undefined
Skip to content
Moz logo Menu open Menu close
  • Products
    • Moz Pro
    • Moz Pro Home
    • Moz Local
    • Moz Local Home
    • STAT
    • Moz API
    • Moz API Home
    • Compare SEO Products
    • Moz Data
  • Free SEO Tools
    • Domain Analysis
    • Keyword Explorer
    • Link Explorer
    • Competitive Research
    • MozBar
    • More Free SEO Tools
  • Learn SEO
    • Beginner's Guide to SEO
    • SEO Learning Center
    • Moz Academy
    • SEO Q&A
    • Webinars, Whitepapers, & Guides
  • Blog
  • Why Moz
    • Agency Solutions
    • Enterprise Solutions
    • Small Business Solutions
    • Case Studies
    • The Moz Story
    • New Releases
  • Log in
  • Log out
  • Products
    • Moz Pro

      Your all-in-one suite of SEO essentials.

    • Moz Local

      Raise your local SEO visibility with complete local SEO management.

    • STAT

      SERP tracking and analytics for enterprise SEO experts.

    • Moz API

      Power your SEO with our index of over 44 trillion links.

    • Compare SEO Products

      See which Moz SEO solution best meets your business needs.

    • Moz Data

      Power your SEO strategy & AI models with custom data solutions.

    NEW Keyword Suggestions by Topic
    Moz Pro

    NEW Keyword Suggestions by Topic

    Learn more
  • Free SEO Tools
    • Domain Analysis

      Get top competitive SEO metrics like DA, top pages and more.

    • Keyword Explorer

      Find traffic-driving keywords with our 1.25 billion+ keyword index.

    • Link Explorer

      Explore over 40 trillion links for powerful backlink data.

    • Competitive Research

      Uncover valuable insights on your organic search competitors.

    • MozBar

      See top SEO metrics for free as you browse the web.

    • More Free SEO Tools

      Explore all the free SEO tools Moz has to offer.

    NEW Keyword Suggestions by Topic
    Moz Pro

    NEW Keyword Suggestions by Topic

    Learn more
  • Learn SEO
    • Beginner's Guide to SEO

      The #1 most popular introduction to SEO, trusted by millions.

    • SEO Learning Center

      Broaden your knowledge with SEO resources for all skill levels.

    • On-Demand Webinars

      Learn modern SEO best practices from industry experts.

    • How-To Guides

      Step-by-step guides to search success from the authority on SEO.

    • Moz Academy

      Upskill and get certified with on-demand courses & certifications.

    • MozCon

      Save on Early Bird tickets and join us in London or New York City

    Unlock flexible pricing & new endpoints
    Moz API

    Unlock flexible pricing & new endpoints

    Find your plan
  • Blog
  • Why Moz
    • Small Business Solutions

      Uncover insights to make smarter marketing decisions in less time.

    • Agency Solutions

      Earn & keep valuable clients with unparalleled data & insights.

    • Enterprise Solutions

      Gain a competitive edge in the ever-changing world of search.

    • The Moz Story

      Moz was the first & remains the most trusted SEO company.

    • Case Studies

      Explore how Moz drives ROI with a proven track record of success.

    • New Releases

      Get the scoop on the latest and greatest from Moz.

    Surface actionable competitive intel
    New Feature

    Surface actionable competitive intel

    Learn More
  • Log in
    • Moz Pro
    • Moz Local
    • Moz Local Dashboard
    • Moz API
    • Moz API Dashboard
    • Moz Academy
  • Avatar
    • Moz Home
    • Notifications
    • Account & Billing
    • Manage Users
    • Community Profile
    • My Q&A
    • My Videos
    • Log Out

The Moz Q&A Forum

  • Forum
  • Questions
  • Users
  • Ask the Community

Welcome to the Q&A Forum

Browse the forum for helpful insights and fresh discussions about all things SEO.

  1. Home
  2. Community
  3. Jobs and Opportunities
  4. Should I accept a lower role than what I applied for?

Moz Q&A is closed.

After more than 13 years, and tens of thousands of questions, Moz Q&A closed on 12th December 2024. Whilst we’re not completely removing the content - many posts will still be possible to view - we have locked both new posts and new replies. More details here.

