Salary Negotiating Tips for a 2nd Interview 2

[bradpa77]

Ok, so I had this interview 3 weeks ago. It was going really well and the last thing we talked about was salary requirements. Since the interview was going well, I shot a bit high with my expected salary requirements. I didn't get a good reaction from that. They seemed to be a bit shocked by my number. The range I gave them would put me around a 13-20% raise. From their reaction and from a lack of response from them, I figured I blew it. I was shocked to get a call today for a second interview! So now what do I do about my salary requirements if it comes up again? Since I'm getting a second shot, should I lower them a bit or stick to my guns and be firm about it? I figure if my numbers were out of reach, they wouldn't be contacting me for a second interview at all. I do like this job opportunity and I don't necessarily want to see it slip away. I would be willing to do the job for less than my stated number (8-10% raise), but if I have a real good chance to bring in a bigger offer I want to try my best to get it. So what should I do?

 

[TomBarsh]

They haven't made a counter-offer yet; there's no need to change your position but you can comment that you are open to discussion.

 

[btrueblood]

Stick to your guns. Make 'em negotiate.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Tell them you are open to negotiatins - but what well happen in the future.... No raises for like 3 years??

Think that one thru

 

[dgowans]

I agree with the other responses. Lowering your range in advance of real negotiations will weaken your position.

Don't let your desire to get out of your current job cloud your judgment. What would you do if this were simply a better alternative to a position you really loved rather than an opportunity for you to escape where you are now? Would you lower your range in that scenario?

 

[vc66]

I tend to agree with the others; however, judging by the writing from your other thread, you're just short of desperate (as far as leaving your current job).

They're going to give you a low-ball offer anyway. That low-ball offer will be based off of the number that you gave them. If that offer is better than you expected, and you really want to leave your present job, then take it.

It's all about leverage. How much are you worth to them vs. how much leaving your current job means to you.

I'd say if they make you a competitive offer (say 8-10% raise), take it. This is assuming you are competitively compensated at your current employer.

Good luck.

Let us know what happens.

V

 

[EQguys]

I say stick to your current numbers of say 20%. IMO its not worth switching jobs unless a 20% raise. However, if they give you better benefits than your current job, then you might wanna consider lower numbers.

"Does the man make the journey or does the journey make the man" - Mark Twain

 

[bradpa77]

Sounds like the general concensus is to stay firm with my original figure. After hearing everyone's reasons, I definitely agree. I appreciate the help everyone.

 

[ARenko]

They're look of shock and no response may very well have been negotiating tactics on their part. Or, you never know - they could've been shocked you're so cheap. I say always make them give the first number and start negotiating from there.

I agree with others not to lower your requirement, but know it might be hard to stick w/ 20% increase (ref EQguys' post) when you gave them a range that started at 13%.

 

[ornerynorsk]

The Chinese have a saying - "he who mentions price first, loses". While this is not always the case, it is true that it binds you to a maximum, if you are on the receiving end, and a minimum, if you are on the paying end.

 

[dgowans]

As a car dealer once told me:

"A good deal is just a state of mind."

Yeah, I probably got screwed at the time, but I was happy with the deal I negotiated. EQguys might not make a move for less than a 20% raise; bradpa77, your current state of mind might indicate that a good deal doesn't require 20%.

The last move I made was lateral in terms of salary but I was absolutely miserable at the job I left. A lateral move was definitely a positive in that instance.

 

[Zapster]

If there is a counter offer for base pay that is less than you want, why not suggest that they give some additional paid vacation days in return for some movement on your base pay. There is a lot you can negotiate with:

Vacation Days
Flex Time
Medical Benefits,
Matched Retirement Funds
Salary, base or rate of increase
Commissions based on productivity or new clients brought in
Moving Expenses
Recruitment bonus for other talent that you bring in
Signing Bonus

I am sure there may be more negotiable items that I can’t think about at the moment.

 

[ajack1]

Well if you are anything like me if you get the job you will think you should have held out or asked for more and if you don’t get the job you will think you should have asked for less.

If you manage to get a 20% rise in this current climate that is one hell of a result.

 

[davidinindy]

"If you manage to get a 20% rise in this current climate that is one hell of a result"
If you manage to get an interview in this current climate, that's one hell of a result!

I've been sending emails and making calls for two weeks now. Everybody is either holding steady or has layed people off themselves.

David

 

[csd72]

I have been in this exact situation before. Basically my response was 'see what the best is that you can offer me and get back to me'. It puts the ball in their court and as someone else has said this gives you the upper hand.

That said, as other people have mentioned, any interview is good in this climate. Normally I would say dont move for less than 10% increase but I would accept 5% in this current climate. My wife went through interviews and they were offering 15-20% less than they would have 6 months ago.

If you do settle for a small increase then make sure there is a salary review clause in there with some type of assurance that you will get raises if you perform.

 

[TheTick]

In the past, I have approached the situation from a standpoint of values and money. "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:21). Companies pay for what they value. If they do not value what you bring, they will not want to pay much for it.

An employer can do all the tap-dancing they want about how great it is to work there, and that there are more important things than money. I believe it is an immutable fact of human nature that people just don't want to spend money on things they don't value. Low pay equals low value. I have passed through companies that treat engineering like a "necessary evil". Pay and work climate both sucked.

 

[msquared48]

Before you start the interview, just lay your Glock on the table. They'll get the hint.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[ykee]

The answer may relate to the size of the company. If it is a smaller company, they may be out of touch with appropriate salary range.

The silence may have been them contemplating your proposal and figuring out that it was reasonable. Since they called you back, its up to them to put something on the table now & for you to figure out if you could live with it.

 

[COEngineeer]

I think the fact that they are calling back that means they are willing to work with your number. Especialy because you have a job right now it is ok to be picky with your future job and salary. If you dont have a job however, I would not recommend it.

Never, but never question engineer's judgement

 

[PhilBW]

When I negotiate with a potential employee on salary, I expect their first salary request to be higher than they expect to end up with. That is the way the negotiating game has been played for thousands of years. If they refuse to budge from their first figure, I judge them to be pretty impressed with themselves or just plain stubborn. Unless there were unusual circumstances that made them the only acceptable choice for the job, I would tell them no thank you and move on to my second choice.