Objection handling in the job interview: The "Step forward " and "Step backward" objection....

tinytobe · 22-04-2026 01:25PM #1

Since I can't really find work in what I've done previously I started to get interested in more junior roles also with junior salaries.

Currently I have no income.

In the job interviews I am faced with the objection: Why do you take a step backwards? I try then to explain that the roles I applied for and are similar to the ones I've done before are beyond reach for me in a diplomatic way. In reality, the market is wrong and changed too much, too many applicants, endless interview cycles, won't get noticed, etc.. is the real reason.

To me not having any income taking a job even if it's junior and of a lesser pay is clearly a step forward. For the companies interviewing me it's seen as a step backwards.

Even though we're not using loud and bad language, it already seems more like an argument rather than an objection or me trying to explain the matter.

I honestly don't know how to handle this one.

Any ideas?

Telling lies in the CV and actually deliberately downgrading past jobs and past responsabilities? Maybe that's an option?

o1s1n · 22-04-2026 01:29PM

Is there any way to frame it as you wanting to change from one industry into another?

Years and years back I went from a particularly high level tech sector job to something in a completely different field at far lower salary.

I sold it in the interview as not being fulfilled in the tech sector and wanting to change to another field closer to my area of interest and degree.

Goldengirl · 22-04-2026 01:35PM

No I would not down grade your qualifications or experience .

There are many reasons besides the lack of suitable jobs that influence people to take a job at a reduced level .

Need the income as you say yourself .
Want to obtain a different experience and you could bs that it would be a benefit if and when you do go back to your original level ?
The jobs market is tighter in the area you would originally have been qualified for , more graduates or AI .
Want a better work / life balance .
Your age .

Try to focus on the positives and challenges in the new job because you don't want to give the interviewers the impression that you think the job is beneath you or a doddle .

Best of luck

tinytobe · 22-04-2026 02:01PM

It's still the tech sector, still a similar product and solution but only a junior role. Fulfilling or not doesn't matter to me, I just want an income, - that's the biggest motivation. It's the kind of work I would do tomorrow, if need be, but they see me as too experienced and taking a step backwards, whilst for me, it would be a step forward.

user060916 · 22-04-2026 02:08PM

If it's a different role that you're are less experienced in, say you want to expand your experience and find it an interesting area.

I wouldn't say some income is better than no income. To me that reads as it's a temp job until I find a better paying one so not worth training up.

Mrs OBumble · 22-04-2026 08:41PM

Need the income as you say yourself .
Want to obtain a different experience and you could bs that it would be a benefit if and when you do go back to your original level ?
The jobs market is tighter in the area you would originally have been qualified for , more graduates or AI .
Want a better work / life balance .
Your age

Do NOT say any of these, they are not things an employer want to hear! Even if they're true.

You do not need to tell the truth about motivation. You just need to find a believable "hook" - something in the lower level jobs which you can convince the employer is meaningful and motivating for you (even if it's a lie).

Eg a chance to develop customer persuasion skills, a pivot into finance (or something), exposure to how AI is influencing the industry)

It's hard to be more specific without industry/job details.

One hint is to apply for temp jobs. Employers are more likely to consider older etc people for these, because the person will go away at a fixed time.

tinytobe · 22-04-2026 09:42PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124414701#Comment_124414701

It's mostly correct what you're saying, but in all honesty, that's all "not my thing". Loads of jobs I could technically do, but culturally I would never really fit.

I honestly don't even know what to say anymore in a job interview. - whatever I say, it's wrong, even though it's correct. I am also not even sure how to dress anymore. It used to be easy, suit and tie, now it's a strange form of casual I wouldn't even wear in my private life. And if you don't do as required, you don't fit in and are not considered….

What they also don't like about age is potentially having more experience as a manager in the organization. Psychologists and HR most likely know that one can keep the mouth shut, but if red lines are always overstepped, and mistakes by younger managers and other strategic errors are made, the older employee can easily cause comotion in an office, as he's more likely to be believed just by age and experience. And that's a scenario as a potential risk nobody would ever want in any organization.

Temp jobs and contracting work is also not so easy to get these days.

OscarMIlde · 23-04-2026 06:59AM

Whatever you do don't start talking negatively about previous roles in relation to the roles themselves, e.g. management, errors, etc.

TBH you best bet for a junior role is to lie and say you don't aspire to management and didn't enjoy that aspect. You found x, y, z aspect of a more junior tech role enjoyable but found as you progress up you move away from that. Say you would like to come in, do your days work well and go home.

Goldengirl · 23-04-2026 10:42AM

Mrs Bumble

I did not say that they should say it in an interview just that there were lots of reasons why people step.diwn for a job .

The last paragraph which you left out was the salient one .

"Try to focus on the positives and challenges in the new job because you don't want to give the interviewers the impression that you think the job is beneath you or a doddle ."

Flinty997 · 23-04-2026 02:37PM

Last interview panel I sat there was maybe 25 candidates. About the top 9 candidate were down skilling. Reasons given

Returning to workforce,

Less stress

Balancing work vs life

Moving from 24 on call to business hours.

Change of direction.

Try a different job, business area after a long time in the same job or industry.

Home commitments.

We would have a lot of people friendly policies that people might like so wouldn't see those things as a negative. We might see an Area manager moving to non manger role. Etc.

But in other industries that might be seen as a negative.

tinytobe · 23-04-2026 04:53PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124416314#Comment_124416314

That's what I wouldn't even dare to say in a job interview. They'd think I won't be focused on the job enough. Work life balance, less stress, office hours, would most likely all be red flags.

Flinty997 · 23-04-2026 05:55PM

Depends on the job. Finance or tech etc they'll want to sleep in the place. Is that the job or place you want to work. Or will take you anyway.

If you're struggling maybe it's time to consider contract work, public sector, part time work. Get back in the work place then look for something better.

I tried downsizing once to fit something short between contacts. No one was interested. I had to get back in my lane.

Objection handling in the job interview: The "Step forward " and "Step backward" objection....

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