Negotiating a Salary

[lofsfire]

Any tips for negotiating for a new job, I know you don't want to focus on just pay. The offer I have is good, but I think they came in a little low too. My sister works for a university and hires people, she said she always offers at least 10,000 less so she has room to negotiating. This position will be with a large company.

I have never had to negotiating for a job before. My current position, I was right out of collage, and it has meet my needs, but there comes a time for a change too. The offer I received, basically will be a small raise plus other benefits more than what I currently have.

Does anyone know, if I do make a counter offer, is my current offer off the table? Last thing I would want is for them to say, sorry, we do not want you now.

Any help would be great,

Thanks,
LOFSFIRE

 

[favoritos]

I went through that less than a year back. The market is tighter than the good ol days so it is a good question. I had turned down many offers back when the market was tight and they countered with more than I even expected.

In todays market, I do some research on the company. If they are a large company, many of their comp packages will be online if you do a little searching.

Your current offer is still on the table if they play fair. But no one needs to do that with the tight job market.

You do have one advantage, they have already decided that you would be a fit with their company. Just do your research and look at the recent numbers.

 

[dcsnomo]

The offer I have is good, but I think they came in a little low too.

The offer I received, basically will be a small raise plus other benefits more than what I currently have.

Last thing I would want is for them to say, sorry, we do not want you now.

First step is to be sure the hiring company knows you are ready to quit your current job NOW, and you are not just negotiating to stay where you are. A written letter of resignation to your current company on the table goes a long way to show that you are serious. " I am ready to start but there is just one issue, and I would like to talk about the salary."

Is the new job considerably more responsibility than the current position? Are you moving up, or moving over?

If you are moving up (more direct reports, more territory, more dollar responsibility) then you make the case of "look, I am doing job A for $X, now you want me to do job B with more responsibility for the same $X.
What does this job pay in the marketplace?
Also, if you are going to a large company they have pay ranges for the job. Ask to see the pay ranges for the position, then see where you are in the range. If you are at the low range then engage them in a discussion of the qualifications for the low range and show that your qualifications are higher than that (experience, past success, education) and you believe you are better qualified than the low pay range.

They will counter with "but our benefits are so much better" and that is a direct cost. Acknowledge that and ask for a review and raise in 6 months as you believe you will prove yourself to be a top performer. "If I prove myself will you review me early?" Then agree on the amount of raise being held for the 6 month review, agree on a process to set the objectives prior to your start, then sign the papers and start in two weeks.

If that fails go for the 3rd week vacation.

If that fails, accept the offer and be sure they get a copy of the resignation letter for your current job.

I can tell by your quotes (above) that you want this job, so take a shot but be prepared to take what is on the table. It's a buyers market.

 

[alwaysright]

I would agree with others above especially dcsnomo. If the company is large they have a range but most companies will take a look at the marketplace and peg thier range in line with what other comparable jobs pay in your market. Do you know anyone else in the industry that you can compare salaries too? If not talk to a head hunter and ask what should I be paid for this position, might cost you $100 to talk to a head hunter but it could make you an extra $100 a week or more. Know your market, as for them to engage in a discussion on salary, as most companies expect some level of negotiation and generally won't immediately say no. Vacation days are harder to negotiate but salary is the one thing you almost always can. Talk to them ask for what you think your worth. If this job is only a slight pay raise from where you are now (entry-level out of school job) ask yourself if you are worth more now then when you graduated?

 

[whitedust]

First step is to be sure the hiring company knows you are ready to quit your current job NOW, and you are not just negotiating to stay where you are. A written letter of resignation to your current company on the table goes a long way to show that you are serious. " I am ready to start but there is just one issue, and I would like to talk about the salary."

Is the new job considerably more responsibility than the current position? Are you moving up, or moving over?

If you are moving up (more direct reports, more territory, more dollar responsibility) then you make the case of "look, I am doing job A for $X, now you want me to do job B with more responsibility for the same $X.
What does this job pay in the marketplace?
Also, if you are going to a large company they have pay ranges for the job. Ask to see the pay ranges for the position, then see where you are in the range. If you are at the low range then engage them in a discussion of the qualifications for the low range and show that your qualifications are higher than that (experience, past success, education) and you believe you are better qualified than the low pay range.

They will counter with "but our benefits are so much better" and that is a direct cost. Acknowledge that and ask for a review and raise in 6 months as you believe you will prove yourself to be a top performer. "If I prove myself will you review me early?" Then agree on the amount of raise being held for the 6 month review, agree on a process to set the objectives prior to your start, then sign the papers and start in two weeks.

If that fails go for the 3rd week vacation.

If that fails, accept the offer and be sure they get a copy of the resignation letter for your current job.

