Should I ask for more (and how)?

Anonymous

February 28,2024 at 9:46PM UTC

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Should I ask for more (and how)?

I had an initial interview and they said they were budgeting $X-XX (10k span). I said we are probably not a good fit because the lowest I would take is 10k above their highest number. Realistically, I would be happy 20-30k higher (to be consistent with my current role). She said she'd take it to the hiring manager to see what they say. She came back and said they'd still like to interview me.

I'm further into the process now and understand the department was created in the last year and is growing. That makes me think they might be more flexible on the salary.

If I were to be offered the position, can I only really ask for that 10k I said I would consider or should I ask for more? It's tricky because the salary for the position title they have is appropriate but not for what they actually want (the scope is much greater than the title).

Do I ask? What do I say?

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Carrie NelsonFebruary 28,2024 at 10:04PM UTC
I think you should absolutely ask what you think your skills and experience are worth. Do some research about salaries in your field with your title in your geographic location. Make sure that the salary you are asking for fits the market value for that position. If you're asking for more, explain why your skills and experience are worth more. Have your research to back up your negotiations. Good luck!
AnonymousFebruary 28,2024 at 10:39PM UTC
You took your shot and they accepted it, now it would be pushing your luck, you should have been realistic in the beginning, I would not offer a candidate an offer, as now it could have been a time waster for them. If you can't accept what they've accepted after your ask, then you need to back out now and allow them to invest in other candidates. IMO
AnonymousFebruary 29,2024 at 3:36AM UTC
To be clear, I said the lowest I would accept was $X, not necessarily my desired salary. I can take what they're offering but it wouldn't make me excited. My need for a job is overshadowing my ability to choose what is truly best, holistically.
Peggie Arvidson * Career Consultant | Adoptee Advocate | RecruiterFebruary 29,2024 at 1:57PM UTC
New dept = unproven results for the bottom line, thus the tight budget
10K lower than where you want to be = stand your ground
"take it to the manager and keep interviewing" = "we hope we can wow you with our story and thrill you with the idea of possibility in the future, so much, that we're going to offer you less than you want to make and hope you'll envision a future where you can earn more"
Bottom line - you always have the right to ask for what you want/need/expect/are worth. When you do so, always outline how and why you are the right person to help them solve their big problem (i.e, not just what you'll do but the impact on the bottom line) and why that requires more money -- i.e., your value increases their bottom line exponentially from where they are now and faster than if they hired someone else, and therefore your salary requirements are commensurate with what they expect.
AnonymousFebruary 29,2024 at 2:14PM UTC
You said the lowest you would take. Honestly, we have had people say "this is my lowest" but then once we get through the process and then the offer goes out, they rethink and ask for me and we have come forth with more or found some other way to meet in the middl.
AnonymousFebruary 29,2024 at 3:58PM UTC
Maybe, "I know I said yy.yy is what I would take; but, after delving into the breadth and width of this role ~ I feel aa.aa - bb.bb is more appropriate. "
Just a thought. Good luck.
Kimberley Ferretti HammettFebruary 29,2024 at 7:02PM UTC
It helps to look at these situations as bartering. You are essentially selling your services. Just like their initial range is based on market rate and budget projections, yours is too for your talents and needs. As you both go through the process together what you learn has every ability to adjust and hone that number. Titles are so broad and inconsistent, the actual work is what they need to pay for. You would not expect to pay the average price of a stroller for a stroller that also adjusts to a double stroller (Sorry, currently stroller shopping that was the best example in my head lol). If the scope of the work looks larger than you initially expected, you have every right to say "through the interview process it looks like there would be a lot of responsibility and heavy lift in this role and there is opportunity for me with my skillset to impact a lot of growth here so I believe the value warrants $XX salary" and if they can't get that budget approved maybe ask if they'd be willing to create a bonus or salary-step process in writing so that you meet that salary within a year or two with proven results. It can be tricky, you don't want to lose a good opportunity but you also don't want to undersell yourself. If they diminish what you know is the value you would add... I can't say whether it's right or wrong to accept (that depends on your needs) but just know that it likely won't change without an agreement in writing. If they are getting great work for X amount of $, they will tend to think that's what it's worth.
AnonymousMarch 1,2024 at 3:59AM UTC
A lot of this is about percentages. A $20-30K difference is not the same in a job advertising $35-45K as one advertising in the six-figure range. A 10% flexibility ask is easier than a 50-100% flexibility. That said, weigh your options and worth, and go for what you feel is right.
AnonymousMarch 1,2024 at 12:06PM UTC
Very true. I was into the very low figures, for reference!
GirlBossanova934974March 1,2024 at 1:29PM UTC
If you in fact asked for $10K more than the highest number, you should probably stick to that number. The employer is flexible if you are what they are looking for. But I would not press your good fortune too far.
AnonymousMarch 2,2024 at 2:39PM UTC
Yes! And after she shared her expectation, They said they wanted to interview her anyway , so I think I would move forward with an open mind...
AnonymousMarch 1,2024 at 1:50PM UTC
Go in higher than you would be willing to accept and negotiate other benefits like hiring bonus, extra PTO, or a review in 6 months if they cant match your salary and you really want the position. If you are unemployed, a paycheck is better than no check at all. If they really want you, they'll work with you on the negotiations.
