Hi ladies!
I was offered a job that I feel aligns very well with my career goals. I’m not happy with the offer they sent me. I want to negotiate the salary. What suggestions do you have for negotiating my salary?
I exceed the minimum qualifications yet they offered me very close to the lower end of the salary range.
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9 Comments
9 Comments
Maureen
44
12/06/20 at 11:57PM UTC
in
I just went through this. I would do a couple of things. Go on Payscale.com and a few other salary comp websites to make sure your goal is in line. Put in your information and aim for the median point, I would also look at other things you can ask for in addition to salary, bonus based on the value you will bring to the organization. Watch the video link below. It worked !! I did it. I started my new job Nov 30th. Very happy I put a little time in and scripted the conversation and then let them talk. Good luck.
" I want to be paid commensurate to the value I will provide to the organization."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shW8joBHRrQ
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1 Reply
Kimberly Moon
118
Clinical Research Professional
12/09/20 at 1:55AM UTC
in
The quote you put in at the end is soooo good!
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1 Reply
Maureen
44
12/09/20 at 5:52PM UTC
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I got that line from the video. I wrote it down and used it.
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1 Reply
Kimberly Moon
118
Clinical Research Professional
12/09/20 at 8:05PM UTC
in
Nice! I love it when you can pick up little nuggets like that and save them for later! :)
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Tifney Frey, CFE
19
Audit Manager in Richmond, VA
12/07/20 at 2:28AM UTC
in
I would do all of the things that Maureen suggested and I will add a few more. If this is a public sector job, most salaries for various job titles are made available to the public. Do a Google search for “state employee salaries” based on the State you’re in. In addition, try contacting a few employment agencies and speak to a recruiter. Ask what market salaries they offer for the job, duties and skill set you job offer has. Once you have your data and research, put it down on paper and practice your presentation before countering. You want to sound confident, articulate and well informed. Go from there. If they are dead set against increasing the salary don’t take no for an answer. As Maureen said, see if you can negotiate a better work/life balance. Ask for better hours or the ability to telework. Or if salary is very important, find out their merit system and how often they give raises and evaluate performance. At least then you’ll be better armed to make a sound decision on whether this is the opportunity for you. Good luck!!
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Limor Bergman
24
12/09/20 at 9:23AM UTC
in
How do you know it is the low end of the scale?
Have they asked you for your expectations before sending you the offer?
Look for salaries in that role and make sure you know your market value.
Also salary is just one aspect, you can also negotiate other things like vacation ays, sign in bonus (if they have such a thing), equity.
It will be good to understand how flexible they are with the salary and what is their motivation for the low salary
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Anonymous
12/09/20 at 2:39PM UTC
in
I’ve negotiated several times and it still feels scary and like I don’t know what I’m doing! On average, they usually come up by about $5,000. In some cases I have negotiated for non-salary things that will get me closer to my salary needs, such as an employee review with a salary reevaluation within six months of hire. The review option worked well because it gave me a chance to demonstrate my value first hand and prove to them that I was worth more (and I did end up getting a raise after that six-month evaluation).
I usually just try to be honest and genuine in trying to meet a mutually agreeable goal. I know my number before they ever make an offer. Once they contact me with their first offer, if it’s acceptable I don’t need to negotiate. Negotiation is only when it truly won’t meet the amount I need to support my family. If the offer is not enough, I start by letting them know I’m grateful for the offer and I’m excited about the position, I just need to think about it. I don’t negotiate right away when emotions are high. I spend the night to think and discuss. I may revisit my budget to see if there’s any way it can work. I might do a pros and cons list to see if other non-financial benefits make this salary worth it. When I talk to them again, I reiterate that I’m interested in the position, and then I tell them what I need. If I need them to come up a bit, I tell them I need the salary closer to xyz number. If I need them to match my previous salary, I tell them that. They might ask a few questions trying to find out if there is anything else that will make me not want a higher salary, but I have already considered those things usually because I took a night to evaluate. I just tell them genuinely that in order to meet my financial obligations I just really need the salary to (one of the two above). I try not to say it like “I need you to” necessarily, so it isn’t a me vs. them. They’ll usually then need some time to see what they can do. Then I just wait!
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Amanda Nance
27
RPCV with background in events, travel and TEFL.
12/09/20 at 6:17PM UTC
in
Definitely do your research on sites like Glassdoor. Make sure you are comparing to similar positions in your area (or the area of the company). You can also check salaries for any of their competitors if available. Start a bit higher than your goal so you can negotiate down (maybe 10% or less). The commensurate line above is *key*. Remember, this is a symbiotic relationship. You are providing them a service and would be a value to their company. If they agree to negotiate, perfect! If not, you can either move on or take the position to hold while you look for one willing to pay what you are worth. Good luck!
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Sharla Taylor
27
Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach
12/11/20 at 10:09PM UTC
in
Do your research on Payscale.com, Salary.com, and Glassdoor.com. Here's a good book on negotiation: Negotiating the Impossible by Deepak Malhotra. It guides readers through negotiation tactics to achieve win/win outcomes.
User edited comment on 12/11/20 at 10:09PM UTC
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