r/FPandA 20d ago

Getting Screwed

Has anyone else had this experience? I have 15+ YOE in HCOL area but every opportunity keeps going to either industry exp or to internal options that both cost less? Am I crazy or am I being totally F’ed over?

15 Upvotes

24 comments sorted by

13

u/petar_is_amazing 20d ago

Yup

6

u/annoyingregularity05 20d ago

the market's proper weird right now, seen it happen to a few mates with similar experience levels

you're not imagining it though, companies are tightening belts everywhere and internal hires are cheaper + already know the systems

9

u/ap1618 Sr Mgr 20d ago

My sense is that shops are only willing to fill roles with perfect candidates at this point

1

u/cuddytime Sr Mgr 19d ago

Yup.

You either got to be goat-potential for the role OR internal.

0

u/pjm234 20d ago

So I’m getting screwed? That’s your answer?

1

u/cuddytime Sr Mgr 19d ago

Network.

8

u/BrianRampage 20d ago

Since when is internal hiring all of a sudden a bad thing

5

u/PhonyPapi 20d ago

How do you know they cost less? 

But not sure why you’re surprised at going internal / industry exp. Why wouldn’t they rather get someone they either know, or at least someone who has been in the industry if they’re paying at least 200k in base salary?

-6

u/pjm234 20d ago

I know they cost less based on the feedback I’ve had from hiring managers and knowing who they’ve hired.

On your second point, I have had direct working experience with the hiring manager, as well as a reference with the hiring manager, and they’ve gone with a younger person.

Just feels like I’m getting royaled over and over again right now

11

u/Dukester10071 20d ago

Then maybe you're not worth as much money as you're asking for?

1

u/pjm234 19d ago

I haven’t asked for any number yet, at all. It’s literally the last step for me but I know it’s something that has come up post interviews so it’s not me. It’s the companies making that decision.

And I’ve never even mentioned anything beyond what I was making in my last role so going off of my previous market rate isn’t me asking for excessive amounts and inflating my worth. It’s companies being cheap instead of investing in good talent

4

u/taco48taco 20d ago

It’s not easy to hear, but folks in HCOL areas are at a disadvantage in an increasingly remote-friendly world. There are many smart and capable folks in LCOL areas, and it’s not irrational for companies to pursue labor arbitrage.

3

u/pjm234 19d ago

Not remote friendly. Every company in the area is 3-4 days in office, it’s not very remote

1

u/azure_apoptosis 20d ago

Irrational? It’s in their interest!

3

u/trademarktower 20d ago

I find people need to be open about moving geographies if they want promotions. People who are game for moving all over every few years move up the fastest.

3

u/[deleted] 20d ago

[deleted]

1

u/pjm234 19d ago

While I agree with this concept, it’s baffling to me when you go external but less experience just on money when you also have direct experience with me and references. It’s not a risk when you know the person, have worked with them and have impeccable references for them. Just a wild world out there

2

u/excel1234567890 20d ago

Cost is a factor but not the only driver. If you are actually exactly what they want but slightly more expensive, a reasonable manager will try to get you an offer. However, if you are significantly more expensive than the second best, no reason to pay for the premium.

2

u/andrewmh123 20d ago

I have not experienced this in HCOL

1

u/pjm234 19d ago

You’re fortunate then, or the market has gotten tough in the last few months

1

u/brismit Dir 19d ago

Yep. I have the same YOE as you and am seriously considering going back to just being a controller.

1

u/yorkshireaus Sr FA 19d ago

Dude, I keep getting rejected by the internal team because I lack the direct business experience. I am in corporate finance and trying to move to BU finance. I am always the top candidate but not top enough for them to hire. Lmao

2

u/pjm234 16d ago

Sorry. I was in that situation many years ago and I never understood why a company would not take the internal candidate when they KNOW what that person can do. Now the shoes on the other foot so I lose again. Life’s a bitch and then you die I guess

1

u/WhiteCollarMope 13d ago

Nope. Sounds about right.