Negotiating job offer

[londoncalls]

hi All -

My company downsized a few weeks ago and I was let go. I have been searching/interviewing and have an opportunity that is looking positive.

When I applied, I was asked for salary requirements, which was listed as "required". I put 68k-$78k. I had previously been making $85k. I realized later I should have made the band broader, say $68k - $95k or something similar as it can be in line with this role, but oh well. My sentiments at the time were:

I'm unemployed and want to get back to work
This role is in my field and looks good
The range is acceptable if i'm desperate (I'm not there yet) and I can work my way back up
I don't want to price myself out

I want to be prepared for an offer if it comes (with this or a future role). Ideally I'd like to come in at that top range that I listed ($78k), as they do have benefits my previous employer did not have. Curious if anyone has suggestions on how to handle a potential incoming offer that is at the bottom of my given range, and how to negotiate that to the top range. Or even how to negotiate above the range that you initially provided? I suspect bringing up prior compensation may not be the best look.

Thank you!

[stan1]

Is this a company that you really want to work for, with a potential boss and team members you might like, and gives you an opportunity to learn and grow?

It's a strategy that you may not have been intentional about, but if you see an opportunity here coming in a little below market might help you get the job then you take it from there. Others will say never do that, but your career field may be different and you are the one who currently is looking for a job.

I'd focus on coming up with three bullets to justify a higher salary -- mostly how your skill, experience, and personal traits fit into what they need. Higher rate because you don't need training or have done something very similar in the recent past and can hit the ground running on day 1. Learn as much as you can about the company and the job to tie it to your skills and experience.

Sometimes the best way to learn is experience .... hope this one works out!

[Parkinglotracer]

If they want you they won’t blink at you asking for your old salary. But now that you have told them what you will take you have let the cat out of the bag.

[CloudNine33]

Once they decide to offer you the job they are showing their cards, i.e. they want you. At this point I would let them know exactly what you were earning and that you would like to be as close to that as possible.

I just helped my wife get a giant increase when she had two firms fighting over her. The President of one called her personally to let her know how much he wanted her on the team and they offered a 3 year repeating signing bonus, very substantial numbers.

[Cyclesafe]

All is not lost.

As already posted, (realistically) sell yourself as actually being worth more than you are asking. Especially if you are talking to a decision maker beyond HR. If you can convince her/him that you have a good chance of making them look good, then asking for a bump is worthwhile when they feel it is justified. A couple of $10k's won't get in the way of them finding someone they are excited about. Don't feel locked in; everybody is unsure of what to propose up front. They ought to respect you for being businesslike about it.

Good luck. It's great that you have the chance to bounce back quickly!

[londoncalls]

Thanks everyone I appreciate the responses!

[id0ntkn0wjack]

Onetonline provides localized salary data for thousands of job classifications: https://www.onetonline.org/

Find your job title in your community and learn what the going market rate for the role is -- having a trusted data resource will provide you with a stronger negotiating position instead of an "I would like to earn $XXX" approach.

Now, having said that, it's a very tight labor market at the moment and if this job offers you a salary at a rate that is minimally acceptable with other job factors also satisfactory, you might want to accept the offer. I don't agree with the practice, but there is at least anectdotal information of job offers being pulled if candidates attempt to re-negotiate at the offer stage.

So:
1). Come armed with supporting data
2). Be extremely aware of the amount of leverage you hold (how rare are you specific skillsets within the local market's labor pool)
3). Either be willing to walk away from the offer and/or be prepared to accept "no" as an answer to your counter.

[HooCares]

I'd caution you not to anchor yourself at your prior salary. You may have been overpaid, underpaid, or market rate, but you have $0 compensation at the moment. Sometimes you just need to get a job and continue looking for a new one. You are in a far better negotiating position when you have a job then when you're unemployed.

[funxional]

You should try to have an idea of the market when you are applying both in terms of salary and strength. If it's a strong market you can start higher and push harder than a weak market.

I find many people are scared about asking for salary and they sell themselves short. The company needs someone and they have an expected salary range. If they are interested in you a salary difference of 5-10% isn't going to make them throw away your resume. If they don't want to pay it they will come back with their offer.

