Best way to negotiate salary?

[AznAnarchy99]

I am going through the final stages of the hiring process for another company and we are about to come into and talk about salary. The HR lady told me that I should expect around $45k but it would depend on the departmental manager. She called me this morning and told me that he's thinking more around $42k. That would technically be a lateral movement in pay for me as I basically make that right now. I was looking towards maybe $46k-48k.

Is it best to stick to my guns about it or should I be flexible? Any advice on speaking points when I actually meet them face to face to discuss this? My current spot right now was talking about giving me a pay raise. What's the best way to use that as leverage? Most jobs I've applied to has been, this is the pay and that is it so I don't have much experience with it.

 

[Ns1]

Ask for more than you want and then work down. Good luck, I had to talk to the VP of HR to negotiate salary (after 3 rounds of interviews) and only got a fraction of what I asked for.

It's not easy but it is definitely doable.

To be clear: I called the HR recruiter who presented the options and flat out presented my view point - I was hoping for more and would decline at the current offer, but would be willing to negotiate. Went through 1 round of negotiation and took the offer.

YGPM

 

[purbeast0]

tell them you are expecting $50k and what you currently make, and that you don't really have any incentive to move jobs if you aren't making more money. also tell them you feel underpaid at your current salary which is part of the reason you started looking for a new job in the first place, so that getting no bump in salary will make you still feel underpaid.

i've also never been in a position where simply trying to negotiate will automatically lose you the position. they won't just say fine you're gone just because you asked for more money. chances are the worst case scenario will be "sorry we can go as high as $42k and no more" so then you will at least know the bottom dollar.

remember, a job isn't a 1 way street. you are also doing them a favor working for them, they aren't just doing you a favor for giving you a job. make it known you value yourself.

also, i guess it depends how bad you want the job.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Sounds like they are cheap asses already. I'd probably avoid it if they are already trying to lowball you.

 

[rcpratt]

Would you actually take it if it were $42k? If not, then you have the leverage. Tell them that salary would make it a lateral move for you and you aren't comfortable leaving your company at this time for a lateral move. Throw in a few points about why you're a valuable employee.

I don't think you're going to be able to parlay your current job "thinking" about a raise into anything higher at the other company. I wouldn't bring that up.

 

[sze5003]

No way would I take that if that is what I was making now. I have only accepted a lower salary years back when the economy went to crap and my old job was being closed down.

 

[rh71]

lateral move - do you still have that job now?

 

[Tweak155]

Pretty much what I do is request no more than what I'm willing to turn down.

Went into an interview requesting $80-$95k at the time (was a possible team lead or straight developer, thus the wide range), they came back and offered me $79k as a developer.

I was like no. And they came back and told me no, but offer still on the table.

Turned it down. It was still a massive increase at the time but I took into consideration their hours, benefits, etc and only requested the minimum I would accept. They didn't make the cut so it was a no go.

I do this for anything. Set my expectations and stick with them. If they aren't met, you'll find somewhere or something that will meet them if you're determined enough.

 

[sze5003]

Pretty much what I do is request no more than what I'm willing to turn down.

Went into an interview requesting $80-$95k at the time (was a possible team lead or straight developer, thus the wide range), they came back and offered me $79k as a developer.

I was like no. And they came back and told me no, but offer still on the table.

Turned it down. It was still a massive increase at the time but I took into consideration their hours, benefits, etc and only requested the minimum I would accept. They didn't make the cut so it was a no go.

I do this for anything. Set my expectations and stick with them. If they aren't met, you'll find somewhere or something that will meet them if you're determined enough.

Depends what you are making currently too. And the type of work you have been doing. My company is very specific in what I'm working on so sometimes it's hard to figure out what you should think you should be getting. But that's a good strategy. I say start high, tell them what you currently make because the application does ask you that. Then they will know if they are being fair or not.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Whip it out and ask them how much they think it's worth to them.

Wait....scratch that idea. You may lose salary that way.

 

[highland145]

How about "I need money, bitches."?

Or not. Grats on the job.

Sounds like they are cheap asses already. I'd probably avoid it if they are already trying to lowball you.

Did you change?

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

How about "I need money, bitches."?

Or not. Grats on the job.


Did you change?

What do you mean?

