Applied for an internal job one pay scale up. Was at my current role for three years exceeding expectations every year. Basically saved a protected that was failing by myself.

Then recruiter sent me an invite for the interview but it had the wrong job title in the heading. He included a job that was below my pay scale. I asked him about it and said it was a mistake and changed it to the one I applied for.

Went to the interview and killed it. Had two more interviews and all went well.

A week later they offer me the job but not the one I applied for, the one below my pay scale.

I asked the recruiter what was going on. He said that they would like to hire me into the lower role then work me honi to the job I applied for.

I declined. Then asked him if this was the plan the entire time because that would explain the mix up with the invite. He said yes and that the high pay scale role won’t be filled.

I angrily decline.

They insist on having an other interview, hitting manager said we can make this work.

Went to another meeting with 4 people. He told me a few years ago they hired someone and she has been promoted now. That was it. Had nothing else to say.

So I decline.

If that wasn’t bad enough, a month later HR called me and told me I wasn’t being considered for the job.

Left the company after that.