I can tell by your quotes (above) that you want this job, so take a shot but be prepared to take what is on the table. It's a buyers market.

Below is exactly what I did with limited experince & worked well for me. My manager kept saying every 6 months "this is it & I got what you wanted now you go to annual review & raise". I said "Thanks but I will do sooooo well you will have to give me another rasie in 6 months". He smiled & we sat down every 6 months for years & he popped me a rasie each time.lol Now I did blow the forecast numbers out of the park each time so my manager was afraid of losing his golden goose so win win for both of us. At the end of the day as time passed I was well known in the market place so I could move around for big bucks as a hired gun but I didn't always make changes for money. I would not represent certain companies for big bucks they had to have leading edge equipment & excellent service as well. Worked for me so big money is a good thing but not everything.

They will counter with "but our benefits are so much better" and that is a direct cost. Acknowledge that and ask for a review and raise in 6 months as you believe you will prove yourself to be a top performer. "If I prove myself will you review me early?" Then agree on the amount of raise being held for the 6 month review, agree on a process to set the objectives prior to your start, then sign the papers and start in two weeks.

 

[cuzzinolaf]

If you feel $5k more is acceptable, ask for $10k more. I would DEFINITELY ask for at least a week more of vacation than they offered. Some companies also offer a alternative work arrangement where you can work from home or do a 4/10 or 9/80 (every other Friday off). If that is important to you and they don't budge on anything else keep that in mind.

 

[groomerdriver]

Everything is negotiable as long as you frame it correctly.

 

[EXCESSIVE FORCE]

Any tips for negotiating for a new job, I know you don't want to focus on just pay. The offer I have is good, but I think they came in a little low too. My sister works for a university and hires people, she said she always offers at least 10,000 less so she has room to negotiating. This position will be with a large company.

I have never had to negotiating for a job before. My current position, I was right out of collage, and it has meet my needs, but there comes a time for a change too. The offer I received, basically will be a small raise plus other benefits more than what I currently have.

Does anyone know, if I do make a counter offer, is my current offer off the table? Last thing I would want is for them to say, sorry, we do not want you now.

Any help would be great,

Thanks,
LOFSFIRE

It also would be a good idea to proof read what you've written if you present your requests in writing. If you re-read your post i think you'll understand what i mean. I hope this helps good luck.

 

[scott_b]

If you feel $5k more is acceptable, ask for $10k more. I would DEFINITELY ask for at least a week more of vacation than they offered. Some companies also offer a alternative work arrangement where you can work from home or do a 4/10 or 9/80 (every other Friday off). If that is important to you and they don't budge on anything else keep that in mind.

I am going to request the ability to work from Bull Dog's

 

[cuzzinolaf]

I am going to request the ability to work from Bull Dog's

You'll need some heavy duty springs for the sled if they give it to you.

 

[lofsfire]

Thanks, guys, I'm taking all this in and working on a response letter. And yes, I will be proof reading it much closer than all my post on here.

 

[doospunk]

Any tips for negotiating for a new job, I know you don't want to focus on just pay. The offer I have is good, but I think they came in a little low too. My sister works for a university and hires people, she said she always offers at least 10,000 less so she has room to negotiating. This position will be with a large company.

I have never had to negotiating for a job before. My current position, I was right out of collage, and it has meet my needs, but there comes a time for a change too. The offer I received, basically will be a small raise plus other benefits more than what I currently have.

Does anyone know, if I do make a counter offer, is my current offer off the table? Last thing I would want is for them to say, sorry, we do not want you now.

Any help would be great,

Thanks,
LOFSFIRE

Is this a public or private company your considering the offer on? Either way......., if an increased salary is out of the question, don't limit yourself. As stated above, there are several things you can negotiate on outside of your base. (you must have made some impression if they made you an offer, so don't be afraid to counter.) If an increased base is out of the question, consider asking for some profit sharing or stock options from the organization. I'm sure it's a lot to take in, but maybe reach out to a seasoned vet within your line of work for a bit of advice. Chances are that they've been through the same thing once or twice and are able to provide some good incite.

 

[scott_b]

Lots of good points here, I will just throw in my 2 cents.

Assuming you are liked and respected at your current company any change is a risk - you need to be compensated for taking the risk. That being said, unless you KNOW you will be the most valuable member of the team you probably do not want to come in at the highest possible pay. Not having to beat them up and leaving a little on the table will start you out on a better foot. Cuzz's concept of starting at $10 and taking $5 is a good one, but use it as a bargaining chip - OK, I will take $5 and an extra week of vacation or a more flexible schedule...

