how to negotiate this situation.I was recently called by a company who had seen my resume posted on Monster. Had the interview yesterday with 2 of the gentleman, sounds like a nice work environment & it appears it would be a good move for me. The interview went very well, I received a call shortly after the interview from the HR dept. They asked if the position sounded like something I would be interested in & I told them it was. Until they dropped the ball that it was an hourly position (I'm currently on salary) and it pays $3 less per hour than I'm currently making. Also the paid time off benefits are lacking appeal. 1 week after 1 year 2 weeks after 2 years. At my current employer I'm at 3 weeks working on 4. What is very dis-hearting is that this company knows the salary I make now, its posted on Monster, why would they interview me knowing what a large paycut it would be for me? Is it ever an option to move from 1 company to another and make more $ or stay they same? I feel all I have ever done is move backwards and I can't afford it anymore! HELP!!
If the pay and benefits are what you need in order to move, thennegotiate. You made it sound like you have the advantage here becauseyou already have a position with the better benefits. From what youwrote, you certainly don't have to settle for their first offer. Why would they interview you? They're shopping for better deals just like you are. If they can get a better worker at a lower price then they benefit. Regarding your second question, moving from one company to another to make more money or stay at the same salary is possible of course. You have to keep looking. But this position you described isn't dead yet according to your description. It's a great opportunity to work on your negotiating skills. You don't HAVE to move "backwards". It sounds like you define backwards as less money and fewer days off. What about skills you can learn in the position? I have taken pay cuts and benefit cuts in the past in order to get hand-on experience that allows me to negotiate what I need and want from positions now. That's not moving backwards to me because I've used those tactics to continuously move forward in my career goals. I'm not saying take the job, but I am saying use the opportunity to increase your skillset (Negotiation) for the future. Are you really asking if it's possible to switch jobs for MORE money? Sure it is! And, frankly, that's the reason most people initiate a job search in the first place - in the expectation of earning more, not less. The generally accepted rule-of-thumb is that it makes no sense to switch jobs unless you can increase your earnings by AT LEAST 10% to 15% more than you're earning now! Normally, it doesn't make sense to switch jobs for the same salary, which is called a "lateral" move, unless the existing working environment is so horrible that switching jobs for the same money is the only option. You're in a good position because you have a job and can stay put until something better comes along. In this instance, about all you can do is politely ask if the salary offer is negotiable and see what they say. If it's not, I'd pass. If it is, and you're asked what salary you have in mind, I'd counter with a range that represents an increase of 10% and 15% more than you're earning at present. Say something like, "I was anticipating an offer in the $X to $Y per hour range," and see what happens. In this instance I think you can also make the point that their initial offer is $3 bucks less per hour than you're earning now. Just keep in mind that the idea is to move UP the salary ladder over time, not down! Hope this helps. Paul W. Barada The Negotiation Expert | |
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