Got a new job....kinda?

Long story short, I've been pretty unhappy (paywise) with current job as JOAT at a small small MSP. Got caught looking for other jobs, boss gave me a raise/monthly bonus' (not much) coworker left for better paying job and my deal fell through. Stayed here for bit. Things are pretty slow but very relaxed. Applied to TONS of places had a lot of phone interviews and a handful of in person interviews. Had a few offers but declined them.

Forward to last few weeks got a call about my application for this software company that deals with the public sector. Great company with fantastic benefits. Had phone interview and then in person interview. They extended an official offer pending my drug test and background check. On the offer letter I noticed the position was for tier III but when I applied the position was for tier II. Asked HR and she informed me that the position title was correct and that the pay they offered was within range of the position. Now the pay is about 15k MORE than I make currently but I do want to get paid accordingly. So I did research and found for the position in the area the average is a bit higher than they offered. Now if it came down to it I would no doubt still take the job with the pay they originally offered.

On Monday they gave me notice to inform my current employer of my notice to leave. Gave my 2 weeks. At that point I figured I was IN. So I asked HR if I could counter their offer based on the average of the position in the area and informed her of my start date. She didn't ask for a number or anything and said she will check and get back with me. Now this was on Monday April 2. Didn't hear back from her. Gave her a call the next day (yesterday) and left a voicemail. Woke up this morning to a missed call from her. NO voicemail, no email, nothing. So I called back and still nothing back! This is my first time ever negotiating salary and its gotten me a little scared and anxious. I know I'm IN but I feel like maybe they are contacting the other candidates or something. Call me paranoid!

lol

Well I hope the fine people here on Techexams can calm my nerves as I want to "officially" celebrate my new job but as you can see I am a nervous wreck

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Comments

kriscamaro68

Never negotiate salary after accepting a job. You accepted at the rate they offered. You need to be doing that kind of research before you accept anything.

etbjr182

kriscamaro68 wrote: »

Never negotiate salary after accepting a job. You accepted at the rate they offered. You need to be doing that kind of research before you accept anything.

Well I never signed the offer letter so did I accept the job?

networker050184

Yep, its more than likely too late now. Once everything is signed and accepted you are locked in.

EDIT

So, you put in your notice without signing an offer? Bad move there. Seems like you are going about this in the wrong order!

1. negotiate
2. accept/sign offer
3. give notice.

etbjr182

networker050184 wrote: »

Yep, its more than likely too late now. Once everything is signed and accepted you are locked in.

EDIT

So, you put in your notice without signing an offer? Bad move there. Seems like you are going about this in the wrong order!

1. negotiate
2. accept/sign offer
3. give notice.

Well the gave me the ok to give notice once my background and drug test came back clean. She told me to bring in the offer letter on my first day. Idk what I was suppose to do? I guess I could have just signed it and dropped it off or something? idk

erpadmin

I kinda messed up on the negotiating side but I had lowballed myself. The HR person I was dealing with my gave me an offer on the lowball amount and it amonted to a few hundred dollar difference. However, she had advised me that the union contract would have me at a couple of grand higher than the lowball in a couple of months (when the fiscal year ends). I took that into account and I accepted. My salary within six years went up 30% anyway thanks to step increases, so I really can't complain.

In your case, call HR, and try to back out of the "negotiation" and tell them you will play ball. At this point, your new organization can rescind the offer they've given you and you can be stuck with no job. (Seriously.)

Play ball, and get paid, and do well at the new place is my advice to you at this point.

etbjr182

erpadmin wrote: »

I kinda messed up on the negotiating side but I had lowballed myself. The HR person I was dealing with my gave me an offer on the lowball amount and it amonted to a few hundred dollar difference. However, she had advised me that the union contract would have me at a couple of grand higher than the lowball in a couple of months (when the fiscal year ends). I took that into account and I accepted. My salary within six years went up 30% anyway thanks to step increases, so I really can't complain.

In your case, call HR, and try to back out of the "negotiation" and tell them you will play ball. At this point, your new organization can rescind the offer they've given you and you can be stuck with no job. (Seriously.)

Play ball, and get paid, and do well at the new place is my advice to you at this point.

Oh dang well glad it worked out for you in the end!

Yea thats the thing, calling HR lol. Apparently its quite difficult to get ahold of her, hence my worriment because of lack of communication on their part. Part of me wants to back out and just accept but others are telling me just to be patient as its only been a few days lol.

ptilsen

15K more? Unless you are underpaid for your skill level (forget the position; it's about you, not the position), don't be greedy at the last minute. If 15K more is not enough then negotiate that up front.

