Hi guys,
I’ve been in my current position for about a year and half now. I recently applied for an Administrative Assistant position at my company, and I have two interviews this week! This position would be a salaried position as well as being a raise.
According to Labor Statistics, the median for Admin Assistant is 34k. I’m currently making ~28k, before taxes and minus bonuses. I’ve never been in a position where I am expected to know what to ask going in. Do I ask for slightly more than the median, expecting to be knocked down? Do I ask for the median, as I don’t have any specific admin experience, though will have no problem doing the job and more than meet the qualifications? I do not want to undersell myself, nor price myself out of the park accidentally.
Any other interview tips would be welcome!! This would be an INCREDIBLE stroke of good luck for me right now, things have been tough 'round these parts.
I’m assuming you have no way to check what admins are currently being paid at your company… I’d say, if the position is (in the eyes of the company) a big step up in responsibility & exposure, ask for $35k (a 25% raise). If people don’t see admins as being all that much more than where you are now, start at the median and let yourself get talked down to 32k (a 15% raise) but only if they ask you how much you want, otherwise leave it up to them to name a number.
Option 1:
HR: How much were you thinking?
M: I’d like $35k for this, given my experience with the company.
HR: The median’s $34k.
M: $34k works.
Option 2:
HR: We’d like to offer your $30k for this, which is a …
M: The median for this is $34k
HR: How about $32k?
M: Works for me.
In my experience as both employee and owner, salary negotiations are not nearly as fracturing as most applicants make them. If you’re to the point of being offered the job, asking too much, within reason, will not result in you being shown the door. Do your homework, use your judgement, and ask for a range of about 100 to 125 percent of what you’d like. Don’t be pushy and leave the person room to politely give you an alternate range. Unless you’re really clueless or they’re looking for slave labor, you’ll find yourself in a small area for final discussion.