I GOT AN OFFER

mamie329 · July 2010

via email about 20 minutes ago from the Dir. of HR. I'm trying to get more details on the benefits, ie health plan premiums and coverage.

BUT

The salary is basically what I make now, and my salary expectations (requested in my resume) indicate something at least 3K above that. Should I negotiate this? And, how would I word this??

hawkilady · July 2010

Congratulations!

I think most people expect you to negotiate but I would wait to find out the whole benefit package first. Tell them you need to consider the entire compensation package before making a decision. They may have better benefits that can offset some of the cash too - lower monthly contributions for healthcare, better 401k matching, stock option plan, etc.

If you do want to negotiate - find out what the target for the position would be. Is the offer right in the middle of the range? If its low-mid, you likely have some room so long as you can justify the higher salary through your experience, etc. You may also want to talk to them about promotion opportunities and salary increases in the future if they can't budge on the salary today. I dont think I would give up the job over $3k if its something you really want. The after tax difference isn't going to be enough to change your lifestyle.

megs1383 · July 2010

YEAH!!! Congrats Mames!!

Definitely consider Benefits and opportunities for advancement before making your decicion. I think if I got offered a new job with same pay but better health benefits, I would take it... that stuff can add up! (Plus I am just itching for a change of scenery)

mamie329 · July 2010

Thanks guys.

There is a six month review. The benefits seem to be less what I have now. But it has to be more growth than now (literally nowhere to go in my current job and no challenges and no annual reviews/raises).

hawkilady · July 2010

If the benefits are less too, I would probably ask for a little more money. Usually companies have room for at least 3-5% more in the offer from what I've seen. It completely depends on the company what they will do - in my current job, they went up $12k from offer to what I actually made. In my previous job the offer was what it was and that was it.

luckycooky · July 2010

$3K/year = $250/month pre-tax. I would try to negotiate first to see if they would match but if they truly could not budge, I would still take it because of the opportunity to advance.

mamie329 · July 2010

The HR Director mentioned the "negotations" word when I met with him briefly after my first interview ... so perhaps they expect me to question it? I've never negotatied salaries before. I was always like "Job offer? Sign me up!" because I was young and fresh out of college. So I'm a nervous wreck. I don't want to make a step down benefit wise even if I'm more likely to have steady increases in the future. Know what I mean?

Why couldn't they have just offered in my range and made this an easier acceptance?

Leigha12 · July 2010

Congrats!! I definitely think you should negotiate. Use the step down of benefits as part of your reasoning. "I see the benefits package is less comprehensive than what I have now. Can we see a $5000 increase in salary to make up for that difference?"

darby0422 · July 2010

Congrats! I agree with PP and I like Leigha's way of asking for more. Let the negotiations begin!

angelfire0412 · July 2010

First of all, congratulations!

Second of all, you need to negotiate. State that you would be stepping backwards financially in accepting the offer as it is now (if your benefits are less)...I mean, who would really expect you to do that?

PS-assuming they don't know you have no opportunity for growth in your current job, I think this should go pretty smoothly.

sarajoy12345 · July 2010

Leigha12:
Congrats!! I definitely think you should negotiate. Use the step down of benefits as part of your reasoning. "I see the benefits package is less comprehensive than what I have now. Can we see a $5000 increase in salary to make up for that difference?"

I TOTALLY agree with this!

Oh yeah, and CONGRATULATIONS!

mamie329 · July 2010

FML.

Basically he told me that they determine compensation based on the PA Dept of Labor information and that within 6 months it could go up 3%. However I'd be taking a hit on health care premiums. Somewhat less coverage and I'd be paying more than we what we pay now.

I'm going to say that I need more time, because as the offer stands now I'd be taking steps down financially from what I am now.

IDK what to even think. Totally hating this right now.

just dandy. · July 2010

Should you tell them that? Would it be in your favor to say "I'm going to need a little time to think about this since I'll be taking a step backward in terms of both salary and benefits"?

gmk1784 · July 2010

Does your husband's work offer benefits? You could compare the costs of his benefits to the costs at the new job and that may take the benefit part out of the decision

mamie329 · July 2010

gmk1784:
Does your husband's work offer benefits? You could compare the costs of his benefits to the costs at the new job and that may take the benefit part out of the decision

His benefits are really really bad and super expensive. I have him on an individual plan through a private insurer while I'm on my company's group plan.

Leigha12 · July 2010

Did you use the lowered benefits when you asked about negotiating on the salary? If not, and if you're willing to walk away from this, I see no problem in saying what you proposed. It gives them the chance to up their offer if they really want you there.

angelfire0412 · July 2010

Leigha12:
Did you use the lowered benefits when you asked about negotiating on the salary? If not, and if you're willing to walk away from this, I see no problem in saying what you proposed. It gives them the chance to up their offer if they really want you there.

I agree with Leigha 1000% on this. Don't stress please

mamie329 · July 2010

I already responded with pretty verbatim what just dandy said above.

They probably don't give a crap if I'm better off where I am now.