TheCudder

ptilsen wrote: »

15K more? Unless you are underpaid for your skill level (forget the position; it's about you, not the position), don't be greedy at the last minute. If 15K more is not enough then negotiate that up front.

It's not a matter of being greedy, he's just making sure he's compensated fairly. Especially since you pretty much HAVE to get your money in the door these days. $15K may be a huge raise for where he's coming from and he's happy with that I'm betting, but no one wants to find out a year down the road that you're being under paid and the guy next to you or the guy who held the position before you was being paid $5,000+ more per year with lower qualifications/less experience. All because you were so happy moving up from where you were before.

cmitchell_00

I agree it can be an pain negotiating these days since it's so many people looking for work. I was looking at some other blogs and guys were feeling down since they had an CCNA, A +, Net + and Sec + and were getting underpaid. Then, when they found out that this other guy on their team just has an degree & Net + and make 10k more they were pissed. Therefore, I guess it's really true get the money upfront and then more from there.

networker050184

etbjr182 wrote: »

Well the gave me the ok to give notice once my background and drug test came back clean. She told me to bring in the offer letter on my first day. Idk what I was suppose to do? I guess I could have just signed it and dropped it off or something? idk

They may give you the ok, but its you that will be out of the job if something falls through not them. If you have verbally accepted the offer, just haven't brought in the signed form, then you are probably out of luck. Doesn't hurt to ask I suppose.

etbjr182

ptilsen wrote: »

15K more? Unless you are underpaid for your skill level (forget the position; it's about you, not the position), don't be greedy at the last minute. If 15K more is not enough then negotiate that up front.

I am GROSSLY underpaid....that is why I want to get paid what I'm worth up front and not have to deal with this again...

TheCudder wrote: »

It's not a matter of being greedy, he's just making sure he's compensated fairly. Especially since you pretty much HAVE to get your money in the door these days. $15K may be a huge raise for where he's coming from and he's happy with that I'm betting, but no one wants to find out a year down the road that you're being under paid and the guy next to you or the guy who held the position before you was being paid $5,000+ more per year with lower qualifications/less experience. All because you were so happy moving up from where you were before.

Nailed it right on the head 100%. That is exactly what I was thinking

cmitchell_00 wrote: »

I agree it can be an pain negotiating these days since it's so many people looking for work. I was looking at some other blogs and guys were feeling down since they had an CCNA, A +, Net + and Sec + and were getting underpaid. Then, when they found out that this other guy on their team just has an degree & Net + and make 10k more they were pissed. Therefore, I guess it's really true get the money upfront and then more from there.

Yea I don't want to come into this job starting off lower than the guy next to me doing the same exact thing. But I guess I have to just accept that I am lucky enough to have found such a great opportunity. Which I am VERY greatful for!

networker050184 wrote: »

They may give you the ok, but its you that will be out of the job if something falls through not them. If you have verbally accepted the offer, just haven't brought in the signed form, then you are probably out of luck. Doesn't hurt to ask I suppose.

Yea my thoughts exactly, worth a shot.

etbjr182

:UPDATE:

Well everyone the worry is over!! Finally got a response from HR and my official start date is 4/18!!!

She said she is still waiting for their response but more than likely that was the final offer. I accepted and cannot wait to start this next exciting chapter of my life! Thanks everyone for their response, opinions and stories it really does mean a lot as I was being paranoid to the point where I had a panic attack! Guess that's what I get for being an over thinker

cknapp78

Congrats! I've been following this thread most of the day hoping for the best for you.

Lesson learned. Get every question you have out of the way before you commit verbally let alone in writing.

higherho

I understand your frustration. I am in a position that is 65 to 75k range. I volunteered to take it to move up and I showed great results. Still getting underpaid by 30 k easily

erpadmin

etbjr182 wrote: »

:UPDATE:

Well everyone the worry is over!! Finally got a response from HR and my official start date is 4/18!!! She said she is still waiting for their response but more than likely that was the final offer. I accepted and cannot wait to start this next exciting chapter of my life! Thanks everyone for their response, opinions and stories it really does mean a lot as I was being paranoid to the point where I had a panic attack! Guess that's what I get for being an over thinker

I am so glad that you accepted and that things worked out. Get that signed letter to them ASAP, and take your $15k and love it. [Yes, I said LOVE it...]

Congratulations!

Keener

etbjr182 wrote: »

They extended an official offer pending my drug test and background check. On the offer letter I noticed the position was for tier III but when I applied the position was for tier II. Asked HR and she informed me that the position title was correct and that the pay they offered was within range of the position.

