I applied for the Social Media Manager role at Classmates / PeopleConnect, which was listed as a hybrid position with a salary range of $122,100 – $159,200. After going through multiple interview rounds and receiving an offer, I attempted to negotiate within the posted salary range and requested clarification on hybrid work expectations. Instead of engaging in a good-faith discussion, the recruiter called my email “concerning” and immediately rescinded my offer—a shocking and unprofessional response.
Misleading Salary Practices (Potentially Illegal):
The posted salary range was $122,100 – $159,200, and was given an offer on the low end. I countered with an offer within that range. The recruiter called my request “unreasonable” and refused any negotiation, which raises serious legal concerns. In many states, including Washington (where this job is based), it is illegal to post a salary range and then claim that a salary within that range is not actually on the table.
Hybrid Role? Not Really.
The job was listed as hybrid, but when I asked for confirmation that this would remain the case, I was told they actually wanted someone full-time in-office within the year. This was never disclosed in interviews, meaning the hybrid listing was misleading at best and a bait-and-switch tactic at worst.
Other Red Flags:
My reasonable request to push my start date by one week was also rejected outright.
I asked a standard question about what resources would be available to meet the highly ambitious social media growth goals, and instead of answering, they rescinded my offer. This suggests they were not transparent about the role’s expectations or lacked the necessary support structure.
During the in-person panel interview, they asked me to complete a project that directly related to the role. I took the time to develop a detailed social media strategy, printed it out, and brought it with me to present. At the end of the interview, when I asked for my copy back, the interviewer seemed shocked and hesitant, clearly wanting to keep it. This was a huge red flag—they expected me to hand over a full social strategy for free without any guarantee of hiring me. I wasn’t comfortable with the idea of them using my work without compensating me, and it made me question their integrity as an employer. Be cautious about what you provide in the interview process!
When the recruiter called me with the original offer, she said they "had a lot of people apply and I should be grateful to receive an offer." The recruiter’s handling of negotiations was extremely unprofessional, treating standard counteroffer discussions as a red flag rather than an expected part of hiring.
Final Thoughts:
If you’re considering applying here, be wary of the misleading job listings and lack of transparency. Expect no room for negotiation, and don’t assume that the stated hybrid policy will actually be honored.
Would NOT recommend based on this experience.