I got lowballed for a job. Should i accept it ?

aschenbecher

So i had a 2nd interview at a non profit 5 mins drive from my house.

It went pretty good ,except when it came to $ they low-balled me with 35k.

I asked for 40k, the guy told me he will talk to his vice pres and get back to me in a week.

Does this mean he is trying to see if i change my mind or he is just going to interview someone else ?

I think 40k was a good amount to ask for :
My responsibilities will include :
1. Training other CSA reps to be full fledged IT Support reps.
2. I bring a lot of experience to the table.
3. I will be helping in development of the knowledge base.
4. I will work as a technical liaison between the CSA reps and the field technicians.

Part of me wants to accept it as i have been consulting for long time and am looking to settle down. But other part of me and my wife are telling me that i will start feeling like i am being taken advantage of and will make me miserable/.

what do you guys think ?

joelsfood

Don't undersell yourself. More importantly, trust your wife (and dno't piss her off ). Keep looking if they don't come back with better offer

Hondabuff

Without seeing your qualifications that salary seems about right.

scaredoftests

Stick to your guns. Philly is an expensive city to live in.

pramin

1. Don't expect too much money from a NON-PROFIT.
2. You're a support person.
3. You're not a person that is part of their core business model.

Most of my career I've worked for an ISP; ie my skill set is part of their core business model.

Only good part of the position, I see, is that it is close to home and will save on commuting time and cost.

danny069

Sometimes the benefits outweigh the salary, such as what percentage will a company put into your 401k, health insurance, paid holidays, sick time, weekends off, tuition reimbursement, how close the job is to your home, etc. You would have to know everything they offer before you take that deal. It doesn't all boil down to the salary.

LeBroke

danny069 wrote: »

Sometimes the benefits outweigh the salary, such as what percentage will a company put into your 401k, health insurance, paid holidays, sick time, weekends off, tuition reimbursement, how close the job is to your home, etc. You would have to know everything they offer before you take that deal. It doesn't all boil down to the salary.

This is a fair point when you've been making good money for some time, and anything more is just a number to see if you can go on vacation 2 times, or 3 times a year.

When you're just starting out, 5k can be the difference between eating cup noodles 4 months a year, and eating real food. Especially in more expensive cities, or if you have other obligations like student loans.

aschenbecher

LeBroke wrote: »

This is a fair point when you've been making good money for some time, and anything more is just a number to see if you can go on vacation 2 times, or 3 times a year.

When you're just starting out, 5k can be the difference between eating cup noodles 4 months a year, and eating real food. Especially in more expensive cities, or if you have other obligations like student loans.

Yes ,

I think the point that i'm considering is if i should take this opportunity and use it as a secure source of income to finance my education ?

They are offering 2k in tuition reimbursement. I will think about it more. all advice is welcomed.

scaredoftests

2K isn't that bad for education. How are the raises? Also, consider this..working for a non-profit, you can't apply for unemployment because of their non-profit status. I will not work for another non-profit because of that policy.

Deathmage

stand your ground. I just got offered a job in Orange County and they lowballed me to 80k and I stood my ground at 95k and they are still in talks with me, but this time I'm humble.

aschenbecher

scaredoftests wrote: »

2K isn't that bad for education. How are the raises? Also, consider this..working for a non-profit, you can't apply for unemployment because of their non-profit status. I will not work for another non-profit because of that policy.

I didnt know that. That changes everything. I know when i didnt have a job , we were eating slices of bread for dinner as i didnt have unemployment.
I will never put my family in that position. I need unemployment.

Thanks for letting me know that.

scaredoftests

aschenbecher wrote: »

I didnt know that. That changes everything. I know when i didnt have a job , we were eating slices of bread for dinner as i didnt have unemployment.
I will never put my family in that position. I need unemployment.

Thanks for letting me know that.

Is it a religious non-profit? I just read this law varies from state to state. That is the law in Maryland. If you are really interested in this position, find out in regard to your state.

LeBroke

aschenbecher wrote: »

I didnt know that. That changes everything. I know when i didnt have a job , we were eating slices of bread for dinner as i didnt have unemployment.
I will never put my family in that position. I need unemployment.

Thanks for letting me know that.

Plus your first post says you have experience, so you're probably worth a lot more.

jeremywatts2005

OK you did not get the salary you want. If you cannot have the salary you want then what else could they give you to make up the difference? Also if this is a non profit and you have student loans you might want to check on student loan forgiveness for working for a 501 c 3. If they do qualify for student loan forgiveness and you have student loans then there is a perk you could be getting. Next what are the hours maybe you could discuss a more flexible schedule for yourself. Time off is another area maybe that is an area you can get some wiggle room in to move the salary. Is their medical and other benefits better than what you have now? Do not just look at the base when discussing salary. Look at the whole package and negotiate it. Stop looking at the base as being lowball. Start viewing it as a starting point for negotiations.