Should I accept a lower role than what I applied for?

Jobs and Opportunities
4
10
23.3k
Loading More Posts
  • Oldest to Newest
  • Newest to Oldest
  • Most Votes
Reply
  • Reply as question
Log in to reply
This topic has been deleted. Only users with question management privileges can see it.
  • MTalhaImtiaz
    MTalhaImtiaz last edited by Sep 3, 2014, 6:17 PM

    Hello everyone,

    I have a small quick question...

    I recently applied for a role in a digital agency. They got back to me offering a lower role. My question is whether I should accept it or politely decline?

    Also... should I ask the interviewer for the reason?

    I would appreciate your opinions.

    Regards,

    Talha

    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
    • MTalhaImtiaz
      MTalhaImtiaz last edited by Sep 11, 2014, 6:40 AM Sep 11, 2014, 6:40 AM

      Hello Lumina, ahsan88 & Zippy-Bungle,

      First accept my apology for not responding on your contributions earlier than today. Just got very busy with family. Actually I did reply to the thread from my phone but the answer didn't get updated.

      Anyways... the updates are that I thought well in light of your answers and I decided to push back politely. I contacted my interviewer saying something like... 'I was hoping to get some feedback on my interview earlier ... and that I was actually offered a different position". I added her on Linkedin and sent her an message from there (I had her email but i hadn't taken it from her personally so I thought it would be impolite to land in her mailbox).

      Well... She never replied back to me.

      I waited a week and (12 days to get an answer from the HR guy) and eventually sent an email to the HR person to get a status update on our last conversation.

      Its been 4 days now and he too never got back to me.

      I don't know what to think about it... but I do know that it is not professional to say absolutely nothing in response to an email etc.

      Anyways... my job hunt continues and hopefully I will find one... someday... hopefully soon.

      Thanks again for your valuable answers and I truthfully appreciate them all the more because I think its great of you guys to have taken out time to reply on a question which was more of a personal nature.

      Peace to all,

      Regards,

      Talha

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • Lumina
        Lumina @MTalhaImtiaz last edited by Sep 4, 2014, 11:33 AM Sep 4, 2014, 11:33 AM

        I think you sound like you already know the answer, but want confirmation that you should look for other opportunities. While you may have other talents and fit other criteria, I'd expect that the language barrier would be enough that you won't be able to work effectively or happily.

        However, another option would be to take the job with the intention of it being a temporary situation. And who knows, you may end up finding that it's something you're happy with.

        Either way, it sounds like you wouldn't be happy there on a permanent basis.

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • Zippy-Bungle
          Zippy-Bungle @MTalhaImtiaz last edited by Sep 4, 2014, 4:21 AM Sep 4, 2014, 4:21 AM

          A pleasure.  Do let us know how it turns out.

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • MTalhaImtiaz
            MTalhaImtiaz @Zippy-Bungle last edited by Sep 4, 2014, 4:12 AM Sep 4, 2014, 4:12 AM

            Great answer Zippy-Bungle,

            Quite sound advice. I will do almost just that

            Zippy-Bungle 1 Reply Last reply Sep 4, 2014, 4:21 AM Reply Quote 1
            • Zippy-Bungle
              Zippy-Bungle last edited by Sep 4, 2014, 3:23 AM Sep 4, 2014, 3:23 AM

              It depends on what you will be doing.  If the new role is more demanding and challenging than the old one - go for it. Titles are corporate fluff and shouldn't define who you are and your sense of self worth (they probably do though. Just like they impact me 🙂 )

              Will you learn and grow in the new position or is it an intellectual and emotional dead end? Whichever, you've got a job at the moment and don't need this one. So push back and ask for a second meeting to discuss and understand.

              You our can then use that meeting to understand the role being offered and upsell I to the head if digital if  here istheopportunity.

              EDIT - can't edit or correct typos in iPad. Sorry.

              MTalhaImtiaz 1 Reply Last reply Sep 4, 2014, 4:12 AM Reply Quote 1
              • MTalhaImtiaz
                MTalhaImtiaz @ahsan88 last edited by Sep 4, 2014, 2:39 AM Sep 4, 2014, 2:39 AM

                Thanks Ahsan,

                I appreciate your answer.

