negotiating salary and vacationJust received an offer from a big company that has only offered me $7K more than my current salary. This new position though is a higher title and supervising 3 brands which I would be over approximately 7-8 people. I am totally disappointed with their offer. They have offered a bonus of 30% of my salary - of course based on company performance, brand sales etc..... AND only 2 weeks vacation. In my current job I have 3 weeks vacation and my bonus was 15% of my salary. I am only supervising 1 brand at the moment and 4 people. How do I ask them on Monday about increasing my base salary 10-15% more and giving me 3 weeks vacation? I need help! This is in the NY metro area. I am seriously considering staying at my current job even though the the title would be a promotion for me. Am I stupid? I don't think you're stupid, but I do think you're being unrealistic.... First, is the base salary they've offered at least 10% more than your current base? As our Negotiation Expert here says, you probably shouldn't change jobs for less than a 10 to 15% increase over your base salary. Any bonuses on top of that are purely gravy, because they are not guaranteed. If you're getting at least a 10 to 15% increase in your base, and double the percentage of your current bonus, I can't see why you're unhappy about the offer. If, on the other hand, the $7k increase isn't at least 10% more, then you can always ask if their offer is negotiable. Regarding vacation, "only" 2 weeks is the norm at most companies for a starting employee. Some companies will start you out at what you had before (and very rarely, some will count your industry experience toward your years needed to get to a higher level of vacation), but typically you get two weeks or less. Expecting 3 is unrealistic. Anyone who has been at their job for more than a handful of years generally should expect to lose vacation time when changing jobs. Presumably, the increase in salary offsets that. If I were you, I'd decide which is more important--the money or the vacation time--and ask to negotiate on only one of those. I think it's highly unrealistic to expect both. Look--they are giving you a job at a higher level than what you have. The higher title and more responsbile position are perks, if that is what your career goal is. Clearly they think you can do it. But you have to prove it, if you've never managed that many lines and staff before. Once you get in there and prove you can handle the increased responsibility, then, at the first review associated with a salary increase, that's the time to ask for more money. Anne Marie is nicer than I am so, I' ll agree with you. It would be stupid to pass up this offer over a week of vacation. Unless you' re making more than $70K now, you' re still getting at least a 10% increase in base, a higher title, double the potential bonus (on a higher salary too so over all the dollars will be much more if things go well), and of course a much bigger opportunity since you' d be supervising more stuff and more people. The fashion industry is VERY competative. If you don' t want the offer, I' m pretty sure someone else does, so you can try to negotiate if you want to, but I' m betting that won' t go very far. This seems like a great opportunity. Personally, I' d take it before they change their minds. unfortunately $7K is no where near 10% of my salary- that' s why I' m a little disappointed. Thanks for both of your responses- I' ll be thinking of everything you both contributed to help with my negotiating. Then I would ask if the salary is negotiable, and if not, I'd stay put till something more suitable comes along. Unless you feel that over the long run, this position will increase your potential to land your dream job. Always, always, think of the long run as well as the short run. That may mean you swallow some pride, or bite a bitter bullet for a while, but ask yourself "Which situation will eventually get me where I want to be?" The general rule, which you may have seen written here six or seven thousand times, is that it ordinarily makes no sense to switch jobs unless you can increase your salary by at least 10% to 15%. If the $7K isn' t at least 10% more than what you' re earning now, about all you can do is politely ask if their initial salary offer is negotiable and see what they say. If it isn' t, I' d politely decline and wait for another opportunity that at least meets that 10% to 15% guideline. On the other hand, if the offer is negotiable, and if you' re asked what salary you have in mind, counter with a salary range that represents at increase that' s in line with the 10% to 15% yardstick. Say something like, "I was anticipating an offer in the $X to $Y range," and see what happens - letting $X = your present salary plus 10% and letting $Y = your salary plus 15%. But you also need to be prepared to state exactly why the job will be worth more to the employer because of your experience, skills, training, past job performance, and education - and how all those qualities are a great match for the requirements of the job. All the other factors with the exception of vacation sound like a good move. Regarding vacation, "only" two weeks of vacation is the norm for most people switching job, unless they' re being considered for a very senior level position. If you can work out the salary issue, I probably wouldn' t push my luck by asking to be paid for not working another week per year right off the bat. Hope this helps. | |
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