Negotiating a job salary

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polarisxcsp

New member
Alright peeps, looking for some input. I believe I have a new job offer coming in this week and I’m going to try and negotiate the salary. I have absolutely no experience in the negotiating department, especially with a job.

The new job presents itself with the same role I currently do for the current company I work for. But I currently run the EHS (environment health & safety) for 1 facility. The new job with be for 14 diff facilities all located above I94. I would get a new company truck, cell phone and laptop, gas card etc. Both jobs have full benefits with 401k.

When they call me, do I ask for a day to look things over and get back with them and then negotiate or do it right when they call?

Also, how should I word things? Do you come right out and say “well I was really looking to get somewhere in the ball park of 50k?”

Do you start higher so you have room to negotiate or what?
 
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scott_b

Member
First thing is to have a walk away figure in your head, if they don't hit $x, you thank them for their time and decline the position. You also want to have the figure in your head that you would be thrilled with. In planning for the negotiation, list out the responsibilities you have now and what else you will be taking on in the new job. When they make the offer, if it is below the figure you would be thrilled with, you explain that in your current job you are paid $y, they are offering $x for you to take on these additional responsibilities and give them a figure of what you think that is worth. That starts the basis for the negotiation.

A few tips
Don't negotiate just because, if they offer a fair salary with good benefits thank them for the offer and accept it. Negotiating too hard with a future employer can start you off on the wrong foot.

Pay is not the only negotiation point, decide what is most important to you and potentially offer to give up some vacation time for more pay or concede some of your increase for more vacation time.

Just remember, you hope to be working for these people for a long time to come, if you negotiate do so in a respectful manner and don't try to beat them up.

Good luck
 
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Skylar

Super Moderator
Staff member
My wife went through this 5 years ago. She had no idea how to approach it either. After her initial interview, she and I discussed the amount of work she would be doing compared to her current job, and the amount of stress the new job would create. She then had her second interview, where she gave them her salary requirements, and also she wanted 3 weeks of vacation right away. They got back to her a few days later, and their offer was 5,000 less then what she requested, so she politely declined the job. Three days later, they called again and granted her salary requirements.

We are not sure if that how it works everywhere, but she had a couple of things in her favor. First off, she didn't need the new job, she was quite happy where she was. Second, the other employer REALLY wanted her to come work for them. :)
 
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dcsnomo

Moderator
Part of this negotiation will depend upon what you make now. A hiring company knows what its job is worth in the market, they already understand the minimum salary. Do some internet research and see if you can determine that, or check with your current industry contacts to see if you can come up with a good idea of what the job is worth in the marketplace.

The hiring company will try to hire you for less than that, and will use current salary as the basis for their negotiation. Let's say you currently make $35k, and the job has a market value of $50k. I would offer $44k to start. I would tell you that this is a great opportunity, I understand you want $50k, but this is a 25% increase in your current earnings, plus a new truck, plus the chance to grow into a future with us and make that $50k by demonstrating your worth.

Remember, this is a huge opportunity going from 1 facility to 14. This is a resume builder job, it is the next job, supervising 3 people who have 14 facilities each, where you make the bucks.

This is also a tough time to change jobs. My wife is a recruiter and she is having trouble convincing people to leave their current job to switch, and these are positions over $100k. That is a card you can, and should, play.

Here it goes:
Hi Joe, this is Bob from xyz and we have some great news (the buildup)! We want to offer you the job at $44k, and have you start right away. We're really excited! Can you start in 2 weeks (trial close)?

Thanks Bob, I'm excited, too (emotional agreement). But I believe this job has a value of about $50k in the market based upon (enter internet research here). While I understand this is a great opportunity for future growth for me, I believe a salary closer to $50k would better reflect the market for this job. If you could get me closer to $50k I could start in 2 weeks (counter offer, agree to fast start).

Well, Joe, I understand your feelings (empathy), and frankly, I agree with you on the market value of the job (establishing rapport). But you currently make $35k, and this represents a 25% increase in your pay, plus all expenses and a new truck (shiny metal object).