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • ahsan88
                  ahsan88 Banned last edited by Sep 4, 2014, 2:35 AM Sep 4, 2014, 2:35 AM

                  I don’t think if there is a straight no or yes to this question. I believe it is very much depends upon situation to situation. Here is my answer, if I would be at your place, I would have said yes and no keeping the following few things in mind.

                  -          If the company is great and there is a chance for growth in that particular organization.

                  -          If you really think that the company name in your CV will help you in the future.

                  -          If you really think that the competency level in that organization is much more powerful than the one you are currently working on.

                  -          If you really believe that accepting this offer will help you strengthen your skill level and you can grow within the same company after some time or in some other company.

                  Just do some tough QnA with yourself and come up to the conclusion. At the end of the day what matters is the fact that you are growing and this decision (Yes or No) is going to help you in the future.

                  Best of luck with your decision.

                  MTalhaImtiaz 1 Reply Last reply Sep 4, 2014, 2:39 AM Reply Quote 2
                  • MTalhaImtiaz
                    MTalhaImtiaz @Lumina last edited by Sep 3, 2014, 7:13 PM Sep 3, 2014, 7:10 PM

                    Hello Lumina,

                    Thanks for the detailed answer.

                    I will give you some details because I think your advice would be valuable and sincere.

                    I applied for and was interviewed for a Head of Digital position in an agency. I am currently head of digital in house. The interview went quite well too.

                    My weakness I believe is that I do not know arabic (I'm located in Dubai by the way). However I did give a convincing answer on how I can make it work. I fit in quite well to rest of the job criteria.

                    Now they are offering me a PPC/SEO specialist position. Reporting to the head of digital.

                    So my apprehension is two fold...

                    1. I just won't feel good about it. And I can't sulk to work everyday.
                    2. Would they treat me at the same level they would have otherwise. Probably not.

                    Salary too would be lower than I expected ofcourse.

                    So tell me what you think?

                    Lumina 1 Reply Last reply Sep 4, 2014, 11:33 AM Reply Quote 0
                    • Lumina
                      Lumina last edited by Sep 3, 2014, 7:00 PM Sep 3, 2014, 7:00 PM

                      Hey there,

                      Since I obviously don't know the specifics of your situation, I'll give you an answer based on generalities. I'd say that there are probably 3 possible reasons that they'd lower the position offered to you:

                      1. They found someone they feel is more qualified for the position.
                      2. They no longer want to fill that position.
                      3. They simply don't feel that you currently fit the criteria, but that you might after more experience.

                      However, it doesn't matter why they might have offered you a lower position, I think what matters is if you'd be happy at the one currently being offered. If not, then be gutsy and ask them frankly why they offered a lower position - either you won't be hired (which you don't want) or they'll explain and you can make a more educated decision.

                      If you're happy with the lower position, or you feel that there's high potential to move-up, then go for it. The worst case is that it doesn't work out, which would leave you where you are now.

                      Please keep in mind that this is all subjective opinion - I, and no one else, should tote it as anything other than that. Good luck to you! I hope it works out for the best.

                      MTalhaImtiaz 1 Reply Last reply Sep 3, 2014, 7:10 PM Reply Quote 3
                      • 1 / 1
                      1 out of 10
                      • First post
                        1/10
                        Last post

                      Got a burning SEO question?

                      Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.


                      Start my free trial


                      Browse Questions

                      Explore more categories

                      • Moz Tools

                        Chat with the community about the Moz tools.

                      • SEO Tactics

                        Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers

                      • Community

                        Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!

                      • Digital Marketing

                        Chat about tactics outside of SEO

                      • Research & Trends

                        Dive into research and trends in the search industry.

                      • Support

                        Connect on product support and feature requests.

                      • See all categories

                      Related Questions

                      • Matthew.wainaina

                        Looking for an SEO expert.

                        seo expert opportunity

                        We have been struggling with SEO for a while now. We are looking for an expert who can help us on the journey? Any leads?

                        Jobs and Opportunities | May 9, 2024, 7:19 AM | Matthew.wainaina
                        1
                      • danatanseo

                        Are you looking for an SEO job? National Pen (Pens.com) is hiring!

