Woman Quits Her Job Interview After Recruiter Says They Can’t Pay Her $21/Hour, Sparks A Debate Online
You put together your resume, craft the cover letter, and land a job interview. While it’s easy to get excited at this stage, simply walking through the door is only the beginning of the hiring process. The person across the table will ask you some difficult questions.
But TikToker Jayla was prepared for everything. And it was actually her own choice to walk away from the position. In a now-viral video, the woman says she turned down a manager job at Family Dollar after they couldn’t offer her $21 per hour.
This led to a discussion about fair wages and working conditions in the comments, and I gotta say, it’s quite empowering to see people standing up for themselves.
More info: TikTok
Meet Jayla, a woman who recently went on an interview for a manager job at Family Dollar
Image credits: kewljai
However, it didn’t work out
Image credits: Paul Sableman (not the actual photo)
If we were to take a look at the numbers, Jayla’s figure sounds more than reasonable. According to Salary.com, as of April 26, 2022, the average hourly wage for a retail store manager in the United States is $32, but the range typically falls between $27 and $41.
However, it’s worth keeping in mind that hourly rates can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession, and so on.
The company refused to pay her $21 per hour
Generally, you do not want to allow your impulses to dictate the way you behave at a job interview.
To many people, negotiating their new salary is stressful because it’s something most of us do very rarely and have little experience with.
Andres Lares, a managing partner at Shapiro Negotiations Institute, thinks people are generally most concerned with feeling unprepared or worrying about an unpredictable outcome.
These nerves are normal and healthy, but it could help to think less about what you could lose in a negotiation and more about what you can do to prepare, Lares told CNBC Make It: “Even if you can’t get everything you want, it’s about doing everything you can to walk away knowing you’ve done your best.”
So Jayla simply got up and left
First of all, when and how you should bring up money during job interviews will depend on the situation. If the job description already lists the range, or if you’re confident about your number and have a lot of interviews lined up, you might bring it up in the first or second round, Octavia Goredema, an author and career coach, also explained to CNBC Make It.
You can ask the hiring manager to share their budget for the job, or you might be strategic about naming your desired range and tap into online resources and your professional network to get an idea of your absolute minimum salary, your desired target, and a stretch number you want to negotiate up to.
By the time you have that offer in hand, you have a lot of leverage to negotiate. “You wouldn’t be in this room or on this call if you couldn’t do that role. Recruiters wouldn’t have time to waste if they didn’t think you could deliver on it,” Goredema said. “Now we’re discussing not only what’s required of you, but what you’re looking for.”
She made a video about standing up for herself
@kewljai Don’t settle for less #fyp♬ original sound – LoveJoyJai
If you find yourself in the same position as Jayla and HR makes you an offer that’s significantly lower than what you want, Lares said you need to point it out.
But it’s also important how you go about it. Leading with gratitude, for example, can make a difficult conversation more palatable. “Thanks for thinking of me for this role and sharing the pay. Unfortunately, that’s significantly lower than what I would have expected for this.”
Next, you can gauge whether they can be flexible on the offer. Remind yourself, and the other party, that a negotiation is working together to reach a compromise.
You can frame it something like this: “I want to be respectful and not waste your time, but I’m also interested and want to make this work. What’s the flexibility on pay?”
Of course, it’s also possible the hiring manager doesn’t understand your qualifications or years of experience. Politely remind them of your candidacy and ask along the lines of: “Is there a different title or level you’re hiring for that’s a better fit and aligns with my expected pay?”
It’s all about making the best of it!
And many people have been really supportive of her
Some, however, questioned the amount
After Jayla’s story went viral, she uploaded more videos to explain the situation
@kewljai You don’t have to be ignorant anymore, I’m here to help #fyp#latestagecapitalism#viral#spirituality#Totinos425#healing♬ original sound – LoveJoyJai
@kewljai#latestagecapitalism#fyp#viral#spirituality#healing#strike♬ original sound – LoveJoyJai
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Share on FacebookNobody ever says, "that CEO earning 351 times more than the average worker is driving up the prices for the consumer." More often they say, "But if you pay people more, then that extra cost gets passed along to the consumer." Oh hey - maybe if that CEO wasn't earning 351 times more than the average worker, and the average worker was being paid a livable wage, then the average worker could AFFORD TO PAY FOR NECESSITIES! Sorry about raising my voice. It's such utter BS when they say higher worker salaries cause higher prices. The prices could stay exactly the same if the people at the top of big companies didn't feel compelled to grab up so much.
