Salary Negotiation

Let them know salary is only one component. Have them provide you their best offer with a list of all benefits so you can evaluate that compared to your existing package.

I found a service that is really helpful and wrote an article about it. It's targeted at tech roles but the tips that I mention apply to many industries. https://levelup.gitconnected.com/learn-how-to-negotiate-your-salary-with-expert-help-5afedd11a178?sk=f45b5c00b583a99cb6c183bb9bf3627c

Starting a job is the best time to negotiate your pay. Once you're in, you don't have as much leverage and will tend to get the usual step increases unless your role changes.

You want to have options, or at least make your potential employer believe you have options.

You need to be able to turn down the job if it is offered.

Mostly, you have to impress them throughout the interview process.

At some point they will ask what you are looking to make. That's your first bid. Just tell them what you want to make and be realistic.

When it comes down to the employer making a formal offer, they have already decided that they want you.

If they really want you, they won't lose you over a few grand. If they go to the next candidate to save a buck, you don't want to work there.

Now if you really want to work there and don't have any better options, then they have you for whatever they will offer you.

I was asked "what salary would make you feel whole", and I gave an honest answer, at the top of what I thought I could get, and they accepted it.

When they make you an offer.

You need to go in there with a clear understanding your value in the market at justification for it.

range wrote:

When they make you an offer.

You need to go in there with a clear understanding your value in the market at justification for it.

How do you know your market value before you get offers? I know sites like glassdoor can be somewhat misleading and generic.

Agree with this X-Runner... I would add

1) It depends on size of the company large companies have designated compension structures so you have a narrow range to negotiate, smaller companies are more flexible

2) a good rule of thumb, if you have no other salary benchmarks, for your new job at a similar level to your current job is round up to nearest $5K (I.e. 57K rounds up to 60K) +10% is a reasonable expected salary bump

3) feel free to ask people what types of salaries should be expected if they work in that industry

I have job interview this Thursday.

It's a tech job and the pay range on the job posting was between $180K and $239K.

However I was urged by my boss to interview for a bigger role (promotion) at my current company with the salary topping out at $155K. That interview went well, so I'm waiting for that offer.

Obviously, the idea of pulling $239K in the midwest is pretty cool so I'm tempted to jump ship...but I have to perform well enough at the interview to get that offer.

I have over 12 years of experience, so is asking for $239K a good idea? I feel awkward asking for that amount but they should not post that top end of the range if they don't want people asking for it.

PizzaGuys wrote:

I have job interview this Thursday.

It's a tech job and the pay range on the job posting was between $180K and $239K.

I have over 12 years of experience, so is asking for $239K a good idea? I feel awkward asking for that amount but they should not post that top end of the range if they don't want people asking for it.

So you have a job now with a pending promotion/change that pays 155k. Then, you are interviewing elsewhere with the potential at least to make 239k.

Just ask for 239k. You have something to fall back on, so what do you have to lose? You'd be amazed what what people pull off. Just be confident and act like you are worth the money. If they counter for 200k.. then everyone wins.

PizzaGuys wrote:

so is asking for $239K a good idea?

See what they offer you first. Then ask for more. If they offer you $180 or less asking for $239 is high but not crazy. They will probably counter with something in the middle. If they offer you $239 then ask for more. They may tell you that's the top of their range and they can't do anything, but maybe they can give you equity or a signing bonus. Worst case is that they say no. It would be bad practice for them to pull an offer cause you asked for more.

Brink's Truck wrote:

PizzaGuys wrote:

so is asking for $239K a good idea?

See what they offer you first. Then ask for more. If they offer you $180 or less asking for $239 is high but not crazy. They will probably counter with something in the middle. If they offer you $239 then ask for more. They may tell you that's the top of their range and they can't do anything, but maybe they can give you equity or a signing bonus. Worst case is that they say no. It would be bad practice for them to pull an offer cause you asked for more.

If we help you get $239k, do we get a 0.1% consultation fee?

