Negotiating salary - new job

[Peter]

Had an interview today that went well. The company is talking about essentially creating a position for me which is cool. I stated a desired salary range which seemed to land fine. If things advance I want to make sure I start out as high as possible. Any tips from recent job hires for negotiating salary? Been a while since I’ve switched jobs.

 

[cyclone13]

Quick question: did you know the range when you applied for the role?

Of course we all want to start as high as possible but you also want to make sure you don’t tick the prospective employer off. You already stated the Desired range. How much they offer will depend of what they think of you and their internal range. Getting too close to the end of the range could hurt as there might be little room for good increase in the following year(s) unless you add more workload and responsibilities.
I think the fact that you’ve stated your desired range is already a good step.
I am in Minny and there is a requirement for companies to put the salary range in the job openings so I know the range so I know where I land.
Just changed job this past November

 

[CHim]

Don’t forget to discuss the benefits side. Insurance is usually set but vacation/time off can and should be negotiated.

 

[BanjoCy]

I asked for a couple % more than the initial offer, nothing crazy, but I had put together a number that made sense and had some justification relative to my previous salary. I just sent a polite, honest letter to the recruiter or whoever was the person who sent the initial offer with my counter and reasoning.

I saw the "total" range on the job posting, but it was a crazy margin. The recruiter informed me of the initial budget they set aside when I set up the interview, so I knew what I asked for was still in line with their actual range.

 

[GoSTATE71]

When they give you an offer they’re expecting you to negotiate in some capacity. I’ve had hiring responsibilities and I always anticipate the candidate to try and negotiate 8-10% higher and we land around 3-5% higher, I also never make insulting offers though. I’m also in GTM/sales roles if that helps at all

 

[RocketCy]

You’re getting some good advice here so far. I sit on the other side of the table and beyond a fair compensation , be sure you like the job, the company and your direct supervisor. Do your research on those factors ( if you haven’t) because I’m sure they have done their background on you.

 

[twincyties]

1). Don’t be afraid to shoot high. Worst case they come back with a lower number and you can make a decision. If they get pissy and pull the offer you didn’t want to work there anyway. It’s a sign of things to come.

2). Starting point is only part of the equation: don’t be afraid to ask about bonus, equity, other perks. Those can add up quickly. To that point, also ask about merit increases and opportunity for compensation growth.

3). Remember the only real leverage you have is your willingness to walk away. Depending on the situation you’re in now and other prospects you have, don’t cut off your nose to spite your face.

Sounds like you’re taking a confident and warranted approach while still being reasonable in your demands which is where you want to be.

 

[SCNCY]

What is the company’s PTO policy for new hires? I recently started a new job and asked for 1 week additional vacation (4 weeks instead of 3) and they said no because that wasn’t negotiable. So I asked if they could make it up in salary. They ended up giving me 1k less than the maximum of their posted salary range on the job description. I think on the phone call, they were offering 102kish.

In any case, if you gave them a salary range, I’d expect an offer within what you gave them. In the future, try and ask what they have budgeted for the role in the future as that can sometimes surprise you.

 

[motorcy90]

When I took my current job starting pay was already $8 an hr more then prior job. Almost doubled so far in 2 years now.

 

[JP4CY]

I'm to the point in life where time off and flexibility are just as important as salary.

 

[BCClone]

Tell them you would like to be at X (the top of the range that you gave). See what they say. You gave a range and they are still talking. See if they counter, if they say they can’t, ask what number they are wanting to be at. Then work from there if it’s in your range.

 

[kirk89gt]

Having worked on the other side of the table, ask for what you believe is fair, but be prepared to back it up with why you believe it to be fair and don’t just rely on I have (x) amount of experience or “I need (x)” with no real reasons why, back it up with results you have produced. They are obviously interested and if you sell yourself and what they are getting for their money, they shouldn’t hesitate to pay up at least a little. If they balk or come up with some lowball offer or excuse why they “can’t” , that sounds like a red flag to me.

The right companies aren’t scared of paying for the right talent b/c they realize it’s an investment in the future of the business.

 

[psycln11]

Changed jobs almost exactly a year ago. No negotiations or counter offer needed as their offer was $26K more than what I was making at previous firm.

I did however make them wait as I had a second firm i was waiting on an offer from. 2nd offer was less than what I was making so 1st offer was a no brainer.

 

[demoncore1031]

 

[CloneFanInKC]

For those of you on the other side of the table:

I’m interviewing for a role where the previous first was not a good fit and they pulled the plug after 6 months. I’m expecting an offer in near future.

Is it common/out of question for me to negotiate a 6 months severance if they term me at less than 12 months?

This has been a really, really long interview process and is for a high level leader role in the company. They are gunshy about making another bad hire, which I understand. I have only worked for 2 companies in 18 yrs and am very selective when I change companies.

 

[intrepid27]

What is the company’s PTO policy for new hires? I recently started a new job and asked for 1 week additional vacation (4 weeks instead of 3) and they said no because that wasn’t negotiable. So I asked if they could make it up in salary. They ended up giving me 1k less than the maximum of their posted salary range on the job description. I think on the phone call, they were offering 102kish.

In any case, if you gave them a salary range, I’d expect an offer within what you gave them. In the future, try and ask what they have budgeted for the role in the future as that can sometimes surprise you.

That's kind of weird. I'm a recruiter and have helped dozens and dozens of candidates through compensation negotiations. In my experience Vacation/PTO is the easiest and most flexible thing to negotiate. Especially if your offer contains less than your current situation.

Also someone earlier advised providing justification when asking for more money. That is key.

Lastly, negotiate everything at once as opposed to individually. If you negotiate salary and they give you what you want then you turn around and start negotiating vacation time you look like a high maintenance pain in the arse.

 

[SCNCY]

That's kind of weird. I'm a recruiter and have helped dozens and dozens of candidates through compensation negotiations. In my experience Vacation/PTO is the easiest and most flexible thing to negotiate. Especially if your offer contains less than your current situation.

Also someone earlier advised providing justification when asking for more money. That is key.

Lastly, negotiate everything at once as opposed to individually. If you negotiate salary and they give you what you want then you turn around and start negotiating vacation time you look like a high maintenance pain in the arse.

I agree that I thought it would have been easy, but they had a hard line that it was not negotiable. We also have a use it or lose it PTO policy with no carry over. Not sure if that had something to do with it.

 

[CyDude16]

If you need help negotiating, I can help.

 

[BCClone]

That's kind of weird. I'm a recruiter and have helped dozens and dozens of candidates through compensation negotiations. In my experience Vacation/PTO is the easiest and most flexible thing to negotiate. Especially if your offer contains less than your current situation.

Also someone earlier advised providing justification when asking for more money. That is key.

Lastly, negotiate everything at once as opposed to individually. If you negotiate salary and they give you what you want then you turn around and start negotiating vacation time you look like a high maintenance pain in the arse.

The PTO policy has really changed over the years. Back when I was just getting going in the 90s, it was very common to get one week of vacation after you completed the first year. Then 2 weeks after 2-3 years. It didn’l really matter how high up you were, you weren’t getting more than a week for your first year.

 

[drmwevr08]

Don't forget to ask for a bank of time off to start with . Many places will give you some so you don't have to wait to accrue. This works especially well if you're giving up a large bank at a current position, but even if not, still worth the inquiry.