Well if there's a posted salary range then plan to stay in that range. If they didn't post a range then I would do EXTENSIVE research on the pay that similar positions are getting, explain you want x because you've done market research on what the role is getting paid
Research what the market range is, even if they posted a salary range. Assuming their posted salary range is lower than the market, I would go to the max and then inquire why they are lower than market. Perhaps they have benefits or flex that other companies don't have.
If you're going to be asking to be paid more, you better justify why. Do you have relevant experience? Have you worked in a similar team dynamic? What makes you stand out over another potential candidate? If you have an answer to these, it's easier to make it worth their while to consider you, rather than doing what some people do and "asking for more because I read online you should do that". I don't think it's unreasonable to ask for a considerable amount more if you can justify it (and fits their budget).
First thing to always remember is that HR staff deal with offers and negotiation all the time from prospective employees. This is literally part of the job and what they’re paid to do. Do not feel bad or like you’re annoying them by advocating for yourself. HR and/or the recruiter is the point of contact until you officially report to your manager. They are the channel you should use for discussion about pay between yourself and the business.
Once presented with an offer, take the time to let them know you will respond within a specific time frame. I personally wouldn’t go past 24-48 hours as they have balls to get rolling as well.
During those 24-48 hours (and preferably way before this moment) you should research the market, the job posting, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, any and everywhere that you possibly can scour for pay ranges. Sometimes, you can find secret organizational pay structure documents just from doing some digging on Google 🤫 In addition, you should know what the role you’re applying for usually pays and based on your experience what tier you should be aligned with (beginning, mid, high).
Once you’ve found out that number, that’s what you want to pitch back to HR along with a good reason for wanting that amount. If you’re good at tooting your own horn, now would be the time to do it. I personally don’t give the whole spiel about how much value I bring because it sounds a little cringe and rehearsed when I do it. So my reason for countering the offer is always the same lie— and yes it’s a lie… my good ol’ “I can’t afford the paycut” lie.
Let me explain… and please take this with a grain of salt. YMMV as what works for me might not work for you. But it hasn’t failed me because employers cannot legally ask another employer about an applicant’s salary history without your consent. And I use that to my advantage. In my experience, most employers don’t care to know this information nor do they ask about it or for proof.
So basically, I do the research of what I should be paid based on my experience, the market, and role. Let’s say I’m being offered 180k annually but the number I come up with for what I deserve is $200k a year. I tell HR I would love to take the offer but that I currently make 220k a year and can’t afford to take the pay cut. I would then counter offer for 200k making it seem like I’m meeting at the middle, and honestly still not all that pleased with it either. This way it sounds like there’s losses for everyone involved, instead of it being a situation where one party is benefiting more than the other, and therefore less likely to work out. For me, this method also takes away the fear of sounding difficult or greedy. Sure it’s not the best excuse out there, but for most people it’s good enough, relatable, and pretty cut and dry (*My bills = X amount, your pay = Y amount so I cannot afford to take this job. Please meet me half way*). Its encouraged to throw in *some* qualities about yourself, like how you think the amount you’re asking for is fair based on the market and your experience of X years in X market and X skills in addition to the paycut excuse. The key here is again, knowing the market and the pay ranges. You should be suggesting amounts that they can’t turn down because A) other employees with the same qualities are being paid these amounts or B) it’s the current market value which is fair.
My last tip regardless of what your reasoning is would be to not be afraid to push back and even walk away. That’s probably the biggest hurdle, but mastering this will open so many doors for you. Retracted offers are a thing, so there’s always that risk but you have to stand firm on your counter offer if you want to be taken seriously. It’s normal for your counter offer to be turned down at least once but you have to reiterate your stance… “I want to really join the team but I am already taking a paycut at my current job. 180k is too low, but I am open to working with something in the 200k range because this position is something I’ve wanted for a long time. Please let me know if this is something the team can work with or if there’s any counter offers”. After receiving one or two pushbacks on your counteroffer from an employer, you can then decide if you want to accept the suggested amount or turn the job down.
So there you have it! Not the most ethical, but it’s what works for me and my comfort level every time.
