Negotiate Job Offer
I recently received a job offer and I would like to negotiate the salary. However, I'm not sure how to approach the negotiation. And I'm hoping that someone who has been in a similar situation can help me.
I'm currently working on temporary assignment with an agency. My assignment is scheduled to end this week. I've been on interviews for both temporary assignments and permanent positions. I just received an offer for a permanent position.
When I went through the interview, I told the interviewer that my current salary is $40k/year. Also, I provided a salary range from the mid $30s to the low $40s. I didn't mean to "undersell" myself, but sometimes we say strange things when we are nervous
When the company offered me the position, the salary that they presented was $40k/year. I did some number crunching and I realized that I'm making more along the lines of $44k/year. I receive the following perks from the temp agency:
1) Ability to work overtime - I'm paid hourly as a temp. And the permanent position is salary.
2) Paid benefits - The temp agency pays for my medical/dental/vision. I would have to pay for these benefits at the new job.
3) Bonus pay - I receive the equivalent of one week's pay every time that I complete 1500 hours of work.
The only argument that I think that the company may come up with is experience. I've worked in the industry for about 7 years; however, I've never done this particular job. Although I don't have exact experience, I have the background and skills.
I would like to see if the salary is negotiable, but I'm really not sure how to approach the situation. If you can provide any suggestions, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
You need to figure that the benefits the company is offering you comprise another 30% over your salary, even if you have to pay into them. Once you add that, I'd say that you're still getting a good deal if you want a little stablility. Otherwise, you're going to be unemployed next week and bonus pay, overtime, etc. isn't going to mean diddly.
Tess
The only way to find out if the offer is negotiable is to ask. What you should do next is politely ask if their initial offer if negotiable and see what they say. If it's not, I'd be tempted to take the job because, for no other reason, it's going to be a steady income stream, which will be better than no income stream at all. Keep in mind, however, that the offer you received was right in the middle of the range you said you needed to be in. The ONLY basis on which you can try to negotiate a higher starting salary is your more complete understanding of the requirements of the job, and that you sincerely feel a salary in the $44K to $46K range is appropriate based on your experience, training, past job performance, skills, and education. Then see what sort of response you get. I would not, however, push the salary issue too hard. A starting salary of $40K, even if you have to pay for part or all of the benefits, will still be better than unemployment. What you might be able to negotiate, assuming the salary offer is not negotiable, is a performance and salary review after you've been on the job for six months, which should give you plenty of time to prove what you can do and demonstrate, through your job performance, that the job is worth more to the employer because you're in it! Hope this helps.
Paul W. Barada
The Negotiation Expert
To be honest, I'm not worried about securing employment. The temp agency that I work with is absolutely incredible! Assignments are not short-term either. At minimum, my assignments have been at least 3 months. Also, I anticipate securing my next assignment in the next two weeks.
I feel that I'm selling myself short if I accept the current offer. Even though the position is permanent, I would be making approximately $5k less. It wouldn't even be considered a lateral move because I would technically be making less money.
I appreciate all of the advice! And if anyone has additional advice, please feel free to share it!
I'd still ask if the offer is negotiable and see what they say. You might be able to negotiate a better permanent situation which, at least in my opinion, is better than temporary gigs that could dry up at some point. Remember, "nothing ventured, nothing gained."
Paul W. Barada
The Negotiation Expert