That's true Bob, but these are tough times. I will be leaving a stable position for an unknown risk. And while I know this is a great opportunity at a great company, I need you to offset more of that risk for myself and my family. If you can get me closer to $50k I will resign tomorrow and start in 2 weeks (commitment...I will do this if you will do that). Let's not let a few thousand dollars get in the way of a great deal for both of us.

OK Joe, let me talk to the hiring manager and get back to you (the stall).

Certainly, Bob. Would you like me to call you tomorrow morning or would afternoon be better (the famous 2 choice close)?

Well, I'll tell ya what, Joe. Lets split the difference at $47k if you can start in 2 weeks.

Bob, you got a deal! e-mail me the offer and I will sign it right away.
********

And when you do sign the paperwork be sure to enclose a copy of your resignation letter to your current employer.

Also, if they do underpay you significantly, just plan on leaving the job in 2 years when you will be a 14 location technician with 2 years experience. Money can't buy love, but it can certainly buy loyalty!

Good luck...sell early, sell often!

Go get 'em!
 
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scott_l

Member
dcsnomo said:
Part of this negotiation will depend upon what you make now. A hiring company knows what its job is worth in the market, they already understand the minimum salary. Do some internet research and see if you can determine that, or check with your current industry contacts to see if you can come up with a good idea of what the job is worth in the marketplace.

The hiring company will try to hire you for less than that, and will use current salary as the basis for their negotiation. Let's say you currently make $35k, and the job has a market value of $50k. I would offer $44k to start. I would tell you that this is a great opportunity, I understand you want $50k, but this is a 25% increase in your current earnings, plus a new truck, plus the chance to grow into a future with us and make that $50k by demonstrating your worth.

Remember, this is a huge opportunity going from 1 facility to 14. This is a resume builder job, it is the next job, supervising 3 people who have 14 facilities each, where you make the bucks.

This is also a tough time to change jobs. My wife is a recruiter and she is having trouble convincing people to leave their current job to switch, and these are positions over $100k. That is a card you can, and should, play.

Here it goes:
Hi Joe, this is Bob from xyz and we have some great news (the buildup)! We want to offer you the job at $44k, and have you start right away. We're really excited! Can you start in 2 weeks (trial close)?

Thanks Bob, I'm excited, too (emotional agreement). But I believe this job has a value of about $50k in the market based upon (enter internet research here). While I understand this is a great opportunity for future growth for me, I believe a salary closer to $50k would better reflect the market for this job. If you could get me closer to $50k I could start in 2 weeks (counter offer, agree to fast start).

Well, Joe, I understand your feelings (empathy), and frankly, I agree with you on the market value of the job (establishing rapport). But you currently make $35k, and this represents a 25% increase in your pay, plus all expenses and a new truck (shiny metal object).

That's true Bob, but these are tough times. I will be leaving a stable position for an unknown risk. And while I know this is a great opportunity at a great company, I need you to offset more of that risk for myself and my family. If you can get me closer to $50k I will resign tomorrow and start in 2 weeks (commitment...I will do this if you will do that). Let's not let a few thousand dollars get in the way of a great deal for both of us.

OK Joe, let me talk to the hiring manager and get back to you (the stall).

Certainly, Bob. Would you like me to call you tomorrow morning or would afternoon be better (the famous 2 choice close)?

Well, I'll tell ya what, Joe. Lets split the difference at $47k if you can start in 2 weeks.

Bob, you got a deal! e-mail me the offer and I will sign it right away.
********

And when you do sign the paperwork be sure to enclose a copy of your resignation letter to your current employer.

Also, if they do underpay you significantly, just plan on leaving the job in 2 years when you will be a 14 location technician with 2 years experience. Money can't buy love, but it can certainly buy loyalty!

Good luck...sell early, sell often!

Go get 'em!
Click to expand...

wow.....do much role playing when you where a kid :)
 
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polarisxcsp

New member
Thanks for the input.

dcsnomo-Thats exactly what I needed. I knew what I wanted to say just didnt know how to say it. I'll let ya know how it turns out! Thanks again!
 
