How should I negotiate my wages?

[dullard]

Background:
A company bought technology that I was significantly involved with. One of my coworkers was offered a full time position at that company with a decent salary, given his education and experience, but lower than what I would accept. Another coworker was offered a part-time consulting position at a very high salary. I was also offered a part-time consulting position, and signed a contract at a wage that would make me quite happy but without any assigned work (meaning I may never get paid anything).

Recent Info:
At the last meeting they pulled me aside and said that they want to hire me part-time instead of using me as a consultant since they didn't realize originally how much they would need me. They mentioned a salary range that made me quite happy (a bit less than the consulting fee, but I wouldn't have to cover insurance and as many taxes and misc fees). I said that salary would be acceptable. They told me they'd sent a formal offer later.

I just got the offer. While it is slightly more than what I make now, it is a pretty low offer. It is ~20% lower than what they verbally mentioned, I won't qualify for any benefits, it is in another city 40 miles away, and would have the hassle of being an hourly employee without the plusses of being an hourly employee (being part time makes overtime impossible). The offer is a little low for the typical person with my education and experience, however, I know they need my specific knowledge, otherwise they'll have to pay a fortune to hire others to relearn it all.

Questions:
Should I be terse and just specify that I want the salary that was originally offered? Should I elaborate on all the reasons why I deserve a higher wage? Should I stick to my guns and say I want to stay with the signed contract, even though that might result in no work at all? Any advice?

 

[Pantlegz]

Can you afford to live without this job? I had this issue, or something similar, happen recently. I ended up taking less money than was originally agreed upon because it was that or nothing. Of course I didn't let the company know this and I should be at the originally agreed upon wage soon.

If I were you I'd tell them that you want the amount they told you verbally, if they can't match that then negotiate. It's hard to say without know amounts, or even what % the new and old offers are.

 

[Gibson486]

"Thank You for your Offer. Unfortunately, the offer seems to be lower than I presumed after our talks, which was in the range of XXXXXX-XXXXXX".

Or you can take the consulting approach:

"Offer not in line with verbal agreement made on XX/XX/XX. Please resubmit for review".

 

[child of wonder]

Just be straight with them.

"I need X to consider this offer. The amount originally stated would meet that requirement and if it is still on the table I would accept that offer."

 

[Aharami]

if they are dicking around, you should be a dick too. But be a polite dick. state your case and remind them of the cost of hiring a less experienced person.

is this job going to supplement your current income or will you leave your current job to take this one. 40 miles is a pretty big hike

 

[Zargon]

if they are dicking around, you should be a dick too. But be a polite dick. state your case and remind them of the cost of hiring a less experienced person.

is this job going to supplement your current income or will you leave your current job to take this one. 40 miles is a pretty big hike

this

 

[PricklyPete]

"Thank You for your Offer. Unfortunately, the offer seems to be lower than I presumed after our talks, which was in the range of XXXXXX-XXXXXX".

Or you can take the consulting approach:

"Offer not in line with verbal agreement made on XX/XX/XX. Please resubmit for review".

This is the road I would take depending on your financial footing. If you are doing well enough that you can go without pay for a while, then do exactly that...although DO NOT GIVE THEM A RANGE...or if you do, make sure the bottom of the range is the number you want as that is all they will use to counter offer.

 

[dullard]

Can you afford to live without this job?...It's hard to say without know amounts, or even what % the new and old offers are.

I do have my current job, and my wife makes a good living. So, yes, I can do without this job. Although, my current job is shaky since it is a boom/bust position and the boom may be ending at the end of the year. I'd like the new position mostly to open up new doors in case my current position is lost.

Percentages as requested:
* My original contract: 100% desired wage, although I suspect that priced me out of their wish to work with me.
* Their verbal offer: 65% to 75% of the contract wage, although I have cost savings not being a contractor. It is higher than what I make now.
* Their written offer: 53% of the contract wage.

 

[dullard]

is this job going to supplement your current income or will you leave your current job to take this one. 40 miles is a pretty big hike

I'd drop my current full-time position to be part-time, so in total I'd keep working 100% time. The trip is certainly an issue. Why would I add two hours of commuting twice a week to just bump up my total yearly earnings by a few thousand dollars?

