Got a job offer, now salary negotiation - help!

I've had several interviews with a company, and finally got a job offer today. (hurray!) I've never had to negotiate for salary though, and I'm unsure what to do. Some people say always to ask for more, and the salary they offered me is the bottom of the range I offered them when starting this whole process.

I think ultimately I would take the offer even if I couldn't get more, but I would be a lot more comfortable with a little extra.

What are your experiences with this process? Can it hurt to ask for more? What kinds of things should I say? I'm really a noob when it comes to this stuff.

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Mrock4

-Foxer- wrote: »

I've had several interviews with a company, and finally got a job offer today. (hurray!) I've never had to negotiate for salary though, and I'm unsure what to do. Some people say always to ask for more, and the salary they offered me is the bottom of the range I offered them when starting this whole process.

I think ultimately I would take the offer even if I couldn't get more, but I would be a lot more comfortable with a little extra.

What are your experiences with this process? Can it hurt to ask for more? What kinds of things should I say? I'm really a noob when it comes to this stuff.

It won't hurt to ask for more, but my tip is: be able to justify the increase. Do your homework on the average salaries for similarly-skilled individuals in your area, etc. My last job, they wouldn't budge. I justified the increase perfectly, they said "sorry..there's no budget to go higher." My new job, same thing..I justified my salary increase, and they responded with a revised offer letter of the value I requested.

If they ultimately won't budge at all, ask them about adding incentives into your offer letter for raises on a per-certification (or degree) basis. For example, $2,500 raise for attaining your XXX cert. I had an employer who refused to go higher than $80k, but I got them to add incentives for attaining certs.

Devilsbane

My concern with this is always saying something ridicuosly high and then them saying nevermind. From what I've seen, this doesn't happen. If they have already offered the job then they are willing to work with you. Worst case is probably that they counter and say something smaller. If you continue to nit pick all day long then maybe they will withdraw the offer. But a few bounces back and forth shouldn't be a big deal.

hiddenknight821

-Foxer- wrote: »

I've had several interviews with a company, and finally got a job offer today. (hurray!) I've never had to negotiate for salary though, and I'm unsure what to do. Some people say always to ask for more, and the salary they offered me is the bottom of the range I offered them when starting this whole process.

I think ultimately I would take the offer even if I couldn't get more, but I would be a lot more comfortable with a little extra.

Hurray! Congrats on the job.

Good to hear this coming from a WGU graduate from the MSISA program. You have to keep us updated. I'm sure some of us are going to ask you the salary range that you proposed, but if you are uncomfortable telling us, then that's totally understandable. This is great news!

crrussell3

Also remember to look elsewhere instead of $$$. What about an extra weeks vacation time? Sometimes that is worth more than the $5k you might get from negotiating with them.

-Foxer-

Mrock4 wrote: »

Do your homework on the average salaries for similarly-skilled individuals in your area, etc.

This is hard, because no companies really list what the range is for their salaries, so it's hard to know. I could be completely low-balling myself.

The position is for an IT security analyst. The offer is about $15k more than I make now, and I currently work for local government as a systems administrator. From things like the Robert Half Salary guide, that position could be anywhere from $81K - $111K. I really don't know what kind of range is reasonable.

I guess I've got the weekend to think it over anyway.

Devilsbane

-Foxer- wrote: »

This is hard, because no companies really list what the range is for their salaries, so it's hard to know. I could be completely low-balling myself.

Very few jobs on monster actually state what they pay. Because they don't want to get locked into something.

Everyone

-Foxer- wrote: »

This is hard, because no companies really list what the range is for their salaries, so it's hard to know. I could be completely low-balling myself.

The position is for an IT security analyst. The offer is about $15k more than I make now, and I currently work for local government as a systems administrator. From things like the Robert Half Salary guide, that position could be anywhere from $81K - $111K. I really don't know what kind of range is reasonable.

I guess I've got the weekend to think it over anyway.