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doospunk

Active member
As an employed individual with similar skill sets they are looking for, the hiring company should expect to pay a premium to entice you from your current job. By accepting this position with the new company, you will need to invest a lot of time familiarizing yourself with their culture, systems, applications, clients, etc. In other words.., ask yourself if it's a step your willing to take for the same pay grade. Are you unhappy with what your currently doing and the company your with? If so, maybe your willing to change for the sake of change. If your comfortable and satisfied with your current employee, then it becomes obviouse that there needs to be some incentive to draw you away, and anyone in the job of hiring employees will know that.

In my position/industry, our management is willing to pay a premium for an individual who is currently employed vs unemployed. Not to ruff anyone's feathers, but the viewpoint is that hiring someone from a competitor who is (and has) been employed through the course of these economic conditions is a stronger asset, than someone who may have been laid off based on thoughts that employers will tend to keep the most productive/efficient individuals in the work force. (This may not apply to all trades, but is the case in my industry as a sales rep).

I don't mean to ramble on, but the bottom line is that you need to think of the impact it will have on you to move or not move. In addition to the points I made above, consider any impact it may have on your familiy, vacation time, seniority, etc. What happens if you get hired at the new company then they decide to go through mass layoffs a year later? Are you the first to go because your the bottom of the totem poll for seniority. THese are all things to consider, and only you can determine how much risk your willing to take for change vs what the reward will be. Don't be afraid to sell yourself, and use these points of concern when nogotiating. If they are making you an offer, they obviously have chosen you for a reason, and will be willing to negotiate. I've made two external job changes in my career that have equated to a boost of approx. 25-30% in my overall compensatory package each time. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
 
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ezra

Well-known member
1st off be hapy about what you get in your neg because it is wher you will be for a spell.the money you take now will be what future raises will be based off.and what is all this 47k 50k talk you cant watch frogs **** for 50k now days. look up the avrage sallery for this job on some diff sites and shoot for mid to top of that for your starting point.also dont forget to look hard at diff in 401k match/ med/dental.sick days can you roll vacation time yr to yr? if they offer close to your target money but not quite try for vacation
 
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snow_monkey

New member
Benefits my friend. In this day and age there are other ways to get a raise. Free cell phone, car allowance, travel expenses. Is their health insurance pre-tax? 401K? Company picnic? Getting a company car with the insurance paid is worth something. Sometimes these percs are hidden and not disclosed. My friend just took a job and they sent him to a local dealer to pick out his new car!!! He freaked out because he did not know it was included in the deal!! Good luck!!!
 
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polarisrider1

New member
I never knew this was an option. Negotiate, what a novel idea. I set the pay scale for my companies. Performance pays, all others sent packing. Some guys are gone by first break, if we had a first break. I would not push to hard. I have sent some of the best packing only to find better for less. I found a simple sincere, "Thank you it looks great" goes a long ways.
 
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polarisrider1

New member
Firecatguy said:
this is the attitude of the business owners here in TC!!!!always greener!!!!good employees are easy to come by now there a HUGE pool to pick from!!!
Click to expand...

Where is TC? Traverse City? Tile Country? Lol. Pot is plentiful. Heck in Spain workers are working free for weeks in fear of losing their jobs.
 
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mjkaliszak

New member
polarisxcsp: I sent you a PM. If you get me your e-mail I can forward you some specific information on this subject from a Professional Management company.
 
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polarisxcsp

New member
Just wanted to keep ya guys updated. They ended up switching the responsibilities around and trying to base me out of one facility and then “occasionally” go to other facilities to help out. They didn’t come right out and say it but it sounds like typical corporate America….easier to fill a position than to create one, which I understand that aspect of it but with the offer they made me it didn’t make much sense for me to switch over to there company at this time. The cons defiantly out weighed the pros on this one.

I had another interview yesterday at MSU for a skilled trade’s assistant and I’m in the top 5 out of 75 applicants so hopefully something comes about with this position.
 
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