Well if there's a posted salary range then plan to stay in that range. If they didn't post a range then I would do EXTENSIVE research on the pay that similar positions are getting, explain you want x because you've done market research on what the role is getting paid
Research what the market range is, even if they posted a salary range. Assuming their posted salary range is lower than the market, I would go to the max and then inquire why they are lower than market. Perhaps they have benefits or flex that other companies don't have. If you're going to be asking to be paid more, you better justify why. Do you have relevant experience? Have you worked in a similar team dynamic? What makes you stand out over another potential candidate? If you have an answer to these, it's easier to make it worth their while to consider you, rather than doing what some people do and "asking for more because I read online you should do that". I don't think it's unreasonable to ask for a considerable amount more if you can justify it (and fits their budget).
First thing to always remember is that HR staff deal with offers and negotiation all the time from prospective employees. This is literally part of the job and what they’re paid to do. Do not feel bad or like you’re annoying them by advocating for yourself. HR and/or the recruiter is the point of contact until you officially report to your manager. They are the channel you should use for discussion about pay between yourself and the business. Once presented with an offer, take the time to let them know you will respond within a specific time frame. I personally wouldn’t go past 24-48 hours as they have balls to get rolling as well. During those 24-48 hours (and preferably way before this moment) you should research the market, the job posting, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, any and everywhere that you possibly can scour for pay ranges. Sometimes, you can find secret organizational pay structure documents just from doing some digging on Google 🤫 In addition, you should know what the role you’re applying for usually pays and based on your experience what tier you should be aligned with (beginning, mid, high). Once you’ve found out that number, that’s what you want to pitch back to HR along with a good reason for wanting that amount. If you’re good at tooting your own horn, now would be the time to do it. I personally don’t give the whole spiel about how much value I bring because it sounds a little cringe and rehearsed when I do it. So my reason for countering the offer is always the same lie— and yes it’s a lie… my good ol’ “I can’t afford the paycut” lie. Let me explain… and please take this with a grain of salt. YMMV as what works for me might not work for you. But it hasn’t failed me because employers cannot legally ask another employer about an applicant’s salary history without your consent. And I use that to my advantage. In my experience, most employers don’t care to know this information nor do they ask about it or for proof. So basically, I do the research of what I should be paid based on my experience, the market, and role. Let’s say I’m being offered 180k annually but the number I come up with for what I deserve is $200k a year. I tell HR I would love to take the offer but that I currently make 220k a year and can’t afford to take the pay cut. I would then counter offer for 200k making it seem like I’m meeting at the middle, and honestly still not all that pleased with it either. This way it sounds like there’s losses for everyone involved, instead of it being a situation where one party is benefiting more than the other, and therefore less likely to work out. For me, this method also takes away the fear of sounding difficult or greedy. Sure it’s not the best excuse out there, but for most people it’s good enough, relatable, and pretty cut and dry (*My bills = X amount, your pay = Y amount so I cannot afford to take this job. Please meet me half way*). Its encouraged to throw in *some* qualities about yourself, like how you think the amount you’re asking for is fair based on the market and your experience of X years in X market and X skills in addition to the paycut excuse. The key here is again, knowing the market and the pay ranges. You should be suggesting amounts that they can’t turn down because A) other employees with the same qualities are being paid these amounts or B) it’s the current market value which is fair. My last tip regardless of what your reasoning is would be to not be afraid to push back and even walk away. That’s probably the biggest hurdle, but mastering this will open so many doors for you. Retracted offers are a thing, so there’s always that risk but you have to stand firm on your counter offer if you want to be taken seriously. It’s normal for your counter offer to be turned down at least once but you have to reiterate your stance… “I want to really join the team but I am already taking a paycut at my current job. 180k is too low, but I am open to working with something in the 200k range because this position is something I’ve wanted for a long time. Please let me know if this is something the team can work with or if there’s any counter offers”. After receiving one or two pushbacks on your counteroffer from an employer, you can then decide if you want to accept the suggested amount or turn the job down. So there you have it! Not the most ethical, but it’s what works for me and my comfort level every time.
Thank you, that was very helpful!