like . He's done three interviews and it was going so well and looking and sounding really good. Then today they tell
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    him they've had to re-do the budget and the salary is now $40k less than what was advertised originally.
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    Edit: the original posted top of range was $140k. Now the top is $100k
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    Maleficent_Corner85 • 17 hr. ago My reply would be "thank you for wasting my time. I withdraw my application."
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    ericbsmith42 15 hr. ago "So, you've shown me that you can't plan, you can't budget, and that you will gaslight and manipulate your employees. I
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    think I know everything I need to know about this company. I'll be sure to let everyone I know about it too."
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    MNewport45 17 hr. ago That is an egregious difference, no matter how high the original number was
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    Freedom_From_Pants 16 hr. ago Yeah. If they are cutting their budget to the point of reducing pay by $40,000,
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    then I would worried about the overall health of the company.
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    Cheezburger Image 10534567168
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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    Westernation 16 hr. ago He can tell them he'd be happy to help them out, and accept a 15% equity stake in the company in lieu of the missing $40k.
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    kiterdave0 15 hr. ago "Oh that's a relief! My schedule has also changed so a 3 day week shall suit my time and your budget! A great outcome, glad this worked out for us both"
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    TG_CID134 16 hr. ago Agree, sign the forms. Before his first day have him re-do his budget and inform them this will no longer work.
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    IllustriousPeace6553. 17 hr. ago Oh thats That didnt happen, they either never had the budget or they intended to low ball the entire time.
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    Pale_Ambition_3217. 15 hr. ago Accept the job and set a start date 2-3 weeks from now and cancel a day before.
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    "Sorry, I had to redo my time budget, and it seems I cannot afford to accept the reduced pay".
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    Weazelll 15 hr. ago This is a company you should never consider working for and your husband should let others in his field know this as well.
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    PupsofWar69 · 15 hr. ago I would actually report them to whatever platform they listed the position on. that is honestly a bait and switch lie.
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    Stolen Wishes · 16 hr. ago If he needs the money, he should take the job and put in minimum effort while continuing his job search; then when he gets a good offer and a start date, he can just ghost these weasels.
    via DancesWithPibbles
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    Dances With Pibbles OP 14 hr. ago That's kind of the plan His current job is likely going away in September and he's not getting responses on his other applications.
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    But after this he definitely has no qualms about ditching them once something better comes along.
    via DancesWithPibbles

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workplace-stories employee work stories toxic-workplace job work Horrible Bosses company job interview interview toxic-work-environment
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