Applied for a role I am overqualified for - found out it is an apprenticeship

dundermifflin

My background is in loss prevention/analysis/fraud investigation. I've applied for a role with a well known high street bank and have been invited to interview.

I have just discovered that the position is a "higher" apprenticeship, and that the company will pay a full salary of between XX,XXX and XX,XXX. The apprenticeship starts on the lower salary, and once complete, will pay the higher rate.

The thing is, I'm overqualified for this job. I have years of experience in this particular type of work, and whilst the jobs I've done before aren't identical, the skills are the same.

I feel like this would be a huge step back for me to go on to a two year apprenticeship scheme being paid much lower than I was in my previous role (house move means I am looking for a job elsewhere). Even the top rate of the pay scale is almost half what I was earning in London (obviously, including London weighting payments on top), however there isn't much work up here.

Should I relay my feelings in interview and ask to start on the higher salary?

lincroft1710

You may well be told that is the salary we are offering, take it ....

Alice_Walker

It's an apprenticeship, telling them you're overqualified or deserve a higher salary is not going to sell you to the employer.

Now you are aware it is an apprenticeship, do you feel it is a suitable role for you?

dundermifflin

lincroft1710 wrote: »

You may well be told that is the salary we are offering, take it ....

If they are offering the higher salary then I will take the job - I just want to know how I should play it if I am offered the starting salary.

dundermifflin

Alice_Walker wrote: »

It's an apprenticeship, telling them you're overqualified or deserve a higher salary is not going to sell you to the employer.

Now you are aware it is an apprenticeship, do you feel it is a suitable role for you?

Ofcourse I wouldn't tell them I'm overqualified in a blunt way, I would word it in a way that reflects I already have the skills required and don't need training for two years.

The job description did not mention an apprenticeship at all, the first time I found out was when I was told by the recruiter over the phone.

The job description matches my skills, but I'm not willing to take such a big pay cut to start on a very low salary compared to what I'd earnt doing the same job (near enough) with another company.

Waiting two years to complete an apprenticeship in something I'm already qualified in, is just a waste of my time.

lincroft1710

dundermifflin wrote: »

Waiting two years to complete an apprenticeship in something I'm already qualified in, is just a waste of my time.

Then this isn't the job for you.

dundermifflin

lincroft1710 wrote: »

Then this isn't the job for you.

Why not? I don't mind the apprenticeship side of things as long as I am compensated enough to reflect my previous experience and skills. If they offered me the higher rate then I would take it, but if they don't then I won't.

I just wanted advice on the best way to play it with them.

Alice_Walker

dundermifflin wrote: »

Why not? I don't mind the apprenticeship side of things as long as I am compensated enough to reflect my previous experience and skills. If they offered me the higher rate then I would take it, but if they don't then I won't.

I just wanted advice on the best way to play it with them.

Thr apprenticeship side of things is being a trainee and being paid accordingly. If you think that is a waste of time then how is the job going to work for you?

You say you're qualified, do you mean that you have qualifications or that you have some experience? If you already have the end qualification then you won't be eligible.

dundermifflin

Alice_Walker wrote: »

Thr apprenticeship side of things is being a trainee and being paid accordingly. If you think that is a waste of time then how is the job going to work for you?

You say you're qualified, do you mean that you have qualifications or that you have some experience? If you already have the end qualification then you won't be eligible.

From what I have found out, it is mentored on the job training combined with college days. I don't have a particular qualification, but I have over a decade of experience working in the same line of work having started at an entry level role in a previous company and working my way up a couple of levels.

Like I said, jobs are much fewer and far between where I have moved to (semi-rural area), so don't have much choice.

The employer knows of my qualifications and experience on my application. I'm already taking large cut in pay from what I was earning before (which I anticipated) so can't afford to drop much more.

I'm just a bit irritated that the apprenticeship side of it was not mentioned at all on the vacancy, and now I've been informed of it just prior to an interview, I feel like I'm worth more than the position is offering.

The job itself suits me, I just think I should be compensated at the "qualified" rate to reflect my experience, rather than the base rate of someone with zero experience.

Alice_Walker

You're not going to be paid the qualified rate because you're going to cost the company money. The costs of training, the cost of managing and assessing your apprenticeship, are all in addition to what a qualified person would need. They cannot bypass these requirements because you think you are already able.

Why not contact the employer and ask to be considered for experienced positions? I would put an emphasis on experience and not use the term qualified, as that would be misleading.

dundermifflin

Alice_Walker wrote: »

You're not going to be paid the qualified rate because you're going to cost the company money. The costs of training, the cost of managing and assessing your apprenticeship, are all in addition to what a qualified person would need. They cannot bypass these requirements because you think you are already able.

Why not contact the employer and ask to be considered for experienced positions? I would put an emphasis on experience and not use the term qualified, as that would be misleading.

Good idea. I'll give the a call tommorow and ask to be considered for other roles instead of this one.