Congratulations on the job and the pay raise! I hope to have one like that again in the next few years when I finish my Security certs and get a job with those skills!

My recommendation, don't always pay as much attention to the title as much as the job description. Different companies and departments separate the levels differently. Tier III for one company might be something completely different for another company. I remember talking to someone that set 4 levels/tiers for support, while most only use 3 tiers. If the job description is in line with what you think the pay should be then pay attention to that.

Here is an example, though it is from a different industry. In Hospitality/Food and Beverage (a lot of years in this industry), the Food and Beverage Director at a hotel might just be the equivalent of a manager at a restaurant.

etbjr182

cknapp78 wrote: »

Congrats! I've been following this thread most of the day hoping for the best for you.

Lesson learned. Get every question you have out of the way before you commit verbally let alone in writing.

Thanks!! lesson TOTALLY learned lol

higherho wrote: »

I understand your frustration. I am in a position that is 65 to 75k range. I volunteered to take it to move up and I showed great results. Still getting underpaid by 30 k easily

Oh damn...yea sucks to be underpaid but hey things will work out in the end no? plus it can always be worse

erpadmin wrote: »

I am so glad that you accepted and that things worked out. Get that signed letter to them ASAP, and take your $15k and love it. [Yes, I said LOVE it...]

Congratulations!

Thanks! hahaah YES I LOVE it with all my heart!

Keener wrote: »

Congratulations on the job and the pay raise! I hope to have one like that again in the next few years when I finish my Security certs and get a job with those skills!

My recommendation, don't always pay as much attention to the title as much as the job description. Different companies and departments separate the levels differently. Tier III for one company might be something completely different for another company. I remember talking to someone that set 4 levels/tiers for support, while most only use 3 tiers. If the job description is in line with what you think the pay should be then pay attention to that.

Here is an example, though it is from a different industry. In Hospitality/Food and Beverage (a lot of years in this industry), the Food and Beverage Director at a hotel might just be the equivalent of a manager at a restaurant.

Thanks! yea good luck with that! hopefully my experience kinda prepares you so you don't drive yourself crazy when the time comes lol

Yea the title itself wasn't the issues. But I know for a fact that it is MORE responsibility as far as on call etc. So I figured I should be compensated appropriately. But yea I've seen help desk positions that are system admin and vice versa!

cmitchell_00

etbjr182 wrote: »

:UPDATE:

Well everyone the worry is over!! Finally got a response from HR and my official start date is 4/18!!! She said she is still waiting for their response but more than likely that was the final offer. I accepted and cannot wait to start this next exciting chapter of my life! Thanks everyone for their response, opinions and stories it really does mean a lot as I was being paranoid to the point where I had a panic attack! Guess that's what I get for being an over thinker

Dude... congrats on the new position. I hope this makes you and your family more off and things worked out after all.

techdudehere

Glad it worked out. Be careful of giving notice before all arrangements are finalized. What could happen is the company decides to go with candidate B instead if something irks them. I tell all companies who make an offer that I won't give my 2 weeks to the current until every last detail is finalized and I have it in writing. I know of someone who quit after being told he was hired, only to be told they wouldn't hire him the day before he was to start due to a credit issue. I believe it was because his score was less than a certain threshold as his ex wife had wracked up some credit debt in both names that he had not discovered yet!

theanimal

Congrats on the new position, and I was just curious, is A+ your only certification?

etbjr182

cmitchell_00 wrote: »

Dude... congrats on the new position. I hope this makes you and your family more off and things worked out after all.

Thanks! yes will DEFINITELY help in getting my life in order for the future!

techdudehere wrote: »

Glad it worked out. Be careful of giving notice before all arrangements are finalized. What could happen is the company decides to go with candidate B instead if something irks them. I tell all companies who make an offer that I won't give my 2 weeks to the current until every last detail is finalized and I have it in writing. I know of someone who quit after being told he was hired, only to be told they wouldn't hire him the day before he was to start due to a credit issue. I believe it was because his score was less than a certain threshold as his ex wife had wracked up some credit debt in both names that he had not discovered yet!

dang...yea I'm glad it worked out too! could have been a horror story

theanimal wrote: »

Congrats on the new position, and I was just curious, is A+ your only certification?

Yes it is. I have about 2-3 years of JOAT experience. I think that was key. I have to get the 70-680 Microsoft cert within a certain amount of months which works out because I was studying for it regardless

whatthehell

Congratz and glad it worked out for the best!

gadav478

Good to hear this! I'm glad everything worked out. Definitely learning from your experience! Now it's time to rack up the experience and put a couple more dollars in the wallet.

Congrats.