Did you do the localization when using their guide? I don't know where you're at in Utah, but I'm sure that's a slightly lower paying area from having lived in that region before myself.

Check salary.com too, plug in your education, years of experience, location, industry, everything. It should give you a pretty good range. Glassdoor.com is another good place to research this sort of thing, and payscale.com is OK too. After looking at all of them, you should have a pretty good picture.

Mrock4

-Foxer- wrote: »

This is hard, because no companies really list what the range is for their salaries, so it's hard to know. I could be completely low-balling myself.

It's easy. You're not trying to find the companies range for that position (that'd be nice), you're trying to find on average, what folks with the same position title make in your area. It's not exact, but it gives you an idea.

ie: http://www.indeed.com/salary/q-Information-Security-Analyst-l-Salt-Lake-City,-UT.html

I don't trust these things too much (my own job title/location reveals an average that is REALLY low compared to what I'd expect)..but they should give you a rough idea.

Additionally, why don't you search for similar jobs in the area, and see what they're offering (if listed) ???? This would again tell you roughly what you should be looking at for your area.

SteveLord

Look for other jobs to compare salary or go with your gut. You'll find something. Avoid those using internet articles.

-Foxer-

Well, I think the salary they offered is a little low, but that's probably mostly my own fault for listing my salary requirements too low to begin with. Lots of good advice here, thanks.

I'll ask for more in a counter offer, but how exactly do you go about doing that? What have you guys said in that past that has worked for you?

-Foxer-

Well, I talked to the recruiter this morning, and gave him a higher range that seemed to fit better with the position. Now I'll just wait to see what they say.

higherho

With your credentials and depending on your position (if its with a big company or not) I would push pass the 70k range. Your MCITP: EA is worth that much at least.

badrottie

The first rule of negotiation is that it is easier to come down, than to go up. The risk is, obviously, that you may disqualify yourself by quoting too high.

I always make a point of asking what the pay band is for a given position in the preliminary stages. There is no point in wasting either their time or mine if it is below what I am looking for.

I recently was recruited for a position and went through two rounds of interviews before they made an offer. As their offer was only $5000 more than my current pay, I declined the position. It was a shock to them, but when asked why, I stated that my salary review was within a month and I would be getting a raise, I would be forgoing my FY11 bonus by leaving (not a small amount, considering I am on track for a 25% of salary performance bonus), I would lose the employer contribution of my defined contribution pension plan, etc. As I had told them what I am earning and the compensation structure is with my existing employer during the first interview, they cannot expect me to jump ship in what amounts to a lateral move for essentially the same (in fact, considerably less when you factor in losing a bonus). That and when you are coming from a Fortune 100 company to a, well, it isn't even a Fortune company, it had best be for a significant career move. Really, a lot of time and effort could have been saved if they said what their maximum ceiling was for the role prior to having me sit down and meet with them face-to-face.

(Lesson learned: if you are trying to hire someone away from an existing company, it is best to make an offer that will entice someone to leave. Promises about future opportunities for growth and such ilk are just words. At the end of the day, it is really about how you are compensated and is it in the best interest of your career.)

No complaints, though. I was just contacted regarding another opportunity last week that looks stellar. Hopefully, it works out for the best.

grauwulf

two tips and then my technique.

First off, don't bring up salary at your interview. It just makes things feel awkward and pressured.

Secondly, when somebody does ask you how much you're looking for counter by asking what the pay band in for this position. If they don't want to tell you then offer reasons why you think you are in a given percentage of the band. For example: I am a software developer & architect with about 14 years experience, if you want me to be a full time 'general developer' then I expect to be at the top end of my band. If you want me to be a security engineer, a specific sub-set of my experience, I would expect to get less. As somebody new to the field I would look at glassdoor.com and get a feel for my position in my area - then you just take a shot. Be realistic and aim a little high. If 40k is reasonable for your area then ask for 47 - not 75.

