… what are you looking for as far as base salary goes… or compensation package?"
The WILDCARD:
if they make me a verbal offer, should I immediately request they put it in writing before I leave, and let them know I’ll provide my decision in a few days?
I think I remember don’t sound desperate and don’t put anything too low or else they might just pay you that instead of the higher pay they would have originally paid you.
One thing I can tell you from our recent hiring experience was that my boss rejected out of hand those resumes he got from Monster that DIDN’T state the range they were looking for.
I am not sure if 401k and such would be things youw ould include in this, rather they would be things you ask about during the interview process should it go that far.
The verbal agreement is a tough one. I can see how that would be good from a CYA standpoint, but I can also see how it might make the interviewer feel like you are being comabtive right out of the gate.
No doubt some boss type folks will be around with their take.
I recently went on an interview and put my desired salary on the line that asked for it. The regional HR guy that I interviewed with told me to always put “negotiable” in that space on a written application. He told me that he started people out at a higher salary than I’d asked for, and that had he been unscrupulous, he could have gotten away with paying me what I asked.
When they asked me again what I wanted to be paid, I asked for much more than I thought I’d get and they met me half way. I was sure to not price myself out of the job though.
From my experience, benefits packages are not all that negotiable, and are usually discussed once you’ve been offered the job. YMMV of course.
In the begining of an interview, I’d go with giving a range over a specific number. We ask our applicants this to make sure we’re in the right ball park for the skill set and experience we’re looking for vs. what they want.
That said, this really depends on your job level. For example, if you have a good job now, with many years of experience, there is no need to lower your standards.
The time to be specific is when you and the prospective employeer and getting close to agreeing that you are the one for the job.
Normally companies will give written offers, since it protects them from potential misunderstandings as well. If a company gives only a verbal offer, you should clarify if this is a formal offer. Unless it’s really complicated, I wouldn’t insist on this in writing on the spot. However, what I would do is to immediately email them thanking them for the offer of $XX k and, as you said in the interfiew that you are considering this offer. This email will be enough to show the offer. If they back down from their verbal offer, run away.
I never give a number at all in the initial stages of the process.
Here is the game:
Employers have a salary range that they want a new employee to fall into. Contrary to some beliefs, it is definitely not good to state a number lower than that range. Employers generally don’t want discount employees anymore than you want to get all of your furniture from Wal-Mart. Another issue is if they hire someone with a low bid, the person will inevitably find out they they are making, say $10,000 less than their peers. That is not good either because it will cause big problems later.
Employers want you to estimate where you should fall in the salary range they invented with your own assessment of your abilities and then either fall at the low end on your own or make a good case why you are an exceptional candidate and should be paid more towards the higher end. It is far from perfect but employers are using the salary range to define a marginal candidate, an average one, and an exceptional candidate. You have to decide which one of those you are and make a good case for getting the job. Discount employees and superstars in the field making high money may not be deemed right for a particular job.
Good advice, thank you! I also feel more comfortable giving a range of salary. Handling the verbal offer–as you suggested–with clarification, and followup email is perfect.
Doonoman’s suggestion for “negotiable” is appreciated too… don’t know why that clever word hadn’t popped into my own head!
Thanx everyone!