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I had a situation a few months ago where I had to choose between being demoted or getting laid off from work. My salary remained the same. The reason for the demotion was my group was eliminated.
I have read one suggestion that said to put the various job titles you've had at the company on the same line such as supervisor, assistant manager, manager. Then highlight responsibilities from each job. This seems like a good idea, but can it be perceived as being dishonest?
Yes a lot of my former sales managers had to do the same and become salespeople like me. It's not a demotion get that out of your head! It was a company reorg and since you were a top performer you were not laid off. It's all about perception and framing the story!
If a hiring manager ask you point blank don't embellish but a resume' is a marketing document so sell yourself.
I was so valuable to the company that they chose not to lay me off like so many others.
See how that sounds better? Demotion=loser. Not laid off=valuable asset.
Yes a lot of my former sales managers had to do the same and become salespeople like me. It's not a demotion get that out of your head! It was a company reorg and since you were a top performer you were not laid off. It's all about perception and framing the story!
If a hiring manager ask you point blank don't embellish but a resume' is a marketing document so sell yourself.
I was so valuable to the company that they chose not to lay me off like so many others.
See how that sounds better? Demotion=loser. Not laid off=valuable asset.
I had a situation a few months ago where I had to choose between being demoted or getting laid off from work. My salary remained the same. The reason for the demotion was my group was eliminated.
I have read one suggestion that said to put the various job titles you've had at the company on the same line such as supervisor, assistant manager, manager. Then highlight responsibilities from each job. This seems like a good idea, but can it be perceived as being dishonest?
Anyone have experience with this?
If your willing to divulge what was your former title and what is your new title?
There was no demotion, you were not given a pay cut. Honestly, job titles mean very little to people in other companies, and when you do not have to disclose a pay cut, no one thinks it was a demotion.
Thanks for the replies so far. I have worked at this company for 10 years. My progress and job titles go like this
Accountant, Supervisor, Manager. As a supervisor and manager I actually had a staff of 5 people and dealt with personnel duties such as hiring, firing, and giving employee's annual reviews (among other duties).
My group was eliminated and I was told flat out that I can accept a lower job (at the same pay) or I will be let go. My ego was saying to let them fire me, but if you're offered another job in the same company at the same pay I doubt you can refuse that and collect unemployment. Its also easier to get a job when you have a job.
I was actually bumped down 2 steps to accountant. (I was a manager for 6 years)
I think it was just dumb luck that someone quit in a different dept at the same time my group was eliminated. My employer probably figured here's a guy that we don't even have to train. Why not put him in that position.
Its been 6 months since this happened and I don't see a way out of this unless I quit. It's been my experience if you are a good employee no one ever wants to trade you or promote you out of your current group. My career at this company is over as far as I can see.
If I list all my positions on the same line on my resume, accountant, supervisor, manager
while that is true it's not 100% true.
I don't want something like this coming back to me later if I was hired as a manager at another company. In the current employment environment employers are scrutinizing their applicants (and current employees) vigorously.
This is why I'm curious how others have handled this situation as an employee or hiring manager.
You can list all your roles/titles on one line. However I do suggest that you get your head straight about the situation. Due to reorganization, the department you managed and the staff was laid off except for you...the manager. The company retained you in the only open spot that was a fit so at this time you are performing as an accountant. No reduction in pay was implemented. You, however, believe you are most effective when you are in the team manager role so you are looking for a new job that will allow you to perform in the role you feel most effective rather than wait until your company has a spot for you as a manager. No one has told you that you won't be considered for a manager job when there is a new reorganization so don't go jumping to conclusions. Ditch the dramatic spin you are telling yourself and if you believe you were a good manager have confidence that another employer will see you as a fit for a management job or your present employer will offer you the next manager job that fits.
Thanks for the replies so far. I have worked at this company for 10 years. My progress and job titles go like this
Accountant, Supervisor, Manager. As a supervisor and manager I actually had a staff of 5 people and dealt with personnel duties such as hiring, firing, and giving employee's annual reviews (among other duties).
My group was eliminated and I was told flat out that I can accept a lower job (at the same pay) or I will be let go. My ego was saying to let them fire me, but if you're offered another job in the same company at the same pay I doubt you can refuse that and collect unemployment. Its also easier to get a job when you have a job.
I was actually bumped down 2 steps to accountant. (I was a manager for 6 years)
I think it was just dumb luck that someone quit in a different dept at the same time my group was eliminated. My employer probably figured here's a guy that we don't even have to train. Why not put him in that position.
Its been 6 months since this happened and I don't see a way out of this unless I quit. It's been my experience if you are a good employee no one ever wants to trade you or promote you out of your current group. My career at this company is over as far as I can see.
If I list all my positions on the same line on my resume, accountant, supervisor, manager
while that is true it's not 100% true.
I don't want something like this coming back to me later if I was hired as a manager at another company. In the current employment environment employers are scrutinizing their applicants (and current employees) vigorously.
This is why I'm curious how others have handled this situation as an employee or hiring manager.
I think bunny's advice is best but I don't think it will be held against you any way you present it. Nobody is going to believe you got demoted because you couldn't handle the new responsibilities if you got promoted to management, then promoted AGAIN. Don't sweat it. But I would do like the last two posters said and list everything on one line. If you are uncomfortable about it, you could put current in parentheses next to accountant. I probably wouldn't do that but it's up to you.
I don't see why anyone even needs to know. Word your resume so that it looks like the perceived lower position was first and the higher was second. I don't mean lie. I mean like the bunny said. Group your time and experience with that company together under one heading instead of 2 different ones.
I took a voluntary demotion at my last job. On my resume I listed the job titles highest to lowest with the number of years in each instead of listing the last one a second time with dates. I hope that makes sense.
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