Hello.
I'm a graphic designer with ten years of experience, and two of them as a visual designer. I was laid off in April, and have been diligently applying since.
I'm currently interviewing for a "graphic designer position" that pays $10k less than my previous salary, and the job description mentions that I would mentor jr. designers. If I do get an offer, is it worth asking for that $10k plus a 5% increase for salary growth by reiterating my experience and industry standard? Or is that asking for too much? I'm on my last week of UI and getting a little desperate.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist
20.56k
10/16/23 at 1:15AM UTC
REGARDING: "is it worth asking for that $10k plus a 5% increase for salary growth" - can you please elaborate on how much more you're actually looking for?
You've obviously already started the conversation about compensation. When the recruiter told you the base salary, what did you say?
I would start any future conversations regarding comp with something like "do we have any wiggle room on the base" or "is there any room for negotiation here".
I would recommend you find out if that number is set in stone before you start trying to negotiate something that is not negotiable.
Regarding your comment below of bringing up what you were making. I would be cautious of that - it can cut both ways.
In many states, it's illegal for them to ask what you were making. So there's that.
At some companies, they might not want to move forward if they knew you had been making 10k more - they would be concerned that you would leave if you got an offer for more money.
At other companies, they would try to get you as close to or at what you were previously making.
Do you by any chance live in a State or municipality that has a Pay Transparency law? Or ask what the salary range is. Then you'd have a better idea of where what they're targeting comes down within that range. If you're close to the top, probably not a lot of room for negotiation. If you're below the midpoint, there may be more wiggle room.
Many companies set the midpoint of the range as the target.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
GOOD LUCK!
Barb HansenStartup Product, Growth & Strategy
9.17k
10/14/23 at 2:33AM UTC
You can always negotiate for the salary that you want.
Ask for what you want and see what they say, and there are three options: 1) they accept your offer 2) they counter-offer or 3) they say they can't match your request. Once you have that information, you can decide what you want to do - accept or decline their offer.
But always negotiate for a higher wage or/and a better benefit package.
Anonymous
10/14/23 at 7:16PM UTC
Thank you so much for the insight, Barb. Is it worth a vague mentioning of how this salary is less than what I was making?
Barb HansenStartup Product, Growth & Strategy
9.17k
10/16/23 at 3:39PM UTC
I don't specifically say "your offering less than what I made at my last job" but I do say, "my base compensation requirement is more than what you are offering"
Generally, these are the words that I say
"Based on my experience and my proven ability to <highlight what I'm good at that aligns with what the company needs>, I am looking to make a total compensation package of $X. I'm eager to work with you (or the hiring manager) to work through the options available to obtain that number."
Does this always work? No. Does that stop me from negotiating? No
Good luck, you've got this!
