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Think I made a dumb mistake... help

I interviewed for a job that I REALLY want.  I found out about the job through networking and was able to apply before it was even listed.  The director saw my resume and told me she was "dancing on the table" about it.  She "couldn't wait for HR to do the formal to get the ball rolling on this thing."  So I was pretty confident going into the interview but took it very seriously.  The plan was that I had to interview with HR, the Director, and the Site Manager at once.  I prepared for the standard questions and the interview could not have gone better.  HR said she would be checking my references that afternoon!  Before I left, the site manager showed me a room and said "This will be your office."  I'm feeling very confident I got the job... except I did one little thing I hope won't blow up in my face.

They had me fill out a formal application form before the interview started.  One of the questions asked was desired salary.  I want between 44-47K.  Instead of writing that... I wrote "Mid 40K" meaning "mid-forties."  The HR person saw it during the interview and said "We can definitely hit your asking salary."  I'm really hoping she didn't think I mean $40,500.  Ugh... damn it. 

I guess I should just wait for the formal offer and see what it says.  I also assumed that a health center would provide full health benefits (since it's website advertises that it provides health insurance to employees) but they only pay half so now I almost would like to ask for MORE $$$ if they offer me the job because the benefit package isn't what I expected it to be. What would you do?

Re: Think I made a dumb mistake... help

  • Bummer.  Hopefully it is a simple misunderstanding.  If anything, when HR formally offers you the job tell them your original amount was with the assumption of full health and would like to propose a different number to make up the difference.

    My H is here, too: he says to "lie" and tell them there is another job you're offered and they are offering X amount.  Personally, that could backfire on you easily, though.

  • I think that you're WAY overthinking this. Wait to get the offer and see what it says.

    FWIW, I wouldn't think "mid-40K" meant "$40,500." IMO, that would be a pretty bizarre interpretation of that number. In the future, though, I would write "$44k - $47k." Actually, I'd probably write just write $50k ;-)

    If the offer is lower than you want, I think that you can say, "That's a strong offer, but I'm hoping for $X."

    In my industry, it's very typicaly for the employer to pay 40-50% of healthcare costs, and you pay the other 50-60%, so I think that it's weird that you expected full (no cost) health care.

  • I agree with Smiley. I'm sure "mid-40's" doesn't mean $40,500. And, I too, have never had a job with full health care. Mine jobs have ranged between 50/50 or 75/25. And my industry is higher education.
  • Yeah, you're definitely overthinking this.

    See what they come back with, and tell them that you're looking for something more like $XK, and see what they say. The worst they can say is no. You can always try and negotiate for more PTO or other benefits instead.

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  • Agree with previous posters about the overthinking. Stop stressing about it until there's an offer. If the offer is under your minimum, negotiate. 
    image image
    Lucy Elizabeth 10.27.12
  • imageSmileyFace:

     I wouldn't think "mid-40K" meant "$40,500." IMO, that would be a pretty bizarre interpretation of that number. In the future, though, I would write "$44k - $47k." Actually, I'd probably write just write $50k ;-)

    This, exactly. 

  • Thanks ladies!  I think I just got overly-excited about the potential offer and was over analyzing things.  I'll post what happens this week. 
  • Something so similar happened to me just a few weeks ago. I put a lower salary amount on my application papers than I could have put and I was kicking myself for it. But then, you know what happened? They called and offered me the job and actually offered way over what I had intended to put even or even what I was planning to negotiate for. I was so shocked I had to ask the recruiter to repeat what he said. Anyhow, this happened because they had a set amount that they pay people starting in that position and it really had very little to do with what I put on my papers. I know this is not the case all the time, but maybe you will be so lucky too!
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