I used to do the screening and hiring for my company. The boss would give me a range of wages. I’d find someone I liked and ask them what salary they wanted. Now here’s the important part, so pay attention:
If they said a number in the range, they got it. If they said a number higher than the range, I said “Best we can do is [top number].” Never, ever, ever, not once did I say “Whoa! I’m going to go ask this other employee.”
Why not save some money and go with the other candidate? Because it’s not my money. It’s the company’s money and it doesn’t affect my bottom line whatsoever. I chose the best candidate and gave them whatever I could to get them onboard.
Oh, and btw, if I can’t make a deal work with you, that means I- not my boss, not his boss, not my coworker- I have to start all over with someone else. And I don’t want to do that.
So the bottom line is, you want to be value-maximizing while they want to be value-sufficing. I know that in your field, employees as a whole might not have any power right now, but in this specific situation, you do have power- you’re the one they want.
I’m not so sanguine that you definitely won’t get messed up by asking for too much.
One thing that employers tend to be leery of is employees who are dissatisfied with their jobs. If you ask for too much I can see an employer worrying that you might accept a lower offer because you currently have no job, but will feel underpaid and be an unhappy employee and/or be constantly on the lookout for better offers elsewhere.
Which is not to say that you shouldn’t aim high. Only that the above is a consideration, among other considerations.
I think it’s a little different in the non-profit world, where everyone pretty much assumes you’re not in it for the money. If anything, I think the willingness to come down from a higher number is indicative, in this context, of a higher-than-average desire for that particular job and a consequent lower likelihood of dissatisfaction. YMMV, of course.
From my own experience working for not-for-profits. And while your experience may show that an organization may sweeten the amount of the grant with money from other surces, my experience indicates otherwise.
Let’s just agree to advise Olive that salary may or may not be negotiable.
I was going to say, ask for $40,000 and settle for $35,000 and a couple of extra weeks vacation.
I agree that this might not be the job for that negotiation, though - getting your foot in the door and getting experience is your main goal right now. Your next job, however - that’s when it gets interesting. If the range is up to $35,000, though, ask for that. They’ll let you know if it’s out of the question or not.
Also, don’t take the job immediately if offered - ask to think about it overnight, and you’ll get back to them the next day. It might be the perfect job, but once you get a hard offer with all the details of salary, benefits, etc., you should still take a night to discuss it with your spouse, think about all the details, and be sure this is a good fit for you. It’s easier to turn down an offer than start a job and have to quit a few weeks in. This also screens out bad companies to work for - if they HAVE to have an answer right now, they can’t wait 24 hours, there’s something hinky there.
Okay, maybe I will ask for $35k. That is closer to what I want anyway. The issue is just that these type of jobs can have a pretty big range in terms of salary. But I think the fact that I have a Masters and this is a Masters-level position works in my favor. I think.
I’ve been waiting with bated breath to hear what happened, and I’m so, so happy (and not at *all *surprised) that it was good news. I’m having a beer tonight in your honor!
You’re right, it’s easy to feel like every month searching subtracts $2000 from the salary you can legitimately ask for. It doesn’t actually work that way.
Be sure to use a little bit of your first paycheck to treat yourself, even if it’s just a new book or a pedicure, whatever your guilty pleasure. It will do wonders for your self worth to be able to splurge a little.
Here’s hoping this is the start of a really good time for you and hubby.
I am SO glad for you, and even more glad you didn’t have to settle for basically minimum wage rates. You deserve SO much money for the social work you’ll be doing, I’m sure. I’m very happy for you and wish you the best in your new job.
