Got a job offer..need advice on how to counter.

[Scarpozzi]

I got a job offer to a city that my wife and want to move to.

The offer is for about $3k less than what I get paid now. I'm underpaid by about $8k already based on peers in my own office. I've just been absorbing salary compression over the past 8 years.

The new firm is going to be following suit because both are government. The new position is a lateral move for me responsibility-wise.

I called the hiring manager Tuesday and asked if there was anything he could do on salary, but didn't name a number. He shut me down and said, the CIO doesn't adjust salary aside from the HR standard for their pay-scale. (which is a broad scale...they have a hiring rule to determine starting pay)

How can I make a counter without turning down the job if they can't deviate from the original offer? Opportunities are slim, but I'm worried about starting too low and not being happy as a result of it.

 

[Aharami]

why would you take a new job that pays less unless you're either about to be laid off from your current job or the new job offers significant career advancement opportunities?

edited for spelling

 

[spidey07]

Look for other compensation like more vacation time or extra contributions to retirement/bonuses. Or just stick to your guns and number, only you know what you're really worth so don't take less than what you're worth.

 

[CRXican]

Originally posted by: Aharami
why would you take a new job that pays less unless you're either about to be laid off from your current job or the new job offers significant career advancement opportunities?

edited for spelling

they want to move

read the post

 

[SunnyD]

Simple:

"That's less than what I'm currently making in a position with similar roles and responsibilities. I would need to make at least $x (which you bluff saying it's $5k more than you're getting paid now) matching my current base pay to consider it a serious offer."

If you're serious about it, be prepared to be turned down. If you prefer the location over salary, take it up the ass. Otherwise, play ball and see what happens.

 

[Nightfall]

Never ask for a counter offer.

Ok, so the company you work for matches the offer or gives you a raise to stay and you take it. Too many people do this and find themselves out of a job later because your current employer knows you are no longer loyal to the company and will dump you later. The most valuable lesson I have learned it if you are going to take an offer, just take it. Don't try to go back to your current employer and try to get more money. Odds are you will lose in the end.

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: Nightfall
Never ask for a counter offer.

Ok, so the company you work for matches the offer or gives you a raise to stay and you take it. Too many people do this and find themselves out of a job later because your current employer knows you are no longer loyal to the company and will dump you later. The most valuable lesson I have learned it if you are going to take an offer, just take it. Don't try to go back to your current employer and try to get more money. Odds are you will lose in the end.

He's talking about a counter offer to the potential new employer's lowball offer.

 

[AreaCode707]

New Company: "My current pay is $x, and I've calculated that it would take an additional $y to cover the moving expenses and difference in benefits for me to break even on my current take-home pay. I'm very interested in this offer and there are a lot of intangibles (great manager, new skills, etc.) that are strong motivators for me. I just wanted to check one last time whether there was anything we could do on the numbers before I discuss this with my wife and make a final decision."

Current Company: "I've been offered a position with x doing y." If current company says, "oh no, what could we do to keep you!" then you name your exact keep price. You don't negotiate this; give them your real price from the get go. If they don't offer it, you have to actually leave. If they do offer it, you have to actually stay. So think that number through very carefully.

 

[EagleKeeper]

If it is government, then benefit adjustments will be close to impossible.

You need to show why you should have the higher salary at your grade level or get bumped to the next higher grade if you can meet the min quals.

Talk to the new potential boss - they will control the salary as long as it is within the HR guidelines.

 

[ivan2]

Originally posted by: SunnyD
Simple:

"That's less than what I'm currently making in a position with similar roles and responsibilities. I would need to make at least $x (which you bluff saying it's $5k more than you're getting paid now) matching my current base pay to consider it a serious offer."

If you're serious about it, be prepared to be turned down. If you prefer the location over salary, take it up the ass. Otherwise, play ball and see what happens.

dude's government job, they can easily call his bluff, at least in NY, all state employee's salary's available publicly.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Originally posted by: AreaCode707
New Company: "My current pay is $x, and I've calculated that it would take an additional $y to cover the moving expenses and difference in benefits for me to break even on my current take-home pay. I'm very interested in this offer and there are a lot of intangibles (great manager, new skills, etc.) that are strong motivators for me."

Sounds good.

 

[Gibson486]

If he said no, then it is no.

 

[Pegun]

The real question comes down to where are you moving to and where are you now. There's different standards of living in different parts of the country and that may make the counter offer not really worth it. In reality you may be making more in that new city based on SOL