 

[dullard]

"Thank You for your Offer. Unfortunately, the offer seems to be lower than I presumed after our talks, which was in the range of XXXXXX-XXXXXX".

"I need X to consider this offer. The amount originally stated would meet that requirement and if it is still on the table I would accept that offer."

Both suggestions are short and to the point. I probably will take a route such as that. Thanks.

 

[kranky]

Your approach needs to be based on how strong your position is.

If indeed they really, really need you, there's no apparent reason for them to low-ball your written offer. I would call the person you work with there and say something like this: "Hi Dan, this is Dullard. I received the written offer for the part-time position but the salary in the letter is not what we had agreed on. Could you check into that to see what happened?"

I would use that phrasing for a couple reasons.
1. Saying it's not what "we had agreed on" puts pressure on him to be true to his word.
2. Saying "Could you check into that..." allows him to acknowledge your problem but doesn't put him on the spot to respond right now.
3. The tone of the message implies that some simple goof has taken place and gives them the chance to save face.

 

[Elbryn]

keep it professional no matter what tactic you take. i like kranky's suggestion of going back to the folks that you know need you and seeing what happened. it's quite possible that HR is up to HR games and opening negotiations at a low point. it always works better if you get the guys who need you to fight for you internally. from the hr side, can try collecting relevant data sources for salary based on location, education, and experience to try to bring them up but to them it's a numbers type of game. for the guy inside that needs you, they likely have some more leverage.

 

[dank69]

Ask if there was some mistake on their part and ask why the written offer does not match the verbal offer. They may apologize and up the offer. It could have been a genuine mistake or they may have tried to lowball you. Asking them puts them in the awkward position of having to defend their weak offer, while you remain polite and professional.

 

[Alienwho]

I'm going through something kind of similar right now as well. I have an offer from a company that will pay me 15% more than I make right now, but it will double my commute from 20 to 40 miles one way. While the 15% does look good, I'm hoping to increase that by 30% or more after I get my masters degree at the end of the year.

Here is a question for a bunch of IT nerds. What is the resume value of working at a large popular Internet E-tailer that everybody recognizes? I'm considering it just for that reason alone.

 

[EagleKeeper]

"Thank You for your Offer. Unfortunately, the offer seems to be lower than I presumed after our talks, which was in the range of XXXXXX-XXXXXX".

"I need X to consider this offer. The amount originally stated would meet that requirement and if it is still on the table I would accept that offer."

Both suggestions are short and to the point. I probably will take a route such as that. Thanks.

The first one is what should be used.

They verbally put a number on the table. then they come back with a lowball.
Remind them of the number, no mention of low balling.

The second would be if their letter came in with the number and you did not think that it was fair but had not made any comment based on the first.

the first it putting the onus on them to stand by their words. The second is trying to setup a negotiation and the table is level.

The second can back up the first if they try to stick with the lowball.
If you go the second; then you can bring up the fact of the ramp up curve for a replacement.

 

[JSt0rm]

go into work wearing a full platemail gauntlet. When you dont get what you want slam your fist on the table.

 

[JS80]

Are you an introvert? Be passive aggressive and counter with more than what was discussed verbally.

 

[dullard]

Are you an introvert? Be passive aggressive and counter with more than what was discussed verbally.

I am a passive aggressive introvert, yes. That method had crossed my mind: to go a bit above the verbal numbers, so that if we meet somewhere in between, then it would be in the original verbal range.

 

[JS80]

I am a passive aggressive introvert, yes. That method had crossed my mind: to go a bit above the verbal numbers, so that if we meet somewhere in between, then it would be in the original verbal range.

It's good to be an aggressive alpha asshole. People don't attempt shit like this on me.

 

[edro]

You have nothing to lose.

Counter with the verbal offer.

 

[JSt0rm]

It's good to be an aggressive alpha asshole. People don't attempt shit like this on me.

this works as long as you can back yo shit up. Luckily I can :twisted: