Yesterday I was emailed a job offer, which stated my starting pay. I told him I’d talk to him on Thursday about it. I’m wondering if I should take the offer or negotiate the per hour pay. The listing gave the range, and my offer was right in the middle, even though I have over 25 years of teaching experience going in. It’s a part-time position but has some potential for full-time, and possibly in a closer location. This is a growing school.

19 Comments

1. AnonymousJuly 25,2024 at 12:14AM UTC

   Negotiate. You know the range based on the listing. Be sure to exude confidence when articulating the value you bring with your vast experience, and how you will be an asset. Good luck!

2. AnonymousAugust 23,2024 at 9:39AM UTC

   I did! It was easy! Ohmygosh, he was expecting it! It says a lot about you, to your employer, when you negotiate, when you just ask! It also adds value to you as their employee, the one they were lucky enough to negotiate and get! It sets up a more favorable dynamic, from the start. I am now already, only two days in, offering to help in other company areas where they could use my experience and expertise! My job just expanded! I just started!

3. AnonymousJuly 25,2024 at 12:17AM UTC

   Ask for 10-20% more of their suggested starting salary. Maybe it will be closer to your desired rate you seek.

4. AnonymousAugust 23,2024 at 9:33AM UTC

   It worked

5. AnonymousAugust 23,2024 at 2:32PM UTC

   So glad and really appreciate you sharing your updates too. I think your experience certainly can empower others here to do the same. I also negotiated a higher salary when I started. Excellent, what a wonderful experience you shared with us. :-)

6. Melissa MonsonJuly 26,2024 at 12:57AM UTC

   Definitely negotiate the pay! You deserve more with all that experience!

7. AnonymousAugust 23,2024 at 9:32AM UTC

   It worked out! I got it!

8. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJuly 26,2024 at 2:08AM UTC

   Throughout the vast majority of my recruiting career, the mid-point of the salary range is the typical target for an experienced candidate. At my current company, I occasionally have some wiggle room, say for a very unique engineering skillset - but the mid-point is still the target for most positions.

   What was discussed regarding compensation with your recruiter throughout the interview process?

9. AnonymousJuly 26,2024 at 10:09PM UTC

   We didn’t get to that point yet and I didn’t want to be presumptive at that stage in the process.

10. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJuly 27,2024 at 7:20PM UTC

    You wrote: "Yesterday I was emailed a job offer, which stated my starting pay."

    I'm not sure what you mean by "We didn’t get to that point yet" but if you have received an offer letter, you are way beyond "that point".

    Your recruiter should always bring compensation up on the first call to make sure y'all are in the same ball park compensation-wise.

    If they don't bring it up, you should.

11. AnonymousAugust 23,2024 at 9:31AM UTC

    I still stand by that. I’m glad it is working out! It’s given me the guts to ask for other opportunities within the company. It’s a YES, no matter what I’m asking for now! People respect when others are confident in what they can do and how they can help a company succeed! I see myself in additional roles within this organization and am turning part time into something so much more. And I’m only on my second day of work!

12. AnonymousAugust 23,2024 at 9:28AM UTC

    Thank you! I asked, I got it. So happy

13. AnonymousJuly 26,2024 at 5:12AM UTC

    How did it go?

14. AnonymousAugust 23,2024 at 9:25AM UTC

    Thank you for asking! It’s taken me time to get an update, but it’s only because I’ve been working this new job already! See me comment above! I got the raise, easily. That tells me that he is going to be a great employer, how ready he was to offer me higher. He was expecting it! I think it shows self-respect, to at least mention it. And all I said was “hey, about the rate… is that negotiable?” He gave me a number that was close enough to call it good! Thanks again for asking. Asking for this solidifies his choice in me as an employee too. It’s not just about the money. It’s about the dynamic I’m creating

15. AnonymousJuly 28,2024 at 10:05PM UTC

    Negotiate based on your excellent credentials/experience and, if relevant, most recent compensation. If you will not be getting benefits, that’s another reason to raise your pay.

    Can you research pay in area schools through Salary.com or elsewhere online?

    No reason to start at a lower rate if you are qualified for a higher one.

16. AnonymousAugust 23,2024 at 9:19AM UTC

    Thanks for your help! It was easy

17. AnonymousAugust 23,2024 at 9:18AM UTC

    Update! It was incredibly easy for me to gracefully negotiate this rate so I got what I wanted! It was almost too easy! What I learned…Negotiating is part of the process, it’s expected in many industries. Think of it like negotiating a house price. It’s how you get a better deal and everyone is happy! When you negotiate, you are increasing your perceived value to your future boss. You are showing them that you value yourself, and that can go a very long way in your career with this employer! Don’t talk yourself out of the scary act of negotiating, thinking that you are lucky to get an offer and that you’ll ask for a raise later. You set yourself up for being scrutinized just for a pay bump that YOU could have asked for up front! Don’t make yourself earn what’s already yours! You just gave away your power by not negotiating. It’s really not about the money. How your employer treats you is pretty important!

18. AnonymousAugust 23,2024 at 2:14PM UTC

    Fantastic news!!!!! Congratulations!

19. Andre JonesSeptember 16,2025 at 7:40PM UTC

    Hey, I get where you’re coming from—this kind of decision can feel like a tightrope. I’ve been in situations where the offer was decent but didn’t fully reflect my experience, and what really helped me was doing a little homework on the school’s growth potential and similar roles in the area. I’d consider framing a polite negotiation around your 25+ years of teaching experience and the extra value you bring, without sounding demanding. Sometimes just showing that you’re informed and flexible can tip things in your favor. While mulling it over, I even took a break spinning some games on the pin up app to clear my head, which surprisingly helped me think strategically rather than emotionally. Balancing part-time pay now with potential full-time opportunities later is tricky, but leaning into the school’s trajectory and politely advocating for yourself usually works out better than rushing a yes.