Interview/negotiation processSituation: My current job ends on April 9th due to plant closure. From a negotiating standpoint, unfortunately they know about the plant closure because former employees are presently employed at this company. I have interviewed twice at a company over the past two weeks for a position that is in the same field I have 15+ years of experience. This position is one level up from my current position. I also hold a Masters Degree in a related field. The third interview is scheduled in a couple of days with the 10th and 11th interviewer. I believe an offer will be made in the near future. If so, 1) what are the most negotiable forms of compensation and 2) how do I determine my worth to this company and 3) how much should this position pay. The only resource I have been able to find is a salary calculator on salary.com. Thanks
I think you always want to start with the money. Since you have a few years experiance, you might ask for more vacation, once the money is settled.
1) Salary is, in the vast majority of cases, the most negotiable item in any compensation and benefit package. Next, and it's way down the list, would be vacation time. 2) Since you're going to be out of job in less than a month, your negotiating power is somewhat limited - point is, you need a job! At the same time, I think it's important for you to anticipate a salary offer that's at least equal to what you're earning now and, preferably, at least 10% to 15% more than you're earning now. But since you're not going to be in a very strong negotiating position, you may have to seriously consider what amounts to a lateral move, just to make sure you have an income stream comparable to what you're earning now. 3) It's impossible to say how much the job for which you're being considered should pay. That's totally up to the prospective employer. If you're made a salary offer that's equal to or less than you're earning now, the next thing to do is politely ask if their offer is negotiable - and see what they say. If it is, I'd be prepared to counter with a salary range that's 10% to 15% higher than your present salary. Hope this helps. Paul W. Barada The Negotiation Expert First of all, thanks for your input! Secondly, I had my third interview (with a total of 11 interviewers) this past Friday and I found out that I am being considered for one of three positions. The position I applied for is one level higher than the second and third position. I have related experience in all three positions, but I really want the first one because it has two direct reports. What, if any advice can you give me in regards to persuading them to consider me for the first position since the salary for the two different levels can have a 15K -25K range. "persuading them to consider me for the first position since the salary for the two different levels can have a 15K -25K " Honestly, I don't think you have any hand in doing any persuading them on which position to offer you. They are going to offer you the job that they think you are the best suited for. Which job you want more is probably irrelevant to them--they want to place you where they think you will help them out the most--understandably. And you wanting the first job because of the higher salary is not very important to them, either.... If you are made an offer for one of the two lower-level positions, and you try to negotiate for the first position, they may decide that you will not be happy in the position they believe you are the best fit for. You could end up with zero position. Unless they are having a hard time finding qualified applicants for position #1, I'm guessing they will offer you one of the other two, since position #1 is at a level you are not currently at. Even if you are offered one of the other two positions, I'm assuming you can still ask if the salary is negotiable, if it doesn't come in at what you are looking for. But you are not in a very strong negotiating position, unfortunately. I agree with Anne Marie. This employer is going to offer you the position that's the best match of your qualifications for the job and the requirements of the job. Very few job seeker are able to "persuade" a prospective employer that they're qualified for a better job when they're really not - at least in the employer's opinion - and that's all that really matters. Since you're about to be out of work, I would not run the risk of losing this employment opportunity. Paul W. Barada The Negotiation Expert | |
|
Career Tips
|