NVLady

My experience has been that one doesn't make a lot of money at a non-profit. Another thing you can try is ask if after six months (or whatever time period), that they will give you a raise. I worked at one company that upped my salary $5000 after six months and then another $5000 after a year.

powerfool

Making a concession isn't absolutely horrible, but I would not accept if they decide not to budge.

In regards to the non-profit and money... I have seen the very opposite where non-profits compensate well. What I think influences that is whether it is A) well-funded, and you are core to the mission. I worked for a non-profit that made software for our patrons (other non-profits) and acted as an MSP. Not only were our salaries commensurate with our experience, but we had substantial 401k (I guess it was 403b, but same thing... basically, if I put in 5%, they put in 14% including match and discretionary amount that they always deposited). We always worked to be priced competitively for our patrons, but if there was ever any money left over, it had to be paid out as bonus or returned... it usually ended up being a combination. So it runs the spectrum.

With that being said, especially since it is a non-profit, would there be any opportunity for you to make additional money on the side that would perhaps be made possible by flexibility in your schedule? That is something to consider, too.

However, I would stick to my guns. If they aren't willing to budge now... your raises probably won't be too great either, so the "wait and see" approach that many companies talk about in interviews.... I give them very little consideration.

volfkhat

hUH??

i'M TOTALLY LOST HERE!!1

How/What job is only paying 35k?
That's the kind of salary you'd pay some kid coming right outta school.

Average Desktop Techs can make 40s.

TOTALLY lost here. and you say you bring "experience" to the company?

Huh??

Are you a Felon?

Just did a search for "A+ Certification" on indeed:
Here's a crap Field Tech job (post 4 hours ago):
IT Field Technician - Philadelphia job - firstPRO Inc. - Philadelphia, PA | Indeed.com
$23/hour

Here's another from 3 days ago:
Service Desk Technician job - Public Health Management Corporation - Philadelphia, PA | Indeed.com
No College DEGREE Required.


Don't know anything about your background.... but average desktop techs make more than 35k

anhtran35

They gave you an offer. You countered. No biggie. Just be patience. They'll probably give you the extra 5k.

aschenbecher

anhtran35 wrote: »

They gave you an offer. You countered. No biggie. Just be patience. They'll probably give you the extra 5k.

So I checked my voice mail and I got a msg from the manager. He wants to touch base.

I am super nervous. It's 5 pm should I call now?

danny069

It's okay to be nervous, but better to get it done and over with so you don't have to be nervous anymore.

joelsfood

Call now, leave a polite VM if you've missed him. "Sorry I missed your call, X. I hope you have a great weekend, and I will call again Monday morning". Or something similar. Don't stress you or him, don't sound push, keep it simple.

Then go take your wife out for dinner or to a movie or something and try to forget about it until Monday. Or go play with the kids, if you have them

renacido

Go to glassdoor.com and find out what is the salary range for your job in your area. What seems lowball to you may seem appropriate to their HR dept or comp committee.

Salary is not total comp, keep that in mind.

If they can't pay you more, use that as leverage to negotiate more benefits, paid leave, etc.

AverageJoe

I agree with most of the other posts... you shouldn't undersell yourself, but you should also consider other benefits. Man, that being 5 minutes from your house is a biggie to me. I've had great paying jobs with a long commute and so-so paying jobs with a short commute, and for myself, I prefer a short commute.

I just can't put a price on having an extra 90 minutes a day to play with the kids, spend time with my bride, study for certs, or whatever your thing is. Plus the savings in wear and tear on your car, tolls, gas, etc.

No right or wrong answer, just what you think is right for you. And if you accept the job, it's not forever. You can still look for better opportunities.

Just my 2 cents.

aschenbecher

While I was on train he called me again.

I informed him that I was on train and as soon as I get home I'll ring him..

When I called him he cut thru the case and informed me that he is willing to informally offer me the position for $ 40k

However, he emphasised that I should revert back to him with any questions I might have.

Should I ask if the job description has changed based on more money they will pay me?
I will think of more stuff.
What do you guys think?

AverageJoe

No, not unless there was some conversation already about job responsibility changes. From what you've described, this negotiation is simply an offer-counteroffer-acceptance type of thing.

DoubleNNs

5 mins from home. The salary you requested. I think you tell him you're excited that you both reached a win-win.
"When do I start?" would be the next question I had for him.

However, don't forget that you have to look up the unemployment law.
And hopefully you met the team you'd be working for and like them and the company culture.

greg9891

joelsfood wrote: »

Don't undersell yourself. More importantly, trust your wife (and dno't piss her off ). Keep looking if they don't come back with better offer

Lol I agree. Dont piss her off.......

TechGuru80

Understand that companies usually budget only so much for a position. Also sometimes companies like to do things like bring people in around the same pay per level.

volfkhat

DoubleNNs wrote: »

However, don't forget that you have to look up the unemployment law.

Great Reminder :]

mkazi

Wow...you consider $80k being low-balled, Deathmage? What is the job title if you don't mind me asking?