Hiring question

[CRA]

I heard you can negotiate a better deal if you wear a Panthers polo shirt :D

Yes, it is ok to haggle. I know your industry (general) and they usually have wiggle room when it comes to getting a ringer. Make your lines in the sand and the ones you can afford to negotiate away.

Me, I always ask for a pony because it is something i am willing to let them negotiate away from me.

lol, Panther polo....that is crazy.

everyone knows it is the Panther pullover that hits a homerun.

[boo7382]

Make sure you question the hell out of them on vacation, medical and don't just think about the $ part. I have been screwed so many times on all that its embarrassing at this point. I found out the hard way at my current job and now I have no medical insurance. I work out of state and it is set up to where it is so expensive I can't afford it.

I'm the opposite.....we have pretty awesome insurance because we are based out of Cali so we abide by all of the insurance rules there which are a little more lax.

But they don't pay me anywhere near enough.

I know what it is like to not have insurance though....last year I paid $400 just to have a cavity filled.

Paid $1300 in January for an ER bill for "spraining my shoulder" <----that was after insurance

Currently getting ready to pay $1,000 for that little kidney stone I had a couple months back.....also after insurance.

[boo7382]

definitely agree with BB above. i took a pretty substantial pay cut to come work for the company i'm with now, but it was worth it. better for my career, 100% of health premiums paid, 200% 401(k) matching, and access to incredible tickets for the hawks, falcons, braves, etc. i negotiated guaranteed raises over my first two years as well.

psssh no Panthers tickets? I would have negotiated that poo from the start:D

[Hawk]

I r Canadian...insurance isn't really a thing we need to negotiate!!!

[lymelizzard]

[MadHatter]

I would always counter. They aren't going to withdrawal their original offer so what do you have to lose? Just counter with something reasonable and they'll meet you halfway or a bit lower than halfway. That's my experience (granted it's only been two different salaried positions).

If you don't want to counter your starting salary, or if they completely reject your counter offer, you should try to negotiate a guaranteed raise of X% or $X by a certain date - say Jan. 2012 - conditional upon a positive performance review (assuming you'll have one...) after six months.

I would agree with you during normal economic times. However, with the economy and job competition today you need to be very careful on how hard you push and try to negotiate.

There are a dozen other great candidates that they are talking to that would kill for the job.

I would make sure I was clear on all benefits, etc. I would also try to negotiate somewhat on salary. However, be real careful in this area. Piss them off and they will move on to candidate #2.

[Hawk]

ya....I agree with you! I don't think there are any/many other candidates that have made it as far through the process as I am...so I am pretty confident.

I would also assume that any offer they make, they are more than likely expecting some sort of counter??? or am I wrong here?

[bleys]

just don't over shoot on your counter offer. if they laugh, you went too far. ;)

as a matter of fact, in order to keep the leverage on your side, I think it would be wise to point out the positives their company offers but then add that you have to support your family and need a little more than they are offering.

then straight up ask something like, "what would it take to bring my talents to South Beach?"

I kid..

"I'm not asking for millions, but I am making more where I am. I think this place is the perfect fit, but I do have a few other offers as well.. how much wiggle room do you have so we can make this happen that works for both of us?"

kind of ask for them to raise their offer without showing your cards right away..

this could also put their foot down after they give you a number, but if they weren't willing to budge anyhow, now you know. if they do, you know they have some room to work. based on the response, you then have a greater understanding on how much further you can push as well..

[bleys]

just don't over shoot on your counter offer. if they laugh, you went too far. ;)

if they don't pay you more, tell them you are taking your talents to South Beach... I kid.

I would point out the positives you see in the company but tell them you are making more elsewhere with a few other offers you are entertaining.. You would prefer to work here, so is there any wiggle room to make this happen?

I feel this keeps you in control and puts them on the spot.

this could slow down any further negotiation, but only if they weren't willing to increase their offer by much. regardless of how they react, now you know how much to push them on the issue..

[Panthro]

You never get what you don't ask for. Present you counter offer with valid reasons and they should consider them

[Doyle]

I've said this before and I'll say again. Demand $100,000 up front in cash and don't budge. They will know you mean business then.