If you ask for substantially higher than the role they might not hire or interview because they are worried that you might not be happy or might jump at the first chance . I think most people think that "too high" number is a lot lower than it really is.

Even though you have a number that doesn't mean much if they make you an offer. As another poster indicated, once they make you an offer it's a negotiation. You took a misstep by giving them a low number but you can still negotiate. Make sure you understand their needs and the market; I don't think there is any chance that they would withdraw the offer if you said that you want to make your previous salary. They might not accept it but they aren't going to take away the offer.

You have interviewed and have some knowledge of the company and team. Have a good story about what you bring to the team and why your desired salary is right.

One important part of negotiating is asking questions and making it a conversation. If you tense up and just say "yes" or "no" it's hard to work with. Ask about the salary range for the role and where you fit. Ask about what the career path looks like both for raises within the position and promotions. Ask about bonuses; not just if there is a bonus but if there is a target percent for the role and how that changes with promotions.

As another poster indicated don't anchor at your previous position. Know what you want to make, know what is reasonable for the role, but don't mix them up. I was laid off and took a pay cut even though I was over skilled for the role that I started. I knew that the role and company would be good for my career development and that I could leverage that. I did good work at my normal capability, did not get jealous or angry that I was underpaid, took the experience and looked for a position at my role. Ultimate that was working the same company but it could have been outside.

Getting a paycheck was better than none and it kept my skills fresh. Being at a lower level role and pay let me feel very comfortable that I was delivering over expectations but also not worry about trying to put in extra unpaid hours or deal with other stress because I wasn't being paid for it.

[Cletus Davenport]

Hopefully, you are still looking around……

If offer time comes and you have no other prospects, take the offer….. half a loaf is better than none……

Lots of people are looking for work now. The tides have turned from just a few years ago, I think it’s an employers market now. Take what you can, AnD you can still keep looking for an even better offer.

[Jeepergeo]

What is your expertise, industry and location? If you are an engineer or engineering designer (aka technician) or drafter you could likely hire on here in California at 15-20% more than you were previously making and maybe get a sign-on bonus.

[Thesaints]

So, they asked you how much you want.
You replied "68k to 78k". Depending on what ? Why a bracket and not a single number ?
Anyway, they might offer you 68k (that's what I would do) and then what will you say ? Something like "Upon further reflection I want more; I wrote those numbers without thinking too much"

[londoncalls]

As another poster indicated don't anchor at your previous position. Know what you want to make, know what is reasonable for the role, but don't mix them up. I was laid off and took a pay cut even though I was over skilled for the role that I started. I knew that the role and company would be good for my career development and that I could leverage that. I did good work at my normal capability, did not get jealous or angry that I was underpaid, took the experience and looked for a position at my role. Ultimate that was working the same company but it could have been outside.

Getting a paycheck was better than none and it kept my skills fresh. Being at a lower level role and pay let me feel very comfortable that I was delivering over expectations but also not worry about trying to put in extra unpaid hours or deal with other stress because I wasn't being paid for it.

I think I may be in this position too or way of thinking (along with what many others have said). This was the 50th job I had applied for in my field over the past five weeks, and I'd heard back from 4-5 during that time to set up interviews (a couple still in progress). It is a very tight market right now, with hundreds applying for the same roles in most cases. My mind swings from "I *should* have put down this much" to "I just need to be making *something* in my field".

We do have an emergency fund that we are now dipping into, and I could continue the job search process through August if needed, but I too would rather take a decent job offer now that is in my line of work than hold out for later with so many unknowns.

I just completed my 3rd round interview this week and I sensed it went well so we'll see where next steps go and if an offer comes in. Thanks all.

[londoncalls]

So, they asked you how much you want.
You replied "68k to 78k". Depending on what ? Why a bracket and not a single number ?
Anyway, they might offer you 68k (that's what I would do) and then what will you say ? Something like "Upon further reflection I want more; I wrote those numbers without thinking too much"

I would ask them to share the total compensation package details with me. If they are great, the lower range isn't looking so bad. If they are bad, I would push for the top end of the range.