I have a situation that I would like some perspective on, please.

37 Comments

1. AnonymousJanuary 2,2023 at 11:41PM UTC

   If the role and the responsibilities of the position reasonably fit the offer according to market comparables what exactly would the point of negotiating for over and above the offer? Would you be negotiating just to see if there was money to be had?

2. AnonymousJanuary 3,2023 at 2:27PM UTC

   When I've seen that happen it's because the hiring manager wants to land that candidate quickly without a lot of back and forth. In that case, the candidate would not appear weak for not negotiating. If the candidate is happy with the offer because it exceeded expectations and it's priced at a good market rate there's no reason not to accept.

3. EMILY KIKUE FRANKJanuary 3,2023 at 3:00PM UTC

   It's not aboug greed, it's about what the employer is willing to pay. I encourage my clients to ask if there's room for negotiation no matter what the offer is.

4. AnonymousJanuary 3,2023 at 4:34PM UTC

   This is so frustrating. When a small company goes in with its top offer and goes above what a candidate has asked for, they come back asking for more...ugh. This is why I have gone back & told our managers not to go in with their best offer if they can't offer more.

5. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJanuary 3,2023 at 6:01PM UTC

   What I do in that case is I present the offer to the candidate as the best offer. I tell them that they really want you, so they wanted to make you the best possible offer right off the bat.

6. EMILY KIKUE FRANKJanuary 3,2023 at 10:15PM UTC

   That's why it's a conversation. Candidates shouldn't go in with demands, but should ask if there's room for negotiation. If the answer is no, then everyone knows. Not asking is unwise though, because as a candidate, you can't possibly know if that's their best offer or not.

7. AnonymousJanuary 3,2023 at 3:07PM UTC

   Money isn't the only compensation. If you feel you must negotiate up , look at start date, vacation time and accrual rates, etc. I

8. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJanuary 3,2023 at 5:59PM UTC

   It IS perfectly acceptable to find joy with the offer extended, and go to work happy!

   And no, it doesn't make the candidate look "weak" if they accept the offer as it stands - it makes the candidate look happy with the offer.

   CONGRATULATIONS!! It sounds like you received a great offer - accept it and enjoy!

9. AnonymousJanuary 3,2023 at 7:40PM UTC

   Thank you, Joan. Your insight is much appreciated!

10. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJanuary 3,2023 at 9:42PM UTC

    You're welcome and good luck! I just had a candidate accept an offer - while on the phone call presenting the offer to him - last week. He was soo happy and we're so lucky to get him.

11. Sharon GrehanJanuary 4,2023 at 5:21AM UTC

    There is zero expectation to negotiate a salary and it definitely doesn't make you look weak to accept an offer. If you are concerned that this might be a lowball offer (even if it exceeds your requirements), it might be worth asking if the offer is comparable for the grade level at that company and what the range is. Otherwise, accept with excitement and congratulations

12. Lori SchmitzJanuary 4,2023 at 1:05PM UTC

    Congratulations! You don’t need to negotiate if you’re happy, enjoy it!

13. AnonymousJanuary 4,2023 at 1:10PM UTC

    Congratulations. Why would you negotiate?

14. Dyllan FarmerJanuary 4,2023 at 1:24PM UTC

    in my opinion it would depend on whether or not the other staff members are getting paid the same allowance

15. Kori SmithJanuary 4,2023 at 1:30PM UTC

    I think if the offer was already extended then it shouldn’t be negotiated down by the employer. On the same hand, if the employee undercuts themself after an offer has been made… You picked the wrong employee!

16. Ugochukwu JamesJanuary 4,2023 at 1:32PM UTC

    You have to be careful in accepting offers without proper due diligence, you need to find out what they are currently paying for similar role, if the offer is the same with what they pay others in similar or same role you can go ahead and accept it. if not, you should ask for more, the reason is this, though the offer looks reasonable now, in some months time when you get to find out that others in same position are earning higher than you, it may affect your productivity and ego.

17. Jennifer GeorgeJanuary 4,2023 at 1:36PM UTC

    I had this same scenario last year and accepted a job with a significantly higher salary there than the same position at the current job I had. Found out there was a significant reason they were paying more...the job turned out to be a nightmare. Learned that they had high turnover in the position, poor management and expected alot more from the position than discussed in interviews.

18. Jennifer WuolletJanuary 4,2023 at 1:59PM UTC

    I dont think there is anything wrong with accepting an offer as it stands. If you are happy with it, then take it. I only counter if they come in below what I am looking for.

19. Jennifer ShoffnerJanuary 4,2023 at 2:19PM UTC

    If you stated up front your salary requirements, then the offer came in higher, then I don't think you should negotiate. At that point, I would think the candidate is playing games since they specifically stated a requirement.

20. Paulla Fetzek, MSEdJanuary 4,2023 at 2:21PM UTC

    I don't understand why people would think someone weak if they didn't salary negotiate. If I were offered a job for a salary that I found acceptable, I would take it straight on.

21. AnonymousJanuary 4,2023 at 2:24PM UTC

    There is no "expectation" of negotiation, but I would look at a couple of things--

    First, is there a possibility that you're exceedingly underpaid in your current role? I once received a job offer that was $25K more than my current salary that told me I was already being underpaid.

    Second, look at the whole package. While I was thrilled to see the $25K bump, I also learned their health insurance was $2500/month with a $14K deductible (my son has medical issues so we would have needed to spend that 14K!). Also, a doctor we saw on a regular basis was now out-of-network.

    Now suddenly my $25K increase was actually putting me at less than my current salary once benefits were calculated in.

    Also, they had a 401K but no company match-- compared to the 4% that I was getting in my current role.

    In the end, I negotiated quite a bit....I think I ended up going in at $35K over my current salary and then a monthly "bonus" to offset some insurance costs.

