I was contacted by a recruiter and presented with two role descriptions for an "Intermediate (Junior) Designer" position, but the responsibilities listed were actually more aligned with mid-level work. When I inquired about the pay range for this contract role, the offered rate was disappointingly low—$20–30/hr, with the possibility of $35/hr after some negotiation.
Given that this is a position with a financial institution, the compensation doesn’t align with the skill level required, and it feels like a missed opportunity to attract top talent. It’s disappointing to see candidates being undervalued, especially when the responsibilities demand a higher level of experience. I did not formally interview, as the conversation ended there. However, I do appreciate the recruiter’s transparency from the beginning, which saved my time.