Salary Negotiations
Looking for insight on salary negotiations. I am nearing the end of a few interview cycles and am nervous about salary and benefit negotiations.
One of the positions I’ve applied for is for a nonprofit and they were upfront with their salary range and said there wouldn’t be room to negotiate because of nonprofit and funds. The bottom of the salary range is where I am at in my current job, but I also receive quarterly bonuses that adds a substantial amount to my income that I would be losing. The top of the salary range still wouldn’t match my salary plus bonus amount m, but there are other benefits they discussed as well as the organizational structure and room for growth that would make the move worth it in my opinion.
My question is, if they come in at the low end of the range, what would be the best approach to negotiate for the higher salary?
This will be my first time actually negotiating a benefits and salary package. This may sound stupid but if they come in with the high amount, am I an idiot for just taking it as is with no negotiation? They were up front in the interview process and it is within range that I want to be, I just feel like I hear everyone say never take the first offer so now I’m questioning it.
Family expenses we can make the drop in salary work, it will definitely add a layer of stress while we’ve got two in full time daycare, but my current job os a dead end and I can’t go on there.
Posted Jun 3, 2022, 1:22 AM UTC
I just accepted a job without negotiating because the offer was completely fair for the role, right in my expectations, etc. So in that case I broke the cardinal rule because I was happy with the first offer and didn’t feel the need to get more. I’m also in nonprofit, btw.
Since you’re at the high end of the range I’d inquire about what it takes to move out of that range. If you’re coming in at the high end it could stifle you for raises down the line if you’re in a certain “band”, etc. But if a promotion means moving into a new salary band, then you have room at that point. But understanding their overall salary structure might be helpful. You should also ask about cost of living adjustments - if they have them and if that’s in addition to merit based increases. If you’re in a revenue generating role you might be able to negotiate a bonus based on new revenue you acquired. But that’s only going to be paid out at the end of the FY and is usually also tied to meeting overall budget goals, beyond yours.
Thanks for responding! Congrats on your new job.
This position is an associate level and they’ve been clear through the interview process that they have a clear career path from Associate to Jr. to Senior. With levels in between.
I should have also added that this is a career shift. I’m currently in a senior level role in my current position but this would break me into my desired career to move forward in that has a lot more potential of growth.
It’s not a revenue generating role, but I will definitely ask what the standard is for merit based increases in addition to promotions.
Appreciate your input. The company I currently work for is very toxic/boys clubish. They really just want to milk you for all you have without trying to raise you up or support your industry knowledge etc. I just need OUT but don’t want to say YES because I’m desperate. I do feel like the offer is fair though.