I was going through an interview process and it looks probable they will offer me a job.
Now I am really bad at negotiating salary but I was wondering this, if I asked for more money than they offered, do you think a company would rescind the offer?
I would like the job (they said the salary would be between 45K and 55K) so even if they offered me 45K it would be OK but obviously more would be nicer. So if they said 45K and I countered at 50K do you think a company would say “Sorry I can’t do that” or do you think a company might just out and out say “Well sorry we take back the offer.”
I have never really negotiated because frankly in my line it’s easier to take it then look for another job in six month. My line of work has a high turn over rate.
I wouldn’t mind if they said “Sorry 45 is as high as we can go,” but I don’t want to ask for more and get the rug pulled from under me so to speak.
If you don’t ask, you don’t get. On the other side, are you prepared to walk awy if they say no and are you prepared for them to offer the job to someone else?
I think a lot of it might also have to do with your qualifications. (Granted, if they offer you the job, they’ll obviously think you fit their needs.)
I have friends who work in a job where they are all doing the same thing, more or less. However, I have a friend who told me he is making 30% more than a co-worker because of differences in background and education.
The way I see it, they gave the salary range for a reason. If you can somehow justify you deserve to be placed on the upper-end of the spectrum, then I don’t think it would be out of the question to bring that up during salary negotiations.
I’ve just done this exact thing - that is, been offered a position at level X, and countered at level Y. I was successful and got level Y (as well as still getting the job). FWIW level Y was about $3,000 more per year than level X.
HOWEVER, I have a very good argument as to why I deserved level Y including past experience, unique skills I brought to the job as well as other particularities specific to my position. I would be very cautious about asking for more money without having a reasonable justification for why you’re worth that much more. Just asking for the sake of asking when you haven’t yet worked for the company and proven yourself seems rather risky.
If they rescind the offer because you asked for more money, it’s quite likely a nasty backstabbing place that you probably wouldn’t have been happy working at anyway. Seriously, I’ve never heard of that happening. In fact, I know a few hiring managers who are disappointed if they don’t get asked for more - to them it means they offered too much to begin with.
And it’s always better if you can say “If you increase the salary to $50k, I’ll definitely take the job.”
Oh, I think you’re fine, you might not get it but I couldn’t imagine them rescinding over this. So long as you are professional, show a real interest in the position, and don’t ask for some crazy high number then it’s all within SOP.
If the were to rescind over a politely phrased request to review the numbers again, well, then honestly I would assume something funny is going on, the job might not have been what you thought.
They won’t rescind the offer. I’ve done this at every job I’ve ever worked, short of the movie theater. My thought is this…
The HR person I’m talking to doesn’t really care how much I’m paid. It’s not like (s)he’s writing the checks out of his (her) bank account. They understand negotiations are part of the process and they likely expect it.
Also, if you can get them for 10% more than the original offer, that’s 3 years worth of raises! It’s much better to get that up front for obvious reasons. They want you to work for their company… that alone is a mighty big bargaining chip.
Ask for more. The worst that will happen is they’ll say no.
I’ve never heard of that happening, either. If they make you an offer, they expect you to negotiate. Don’t be nervous. Fake being matter of fact.
First, you must do all you can to make sure they spit out a number first. Then you counter, I’d say, at least 3 grand above that. They will accept, come up from their offer, or say they’ve offered you the best they can do.
If they accept your counter, take the job. If they take option 2 or 3, you tell them that you’re excited about their offer, you need 24 hours to make such an important decision, you make an appointment to call them back the next day.
If they want you, they will do this. You let them sweat for a day.
Then when you call back, you can try to bump them up a bit from their bump. Or, if they’re firm in their first offer, you can decide if you want that job at that pay. Say yes or no depending on how you answer that question.
You must must must negotiate salary. They’re never going to want you more than they want you then, so you must use that reality to negotiate the highest price for your skills and talents as you can.
And if it turns out there is no wiggle room on the salary, you might be able to get better perks. Extra vacation time. More flexible start/end times or your own private office/parking place/pool boy/whatever rings your chimes.
(bolding mine)
This is the most important piece of advice, and the one I tell anyone that asks for advice on salary. He who names a number first loses. Often they’ll ask things like “So what would it take to get you on board” or ask about your current salary. I don’t even fill that section of an application out, I write that it can be discussed in person. Screw all that “ask for more if you think you’re really qualified for it” crap. You want to get the absolute most you can. Good tactics for getting more are to point out that you’ll be loosing accrued vacation time, or vesting in company stock. Point out the loss of seniority or the difficulty in changing jobs. The usual gap between starting work and getting that first paycheck. As someone pointed out, a couple of thousand more puts you a year ahead on the typical 3% raise. And keep a straight face. Never take their first offer right away. 8 years ago when I was offered my first “analyst” position they called me in the evening to make me the offer over the phone. The salary they offered was over $20K more than I was making at the time. But as hard as it was I held off on jumping on it. I pointed out the vacation issue above and the loss in seniority in an organization and got $5000 more. Without even trying that hard. Do you have a job right now? If so, then go in with the mind set of “why should I agree to come work for you”? rather than “this is why you should hire me”.
They will rescind the offer if you are an idiot about it. I’ve done it myself. Or rather, I’ve ended conversations with candidates, wished them luck with their salary requirements and told them I’m wasting their time as we are not even hiring near their range. (Which is politer than laughing in their face)
I agree with most advice here but do be cautious if you aren’t negotiating with Human Resources but with the person you will be directly working for and/or the one who will be signing the checks. Unreasonable or not, they might take it personally if you don’t go for the initial offer. They should not be surprised or offended by some negotiation, but it is more important to make a very sincere argument that an increase truly reflects the value of the experience and skill you contribute (as alice_in_wonderland suggests), and that you can’t wait to dedicate 100% of that skill and experience to the company if you are appropriately compensated. If they perceive you’re just trying to see how much cash you can get out of them, they might cut and run.
Also, once you’ve accepted, you’ve accepted. Accepting an offer then coming back before your start date to finagle more vacation or other perks is just bad form. If you forgot to mention it in the initial negotiation, then you missed your chance. Bring it up at your first review.
I have asked for more on nearly every offer I’ve gotten and they never rescind the offer, but often say “no.” I have also hired dozens of people and don’t blink an eye if they make a counteroffer.
You don’t want to be outrageous so as to leave a bad taste in their mouth, but a request that is in their range but a little higher than the offer is fine.
Which is why you evade and dodge to get the employer to name a number first, so you know where the employer stands and what they’re thinking.
(Then, when this talented candidate realizes you pay peanuts, they can laugh in your face! )
I never ever ever mention a number at any time in the process. If an employer asks me about salary requirements, I tell them that I am looking for a figure that is in line with the talents, skills, and experience I bring to the job. If they push, I say, “My most important priority is to find a good fit. I’m sure that if I’m the right person for this job, we can agree on a figure that meets both our goals.”
The key is that an employer may, in fact, offer you the best they can and not come up to your counter, and that’s fine. But most employers are smart an will get you as cheaply … I mean cost-effectively!.. as they can. It’s in their interest to do so. It’s in your interest to get the highest salary you can. Any employer you want to work for understands this.
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