AnonymousMarch 1,2024 at 4:54PM UTC
It would be best if they offer first and you start from there. If you only ask for the 10k more then they'll probably negotiate down from there. So I would think about what you want and make your first offer above what you really want, so that you have room to negotiate. Unless you're out of work and really need the job, if you negotiate for less than you really want then chances are high you'll be frustrated and leave fairly soon to get a better paying job.
AnonymousMarch 1,2024 at 5:32PM UTC
You've had the conversation, you have set their expectations.
They have their budget and irrespective or what you want and will settle for it's on them to decide what they can and will offer you. If you go into the interview making the focus be about getting paid then you are likely to not get offered the role at all. If you are willing to take the risk that they might come up to the 10k (which may not happen) then continue in the process. Worst case you learn about them and decide the content of the role and the culture are worth taking less if that happens. Or you learn about them through the interview process and it's not a job you want. Or they don't want you. Remember it is a 2 way street but you have to get asked to the dance first before you say no thank you.
If you solidly won't take less than a certain set number, and you are firm firm firm on that, follow up the conversation with an email repeating that from the numbers you quoted in the call. In that you memorialize it and they know your solid bottom which may or may not benefit your getting to the offer stage. It may backfire on you though because you are setting the bar not them. It's your move based upon your confidence in things.
My other question is are you an applicant? If you are then they are in the drivers seat and they are the buyer. If you were recruited to them by their in house team or a recruitment firm you are more in control and are the buyer. Good luck, and if it were me I would go through the process and gather info about the company and how they reward people beyond just salary.
AnonymousMarch 1,2024 at 7:57PM UTC
All good points! They messaged me on LinkedIn so I did not apply formally. I agree that I may be putting the cart before the horse but I did want the feedback beforehand, in case I am extended an offer. I have had 3 interviews and only talked about salary in the first, letting them know the lowest I would take and that I'd prefer $XX. I really like the people but the advertised pay and benefits are below my expectations. We'll see, I guess! Thanks for the insight!
AnonymousMarch 2,2024 at 6:00PM UTC
Happy to help. You are the buyer, stay in the process and if you get offered the role and it is below expectations in 3 areas, content, culture, compensation its not right for you. Should that happen and you end up declining remind them that they recruited you, you were open to conversation and knowledge gathering but ultimately the role does not align with something that you make you leave your current position. Then you can also let them know that should something more robust and interesting (insert what was missing here-except for the $) you would love to speak to them again. Wish them the best.
AnonymousMarch 2,2024 at 2:37PM UTC
This..^^^...
JustKeepSwimmingMarch 2,2024 at 4:09PM UTC
Just hearing that the scope is much greater than the title is a bit of a red flag.
It indicates that they don’t know what they really need, or that they are intentionally underpaying by “under-describing” the position. You may have some room to ask for that raise after you get the position, once you’ve proven yourself and actually performed all the work that isn’t implied by the official title, but I would not ask for it up front. Good luck!
AnonymousMarch 2,2024 at 4:31PM UTC
Ask for the number that you need and don't accept a role that doesn't come with a significant pay increase if you're going to feel remorseful about it later.
Time will increase your resentment and it will impact how you feel about the company and ultimately your work quality if you feel like you accepted less than you deserve, wanted or need. You can justify the ask by saying you miscalculated some key factors when you threw out the $10k number. Don't be apologetic. A disgruntled, unhappy employee is not in the company's best interest or yours. Cut your losses and move on to roles and companies that are a better fit as soon as possible. The more time you invest interviewing for a job that doesn't meet your needs is taking precious time away from you finding a role that does. If it's a stop gap role that will help you pay the bills until you find another role that better suits your needs, don't beat yourself up. Companies would not hesitate to cut your role to meet their bottom line, so if you need to take a role to survive until something more suitable pops up don't let anyone shame you. Take it and keep looking. The only person you need to be accountable to is you.
Felicia McGintyMarch 2,2024 at 10:17PM UTC
Since you let them know what you were looking for initially, it's ok to negotiate (aka ask for more) once you receive the offer. Clearly, there is interest in your candidacy. You already pose a good argument in that the scope of the role is beyond the title. "Based on my conversations with the team and my understanding of the position, the scope of the role appears to supersede the proposed compensation. I am confident in my ability to deliver on the outcomes of the role and would fully commit to achieving the goals of the organization. To do so, I would need a minimum of x to accept this offer.
LORI-ANN BURLINGAMEMarch 2,2024 at 10:18PM UTC
Explain to them that although you are interested in the position, you are not interested in taking a pay cut.
Do not sell yourself short! If the company's salary range does not match the marketplace-- what does that say about them? That the hiring manager is CHEAP and wants to get the mostfor the least amount of money. You can do better than that!
AnonymousMarch 3,2024 at 8:15PM UTC
Don’t compromise unless this role would help you to pivot to another career path and you would acquire the skills needed.
Once you’re there, it will be next to impossible to get up to where you deserve no matter how fast you climb. That starting salary will dictate your salary throughout your time there.