No Negotiation for Entry LevelHi all, I was recently offered a position at a humongous company. I was really happy to hear it, since it's my the first permanent job offer, but the salary they offer doesn't meet my expectation. I want to negotiate once I receive the package via mail, but the recruiter tells me that they don't negotiate the package for any entry-level position if the candidate has no standing offer from other companies. Can this be true? Can a company make a policy that forces take-it-or-lose-it option to its candidates? I am compelled to decline the offer if I can't get them to negotiate. But I am desperately in need of a job, but at the same time, I know I will be miserable working, knowing I am not getting what I deserve. Any advice would be great. Thanks. Sure it is true. And yes, I'm sure they mean it since they specifically told you the answer to negotiation is no. Most companies don't negotiate with entry-level candidates. I'd even be willing to say few negotiate with people right above that level either. In order to negotiate, you have to bring something that anyone else doesn't. By definition, someone in an entry-level position isn't in a position to do that. Although they like you and all that, they can like the next guy just as much. You're all pretty much interchangable at that point. When you've got 5 or so years in your field AND you're happy in the job you're in and can afford to gamble a bit, you can try to negotiate. And you should re-evaluate your expectation. What did you base it on? Some salary survey or something? That doesn't mean anything. Remember, part of what you take from your first jobs is experience and good references and an entre into the world of work. Don't be short-sighted over some mythical figure you put into your head.
Tess Tess is absolutely correct. Of course a company can make "take it or leave it" job offers! Without sounding like a wise-guy, on what basis do you believe you could possibly negotiate a higher starting salary anyway? With no real-world work experience you really don't have much upon which to base negotiations and, besides, you've already been told they don't negotiate entry-level jobs. It's important to keep in mind that all you really "deserve" at this point in your career is the CHANCE to prove what you can accomplish and begin gaining valuable experience for the future. If you desperately need a job, which you wrote that you do, I'd be inclined to accept their offer and set the twin goals of learning as much as possible as quickly as possible. Entry-level jobs, by the way, are called that for a specific reason - they're designed for people who have little or no experience so they can "earn while they learn." Entry-level people aren't expected to make a significant contribution to the company's bottom line until they learn the job and can become productive for the employer. Paul W. Barada The Negotiation Expert I was basing my expectation on online salary resources, as well as what people tell me. I haven't checked on my friends (I'll get on it soon). I guess I had high hopes because, during the on-site interview, the hiring manager confirmed my expectation saying that's what he's thinking as well. Then when the offer came, it didn't quiet match that figure. I guess HR department has their own way of working? I understand that entry-level positions are more for building up experience for next job or promotion, but wouldn't taking a under-paid position hurt future negotiations? As this site tells in some of the advises on salary, wouldn't it take away the power from my side to future employ by making my salary history worse? Thank you for your advises. -Peter I was basing my expectation on online salary resources, as well as what people tell me. I haven't checked on my friends (I'll get on it soon). The only "people" that matter are the ones offering you a job. Everyone else is speculating. On-line salary surveys run 20-30% high, sometimes more since they are based on averages, not on what any specific employer is paying any specific person. I understand that entry-level positions are more for building up experience for next job or promotion, but wouldn't taking a under-paid position hurt future negotiations? As this site tells in some of the advises on salary, wouldn't it take away the power from my side to future employ by making my salary history worse? You're at least 5 years from any salary negotiation. Maybe more depending on the cirucmstances. Between now and then, you'll likely have more than one other job. Right now, you need to start building that 5 years of experience. You won't have any power in the future employment process until you have something unique to offer AND can afford to pack up your cards and walk away. If you take the job now with the big corporate entity, do well and build good references, you can post to higher jobs within that same company after a year or so. Moving up like that is going to be a great way to advance and build yourself to a point where one day you can negotiate. Tess Despite totally agreeing with Tess on this issue, they've already TOLD you the offer isn't negotiable! To try and pursue salary negotiations in spite of that is a very good way to be dropped from further consideration. All the rationalization in the world isn't going to change the fact that you've been told the offer isn't negotiable. What don't you understand about that? Paul W. Barada The Negotiation Expert | |
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