    If you look at the whole package and it IS giving you what you want, then of course take the offer. But be aware that some hidden costs can offset what looks like a "win." They said I was the first person who actually asked what my insurance premiums would be before accepting.

22. AnonymousJanuary 12,2023 at 10:17PM UTC

    Yes, this! Salary is only one part of your compensation. Your total rewards package, including medical benefits, 401k, and additional offerings are all part of it, (including other benefits, flex-time, commuting, hybrid, etc.). I would never accept a job without knowing the benefits and expectations first. I have had companies with very high deductibles and very little coverage. I have had companies where I paid over $1,000 a month for our family just to have medical coverage. When you bring in taxes taken out of that salary and compared to the pay out for things like benefits or even commuting costs it is not always the raise we think it is. Definitely get and look at all the information. However, if the total package is great, then yes you do not have to negotiate.

23. AnonymousJanuary 4,2023 at 2:26PM UTC

    Agree with Jennifer S- if it came in higher than your range requirements go with it.

24. JudithJanuary 4,2023 at 2:46PM UTC

    "Significantly exceeds their requirements": what was the requirement based on? Industry standards or your own perceived value? Do you believe in your own value? If you are surprised by an offer that exceeded your expectation, why? If you believe in your value, appearing greedy wouldn't even be a factor. We can only perceive what others are thinking if WE think it (because we aren't mind readers, thoughts come from our own brains). Do YOU think you're weak in accepting the offer as it stands? Funny story: I once was told by the VP of HR that I was a "terrible negotiator" when I was in a similar situation, jumping to yes without negotiating anything. Turns out at the time I had low self-worth and was coming from a place of scarcity/survival mode--just "glad to have a job". Later I found out that I was the lowest-paid employee on the WHOLE PAYROLL, and could have negotiated up to 20k more a year. Do your due diligence homework and your own personal mindset work.

25. AnonymousJanuary 4,2023 at 3:42PM UTC

    I would negotiate job flexible schedule or something else...like not working a straight 8-5 but maybe coming in 7-3 or 8-430p...also please not *BY*not even asking, "is this your best offer? And if so, I would like to think about it until the end of the day".... well that might leave possible money on the table but not if they yes it's their best offer.

    edited for clarity, sorry was typing way too fast and in a rush

26. AnonymousJanuary 4,2023 at 4:12PM UTC

    Hi, I work for a company that has over 70k ees and you may or may not be able to ask for more. I would ask without expectations. In my situation, they only negotiate with the tops people and not the rest.

27. Deb AllenJanuary 4,2023 at 5:12PM UTC

    I think you were likely underpaid at your current/last role, so this organization is offering you what the market rates are in your area. It is not required to negotiate; I would accept that role and move forward. (Recruiter for Fortune 500 co!)

28. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJanuary 4,2023 at 5:21PM UTC

    Most likely she would think twice because dimfluencers on places like LinkedIn offer really bad advice like never accept the first offer or everything is negotiable.

    Sometimes their first offer is their best offer and everything is most certainly not negotiable.

29. Rika M PhippsJanuary 4,2023 at 5:53PM UTC

    I realize it feels awkward, but happily accept the salary with the position. This would be a great way to show your worth, and give you room to step up to the plate on special projects & more.

30. Kori SmithJanuary 4,2023 at 7:48PM UTC

    I agree with the former respondent that either they were underpaid, or my only other estimation is that their résumé is fluffed. With any negotiation, you always aim higher so that you can negotiate down so I am perplexed as well. That’s not happened to me in my 30 years of professional life.

31. Jeff DicksonJanuary 4,2023 at 8:10PM UTC

    Why create a problem that doesn't exist?

32. Fair WaveJanuary 4,2023 at 8:32PM UTC

    JMHO: If the salary is that good it would only make the candidate appear greedy & out for themselves to push for more. I think the best response would be to just smile & happily accept the offer. This actually did happen to me once; I was so shocked I didn't know what to say - I definitely did not see that coming! - but I did accept the offer. It was one of the best jobs I've ever had too.

    That said, I would suggest the candidate get clarification (preferably in writing if possible) of the responsibilities and hours for the job. Some employers expect extras they don't tell people about during interviews or job offers. The job requirements need to be clear and agreed to by both employer and employee so that neither gets any unpleasant surprises.

33. AnonymousJanuary 4,2023 at 11:26PM UTC

    If there's no need to negotiate, then why bother? Congratulations!

34. AnonymousJanuary 5,2023 at 9:29AM UTC

    if the salary satisfy you, then accept it :)

35. AnonymousJanuary 12,2023 at 10:22PM UTC

    Two things- as a recruiter, if we really want someone and know their expectations for salary to show them we value them and to get them excited to work with us we have offered more than they requested. It can be showing that we really want you, and want to have you feel we value you. It helps for employee happiness and excitement right off the gate. However, there are other things besides salary to look at as well. I have that in the next paragraph.

    Salary is only one part of your compensation. Your total rewards package, including medical benefits, 401k, and additional offerings are all part of it, (including other benefits, flex-time, commuting, hybrid, etc.). I would never accept a job without knowing the benefits and expectations first. I have had companies with very high deductibles and very little coverage. I have had companies where I paid over $1,000 a month for our family just to have medical coverage. When you bring in taxes taken out of that salary and compared to the pay out for things like benefits or even commuting costs it is not always the raise we think it is. Definitely get and look at all the information. However, if the total package is great, then yes you do not have to negotiate.

36. AnonymousJanuary 13,2023 at 8:51PM UTC

    Thank you for your insight! --M.

37. AnonymousJanuary 14,2023 at 2:11PM UTC

    If the salary satisfy you, then you can go ahead