Verified answer

That is their company policy, if you don't like it, don't accept. That is just how they do it and it will probably only get worse.

Don't take the job. You obviously have a negative attitude toward the woman and toward the company, so why even consider it? BTW, "Oriental" is an old-fashioned word, now considered offensive, for Asian, so yes, you did say she was Asian, even if you didn't use that word (or else you misused it). The reason the word is offensive is that it means "Eastern", which implies that the center of the world is the West.

It doesn't sound like she did or said anything inappropriate. She may have contemplated hiring someone with more experience in that specific industry when she said $18.50, but she clearly has some misgivings about you, even though you are the only thing approaching what they were looking for. Hence the lower salary and probationary period. If you were to take the job, the way to handle that, rather than getting snippy about it, is to suggest that you take the job at the lower rate for the two weeks of probation and then, if they hire you, that it would have to be $18.50, because obviously they decided you could handle the job. Then you get that in writing.

If an employeer isn't going to work with you at such an early stage, then turn them down. Yes, sometimes the hiring process can be a pain in the butt (especially when you're trying to get hired by the government!), but if they're not treating you right don't work for them.

I was talking to some sports company about an interview and the woman wanted me there at 4pm that same day. I just didn't feel like doing it so early, as I wasn't dressed for an interview and wasn't sure where the place was. She kept insisting on 4pm that day and I said no thanks.

An MBA in Accounting looking at a $16 per hour job? You must be from the Midwest to be considering such a crappy paycheck.

If you can see yourself moving in a year to the oriental offices of the far east then take the job. If you don't mix well with giant Asia avoid them for now. Youth is no match for the ancient traditions of the east. The financial balance of power is shifting from USA to the oil marketing interests and the cheap manufacturing giant companies in the east. The pipeline is established as American dollars travel to China and then the money from China comes back in very business like controls in America. Why not just work on your MBA and your MRS and your Doctorate in business. Get a job that is more fun.

She wants you to take the job on a trial basis, while they continue to interview others? And they adjusted the salary downward? Not good. The salary adjustment could be due to your experience, or lack of it, but the other issue is unheard of. I'd say skip this particular position. Fun times in the office? You picked the wrong field for that hun.

If taking this (not very good, IMHO) job interferes with your ability to interview for better jobs, I wouldn't take it. I feel you'd almost do better working as a temp somewhere, in accounting - at least then, you'd have the flexibility to take time off to interview. Check Robert Half. They have a temp agency that I used to go through when I needed good quality accountants/finance people.

I'm not sure what her being Asian has to do with anything.

Try to find a better job, especially with more pay!

I make more than 16/hour and I am a nanny!

Never forget that the interview is as much for you to figure out if you want them as for them to figure out if they want you.

Go to your other interviews and get offers from them, and use this one for leverage.