Negotiating Salary

[sondra_finchley]

Man, here we go again....

I just hate negotiating salaries- I dont like talking about money in general and hate playing the damn game BUT it hurt me in a big way at this last job so, Im going to try and be decent about it this time.

Have an (almost- they are checking references) offer at the moment and they tossed out a salary number at me. It was what I expected they would come back with, but maybe $3-$5K less than what I want. At least its in the ballpark and I think my experience and knowledge that they need (its pretty specialized) should help bump it up at least.

So how do I go about dealing with this? How do I phrase things so that I can negotiate this properly?

[AshleyJordan]

What did you say when they first tossed out the offer? How big is the place?

My current job offered a salary much lower than I wanted. The HR lady mentioned a pretty low-ball range, and I just said for someone with my qualifications, and with a proven ability to raise money for you, I think that warrents a salary of (higher number here). They met me in the middle. This was a gap of about $10K that we closed, so it can be done. If you're talking about $3-5K, ask for $5K more and I think you can safely expect $2.5K more. Be prepared to back it up with evidence of WHY you deserve more $, and go in with a positive, confident attitude. Good luck!

[winneythepooh7]

I asked for $5K more over the salary they settled on. They did say that eventually, I will be able to make more. With everything going on now, I am certainly ready to collect!! It was still more than I made at my last job and a much better benefits package, so I think I did make out in the end.

[AshleyJordan]

It also depends on if they already know how much you are currently making. . . most places won;t start out by offering you much more than your current salary.

[winneythepooh7]

I hate to say it, but I also think being a male or female plays a role in salary as well ;). At least speaking from MY personal experience.

[AshleyJordan]

My current job is the first job I've had where that hasn't been the case. I know for a fact that I was paid less than my male colleagues in past jobs.

[spokes]

i am assuming that you are ok with all the indirect comp (vacation, benefits, retirement etc) - if so then tell them the number that you want - if it has gone this far it is unlikely that your # will scare them off.

[sondra_finchley]

Im speaking with the hiring manager tomorrow ( not HR or recruiter so this should be interesting) because I want more details as to what to expect for the rest of the benefits package. Like an idiot I actually told them my salary and potential bonus- I think this current job of mine has made me stupid! :P At least what they came back with wasnt a total shock to me.

Part of the problem is I would be moving from an area with a high cost of living to one with a lower cost of living so I would gain from that aspect (gaining even at this point pre-negotiation) so its not a direct comparison. But a positive aspect is that its a job I would likely enjoy and be good at, unlike my present position where it just gets worse and worse with each passing week ( where they DO pay differently male vs female).