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I am interviewing for a great job that speaks to my purpose, values and expertise.

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Anonymous

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I am interviewing for a great job that speaks to my purpose, values and expertise. However, the salary range is 1/2 of what I’m worth due to my experience and education (MBA.) They revealed the range after the phone screening and stated I “might be out of their league.” I told them that the salary was low, but that it was a great opportunity and that I was still interested.

Any tips to try to raise that salary to something I can live on? NOTE: I’ve been out of work since the pandemic first started, and have been trying to get back into this job’s area for 5 years. The job would get my foot back in that door. So, declining the offer doesn’t seem logical, but it won’t make ends meet.

Thank you for your input.

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  1. Barb Hansen

    in no particular order:

    - ask for a performance-based review of your work after 3-6 months and that you will be looking to increase your wage based on your work (let them know you'll be asking for more money once you can prove that you are impacting the company's bottom line) . If they say yes, then get it in writing that they will give you a review and that you can re-negotiate your salary (or bonuses)

    - ask what the total compensation package looks like (vacation time, time-off, benefits, bonuses, educational compensation), you might be able to negotiate a shorter work week or other benefits.

    - And speaking of bonuses. Bonuses are a great way to get a nice bump and many companies are open for annual/quarterly bonuses because those bonuses are tied to profit/performance. Always ask for a big bonus. Don't look at a bonus as a "bonus", look at them as part of my total comp (because they are)

    - Ask to have Senior put in front of your job title
    (Sr. Manager, Sr. Director) If you can't get more money, you might be able to negotiate a higher job title that would set you up for a easier transition to a higher paying job in the future.

    Sometimes taking a job for less money than you think you are worth is a necessary step to get back on the ladder. Good luck.

  2. Kimberly Olmo

    This is all very good advice. Well presented and thought out.

    In my experience, I’ve never really been able to negotiate for these things; but maybe in the future.

  3. Anne Krook

    Find out whether the offer is low because that is what that industry pays; because the company is undercapitalized; because they pay women less and men more. Some reasons may lead you to take the job anyway; some may warn you away. But if an offer is that far below your worth, you need to know why. And you need to have a plan for making more money, there or elsewhere: once you sign on, the company loses most incentives to pay you more in the short term, because the cost of switching to you is high.

  4. Farah Bajwa

    A couple of years ago when I was looking for a job after being laid off, I found one that was very similar to my previous role in a company that was very comparable in size. The thing was, they position was posted at $40K below what I was making and I know I was on the low side already. So I called the company and asked if it was a typo, lol! When they said it wasn't, I encouraged them to look around. About a week later, I checked the listing and they had raised their salary offer. So I formally applied for the position and they never called...*shrug* that was ok. After 23 months of unemployment a company found me that actually values me :-)

  5. Anonymous

    Always so frustrating when the salary doesn't line up! Is there research you can show them to prove that the salary is not in line with industry standards and your level of expertise? Further, how can you prove your value to show that they should offer you this salary (because they should!)

  6. Jacquelynn Lucas

    While it would get your foot in the door, I would think if it still is not going to make ends meet, it may not be worth the head ache and instead you should put your focus on finding a better fit (If that fits with your situation). I second the comment earlier to try to do some research to show them that this position typically makes a much higher salary and if they would like a fantastic candidate, then they will have to consider increasing the salary.

  7. Barbara White

    I don't know if this is a nonprofit organization (or government) but if either is the case, the salaries are almost always lower than the private sector. Usually that's all they can afford, and they know that the best candidates can make more elsewhere. There could be a bit of room for negotiating salaries, and it never hurts to ask.

  8. Joanna Poe

    It doesn't sound like they have much wiggle room on monetary compensation, but maybe you can negotiate other perks like flex-time, additional PTO, etc? But if you legit can't pay the bills at the top of their range, then don't waste your time, or theirs.

  9. Anonymous

    Sadly, the pandemic has changed the workforce dynamic & a lot of people are in similar boats. Would accepting this role place you in a better position than not taking the position?

    If you've maxed out on their financial compensation, ask about the benefits; a title bump is usually on the table, what training is offered so you can skill up? Health benefits, retirement account, gym membership, corporate cell phone, transportation costs (bus/train pass) all of these things add up.

    If you're working from home, will they pay for your internet connection? Some companies will pay a stipend to account for not having to provide snacks or coffee to the office.

    Would you be able to raise your social capital by teaching/mentoring/speaking about this subject? Parlay exposure of your skillset into your next role, maybe even introduce you to your next opportunity. And you can always accept the position & keep looking for your next step forward.

    It's hard, I've been there, having to work night shifts, to feed the family. Things can get better, hang tight!

  10. Annetta Moses

    I agree with Joanna. If you can't live on the salary the top of the range, communicate the lowest compensation you will accept. If they can't pay that, move on.
    I have not move forward with companies after the first phone screen because my compensation requirements couldn't be met by the companies.
    There is a difference between what I need to pay bills and what I want.
    Good luck.

  11. Karen Gongaware

    If it won't pay the bills, then it isn't adequate compensation for your time. Call it compensation instead of salary or wages. Compensation means you are bringing your skills, time, and expertise to the job. It needs to be enough so you aren't worried about bills, food, and other basic expenses. You are free to give your full attention to the work, not an unpaid bill or lack of food or fill in the blank.
    So, draw up a realistic budget, look at it, trim the fat, and then base your compensation on that. Remember, you might think you are worth X amount of dollars, but the market/businesses say differently. Again, be real.
    Only you can make this decision. You know what you need to make ends meet.

  12. Lisa Marie

    Please do not waste their time or yours since you know it will not make ends meet.

    Keep looking for what you need. The right opportunity will present itself, at the right time. ?

  13. LuluLuli

    Research the highest salary range for the position and how you are able to save them money given your additional experience/education. If the salary is still too low, try to negotiate bonuses and commission for your contributions or a 3-6 month review to reevaluate your performance. If its a position or industry where theres a lot of potential future advancement and opportunities, its worth biting the bullet. Perhaps you can make up the difference in salary now through gigs/part time work in the meantime. Best of luck!

  14. Anonymous

    Gotta be practical: you can't buy food, pay utilities and rent/mortgage, transportation costs, etc. with purpose and values. How would you set aside savings for a rainy day? Even this low-paying ideal job may disappear without warning...and then where would you be? Remember the lessons of the past 15 months!

    Instead, accept a job that will comfortably meet your expenses, and then keep plugging away until you get back into the career area you really want. By that time, you should be financially secure, giving you the confidence and freedom from distractions that you will need to concentrate and succeed in your preferred career path.

  15. Anonymous

    As someone who has struggled to find employment over the past 3 years I have done short term consulting and temp work to make ends meet. I also have an MBA. Sometimes the pay has been a lot more than when I was FTE and other times as low as 35-40% of what I was making and no benefits. If you have no other source of income and some savings, bringing in even half is better than bringing in nothing. It sounds like you're very passionate about this position, so it's something to think about.

  16. M

    Maybe you need to get out your comfort zone ,go after a position even harder like government jobs and Federal Government jobs. You got this? Go for it!

  17. Anonymous

    Can you also find ways to lend your expertise as a consultant, speaker, or trainer outside of your role? It would set you up for your next big thing, and maybe if your current company also gains some notoriety from it, they will be able to funnel more resources to raising your salary. I understand your supervisor would probably need to be on board as well.

    Sadly, this is a common problem I have noticed that Master's degrees are not getting the value they deserve.

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