 

[sze5003]

Just don't feel pressured to accept the same salary that you get now. That's dumb and many companies do that. At my last job I was making decent money. I asked for the same amount at Boeing and they low balled me by 10k. No way I was going to take that so I got another offer from the company I work with now, which was still less but closer to my asking salary so I told Boeing no and they were like oh well we thought you wanted to work here. Yes I did but I got a better offer and they didn't even bother to negotiate.

 

[tHa ShIzNiT]

dude this is ATOT, you gotta add 30k to those numbers. we don't deal with "reality" here

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

dude this is ATOT, you gotta add 30k to those numbers. we don't deal with "reality" here

I was thinking 6 figures minimum with a bro thrown in for good measure.

 

[highland145]

What do you mean?

Weren't you looking at changing to a job closer to your house?

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Weren't you looking at changing to a job closer to your house?

Yeah after working there all of two days (new job) my old job called me back and I left the new job. New job was a joke of a company and I jumped for joy when my last job called and said they wanted me back.

 

[Ns1]

Yeah after working there all of two days (new job) my old job called me back and I left the new job. New job was a joke of a company and I jumped for joy when my last job called and said they wanted me back.

i lol'd, but glad that worked out for you.

 

[Legios]

I was recently offered 2 jobs at nearly the same time, 2 weeks difference. One was completely lateral, except it wasnt contract like my current job was. They made it seem like it was a better deal because I would get paid days off and all that. The second offer was for 35% more than what I currently made and was also direct hire. If the first company didnt try to low ball me and offer me like 5k more I most likely would have accepted that and not even considered the other job. Instead they missed out.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

i lol'd, but glad that worked out for you.

Yeah it was kinda crazy. lol. I just never showed back up. Didn't call or anything. I figured they'd call me and ask where I was.

 

[rockmyroad]

This is what I did when it came to negotiating salary.

During the interview process, HR eventually came to the topic of salary.
She asked so.. how much?
What you want to do here is not only give them a number like I want __K but instead tell them how much you're worth. A play on words is crucial.

I wont go into great detail about what exactly they offered me but it was 5K under what I wanted. All you need is some gonads to tell them "look, I accept your offer at __K for now but I want a mid annual review mainly so I can prove myself that I am worth the amount I asked for. If the progress is not up to your standards, then I will accept your offer. If the progress is up to your standards, do you accept my proposal to bump my salary to my asking price?

Be confident. Hold your ground. Negotiate. There are many other companies who can use your experience and skills. So in that sense, you have the upper hand. They need you.

 

[DT4K]

What you want is really irrelevant.

The relevant questions are:
How badly do they want you?
How badly do you want the job?
How much would it cost them to get someone else who can do the job?

If they want you badly, they will probably be willing to pay slightly more than what it would cost them to hire someone else. But they still aren't going to go crazy and pay you way more than the going rate.

 

[rockmyroad]

Yup exactly what DT4K said. As much as they need you, there are many others as capable as you. It really depends on the questions DT4K presented.

 

[DaveSimmons]

What you want is really irrelevant.

The relevant questions are:
How badly do they want you?
How badly do you want the job?
How much would it cost them to get someone else who can do the job?

If they want you badly, they will probably be willing to pay slightly more than what it would cost them to hire someone else. But they still aren't going to go crazy and pay you way more than the going rate.

Good points. If your current employer is already paying you the market rate for your work, job-hopping isn't likely to get you a big increase.

If your current employer is under-paying you or you are moving to a higher position then yes, you should negotiate.

 

[Schfifty Five]

I am going through the final stages of the hiring process for another company and we are about to come into and talk about salary. The HR lady told me that I should expect around $45k but it would depend on the departmental manager. She called me this morning and told me that he's thinking more around $42k. That would technically be a lateral movement in pay for me as I basically make that right now. I was looking towards maybe $46k-48k.

Is it best to stick to my guns about it or should I be flexible? Any advice on speaking points when I actually meet them face to face to discuss this? My current spot right now was talking about giving me a pay raise. What's the best way to use that as leverage? Most jobs I've applied to has been, this is the pay and that is it so I don't have much experience with it.

Every job is different, but from what I've read and heard from others is that it's not worth the effort unless it's at least a 15-20% raise in pay. Now I know there could be other factors like growth opportunities, better environment, etc, but seems in your situation, something like $50K is the minimum you should shoot for. Stick to your guns.

You can also try to look up salary ranges online. A few places like salary.com or glassdoor.com might help you out. If you are in the financial/accounting industry, robert half guide can also be useful.