Salary negotiations?

[misle]

I've never negotiated before, so I need some help.

I received an offer today for a job that I would really like, but after bonuses, I would be making $500 less. This company is very successful and I'm sure that the offer was a lowball, so what's the best way to get more money?

I also received an offer from another company for $4,000 more than I currently make, but I really don't want to work there. Can I use that as leverage, or should I avoid that?

Any HR people around who can give me some good advice / pointers / plans of ATTACK?

 

[Rage187]

"Place B has offered me XXX, I would work here if you could at least match the other offer"

 

[jpeyton]

$100k base + company Benz

 

[edro]

Unless it is a starting position, you can always ask for at least 10% more.
They will usually accept or counter just a little lower.

 

[zoiks]

You need to write an email or call them explaining your position. I would use salary.com to indicate comparable salaries based on your work position and years of experience. Make it sound like that you really aren't out there to make the most money as you can rather just tell them you are projecting what you think you are worth and should get paid due to your strengths.
I did this and won my case.

 

[misle]

Originally posted by: edro
Unless it is a starting position, you can always ask for at least 10% more.
They will usually accept or counter just a little lower.

Not a starting position, but I only have 2 years experience.

Is it best to negotiate over the phone or via email? Most of my communication with HR, including the offer has been via email.

 

[edro]

I would do it over the phone.
Say something like "I am excited about the position, but I am wondering if the salary is negotiable."
They will either say, "What were you expecting to see?" You then say 5-10% higher.
Or they may say, "Let me talk to our hiring manager/HR and see what we can do."
Or, they may say, "No, I am sorry, it is not negotiable at this time, but there is room for advancement."

Either way, they are not going to pick someone else because you asked for more money.
They already zeroed in on you. They want you.

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: edro
I would do it over the phone.
Say something like "I am excited about the position, but I am wondering if the salary is negotiable."
They will either say, "What were you expecting to see?" You then say 5-10% higher.
Or they may say, "Let me talk to our hiring manager/HR and see what we can do."
Or, they may say, "No, I am sorry, it is not negotiable at this time, but there is room for advancement."

Either way, they are not going to pick someone else because you asked for more money.
They already zeroed in on you. They want you.

yes you really cant go wrong by doing something like this

 

[hanoverphist]

Originally posted by: edro
I would do it over the phone.
Say something like "I am excited about the position, but I am wondering if the salary is negotiable."
They will either say, "What were you expecting to see?" You then say 5-10% higher.
Or they may say, "Let me talk to our hiring manager/HR and see what we can do."
Or, they may say, "No, I am sorry, it is not negotiable at this time, but there is room for advancement."

Either way, they are not going to pick someone else because you asked for more money.
They already zeroed in on you. They want you.

ive done this also, i got the 2nd answer... they then called me back with a ~5% increase.

 

[Mr Pickles]

Originally posted by: edro
I would do it over the phone.
Say something like "I am excited about the position, but I am wondering if the salary is negotiable."
They will either say, "What were you expecting to see?" You then say 5-10% higher.
Or they may say, "Let me talk to our hiring manager/HR and see what we can do."
Or, they may say, "No, I am sorry, it is not negotiable at this time, but there is room for advancement."

Either way, they are not going to pick someone else because you asked for more money.
They already zeroed in on you. They want you.

This is good advice!

 

[brikis98]

just recently i had a similar position - after ~1.5 years of experience, I started interviewing for new jobs. company A, which I liked and wanted to join, offered me X. company B, which I didn't like and had no intention of joining, offered me X + 5 and had a much easier commute. I called the manager at company A and negotiated. Here is a very rough pharaphrasing:

Me: thank them for the offer and the time they've spent. Here's my situation: I have your offer and I also have an offer from company B for X + 5. Moreover, company B has a much nicer commute, which is important to me. I'm more interested in your company in general, but it's hard for me to turn my back on their offer and commute. If you can beat what they are offering, I'll join you guys.
Manager: Ok, what about X + 5?
Me: Well, that would put you guys just about equal. reiterate how important the shorter commute is.
Manager: Ok, what about X + 10?
Me: Done.

Note: I never actually mentioned what salary I wanted. For example, if I asked for X + 10 off the bat, he would've offered X + 3 or X + 5 and we would have had to settle in between. By letting the manager make the proposals, I am in a very advantageous spot.

Summary: always negotiate, the first offer is typically lower than they can go. don't be shy, remember that the company's goal is to get you for as little as money as possible. calling is typically the best way to contact them. always leverage another offer if you have it, even if you don't intend to take it. it gives you a good bargain chip and often lets you avoid stating concrete numbers that can be rejected. don't forget to emphasize - and bargain for/with - things other than salary, such as commute, benefits, vacation time, etc. be very polite, courteous and thankful.