Is it too late to fix my salary mistakeHi, A few weeks ago, I applied for a position that asked for a salary range. I want to preface this by saying I HATE my job in a call center and had a worse than usual day when I applied for this position so I think I did this under stress. Anyway, the posting asked for a salary range and before researching the salary for the area I gave a range of 30-35k. I kind of knew that was a low ball range, but it is kind of an entry level underwriting position so I didn't think it was that far off. I had my interview a few days ago and I have scheduled a second for next week. It looks like I have a shot at the job and I would love to have it. The problem is I finally looked up the position on a few different sites like salary,com and the range is from 40k-48k in my area! What do I do when the topic of salary comes up? Is it too late for me to request the higher range or should I be happy to get the experience? 1. Don' t assume you' ll get a low offer. If the company' s range is $X to $Y, they' ll give you at least $X. 2. Salary.com and similar sites run as much as 30% or more high. You can' t use them to place a specific price on a specific job. 3. You want to be out of where you are and learn a new field. That' s got value too. 4. Yes, it is too late to change your range. If you stated your salary range during the interview, after learning many of the specifics about the job and its responsibilities, then, yes, it's too late to restate your range. And, yes, salary.com and similar sites are on the high side, sometimes by a little, often by a lot! If you stated your range during, say, a phone screening prior to a personal interview--and that range was not discussed further in the interview, then you may be able to ask to negotiate it. If you can justify your reasoning by saying that your first range was given without a clear understanding of all the responsibilities and duties involved in the job--and, furthermore, that your background and skills make you an outstanding match for the job, then it's reasonable, if you are made an offer, to ask if if it's negotiable, if it comes in at less than you hope. However, you cannot justify a higher salary based on what you think is the norm or average for that job. Due to the fact that this is an entry-level job in a field you are not currently working in, I honestly don't think you have much in reality to negotiate with. If I were you and I was offered $35k to get out of the call center, I'd take it in a heartbeat.... There is a lot of potential to make money in underwriting, so think of this as a chance for future advancement. And, $35k is not bad dinero for entry-level work.... In a nutshell, I totally agree with Anne Marie and Tess. You can' t change you anticipated range now. They' re going to offer you a salary within the range that they have budgeted for this position anyway, not necessarily on the basis of your stated range. But to the extent that this is an entry-level sort of position, if you' re offered the job, as much as you hate your present job, I' d take it and prove, based on my own performance, that I was worth more over time. Learn as much as you can as quickly as you can and do the best job you can - that' s how people earn a higher salary. It' s unfortunate that most companies request either your current salary or your desired salary range up front rather than determining how you fit in to their own range based on your qualifications. On some occasions in the past, I' ve responded as "open" or redirected the question back to them asking what THEIR salary range is. You may try that in the future. In my opinion, if you' re the best qualified person for the position, there' s no reason why you can' t be reconsidered for a different level in their salary range based on your qualifications and experience even if you priced yourself too low. If they are not willing to reconsider and simply base their offer on your range or current salary, you must not be viewed as the best person for the job, but rather the cheapest. I myself would rather my manager look at me as being the best person rather than the cheapest. Keep looking. I have to respectfully disagree with the others. You can negotiate anything. Especially salary. If you know they have more budgeted, you can look for a good spot to try to re-state your range, byu using some of the tacts listed by others here. I would NOT give it up without atleast mentioning it. You should however be ready to settle for the salary you first listed, if they hold you to it. I agree with the one that said if they have a min, they will probably offer you the min, regardless of your stated min.. Wait until they've offered the position to you, and then tell them that you've researched the salary for this type of position and you think it is too low or below your requirements. After all, you are entitled to change your mind. If you're in a position to pass the job up, and they won't negotiate a better salary, I'd move on. I always hated this treatment at interviews where you have to give them a figure so they can dump good candidates if they request a salary beyond their means. Why can't these idiot interviewers be up front and just say what the salary is for the job. The interviewee can then decide if it's too low. Game playing is not one of my strong points and I think it really looks bad for reputable companies to stoop to that level. Salary is one of those generic questions asked, but not always. What I have found is that cheapo companies use it to get you to drop it lower than your expectations because they figure if you really want the job you'll take anything. I really don' t think it is ever too late to negotiate until you have accepted an offer. Once they offer you the job and tell you the rate then you can ask them if that is negotiable and if so tell them what you would like to make. You really should not worry about shooting too high for a salary (within reason) because that gives you some leverage. They will tell you what their final offer is and then you can decide if you want to accept that and if you really want the job and the wage is decent for you take it. I have negotiated a higher wage than was offered a couple of times and got what I asked for up to a $1.00 or more an hour so never be afraid to ask all they can say is no to the wage you request but very rarely will they take back the offer because you ask for more money. Most employers expect you to negotiate. First of all congratulations, you are still in the picture.Concerning salary: Let the company make you an offer, rest assured, that they will be within there range.You can ask for result orientet bonuses, fringe benefits and the like.Trust in the good faith of the employer, trust in yourself and last but not least have faith and focus on the new position you have, act as you allready have it and compensation becommes seccond to none.God bless you. I've seen some good advice here, but also some questionable stuff. Why would you accept an offer knowing that you'll be unhappy about not having maximized your compensation? Insane. The time to negotiate is once you get an offer, not before you get it and not after you make a committment to them. You clearly did not have all the information you needed when you gave your range. Stating your range was not an implicit contract to accept such an offer just like their agreeing to interview you was not an offer. If asked why your range is changing, simply state that your range did not reflect the real market; don't hesitate to ask them what the range is for the position. The labor market is tight out there, boyz. Qualified job-seekers should not hesitate to use it to their advantage! | |
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