Negotiating an Offer HELP!

I would definitely mention the pay cut. At least in my job, not taking a reduced salary is a very reasonable expectation. I wouldn't mention the current atmosphere, inflation, etc. That's always a thing in some ways so instead focus on highlighting your skills and experience and why your value matches the higher end of the spectrum. Sell yourself and good luck!

I did this two weeks ago!

All I did was email and say,

Hi {HR rep}:

I was wondering if you would consider a base salary of $X? I am very excited about this position and the work {company} does.

Sincerely,

Shiver707

And X was a few k more than I wanted. They ended up giving me X. I also asked for (and got) a signing bonus in lieu of a relocation bonus in a different email. You can ask if they would consider a signing bonus.

Ask a manager has lots of advice on this, and there are other examples. Keep it simple and ask. Then be ready to be nail bitingly patient. Don't follow up until they answer as they may need to get approvals. They're probably expecting you to negotiate, and I guarantee you'll regret not at least trying.

Feel free to ask me more questions about this. I've helped with a few job negotiations for family and friends.

Its completely normal and expected to counter during the job offer process. I'm sure they are expecting some type of counter.

My advice is usually to more or less split the difference. If the range was 75-95k, and they offered you 80k, I'd counter at like 87k, with the idea that they will probably come back with 85k.

Another way to negotiate an offer though is with flexibility/benefits - although personally I'd only do this if they aren't willing to budge much on the salary.

Anyways, when you respond I'd first bring up how excited you are for the position, that you really want to work for this company and team. Then I'd bring up a few things you're bringing to the job - its a career shift for you, so one thing to mention might be how your previous experience would be a benefit to the team. And I would likely bring up COL increase. Then I'd ask for a higher number.

I would suggest going in at $5-10K higher than what you want and explain the pay cut. It's very reasonable for that to be a hindrance to taking the job and discussing it isn't (or shouldn't be) frowned upon.

When I've negotiated, I've always used the "compliment sandwich" explaining how much I want to work for this company and how I think this role is perfect for my career aspiration, with the caveat that I'm compensated for the work. Employers post ranges for a reason and it's not pushy to ask for more. Sometimes it feels that way and it's intentional because companies are always trying to save money where they can.

You are the only person that will advocate for yourself and it's always ok to do so!

Check Ask a Manager- There's tons of great scripts for this sort of thing.

Most companies expect you to negotiate, so they purposely come in at a lower amount than they're actually willing to pay. Remember, they need to win you over just as much as you had to impress them through your interviews. Tell them you can't accept the current offer as it's a paycut from your current role, give them the rate you're willing to work with (like said above, go 5-10k more than what you actually would accept), and then mention some of your qualifications and the value you would be adding to their company.

Assuming what you're asking for is within the range they told you is possible, there's no reason why asking for more would cause issues. If it does, they're probably not a company you'd enjoy working for long term anyway.

And if the pay does become an issue with them not being willing to increase their offer, ask for other benefits. More vacation days, work from home flexibility, discounts on insurance premiums, etc. Whatever you do, get it in writing though!

I just read that you should say “is there any flexibility?” And just stop talking. Wait for them to come up with an answer. They don’t have to know that you might stilll take the first offer even if it isn’t ideal

This sort of happened to me. I told them that I really wanted to work for them but I also needed more money. I said “thank you for the offer. Because of my current salary of X I need to make at least X to make a lateral move”.

They matched it and bumped it up another $5k and I signed that day.

Look up Tori Dunlap, she has a lot of great resources on salary negotiation including what to say.

I wouldn’t actually provide a specific number but they do expect you to negotiate. The worst that can happen is they say they have no room to move. I would reiterate how excited you are about the opportunity but it would be a pretty meaningful compensation cut from your current role and see what they say. Part of the reason there is a gender pay gap though is because women are not as likely to negotiate for higher comp. They are expecting you to though! Good luck!

I wouldn’t cite outside factors like inflation. I would specifically say it’s a paycut and/or mention what the market would pay for this position. It’s much more specific and easier to make an argument for. When a hiring manager (or any normal person) hears that their top candidate would be taking a paycut to work with you, it’s enough to want to do something about it.

Just ask for it. Say you’d rather not take a pay cut. I’m in recruiting and we almost always give people what they ask for.

Definitely counter offer for a more reasonable price point. If they get offended by it, consider it a dodged bullet. I definitely get the bad work environment though, I took a significant pay cut awhile back to get out of a really bad work situation. I was able to gain some experience in the field, then jump to another company making more than the original job I left.

For negotiations, I add 10k and 3 weeks vacation. All they can say is no then you are at the salary they said. I say this is how much I am making now. Even if my salary is lower.