CatchBall wrote:

So you have a job now with a pending promotion/change that pays 155k. Then, you are interviewing elsewhere with the potential at least to make 239k.

Just ask for 239k. You have something to fall back on, so what do you have to lose? You'd be amazed what what people pull off. Just be confident and act like you are worth the money. If they counter for 200k.. then everyone wins.

Yes. That is correct. My current company (Fortune 15) is most likely going to offer the job to me (pending something crazy) at $155K.

The new company will be interviewing me for the $239K job on Thursday. I'm thinking about telling the new company about my promotion as some sort of passive negotiation. I'm not sure that's a good tactic as I'm not a recruiter and I don't know what turns them off.

All I know is that $239K is basically life-changing money...I could possibly retire a few years short of age 62 (the age my financial planner set for me). I'm hopeful.

PizzaGuys wrote:

I have job interview this Thursday.

It's a tech job and the pay range on the job posting was between $180K and $239K.

However I was urged by my boss to interview for a bigger role (promotion) at my current company with the salary topping out at $155K. That interview went well, so I'm waiting for that offer.

Obviously, the idea of pulling $239K in the midwest is pretty cool so I'm tempted to jump ship...but I have to perform well enough at the interview to get that offer.

I have over 12 years of experience, so is asking for $239K a good idea? I feel awkward asking for that amount but they should not post that top end of the range if they don't want people asking for it.

What the heck do you do?? I do generic full-stack software development, pretty early in my career making $90k. I get the vibe that the experienced people in their 40's and 50's might be around $120k, but no one is $150k or up in the midwest.

So what type of 'tech' are you talking??

Another tricky part is if they ask you what you are currently making or what you made in the past.

That shouldn't matter. It should only matter what the new place is willing to pay or think you are worth.

But if you are already making the top range of the position you are applying for, then you should say what you are making and need an increase to leave.

X-Runner wrote:

Another tricky part is if they ask you what you are currently making or what you made in the past.

Companies cannot legally ask salary history. They can confirm the info if you provide it, but they cannot ask.

You need to understand all aspects of compensation but first you need to get an offer. It is normal to discuss compensation expectations in general terms early in the interview process just so both parties make sure that expectations are not wildly off. When an offer is made it is most often made verbally via a phone-call with an offer letter to follow via email. Hopefully, the offer letter contains all details but often times they don't either due to legal concerns or just plain sloppy HR. The first thing you should say when an offer is made is "thank you! I'm very excited about this opportunity and would like a little time to think things through." Agree with HR or the Hiring Manager on a date by which you will make a decision. Review all aspects of the offer base comp, vacation, bonus, 401K company match, medical/dental insurance, retirement plan (uncommon today), stock options if applicable. Depending on the level of the position there may be a long-term compensation scheme which they may or may not provide you with details about prior to accepting the job or starting. It is appropriate to respond to the offer with a counter-offer but you need to understand what is realistic for that employer and position. You need to balance being underpaid with antagonizing future colleagues when it comes to a counter-offer

Oftentimes companies will handle the compensation negotiations within HR. That way your future manager is not involved and there will be no lasting effect when you join. Also, I would try not to tell the company the salary range that you are looking for. There is a chance they were going to offer you more and you limited yourself. They generally know roughly the range they are going to offer you, so you could ask them what the salary range is if you want to make sure you aren't wasting your time.

.

Without giving away too much...

At $155K - I'm in middle management (Data/Analytics) in a midwest metro-hub.

At $239K - I'll be remote in a lead position at a popular tech company (not FAANG). It is a step down on the org chart but the compensation is worth it. They recruited me.

Logik wrote:

X-Runner wrote:

Another tricky part is if they ask you what you are currently making or what you made in the past.

Companies cannot legally ask salary history. They can confirm the info if you provide it, but they cannot ask.

That varies state to state but it is generally true that employers can't legally ask salary history.

But the topic can be brought up for you to volunteer the info and you could be put in a position where you don't want a strike against you and are not likely to report the matter.

Again, it could help you to tell them depending on the situation.

"Hey, this is what I make and I need to do better."