Leigha12 · July 2010

Here are my thoughts: is the prospect of movement within the company worth a temporary paycut (that realistically could last a couple years if they're only doing COL raises)? Might there be better/other opportunities or are these two places your only choices in your field/area? You guys just bought a house. I know I personally wouldn't want to lose any compensation right off the bat.

And for the record, I totally know what you're going through. Just about any permanent government job I take right now will be a cut in pay since as a contractor, my salary is boosted as a benefits trade-off. I'm already looking in to other income opportunities to offset this.

angelfire0412 · July 2010

I think there's a lot to be said for making a move to a career/position where you have upward mobility. BUT...in my three adult job positions/careers, I never once went backward in pay/benefits.

mamie329 · July 2010

I don't think there's any budging on the offer.

So basically I feel effed either way. There's too many pros/cons list running around in my head right now and it's making me certifiable. I thought getting a job offer would be a happy thing - instead it's causing me a lot of angst.

Leigha12 · July 2010

mamie329:
I thought getting a job offer would be a happy thing - instead it's causing me a lot of angst.

That's how I felt last September. I got one offer (my current job) and the day I accepted it, I got a call from another place asking if I was still interested as they were calling references. They also made an offer (for my dream job but no where near my dream living area) and I had a lot of angst making the decision to turn it down.

ETA: Being a grown up sucks!

LarkNow · July 2010

You have to be happy you got the offer. That shows you're desirable and doing something right. But I think you need to sleep on it, to really know if the "cuts" outweight the potential for growth in the long term.

How long term are you thinking of doing work like this? Forever? If so, it would be definitely worth it to get in with a company with more opportunities now. If you plan to stay at home with kids in a couple of years, you might want to stay in your low-stress, comfortable current job environment.

SBS0628 · July 2010

mamie329:

There's too many pros/cons list running around in my head right now and it's making me certifiable.

Write them down. In two columns. You can even color code them in terms of severity/importance of issue. It's amazing how much you can talk yourself in circles in your head but how clear it seems once it's in front of you on paper. You can even e-mail me the list and I'll offer comments/rebuttals on all the points (I had some of my friends do this for me when I decided to quit my teaching job).

Like others have said, it's good news that you got an offer. If nothing else comes of it, at least you got the experience of interviewing (and going on a second interview!) and negotiating. That way, if you choose to pass, you'll be more prepared for something else/different/better? if it comes along in the future.

hawkilady · July 2010

I agree with the others -- tell them you need until Monday to make a decision. It's a tough decision. It's never easy to take a paycut. DH did it when he left banking and started at his current job. Within 6 months though he was making more and they moved him up in the annual profit sharing bonus since we was doing a good job.

If they won't budge on the salary now - maybe you can negotiate an increase contingent on certain requirements in six months. Can you get any non-monetary benefits? Cell phone plan, work from home days, more vacation time, etc.

Also think about time -- will this job cost you more or less in commute time/gas? What about the hours? Is it more/less flexible than your current job? Will you be expected to work longer hours? Weekends? Be available by phone/email after hours?

angelfire0412 · July 2010

I agree with SBS Mames, whenever I'm feeling overwhelmed, I make a list (LOL! every night, haha).

It really helps so much to see it on paper in black and white. Somehow it really helps remove the anxiety and just makes the facts more palatable.

vhcoleman09 · July 2010

Congratulations mamie! Even though it's a stressful decision, it's fantastic that you were able to get a job in such a crappy economy. That said, I agree with hawki that you take the weekend to think about it and weigh the pros and cons. Upward mobility is a huge deal if you're planning on staying in that field. And if the new job agrees to a salary increase at the 6-month review, that may cover the $3K. My only advice is to not sell yourself short. I read a book once about women and negotiating, and how more women need to do this, and ever since then I've negotiated with success. You can do it!

mamie329 · July 2010

I'm trying to get the most I can, but if won't be much, if anything. He said "perhaps there is room, but the compensation plan is the compensation plan.... throwing other salaries out of whack" so I basically said if you could pay me xx, please advise. Blah blah blah, other stuff.

I'm trying to get all the information I can in order to fully make the pros/cons list like SBS suggested.

It'd be a closer commute (like a mile away) and next door to the gym I belong to but haven't used in over a year. Less vacation days. Probably less flexibility. (I have the most uber casual office in life.)

hawkilady:
I agree with the others -- tell them you need until Monday to make a decision. It's a tough decision. It's never easy to take a paycut. DH did it when he left banking and started at his current job. Within 6 months though he was making more and they moved him up in the annual profit sharing bonus since we was doing a good job.
If they won't budge on the salary now - maybe you can negotiate an increase contingent on certain requirements in six months. Can you get any non-monetary benefits? Cell phone plan, work from home days, more vacation time, etc.
Also think about time -- will this job cost you more or less in commute time/gas? What about the hours? Is it more/less flexible than your current job? Will you be expected to work longer hours? Weekends? Be available by phone/email after hours?

ChooGirl · July 2010

CONGRATS!!!

mofe · July 2010

Yay Mamie!

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