How to handle job & salary offer by phone? (Update: Got the final offer and accepted)

[kalrith]

Update 9/1: I got the job! They wouldn't budge on salary, but gave me an extra 9 days PTO on the first day I begin (normally there would be 0 PTO until after 6 months). That works out to about $1400 in PTO, so I think the negotiation paid off well.

I had an interview today and think I might get the job. I have a friend in the company who said the HR rep calls with the job offer on the phone and offers the salary amount then. I'd like some recommendations on how to handle this.

Edit: I forgot to add an option to see the poll results, so just answer Other if you want to do that.

 

[Blackjack200]

Is it an entry level position? Take the offer (unless you expect to have muliple offers).

 

[Ns1]

When that happened to me, I asked for 24hr to think it over and called back next day.

 

[kalrith]

It's an entry-level-programmer position. No programming experience is required, but they want a Bachelor's in computers or the equivalent work experience. I have the latter (5 1/2 years as IT manager).

 

[BTA]

If it's what you are looking to make and a job you want, then say thanks and take the job. If you need more money then tell them you need to make $X amount.

HR Reps dont give a shit, they'll go back and see if it works within that departments budget.

 

[kalrith]

When that happened to me, I asked for 24hr to think it over and called back next day.

How did you handle the negotiations over the phone? Did you counter offer a higher amount and then meet somewhere in the middle? Also, did you negotiate benefits over the phone, or did you just take the standard benefits they offer?

If it matters, this is a company with 900 employees. I'm not sure how many programmers they're are, but there are 6 teams of them.

 

[kalrith]

If it's what you are looking to make and a job you want, then say thanks and take the job. If you need more money then tell them you need to make $X amount.

HR Reps dont give a shit, they'll go back and see if it works within that departments budget.

Well, I've already decided on my low, mid, and high numbers. The low is the minimum I would take. The high is what I would counter offer but don't expect to get. The mid is what I'm really after.

I'm just wondering how and when I should handle the negotiations. I know that the initial salary will largely drive my salary for the next several years, so I don't want to accept a lower number than I might get through negotiation even if it fits within my acceptable range. Now, if he offers me my high number, I'll take it with no negotiation, but I highly doubt that.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Entry level is a buyer's market right now.

Be careful with that high offer -- if it's more than you expect to get it might be high enough for them to decide you're out of their price range.

For an entry-level job, with you having no experience with that job, you might counter-offer with the mid instead.

 

[SunnyD]

You say "Yes" several times, like a woman having an orgasm.

 

[Ns1]

How did you handle the negotiations over the phone? Did you counter offer a higher amount and then meet somewhere in the middle? Also, did you negotiate benefits over the phone, or did you just take the standard benefits they offer?

If it matters, this is a company with 900 employees. I'm not sure how many programmers they're are, but there are 6 teams of them.

I took the standard, because I knew people in the company and knew that said company would not deviate from the standard for entry level employees.

Fortune50 company.

average salary, better than average benefits.

 

[rcpratt]

I'd ask for a day or two whether you're going to counter or not.

 

[Krazy4Real]

Just thank them and ask for a day or two to think things over. Then you'll have time to seriously consider everything and formulate a plan to try and negotiate from there.

 

[kalrith]

Just thank them and ask for a day or two to think things over. Then you'll have time to seriously consider everything and formulate a plan to try and negotiate from there.

I think that's what I'm going to do. It will also give me the opportunity to meet with him to discuss it in person, which I would prefer over discussing it on the phone.

Thanks a lot for all the help! Hopefully I actually do get the job offer.

 

[Zargon]

I countered on the phone then and there, and they called me back maybe an hour or so later and told me they accepted it

this was about a month ago, but I knew the guy extending the offer, and its public sector so I knew what their ranges ETC where so I knew where to negotiate from already

 

[thepd7]

I think that's what I'm going to do. It will also give me the opportunity to meet with him to discuss it in person, which I would prefer over discussing it on the phone.

Thanks a lot for all the help! Hopefully I actually do get the job offer.

I agree, if it's within driving distance I would only talk about salary in person.

 

[mmntech]

I already said this in the other thread but I'm voting meet in person. It's harder for today's typical weasel manager to say no to your face. It also gives you more control of the situation.

 

[OCGuy]

Dont email.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Even polite counter-offers for ~10 percent above their offer can be dangerous:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2100607

 

[guyver01]

For an entry-level job, with you having no experience with that job, you might counter-offer with the mid instead.

For an entry-level job, having no practical experience in that field... you might TAKE WHAT THEY FUCKING OFFER YOU.

Entry level people are a dime a dozen.

good luck negotiating yourself out of a job.

 

[PsiStar]

for an entry-level job, having no practical experience in that field... You might take what they fucking offer you.

Entry level people are a dime a dozen.

Good luck negotiating yourself out of a job.

this!

 

[kalrith]

UPDATE: I got the job offer today! It's only $1,000 under my ideal number, so I'll likely accept it as is. I'm still going in tomorrow to speak with the HR rep in person about it. If I do any negotiating at all, it will be prefaced with, "I want to make sure that the existing offer is firm and that discussing it won't jeopardize it in any way."

 

[jiggahertz]

UPDATE: I got the job offer today! It's only $1,000 under my ideal number, so I'll likely accept it as is. I'm still going in tomorrow to speak with the HR rep in person about it. If I do any negotiating at all, it will be prefaced with, "I want to make sure that the existing offer is firm and that discussing it won't jeopardize it in any way."

Don't say that you'll sound like a tool

 

[coolVariable]

always ask for more.

 

[Tweak155]

Don't say that you'll sound like a tool

This. If its 1k under your IDEAL, I don't get what the problem is.

 

[Numenorean]

In this job market, it's $1000 from your high range - I'd just take it. Worry about negotiating when it comes time for a raise, etc. By then you should have accomplished something.