Worst part is how CEO salaries are decided. The industry has a "standard" amount but you never want a random joe as your top guy so you pay enough to buy them out of your competitor's hands. And it just keeps circling up like that and no one ever (basically) gets any lower than what they ask. Usually it's higher. And men get paid higher on average, so why don't we just go ahead and blame all CEOs but especially the male ones who keep it circling the tower?
Load More Replies...I'm really happy people start to wake up and understand their value, at the same time I'm sad it came so so late and it took a bloody pandemic...
That's one reason we're making so little. They are busy making everyone feel guilty for asking for pay they deserve. I think 2 things made this get worse before people started standing up for themselves: (1) credit started getting easier to get in the 80's/90's so people just racked up credit cards instead of asking for raises (2) women entered the workforce in even larger numbers so their salaries were a buffer for the family. Meaning most people didn't get desperate until recently. I'm really worried right now with the housing situation & the groceries going up.
Load More Replies...I love that she just ended the interview when she knew her needs wouldn’t be met. Why waste anyone’s time?
Why waste the applicant's time? I do not care about the interviewer's time.
Load More Replies...And this is exactly why business should list the salary range in the job posting. I've never understood why most places want to waste everyone's time. To me that's the same as posting a job opening and not telling what the job details are or even what the position is. Communication is key, and there is no reason not to post the salary ranges.
I believe some states, only a very few, are starting to require companies to include compensation in the job posting. I think you're right that transparency allows people to make an informed decision of whether they want to spend time exploring an opportunity. By default it also spares the interviewer's time.
Load More Replies...Someone very wise said that these billion-dollar companies get rich by being poverty exploiters, not employers.
The US needs to do like some countries & limit CEO pay to a certain percentage of the lowest employee pay, including stock.
Problem is our laws allow these super rich CEO's to make campaign contributions to our lawmakers, who then avoid making laws that will make them less rich. The constitution says Congressmen and the President can't accept bribes, but somehow everyone turns their heads away from campaign contributions.
Load More Replies...As an ex retail worker, manger, store manager, office manager, and also as skilled laborer in three different careers, I never got close until now at $21 an hour starting. My new and current job, which is 4 minutes from home, 9-530, with insurance and pto, health dental vision, advertised at $20 an hour. I busted my butt to get an interview (of course after weeks of online application, follow up emails, phone calls, finally an in person appt was made. I got the position. Now if I master skills I will get pay increases in $2 amounts for each. I do furniture repair for a name brand north east coast company. In a warehouse. On my feet. Hand and eye and tool skills. I feel fairly paid. Other jobs have promised x amount and etc with full time only to come up short on the wage or hours or actuality of what the role would encompass. Stand your ground. Earn what you deserve to be paid. And if you can't then reevaluate what you want to be doing as a career.
Yeah, and that's a lot more responsibility and work than a dollar store for sure. Go to your local Auto parts or hardware store and ask them what they are making. They have to have a lot more knowledge as I am sure you do.
Load More Replies...I actually think it's a good thing that workers don't accept just anything now. It's a global inflation going on and wages aren't going up to match that (obviously).
How much did the company profit last year? Billions right? They can afford $21 an hour.
1.33 B net income in 2021 , gross was north of 7B but thats gross so used the 1.33 number instead.
Load More Replies...I just put in my 2 weeks notice at a retail job that I've had for almost 11 years. I'm a manager at a grocery store and am constantly covering 4 to 5 call offs on top of all the other work I'm expected to do, not to mention the constant abuse from customers. Another manager quit and their work landed on me so I asked for a pay raise. I currently make 20 an hour after 11 years with this company. They didn't bother hearing me out, they said no, so I politely handed in my resignation. No more! They then offered me a dollar raise and I said not good enough. My last day is Saturday and management has been pulling me into their office begging me to stay on but unable to offer me more money.
