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Message
I have a job offer on the table - Updated OP
Posted on 2/8/18 at 2:38 pm
Posted on 2/8/18 at 2:38 pm
I started looking for a new job at the beginning of the year because my current job's responsibilities now outweigh the pay and there are almost no opportunities for growth (small company). This was my first "career" job and I'm thankful for the opportunity, but after 2.5 years I feel the time is right to move on.
I interviewed with another company twice this week and secured a job offer today. The offer is a salary that is $1K a year less than I currently make. I expected it to be a fairly lateral move, and made it clear during the interviews that the move wasn't because of money. My current job requires a lot of travel, working over weekends, and after hours calls. This new job is offering me an office position that would be an 8-5 Monday-Friday sort of deal, which is what I was looking for.
Having said that, I was hoping to make a little bit more than my current salary (maybe a $2-5K increase). Should I counter their offer knowing that I said this move wouldn't be about money? I've never been in this position before, so drop some wisdom on me.
Update:
Officially accepted the new job. They accepted my counter offer on salary and I now am receiving a small raise from my current salary.
As an added bonus, I will be getting 5 more PTO days a year than I currently get, cheaper health insurance, an option to buy into a company stock plan (They were bought out last year by a larger national company but still work mostly independently), and most importantly no more after hours or weekend work days. And no travel.
I feel like a winner and you guys all helped. Appreciate it greatly.
I interviewed with another company twice this week and secured a job offer today. The offer is a salary that is $1K a year less than I currently make. I expected it to be a fairly lateral move, and made it clear during the interviews that the move wasn't because of money. My current job requires a lot of travel, working over weekends, and after hours calls. This new job is offering me an office position that would be an 8-5 Monday-Friday sort of deal, which is what I was looking for.
Having said that, I was hoping to make a little bit more than my current salary (maybe a $2-5K increase). Should I counter their offer knowing that I said this move wouldn't be about money? I've never been in this position before, so drop some wisdom on me.
Update:
Officially accepted the new job. They accepted my counter offer on salary and I now am receiving a small raise from my current salary.
As an added bonus, I will be getting 5 more PTO days a year than I currently get, cheaper health insurance, an option to buy into a company stock plan (They were bought out last year by a larger national company but still work mostly independently), and most importantly no more after hours or weekend work days. And no travel.
I feel like a winner and you guys all helped. Appreciate it greatly.
This post was edited on 2/8/18 at 5:46 pm
12
Posted on 2/8/18 at 2:42 pm to tlsu15
All they can do is say no. You shouldn't have mentioned it not being about money if you planned on countering in the case that they offered you less.
Posted on 2/8/18 at 2:44 pm to tlsu15
quote:
1K
Less than a hundred bucks a month before taxes. After two may $60-75/month. Not a big deal imo to have a job you actually enjoy.
quote:
Should I counter their offer knowing that I said this move wouldn't be about money?
Why would you say that? You never throw out a number first unless you'll actually take it. That's like negotiation 101. Now you'll look kind of shitty for saying "yeah I know I said it's not about the money, but I want more money." Pretty hypocritical don't you think?
Posted on 2/8/18 at 2:44 pm to tlsu15
What are some other benefits that are on the table?
Went through that last year and started a thread here, and bottom line is even if you're content with this initial offer it won't hurt to negotiate.
Went through that last year and started a thread here, and bottom line is even if you're content with this initial offer it won't hurt to negotiate.
Posted on 2/8/18 at 2:44 pm to tlsu15
Shouldn’t have mentioned money at all at any point, and you’d be in a better position, imo.
Not sure what you should do now that the horse is out of the barn, but it depends on if you’re willing to be patient for another role if you want to play hardball on this offer.
Not sure what you should do now that the horse is out of the barn, but it depends on if you’re willing to be patient for another role if you want to play hardball on this offer.
Posted on 2/8/18 at 2:51 pm to tlsu15
Tell them you are very appreciative of the offer and while you are not looking for a substantial raise, you would be very grateful if they are willing to just match your current salary to make the switch.
And then maybe tell them your salary is $3-$6k over their original offer.
ETA: this is probably bad advice if they know what you make or have any chance of finding that info out
And then maybe tell them your salary is $3-$6k over their original offer.