A few other things to consider
What are their annual raises vs what you have been getting at your current company
Negotiating with an employer is not a bad thing as long as you are respectful and honest. It shows them you will push for what you think is right
Even if they refuse to negotiate I doubt they will rescind the current offer
My personal experience is you are better off negotiating this in person or over the phone, not through letter. If it were me I would be on the phone with them ASAP so they know you are interested.

Good luck

 

[lofsfire]

Again thank you for the responses, with this being a public forum I do not want to post the letter I wrote but, here are the basics:
I started out by thanking them and referred to the job title along with specifics in their offer letter, and then asked for further information on each benefit that was include. (no info was given) I made concise list of the information I was requesting. Then closed with how I looked forward to helping make the company a success.


I figure this gives me time to review the full offer and decide how to counter, or accept.


Also to answer a few question above:
Yes, I want this job!
This is a private company
They do know where I stand with my current job and me wanting to tie up loose project. (They were happy to see I was worried about my current employer and was not just jumping ship.)
As far as my current job I know I'm liked but its hard for me to judge b/c my boss/owner has never done employee reviews. He has started the last few years, and I have been last on the list, and by the time he get to me he just says don't worry about it. So I have taken that as I'm doing well, but it still leaves questions for me. When we did receive raises I always would get one, but over the last few year its been sorry

 

[dognvenus]

Hey Jason...
We just saw your post. I can't offer anymore than whats been expressed, but just to say 'good luck'.
Let us know how it goes...

Dog

 

[Banks93]

Be ready to have your current employer offer you more money, vacation and other things to not leave.

 

[frnash]

Again thank you for the responses, with this being a public forum I do not want to post the letter I wrote but, here are the basics:
I started out by thanking them and referred to the job title along with specifics in their offer letter, and then asked for further information on each benefits that was include. (no info was given) I made concise list of the information I was requesting. Then closed with how I looked forward to helping make the company success.


I figure this gives me time to review the full offer and decide how to counter, or accept.


Also to answer a few question above:
Yes, I want this job!
This is a private company
They do know where I stand with my current job and me wanting to tie up lose project. (They were happy to see I was worried about my current employee and was not just jumping ship.)
As far as my current job I know I'm liked but its hard for me to judge b/c my boss/owner has never done employee reviews. He has started the last few years, and I have been last on the list, and by the time he get to me he just says don't worry about it. So I have taken that as I'm doing well, but it still leaves questions for me. When we did recive raises I always would get one, but over the last few year its been sorry

Not to be excessively picky, but I kinda hope you did a better job with the letter than this!

"… on each benefits that was include …": … each [benefit] that was [included] … ?
"… helping make the company success …": … make the company [a] success … ?
"… to answer a few question above …": … a few [questions] … ?
"… me wanting to tie up lose project …": … [a] [loose] project …?
"… I was worried about my current employee …": Your employee? [I thought you were the employee.]
"… When we did recive raises …": [receive]

 

[lofsfire]

Nash, I did, and had two others look it over as well. By the way this is an engineering job.

Not to be excessively picky, but I kinda hope you did a better job with the letter than this!

"… on each benefits that was include …": … each [benefit] that was [included] … ? Yes
"… helping make the company success …": … make the company [a] success … ? Yes
"… to answer a few question above …": … a few [questions] … ? Yes
"… me wanting to tie up lose project …": … [a] [loose] project …? Yes
"… I was worried about my current employee …": Your employee? [I thought you were the employee.] your right, it should be employer
"… When we did recive raises …": [receive]

Yes

PS, I always get nervous typing on here, mainly b/c of Nash! Especially when I'm busy or up late it is worse, I will read what I'm thinking not what I write, come back a hour later and edit stuff.

 

[lofsfire]

Hey Jason...
We just saw your post. I can't offer anymore than whats been expressed, but just to say 'good luck'.
Let us know how it goes...

Dog

Thanks!

Be ready to have your current employer offer you more money, vacation and other things to not leave.

It would be nice, I'm only 10 minutes from home, but I really do not think he can. Plus I looking forward to this new job. My new drive will be 40min. In collage I work right down the road for another company. Would have loved to stay there but they where down sizing and then it was bought out, The whole engineering staff was let go, I left for a job right before it happened. Found what I thought would be a good job and took it, left 6 months later and stated with my current employer. I have been here almost 10 years now.

 

[frnash]

10 Scary Mistakes Job Seekers Make

I just happened to come across this item today, FWIW.

Click → Yahoo Finance (October 31, 2012): "10 Scary Mistakes Job Seekers Make".

---

… I always get nervous typing on here, mainly b/c of Nash! Especially when I'm busy or up late it is worse, I will read what I'm thinking not what I write, come back a hour later and edit stuff.

"Especially when I'm busy or up late it is worse, I will read what I'm thinking not what I write …"

Oh you betcha, me too, on both counts! I should never try posting when I'm in a hurry!