has anyone negotiated salary before? tips?

thisismynickname2 · November 2016

Hi all!
I've missed being around chatting with everyone. Work has been nuts and not in a good way. To that end, I've been searching for a new job. I have an in-person interview for a job next week, one that I would really like to get!

... However. They let me know up front the starting salary that they had in mind and it's much lower than I make now. (They know this because I had to give salary history on the application.) I'd take the job if we could split the difference because it's a lateral move- even a smidge step down, but involves job duties I've never had and really want to fill a gaping hole in my resume.

I'm just thinking ahead here, because I don't want to be offered the job and be caught unawares and unprepared to negotiate.
-- Have any of you successfully negotiated a salary for a new job? This is different to me than negotiating raises with supervisors who know you and know your worth. I've been reading around on job search sites and places like Forbes but it's nice to hear experiences from real people-- and real women at that (you know stats show women don't negotiate enough... ugh).

Thanks in advance. Hope all is well!

charlotte989875 · November 2016

I negotiated a higher salary (roughly $3,000 difference) when I was offered the job. When I was given the salary offer I countered with the salary I was making at my old job plus start up money, moving expenses, other resources I needed. The job was at a public university so salaries are public so I knew what other people were making so I didn't want to come in too high, but I wasn't going to move for lower pay.

That said sometimes it's hard to get too much higher salary and it was easier for them to get me one-time money, course releases, favorable schedules. Are there non-monetary things you could ask for?

Women definitely (statistically) don't ask for more money, so definitely ask. Also if they know your salary requirements and interviewed you anyway I would take that as a sign it's open to negotiation.

ETA; Tips, I forgot. First, don't feel like you have to respond right away when they make you the offer if they call. Hear the offer, think about what you want, talk to a mentor if you have one, then set a time to call and discuss (or a meeting, however it works in your field). Don't feel pressured to make your requests right away. Second, sometimes it's easier to ask in writing than it is verbally. Third, remember they're not doing you a favor by paying you what your worth! If you've researched the position, know what's comparable for your skills and experience, you're not asking them to do something nice for you, you're asking to earn what you should be paid (I had to remind myself of this A LOT). I think that's it for now, but I got TONS of advice when I switched jobs about negotiating, I'll go back through my emails and see what I can find.

thisismynickname2 · November 2016

Thanks Charlotte! Incidentally I'm interviewing at a private university. I'm not sure what their ranges are, but I did try to gauge via higheredjobs.com. I'm definitely more comfortable communicating in writing too!

I'm not sure yet if there are non-monetary things to ask for because the job is in student affairs (office with a view? hah). I've been at the same university for 11 years and probably take a lot of benefits for granted.

Nice job on your negotiation!

SaintPaulGal · November 2016

When I started at my current employer I was doing something a bit similar to your situation: taking a bit of a step back in order to access some experience I needed to get in order to get to the sort of position I ultimately wanted. They gave me a range that was topped out about $2 per hour less than what my previous job paid. Once I got an offer for the top of their range I asked if there was room to negotiate and asked for an extra dollar. They immediately agreed, which makes me wish I had asked for more. Oh well, hindsight is 20/20. They do a 90-day review and I got another dollar raise then, so I was pretty much even with the old job at that point.

When I got promoted to my current position there was zero room to negotiate and I'm still kind of bitter about it. I know for a fact that the dude who held this position before me was making more than I do. They made a big deal about how they were "taking a chance on me" moving me from a sort of assistant role to a salaried sales position, but my predecessor made an even bigger leap with less directly related experience. The wage gap is alive and well, people!

thisismynickname2 · November 2016

SaintPaulGal, good on you for negotiating and getting the raise! Sorry to hear about the wage gap

charlotte989875 · November 2016

thisismynickname said:

Thanks Charlotte! Incidentally I'm interviewing at a private university. I'm not sure what their ranges are, but I did try to gauge via higheredjobs.com. I'm definitely more comfortable communicating in writing too!

I'm not sure yet if there are non-monetary things to ask for because the job is in student affairs (office with a view? hah). I've been at the same university for 11 years and probably take a lot of benefits for granted.

Nice job on your negotiation!

What about working from home at times? Or flexible scheduling? I don't know as much about the student affairs side of things, but travel money is also big for us, and easier to fund than salary differences. Or one-time money to implement programs?

thisismynickname2 · November 2016

charlotte989875 said:

thisismynickname said:

Thanks Charlotte! Incidentally I'm interviewing at a private university. I'm not sure what their ranges are, but I did try to gauge via higheredjobs.com. I'm definitely more comfortable communicating in writing too!

I'm not sure yet if there are non-monetary things to ask for because the job is in student affairs (office with a view? hah). I've been at the same university for 11 years and probably take a lot of benefits for granted.

Nice job on your negotiation!

What about working from home at times? Or flexible scheduling? I don't know as much about the student affairs side of things, but travel money is also big for us, and easier to fund than salary differences. Or one-time money to implement programs?

I definitely need to find out more about flexible scheduling and WFH, because "some nights and Saturdays" will be required (the school has online programs aimed at adult learners). There are conferences and webinars that focus on student retention that I could ask to be funded. Good ideas!

has anyone negotiated salary before? tips?

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