                        Hi all, We have an opening for a Senior SEO Associate. Would love to hire someone in the Moz Community. Here are the details: Sr SEO Associate https://g.co/kgs/Ucwzp7 Cheers, Dana

                        Jobs and Opportunities | Sep 15, 2017, 7:31 PM | danatanseo
                        0
                      • KenjiCrosland

                        Pointers for an Interview with a Large (3000+ employee) Company?

                        Hi All, I'm interviewing with the director of SEO of a large enterprise company tomorrow afternoon and would love some pointers. It's a relatively large company with about 3,000+ employees. There are currently 2 people doing SEO exclusively in the company and they are looking to expand the team significantly. As I understand it, my role will be to help out with link building initiatives. I currently work freelance as a content marketer for startups. While I do some onsite optimization and some keyword research, I consider building domain authority by creating quality content that gets links to be my main focus. But link building for a large enterprise may be a little less hands-on than I'm used to. I imagine I'll be working with different departments, namely these ones: Biz Dev Team PR Team SEM Team I imagine there will be some questions about how I would work with these departments to help build links. Any suggestions for working with these other teams? What other questions should I be prepared for? Oh, and here's my resume for those interested...I imagine there will be some questions about my background too: http://bit.ly/KenjisResume Thanks, Kenji

                        Jobs and Opportunities | May 27, 2024, 3:06 AM | KenjiCrosland
                        0
                      • Digby

                        Hire a SEO contractor for a small company.

                        I have a small company that has struggled over the past three years to get on its feet.  We've finally made it in the retail sector building a nice client base and delivering beyond what is expected. I'm trying not to make mistakes and have been doing the SEO on my own with a SEO word pack plug in for our Wordpress site and all the training videos I could handle from SEOMOZ and Hubspot (forever grateful).  I have a list of 200 key words and only a handful are on the first page, but with that it has meant the difference between getting paycheck for not. It's now time for us to hire an expert.  Here's what I want. 1.  Quality back links with a MOZ grade higher than mine. 2.  All the errors fixed in my site that I don't understand from the reports generated by the MOZ tool. 3.  A weekly report of the sites that have created a link and its MOZ ranking. 4.  Ongoing support and tracking of progress with no black hat techniques. 5.  3 client references with a name and number that I can speak to. Am I asking too much?  I'm told that client information is confidential and couldn't be release.  If I'm in a completely different sector of retail, would that matter? What questions should I be asking?  If you were me, what would you do?

                        Jobs and Opportunities | Feb 8, 2012, 1:23 PM | Digby
                        0

                      Get started with Moz Pro!

                      Unlock the power of advanced SEO tools and data-driven insights.

                      Start my free trial
                      Products
                      • Moz Pro
                      • Moz Local
                      • Moz API
                      • Moz Data
                      • STAT
                      • Product Updates
                      Moz Solutions
                      • SMB Solutions
                      • Agency Solutions
                      • Enterprise Solutions
                      Free SEO Tools
                      • Domain Authority Checker
                      • Link Explorer
                      • Keyword Explorer
                      • Competitive Research
                      • Brand Authority Checker
                      • Local Citation Checker
                      • MozBar Extension
                      • MozCast
                      Resources
                      • Blog
                      • SEO Learning Center
                      • Help Hub
                      • Beginner's Guide to SEO
                      • How-to Guides
                      • Moz Academy
                      • API Docs
                      About Moz
                      • About
                      • Team
                      • Careers
                      • Contact
                      Why Moz
                      • Case Studies
                      • Testimonials
                      Get Involved
                      • Become an Affiliate
                      • MozCon
                      • Webinars
                      • Practical Marketer Series
                      • MozPod
                      Connect with us

                      Contact the Help team

                      Join our newsletter
                      Moz logo
                      © 2021 - 2025 SEOMoz, Inc., a Ziff Davis company. All rights reserved. Moz is a registered trademark of SEOMoz, Inc.
                      • Accessibility
                      • Terms of Use
                      • Privacy

                      Looks like your connection to Moz was lost, please wait while we try to reconnect.