The initial phone screening was very professional and informative. The interviewer was a clinician himself so he asked relevant and thoughtful questions.
The second part of the interview was an in person interview with an HR representative and the President of the company. I had an in depth discussion about the position, the goals for the department, and what I could contribute. However, neither interviewer had clinical or ABA specific questions. The President of the company told me at the end of the interview that I “had his vote”. I was very enthusiastic about the opportunity.
I received a follow up call from the HR representative that they wanted to offer me the position. I told her I was excited and she emailed me the offer letter. I looked over the offer and replied that I had been offered the same salary with another company to fulfill a typical BCBA role and since this position would require more managerial responsibilities and building the program from the ground up, I would like additional compensation for those additional responsibilities. I provided a typical range for my request. I received a reply that they were revoking my offer because it was “inappropriate” for me to ask for a higher salary. I was so confused. I have always been told to negotiate the first offer. I don’t know how a company could go from the President giving me his vote, to being no longer interested over a small salary negotiation request. I thought it was completely strange, but was ultimately glad it happened so I didn’t end up working for a company with such bizarre practices and lack of consideration for treating employees respectfully. I would not recommend Portrait Health.
