salary negotiation

[Maverick]

This is a tough situation. Money issues aside, it sounds like you want the new job more so I would take it and not risk getting off on the wrong foot with the new company by trying to do a lot of negotation back and forth.

 

[joecool]

Originally posted by: Argo
They offered less than your current employer and also didn't offer you a signing bonus? That's very odd. Take the following with a grain of salt, but here's what I think:

If they're trying to low-ball you that bad, do you really want to work for that place? What is going to happen when your yearly review comes up and it's time for a raise? Would they be lowballing you again, only this time you won't have any leverage?

well, after the initial low-ball offer i made it clear that i couldn't accept anything less than my current salary and they immediately came back with the current offer, that is a little better than my current salary. i agree, i am a little concerned about the low-ball and what that might mean at review time, this company seems to be somewhat cheap, but they are generous in some ways too - great stock option package and employee stock purchase plan. so i guess i'm willing to take the risk - anyway, at this point my salary is high enough that i don't really expect big raises going forward - unless i move into management, which they have said could happen if i do a good job growing the group. so while there is risk i think the upside potential is there, too.

 

[Argo]

Originally posted by: joecool

Originally posted by: Argo
They offered less than your current employer and also didn't offer you a signing bonus? That's very odd. Take the following with a grain of salt, but here's what I think:

If they're trying to low-ball you that bad, do you really want to work for that place? What is going to happen when your yearly review comes up and it's time for a raise? Would they be lowballing you again, only this time you won't have any leverage?

well, after the initial low-ball offer i made it clear that i couldn't accept anything less than my current salary and they immediately came back with the current offer, that is a little better than my current salary. i agree, i am a little concerned about the low-ball and what that might mean at review time, this company seems to be somewhat cheap, but they are generous in some ways too - great stock option package and employee stock purchase plan. so i guess i'm willing to take the risk - anyway, at this point my salary is high enough that i don't really expect big raises going forward - unless i move into management, which they have said could happen if i do a good job growing the group. so while there is risk i think the upside potential is there, too.

Seems like you have your heart set on the new position. Go for it then, if it doesn't work out you can always find something new. Especially if you make manager, which would look great on your resume. Best of luck!

 

[joecool]

Originally posted by: Feldenak
Speaking of salary negotiation, other than salary.com and payrate.com, what are some good sources of info? I've got a second interview coming up and I'm trying to get prepared for that part of the process. Is there much negotiation with new grads coming out of school?

yeah, i wish there was a really good source for this type of info, but it's hard to come by - too many variables. for instance, i live in colorado, where the cost of living is higher than austin, tx, but less than california - kind of hard to know what the right salary is. anyway, i'm well into 6 figures so i feel pretty well compensated.

re/new grads, it depends largely on the market. the only leverage you have is playing one offer against another, so if you don't have more than one offer you don't have much to use. when i graduated in '94 i had several offers and successfully negotiated a 10% higher salary from the company i wanted to work for ... good old amd!

 

[Feldenak]

Originally posted by: joecool

Originally posted by: Feldenak
Speaking of salary negotiation, other than salary.com and payrate.com, what are some good sources of info? I've got a second interview coming up and I'm trying to get prepared for that part of the process. Is there much negotiation with new grads coming out of school?

yeah, i wish there was a really good source for this type of info, but it's hard to come by - too many variables. for instance, i live in colorado, where the cost of living is higher than austin, tx, but less than california - kind of hard to know what the right salary is. anyway, i'm well into 6 figures so i feel pretty well compensated.

re/new grads, it depends largely on the market. the only leverage you have is playing one offer against another, so if you don't have more than one offer you don't have much to use. when i graduated in '94 i had several offers and successfully negotiated a 10% higher salary from the company i wanted to work for ... good old amd!

Thanks. I have noticed the info is a little thin. I did find the new grad nat'l avg for my degree....hopefully I'll land that and maybe a little extra.

 

[joecool]

fyi i decided to accept the new job without trying to negotiate further. it seems like a good opportunity so why quible over a few bucks, and risk pissing off my new employer?

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Good move! since your in the 6 figure range, a $6k-10k bonus isn't squat and definately not worth jepordizing a good job offer.

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: FreshPrince

Originally posted by: joecool

Originally posted by: FreshPrince
it's too late for the old company, go with the new job

as for squeezing more...it never hurts to ask...the worst they can say is no, then you take it anyways...

the reason you don't want to stay at the old job is that once you go through the motion of them matching someone else, they no longer trust you. They will give you the raise now, but they will also begin looking for your replacement and slowly edge you out. Therefore, it's best to just go with the new job.

Although, if you already have a good job, why switch? money is not everything...

thanks for the elaboration ... reason to switch is better location (ie, much shorter commute), better company, and opportunity for upward movement - i'll be starting a new group and so will naturally move into the role of lead/manager unless i really f*** things up.

re/negotiating it does seem that it can't hurt to ask and if they come back with something that's all the better for me. but they have been tough negotiators and i want to start off on the right foot.

ok, red flag...

if you are potentially moving into lead role...thing it through...do yo really want that?

Managing is not for everyone, and I can tell you being the "tech" guy makes a less stressful life. Think it over.

A lot less stressful. I'm in management at a fairly early age and my life is ten times more stressful then when I was just a programmer/lead programmer...and the pay is only like 30% better at the moment.