Nobody ever says, "that CEO earning 351 times more than the average worker is driving up the prices for the consumer." More often they say, "But if you pay people more, then that extra cost gets passed along to the consumer." Oh hey - maybe if that CEO wasn't earning 351 times more than the average worker, and the average worker was being paid a livable wage, then the average worker could AFFORD TO PAY FOR NECESSITIES! Sorry about raising my voice. It's such utter BS when they say higher worker salaries cause higher prices. The prices could stay exactly the same if the people at the top of big companies didn't feel compelled to grab up so much.
Worst part is how CEO salaries are decided. The industry has a "standard" amount but you never want a random joe as your top guy so you pay enough to buy them out of your competitor's hands. And it just keeps circling up like that and no one ever (basically) gets any lower than what they ask. Usually it's higher. And men get paid higher on average, so why don't we just go ahead and blame all CEOs but especially the male ones who keep it circling the tower?
Load More Replies...I'm really happy people start to wake up and understand their value, at the same time I'm sad it came so so late and it took a bloody pandemic...
That's one reason we're making so little. They are busy making everyone feel guilty for asking for pay they deserve. I think 2 things made this get worse before people started standing up for themselves: (1) credit started getting easier to get in the 80's/90's so people just racked up credit cards instead of asking for raises (2) women entered the workforce in even larger numbers so their salaries were a buffer for the family. Meaning most people didn't get desperate until recently. I'm really worried right now with the housing situation & the groceries going up.
Load More Replies...I love that she just ended the interview when she knew her needs wouldn’t be met. Why waste anyone’s time?
Why waste the applicant's time? I do not care about the interviewer's time.
Load More Replies...And this is exactly why business should list the salary range in the job posting. I've never understood why most places want to waste everyone's time. To me that's the same as posting a job opening and not telling what the job details are or even what the position is. Communication is key, and there is no reason not to post the salary ranges.
I believe some states, only a very few, are starting to require companies to include compensation in the job posting. I think you're right that transparency allows people to make an informed decision of whether they want to spend time exploring an opportunity. By default it also spares the interviewer's time.
Load More Replies...Someone very wise said that these billion-dollar companies get rich by being poverty exploiters, not employers.
The US needs to do like some countries & limit CEO pay to a certain percentage of the lowest employee pay, including stock.
Problem is our laws allow these super rich CEO's to make campaign contributions to our lawmakers, who then avoid making laws that will make them less rich. The constitution says Congressmen and the President can't accept bribes, but somehow everyone turns their heads away from campaign contributions.
Load More Replies...As an ex retail worker, manger, store manager, office manager, and also as skilled laborer in three different careers, I never got close until now at $21 an hour starting. My new and current job, which is 4 minutes from home, 9-530, with insurance and pto, health dental vision, advertised at $20 an hour. I busted my butt to get an interview (of course after weeks of online application, follow up emails, phone calls, finally an in person appt was made. I got the position. Now if I master skills I will get pay increases in $2 amounts for each. I do furniture repair for a name brand north east coast company. In a warehouse. On my feet. Hand and eye and tool skills. I feel fairly paid. Other jobs have promised x amount and etc with full time only to come up short on the wage or hours or actuality of what the role would encompass. Stand your ground. Earn what you deserve to be paid. And if you can't then reevaluate what you want to be doing as a career.
Yeah, and that's a lot more responsibility and work than a dollar store for sure. Go to your local Auto parts or hardware store and ask them what they are making. They have to have a lot more knowledge as I am sure you do.
Load More Replies...I actually think it's a good thing that workers don't accept just anything now. It's a global inflation going on and wages aren't going up to match that (obviously).
How much did the company profit last year? Billions right? They can afford $21 an hour.
1.33 B net income in 2021 , gross was north of 7B but thats gross so used the 1.33 number instead.
Load More Replies...I just put in my 2 weeks notice at a retail job that I've had for almost 11 years. I'm a manager at a grocery store and am constantly covering 4 to 5 call offs on top of all the other work I'm expected to do, not to mention the constant abuse from customers. Another manager quit and their work landed on me so I asked for a pay raise. I currently make 20 an hour after 11 years with this company. They didn't bother hearing me out, they said no, so I politely handed in my resignation. No more! They then offered me a dollar raise and I said not good enough. My last day is Saturday and management has been pulling me into their office begging me to stay on but unable to offer me more money.


























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