ETA: this is probably bad advice if they know what you make or have any chance of finding that info out
This post was edited on 2/8/18 at 2:54 pm
Posted on 2/8/18 at 2:56 pm to Mingo Was His NameO
quote:
Why would you say that? You never throw out a number first unless you'll actually take it. That's like negotiation 101. Now you'll look kind of shitty for saying "yeah I know I said it's not about the money, but I want more money." Pretty hypocritical don't you think?
To be fair, I didn't literally say I'm not looking to make more money. I just mentioned that the number of the salary wasn't the problem, it was the amount they were asking me to work outside of normal hours.
Posted on 2/8/18 at 2:58 pm to PhiTiger1764
quote:
Tell them you are very appreciative of the offer and while you are not looking for a substantial raise, you would be very grateful if they are willing to just match your current salary to make the switch.
See I would like to do this, but would also very much like to try this job over my current one. Guess I just need to take a small risk and see what happens.
Posted on 2/8/18 at 3:01 pm to tlsu15
Give them a reasonable counter. I've done it to three companies and have never been turned down. Additionally, you might want to consider countering for benefits. It is possible to negotiate for things like more PTO.
Posted on 2/8/18 at 3:12 pm to tlsu15
quote:
See I would like to do this, but would also very much like to try this job over my current one.
You will still have that option even if they deny your counter. I can’t imagine they will be offended and pull their original offer. Negotiating salary is a standard practice.
Posted on 2/8/18 at 3:14 pm to tlsu15
quote:
I just mentioned that the number of the salary wasn't the problem, it was the amount they were asking me to work outside of normal hours.
That's different then. Do they know what you make? If not, country with whatever you want. Go in with facts or your abilities though. "I want 4k more, but here's the value I can provide to earn that"
Posted on 2/8/18 at 3:19 pm to tlsu15
You don't have to take a risk. Don't set ultimatums, just ask questions. Ultimatums are going to make the other side defensive and against you in the discussion.
I would approach it like this, "I am grateful for the offer and NewCo seems like a great place to work; unfortunately, I am struggling with one thing. I was hoping to get a slight bump from my current compensation (you could potentially tell him your comp here, but don't have to). The offer you provided is a good offer, but it is slightly lower than my current compensation. Is there anything you can do to help bridge this gap and make the decision a little easier for me."
Then sit back and shut up. Ask questions that make it seem like a collaborative discussion. You want to work there and he wants you to work there or he wouldn't have offered you the job. If he has authority to give you more money he probably will, if he doesn't, then you can still accept the offer.
I would approach it like this, "I am grateful for the offer and NewCo seems like a great place to work; unfortunately, I am struggling with one thing. I was hoping to get a slight bump from my current compensation (you could potentially tell him your comp here, but don't have to). The offer you provided is a good offer, but it is slightly lower than my current compensation. Is there anything you can do to help bridge this gap and make the decision a little easier for me."
Then sit back and shut up. Ask questions that make it seem like a collaborative discussion. You want to work there and he wants you to work there or he wouldn't have offered you the job. If he has authority to give you more money he probably will, if he doesn't, then you can still accept the offer.
Posted on 2/8/18 at 3:24 pm to tlsu15
quote:
The offer is a salary that is $1K a year less than I currently make.
Whooooooa........hold up. How do the BENEFITS compare?
Posted on 2/8/18 at 3:32 pm to Duck
quote:
I would approach it like this, "I am grateful for the offer and NewCo seems like a great place to work; unfortunately, I am struggling with one thing. I was hoping to get a slight bump from my current compensation (you could potentially tell him your comp here, but don't have to). The offer you provided is a good offer, but it is slightly lower than my current compensation. Is there anything you can do to help bridge this gap and make the decision a little easier for me."
Then sit back and shut up. Ask questions that make it seem like a collaborative discussion. You want to work there and he wants you to work there or he wouldn't have offered you the job. If he has authority to give you more money he probably will, if he doesn't, then you can still accept the offer.
