Made an Initial OfferHi everyone... Well one of the places I was waiting to hear back from gave me an unofficial "initial offer." This job is located close to Tucson and the pay the HR rep said would be about $46.5K. She asked me if that is about where I was looking. Of course I would like a bit higher though. They also mentioned about $5K for moving expenses. They are in the process of getting things approved and will get the paperwork out to me in the near future. I am guessing the paperwork will include information on benefits, possible bonuses etc. I'm making around 30K now so this is quite an increase, though I'm going to have addes expenses now. I am working in the same job I got straight out of college almost 6 years ago so this is all new to me. Once I get the paperwork do I then try to negotiate my salary? Thanks, Jamie I've been working in the yard this afternoon and my back hurts, so please excuse any curtness in this reply: Are you NUTS? You have an offer that will increase your earnings by more than 50% and you're wondering if you should try to negotiate more money or not? Take the job! Say, "Thank you very much," and prove that you're worth the rather substantial increase in salary you've been offered! Paul W. Barada The Negotiation Expert Wow thanks for the great advice. My income is well below the industry average. This substantial increase is where my pay should be, based on every person I have talked to in my field. Why am I paid so low? Don't ask, it's why I am leaving the job I am in now. I didn't ask you if I should take it, I asked when to negotiate. ...when to negotiate. Never. You'd be an idiot to risk this offer that increases your income so much. Chances of getting an answer to the effect of "see ya'" are at least 50%.
Tess OK, the answer to your question about when to negotiate is "never" in this instance. The response is essentially the same, don't try to negotiate, take the job! Paul W. Barada The Negotiation Expert Yes, I know you guys are right. This is all very new to me. I have been in my current job since I graduated from college almost 6 years ago. I haven't received the paperwork yet, so I haven't gotten a chance to go over benefits etc yet...that is why I was interested in knowing about negotiations...if the benefits don't look good, I thought I could try to negotiate. The time to negotiate was when the HR rep mentioned the salary figure. What did you say when she asked if that was about what you were looking for? If you didn't object at that point, your chances of negotiating are not good unless the overall compensation and benefits package is so poor that you need salary relief to be able to accept it. In that case you can go back and explain that the overall package is unacceptable at that salary level. But if they present a decent package, the pay represents a significant increase in what you are making now (including any cost of living adjustments) and you can actually live on the salary don't let the opportunity slip through your fingers. Not to paint with too broad a brush but, generally speaking, unless you'll be in a relatively senior position with the new company, benefits usually aren't negotiable. In view of the substantial salary increase you'll be receiving, if the benefit package ever comes close to what you have now, take the job. Please don't screw this up by trying to negotiate more of anything at this point. Wait until you've read about the benefits and come back here with any concerns you may have before you try to negotiate more of anything. Please! Paul W. Barada The Negotiation Expert | |
|
Career Tips
|