As an IBM employee about to be laid off due to project contract termination, I applied for another IBM position. Since I still had an IBM manager, the application was sent to him. Although the position was outside my manager's team, he attempted to interview me for the position. At the end of the interview, he felt that I had not had time on the systems in question, and could therefore not recommend me for what would seem to be a transfer. This seemed odd, since admins on systems of the type in question had been calling me to help them with their problems. It became evident to me that I had surpassed the level of income allowed for my position, and for the position I was applying for. I was making too much money.