salary negotiation
I am not even sure I got an offer. The company recruiter called and asked me how I thought the interview went. He said they thought I had good experience but not in the technologies they used. He then asked what I was thinking about for salary (I had previously told him what I make now, but I was flexible). He told me he just hired someone for half of what I make now. I said "If you would like to hire me, please make and offer and I will consider it". I told him I was driving (which I was) and that I would call him back. But I didn't call him back because I don't know what to say. Do I have to give him a range? Can my range include my current salary? I really got the impression they were lukewarm about me but would hire me if I asked for a low salary. Unless you hate your present job so much that you get violently ill in the bathroom every morning, why on earth would you even be thinking about taking a job for less than you're earning now? The commonly accepted rule-of-thumb is that it never makes sense to switch jobs for less than an increase in salary of at least 10% to 15% MORE than you're earning now. If this goes any further, and you're asked for your anticipated salary range, I think you own it to yourself and to anyone else who might be depending on you, to propose a salary range 10% to 15% higher than you're earning now. You could say, "My anticipated salary is negotiable within the $X, (present salary plus 10%), to $Y (present salary plus 15%), range." If that knocks you out of consideration for this particular job, so what? Unless there's more to this than you wrote, it makes no sense to consider moving down the salary ladder instead of up. Besides, what you wrote you said almost sounds a little like begging for an offer - not a sterling way to initiate salary negotiations... Paul W. Barada The Negotiation Expert
I know it sounds strange to consider taking less. The circumstances are: - my company is downsizing (though I have no information that it effects me) - I do seem to be rather highly compensated compared to the salary surveys and the few job posts that list a salary - the smaller company that I'm considering seems to offer more potential for improving my skills and career growth Does that change your answer at all or you stll think it is crazy to consider less?
I am hoping the guru's out there respond to you, happy_nel. I am undergoing the same experience and am wondering about the next step myself. The job I currently have is good, but not guaranteed (as if anything is anymore), and I would like, as most people, to be prepared to move on if I need to.
No. It still sounds crazy to consider less unless and until you have no other choice, and that doesn't sound like the case just yet. You haven't been downsized yet, so you still have negotiating power. Use it while you have it to, at least, make a lateral salary move, but certainly not a downward salary move yet. Paul W. Barada The Negotiation Expert | |
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