My technique is to simply not negotiate, well not too much anyway. I go in with the stated expectation that I not take a pay cut but if you want to hire me, entice me. Part of this is operating from the position of strength. If somebody is desperate they are more likely to take what they are given. If somebody is doing you a courtesy by coming to your interview, well it might take a bit more than minimum wage. Don't be cocky, be confident because you are.

Good luck!

-Foxer-

Well, they ended up not budging on the the salary, but they did offer a signing bonus. I ended up taking the offer because even though I think it was a little low it was still a pretty good increase from my current pay.

It also gets me into the security field, which I've been wanting to do. Overall I'm pretty excited, but I have learned a lot, and hopefully will negotiate better next time. Thanks for all your advice!

-Foxer-

Well, they ended up not budging on the the salary, but they did offer a signing bonus. I ended up taking the offer, because even though I think it was a little low it was still a pretty good increase from my current pay.

It also gets me into the security field, which I've been wanting to do. Overall I'm pretty excited, but I have learned a lot, and hopefully will negotiate better next time. Thanks for all your advice!

_Marauder

badrottie wrote: »

The first rule of negotiation is that it is easier to come down, than to go up. The risk is, obviously, that you may disqualify yourself by quoting too high.

I always make a point of asking what the pay band is for a given position in the preliminary stages. There is no point in wasting either their time or mine if it is below what I am looking for.

I recently was recruited for a position and went through two rounds of interviews before they made an offer. As their offer was only $5000 more than my current pay, I declined the position. It was a shock to them, but when asked why, I stated that my salary review was within a month and I would be getting a raise, I would be forgoing my FY11 bonus by leaving (not a small amount, considering I am on track for a 25% of salary performance bonus), I would lose the employer contribution of my defined contribution pension plan, etc. As I had told them what I am earning and the compensation structure is with my existing employer during the first interview, they cannot expect me to jump ship in what amounts to a lateral move for essentially the same (in fact, considerably less when you factor in losing a bonus). That and when you are coming from a Fortune 100 company to a, well, it isn't even a Fortune company, it had best be for a significant career move. Really, a lot of time and effort could have been saved if they said what their maximum ceiling was for the role prior to having me sit down and meet with them face-to-face.

(Lesson learned: if you are trying to hire someone away from an existing company, it is best to make an offer that will entice someone to leave. Promises about future opportunities for growth and such ilk are just words. At the end of the day, it is really about how you are compensated and is it in the best interest of your career.)

No complaints, though. I was just contacted regarding another opportunity last week that looks stellar. Hopefully, it works out for the best.

Couldnt agree more. It is always easier to come down than to go up while negotiating salary. My advice: Do your research! Know what the market is paying for the position(Relative to your experience and location).

Devilsbane

Can't complain with a signing bonus. $2,000 today is almost better than $5,000 over the next 12 months anyway. Especially if you get sick of the job after 6 months.

Congrats!

Everyone

-Foxer- wrote: »

Well, they ended up not budging on the the salary, but they did offer a signing bonus. I ended up taking the offer, because even though I think it was a little low it was still a pretty good increase from my current pay.

It also gets me into the security field, which I've been wanting to do. Overall I'm pretty excited, but I have learned a lot, and hopefully will negotiate better next time. Thanks for all your advice!

Congrats! Do they have performance based increases? If so, maybe you'll catch up to where you wanted. If not, the next job will take you well above it for sure.

-Foxer-

Everyone wrote: »

Congrats! Do they have performance based increases? If so, maybe you'll catch up to where you wanted. If not, the next job will take you well above it for sure.

Yes, they do performance based raises, so we'll see where that takes me. In any case the company seems really good, and the experience should be good too.

MrAgent

Congrats! Whos the lucky company?

MrRyte

Congratz bro!!!

BTW-dohey have any openings in Austin or Dallas?

Devilry

Congrats! A sign-on bonus is better than a year long small increase, usually.