Good advice. And as another poster said, never get into salary in the interview process if you can avoid it. When they make it known to you that you're the preferred candidate, then you have leverage. If you discuss money in the interview, you could potentially price yourself right out of consideration without ever realizing you did so. They might even be prepared to make what you would consider a good offer, but decide to move to another candidate because something you said led them to believe you wouldn't accept. Have to tread lightly on that stuff.
Good luck!
PS: I asked about benefits, but it sounds to me like the most important benefit they are offering you is YOUR TIME. Can't put a price on that and you can't get back what you've lost. Based on what you have described, I think accepting the offer is a no-brainer.
Posted on 2/8/18 at 3:35 pm to S1C EM
quote:
Whooooooa........hold up. How do the BENEFITS compare?
I haven't seen the benefits package officially yet (pending my approval after a background check), but from our discussions it appears the benefits are roughly equal at both companies.
Posted on 2/8/18 at 3:39 pm to tlsu15
Sounds to me like this is a raise and not a $1k drop in salary.
If you will be doing that much less travel and not taking a pay cut that is a raise as usually people get paid more that have to deal with the hassle of travel more than others.
Also, most people who travel a lot end up working more than 40 hour weeks quite often. So...if you look at it on a $/hr rate, I'm going to guess you are coming out ahead with the new job.
The kicker is the benefits. Make sure you don't take it in the shorts with health insurance. I have had health insurance costs vary by $6k between two jobs I have had. So changing jobs, in my experience, can lead to a $6k/yr salary change just due to health insurance costs. It is no small thing. Verify.
If you will be doing that much less travel and not taking a pay cut that is a raise as usually people get paid more that have to deal with the hassle of travel more than others.
Also, most people who travel a lot end up working more than 40 hour weeks quite often. So...if you look at it on a $/hr rate, I'm going to guess you are coming out ahead with the new job.
The kicker is the benefits. Make sure you don't take it in the shorts with health insurance. I have had health insurance costs vary by $6k between two jobs I have had. So changing jobs, in my experience, can lead to a $6k/yr salary change just due to health insurance costs. It is no small thing. Verify.
Posted on 2/8/18 at 3:41 pm to tlsu15
quote:
I haven't seen the benefits package officially yet (pending my approval after a background check)
You should get all this information before accepting. If nothing else, you can rationalize asking for more money by telling them your current benefits package is worth more than their standard package.
Posted on 2/8/18 at 3:46 pm to tlsu15
quote:
pending my approval after a background check
Understand that you can absolutely ask to see information on their benefits package prior to accepting any offer. That's part of the negotiation process and it is part of your total compensation. And yes, absolutely look at that health insurance. A single major health issue in your life could wipe out years of savings or put you on the hook with insurmountable debt. Do not overlook the value of those.
Oh, and...no travel? Duh....
Posted on 2/8/18 at 3:47 pm to S1C EM
quote:
Good advice. And as another poster said, never get into salary in the interview process if you can avoid it. When they make it known to you that you're the preferred candidate, then you have leverage. If you discuss money in the interview, you could potentially price yourself right out of consideration without ever realizing you did so. They might even be prepared to make what you would consider a good offer, but decide to move to another candidate because something you said led them to believe you wouldn't accept. Have to tread lightly on that stuff.
Good luck!
PS: I asked about benefits, but it sounds to me like the most important benefit they are offering you is YOUR TIME. Can't put a price on that and you can't get back what you've lost. Based on what you have described, I think accepting the offer is a no-brainer.
Great advice. This was my first job interview where I had previous career experience so in the past I was willing to take whatever was offered. In the future, I will be more careful about my words when discussing salary.
This is absolutely about time and not dollars though.
Posted on 2/8/18 at 3:56 pm to tlsu15
I'll be hoenst with you, I see some red flags with this offer. 2 interviews and an offer in the same week, and not seeing their benefits package are pretty big issues. Typically the benefits are spelled out in the offer package, and a background check isn't completed until an agreement is reached.
I know getting your time back is very tempting, but I'd tell them you have to know the benefits package before you agree to a background check, or really anything else.
Sorry, something just seems fishy with this.
I know getting your time back is very tempting, but I'd tell them you have to know the benefits package before you agree to a background check, or really anything else.
Sorry, something just seems fishy with this.
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