Hello all, I just got a crazy low offer to go back to the company I left 1 year ago.

11 Comments

1. AnonymousJuly 20,2022 at 12:23AM UTC

   Of course it's ok to counter. I would respond with the fact that you are being offered a role to do more for less money (and in a world of very high inflation, I might add)!

2. Maegan, Nike Sales Rep & Career CoachJuly 20,2022 at 1:19AM UTC

   Yes, you should definitely counter. Let them know what the market value for a role like this is, and give a very specific number of what you want. If you don't negotiate, you'll end up unhappy thinking about how you're underpaid all the time - and you deserve to make more especially with the additional work of 3 more people.

3. AnonymousJuly 20,2022 at 1:51AM UTC

   Never regret negotiating for your worth! Feel confident in yourself and your abilities, and what you can offer to the position; especially since you will have added responsibilities as a shared resource. I agree it helps to know the market value/range for the role to assist in negotiating. If the company really wants you, they wouldn't just pull a job offer just because you want to negotiate. In fact countering is often anticipated. Now tell them what you want and why they deserve you! Best of luck!!

4. AnonymousJuly 21,2022 at 2:12PM UTC

   Good advice if they cut me loose that’s their problem. Hiring manager told me no one came close to my experience.

5. AnonymousJuly 20,2022 at 2:46AM UTC

   If this is going to work well to your advantage, you'll need to let them come to you. No groveling, no quiet desperation. Strong, resolute waiting. If they come back, it will be for your value and known expertise.

   If they do not, then they are just looking for cheap labor that they wouldn't need to train who would work 3x as hard.

   Please understand what the job is and what the offer is. If you'll be asked to provide 3x times the support then you should expect at least 30% over and above your previous salary.

   Now, it doesn't sound like the company is doing that well so in terms of a realistic offer, I would not accept less than a 20% bump.

   You say you're afraid of losing it all. But I have to ask.....all of what?

   Don't allow fear and desperation to dictate you play small. You won't make up the difference.

6. AnonymousJuly 21,2022 at 2:12PM UTC

   Good advice. I did not decline. I gave them a number and now am waiting, the recruiter was nice about it. I have a lot of experience and a security clearance I do not think my ask was unreasonable. The VP that would be my boss loved me and he’s totally awesome. Do I reach out to him with up date?

7. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJuly 20,2022 at 6:31AM UTC

   Why did the offer come in so low? Wasn't compensation discussed during the interview process?

8. Joshua CorderoJuly 20,2022 at 12:35PM UTC

   It is ALWAYS okay to counter offer.

9. AnonymousJuly 20,2022 at 9:16PM UTC

   Yes counter offer. If you need the money and do not have any other alternatives, take the job, but continue to pursue other opportunities until you find one that is right for you. And if they beg you to stay after you find somewhere else, use that as a bargaining chip to negotiate against other offers you get

10. AnonymousJuly 21,2022 at 1:05AM UTC

    To understand, you already declined the position to the recruiter?

11. JenniferJuly 21,2022 at 2:44AM UTC

    Echoing the last question, what did you tell the recruiter when they gave you the offer? Did you turn down the job, give a specific counter offer, or something else? If you turned down the position, you closed the door and told the company to move on. You might still be able to counter, but if they've offered the job to someone else, you might be out of luck.

    Why do you want to go back to a company that would offer you less pay and more responsibility than a year ago? Are you unemployed/underemployed and just need a job? Nothing has gotten cheaper in the last year. Groceries to gas to hiring new employees, everything costs more.

    I try to assume good intent in most situations, but this feels incredibly disrespectful. The fact that you know the company, culture, leaders, etc makes you MORE valuable than an external hire, PLUS you have more responsibility, yet they offered you less than you were making before. When you get hired (or rehired) at a company, your salary is the only measure of what a company thinks you are worth. I worry that them offering you a higher responsibility job at lesser pay is a predictor of how you will be treated if you accept the role.

    I hope things work out however you'd like them to. Let us know how it turns out, and please take care of yourself.