Job Salary Negotiations

[gottimd]

So I went on a second interview yesterday and it went well again. See this thread for background info: (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=47882)

When I initially spoke to the HR recruit of the company, I told him how much I make in base pay and in bonuses, and adding the two up he said I was in the range for this position as it is a pretty open range salary wise for the position.

After the second round of interviews, I was told by 2 of the people I met with that I was the #1 candidate. Also, after the second round of interviews, I met with the HR recruit again and he now says that the positions base pay is "topped off" at 70K and that is what they are going to offer but they are trying to push for more money for the position. This 70K falls below what I make now including bonus, but not by much.

My question to the forum, is, am I truly to believe that the position is alloted for $70K maximum and that is what the company is offering me? Or is this a tactic to gauge my reaction to such an unofficial offer? I mean what company would offer their max amount on an initial offer without leaving a buffer to negotiate?

EDIT: Or should I have held up a Cardboard box panel when he offered me the $70K that had written on it: "Due to past injustices my client is unwilling to sign with your team"

[Suburban Rhythm]

The part that seems rather odd is that you were told the range was open, and now being told the offer is the max amount for the position.

Was this the same HR rep making both statements? I imagine most larger companies now have grade/job levels to keep pay scales in check, and this position would be no different. But then why was the first statement ever made?

The other side is...you said it is close $-wise. I remember from the previous post, you were pretty set on getting out of your current company, things were falling apart around you. Close enough to go no matter what?

[gottimd]

The part that seems rather odd is that you were told the range was open, and now being told the offer is the max amount for the position.

Was this the same HR rep making both statements? I imagine most larger companies now have grade/job levels to keep pay scales in check, and this position would be no different. But then why was the first statement ever made?

The other side is...you said it is close $-wise. I remember from the previous post, you were pretty set on getting out of your current company, things were falling apart around you. Close enough to go no matter what?

Yes, it is the same HR recruit who made both statements. Why the first statement was made, I am not sure. I am thinking this was more of a lowball first offer to gauge my reaction to it, because why would they max out their range on the position on the first offer?

Yes, things are falling apart in this company, but I still have a position within the company here, that I could stay and continue to look in the meantime. The $70K is a little raise, but my commuting costs would increase by 2K a year. I think pushing it a few $K more a year from this initial unofficial offer and I would accept. I ran the numbers based off of current bills and such with monthly income in different scenarios (ie if I stayed or if I took new job at different salary ranges). This new company is in a great location and is a company I can speak highly of what they do. My current company, its hard to explain and not to fun.

I hope my instinct is right, in that they are offering me something truly either in their low-mid range and they still do have room to offer more.

[Warhammer]

See if they can create a new title for the position so they can pay you more. There are tons of ways around this, but I know my old company had the same practice. Or, you can ask them for an early review and raise.

[finketr]

my employer has overlapping salary ranges for various positions/grades...

find out the methodology for performance review, raises, and promotions. :)

[JonInMiddleGA]

because why would they max out their range on the position on the first offer?

Maybe they really wanted you?

I think pushing it a few $K more a year from this initial unofficial offer and I would accept.

Since the current offer appears to be very very close to what you need to make this work for you, maybe there's an out of the box solution that would bring you to something acceptable. If they really are maxxed out on the salary offer, maybe there's something else of value to you that could be included in the final package; telecommute days, extra vacation, basically anything that would fall under "benefits" instead of "salary".

[gottimd]

WOOT!

I got the job, and I was right about their thinking on that Max. Ok, they came back with $73 but he said that if pushes a little more, he thinks he maybe able to get it to $75, which is the range I was hoping to land in.

So the question is, should I be greedy and ask for the $75, or should I be modest and ask for $74 or should I just be thankful and not counter and accept $73????

I told him I would get back with him on Monday.

[JonInMiddleGA]

So the question is, should I be greedy and ask for the $75, or should I be modest and ask for $74 or should I just be thankful and not counter and accept $73????

All depends, I supposed, on how much you want the job.

[Eaglesfan27]

All depends, I supposed, on how much you want the job.

Exactly. I might have cut a bit short on my latest job negotiation but I got close enough to my target that I took the job because I really wanted it.

[gottimd]

All depends, I supposed, on how much you want the job.

In the grand scheme of things, net of tax, it only brings in an extra 40-50 bucks per thousand per month, I just don't want to sound greedy. I really want this job though. Great people, great location, a lot of growth and potential.

Funny thing is, is that my current company is training me on a Financial System Product this coming Monday-Wednesday, and its the exact same Financial System my new company is looking to implement in a month, so I can get a headstart.

[jeff061]

Congrats on the job man!!

Actually just had an interview myself this morning, and I'm hoping I get to the salary negotation part :).

[terpkristin]

Congrats!!!!
If I were you, I'd just be happy with the 73, as it's "close enough" and such.

But that's me, who's had a bad experience with salary negotiations and am only on my first job (where I've only been for 6 months, so I won't have to worry about negotiating for more money for another 6...).

/tk

[Cuckoo]

I could be completely wrong on this, but I seriously doubt you're going to lose the job by asking for the $75k. They want you or they wouldn't have offered, and we're not talking about a big gap. If they say no they just can't do it, you can still take the $73 and look reluctant but excited enough about the company to accept, no?

[terpkristin]

I could be completely wrong on this, but I seriously doubt you're going to lose the job by asking for the $75k. They want you or they wouldn't have offered, and we're not talking about a big gap. If they say no they just can't do it, you can still take the $73 and look reluctant but excited enough about the company to accept, no?

Actually, I did lose a job because I asked for 2k more starting salary than they initially offered. When they called me back about my request, they actually said that they were going with somebody who didn't want as much money. Granted, that seems to be the exception rather than the rule...but, it sure as hell pissed me off.

Oh well, I have a better job now for an infinitely better company and I'm making more than I asked for at the first "offer" I had from the horrible company. :D

/tk

[Desnudo]

WOOT!

I got the job, and I was right about their thinking on that Max. Ok, they came back with $73 but he said that if pushes a little more, he thinks he maybe able to get it to $75, which is the range I was hoping to land in.

So the question is, should I be greedy and ask for the $75, or should I be modest and ask for $74 or should I just be thankful and not counter and accept $73????

I told him I would get back with him on Monday.

I think you have some room to push as long as you don't make it an ultimatum. Sometimes they have room in other areas, signing bonus, stock, etc., even if they don't have straight salary available.

[Franklinnoble]

Ask for $75. Raises are hard to get.

[gstelmack]

If they came out and said they might be able to get $75K if they push it, take the $75K. Sounds like he's telling you that's the limit of his negotiation, so say "if you can get me $75K, I'll start tomorrow" or something similar.

[cbear42]

its a tactic, they are not going to offer you the max possible salary off the bat.

[oliegirl]

Tell him you were really hoping to get in the $75 range, but if he can meet you at $74 then you'll take it...that way you don't look greedy, but also don't take the "lowball" offer since he already told you he could get more.

[BuffaloHuskey]

Ask for the $75, the worst that will happen at this point is they say they can't do it. If they stay down at $72 ask for other benefits such as additional vacation days or tuition assistance. I think that from the way you have presented the negotiations, you will get your 75k, just need to push for it