Salary negotiation tactics...suggestions

[thecoffeeguy]

Hoping the CP'rs here can give me some suggestions on a recent course of events.

I recently accepted a new job offer with a new company. I am scheduled to start end of July and I am excited for it.

Today, the Director and his right hand man called me into his office to discuss why I turned in my resignation.
To make a long story short, they basically told me, "Tell us what it will take for you to stay."

I honestly expected something like this, but basically, these guys are opening up the checkbook. The idea is incredibility intriguing to me.

The reality is, I highly doubt I would stay. Its a long story, but i'll just say that.


As I started thinking about this, I was wondering, could I potentially use this as leverage to maybe negotiate a higher salary with my new company? If so, any suggestions on how to go about doing this? I am not thinking about asking for a crap ton more, but maybe just a little small bump or something would be nice.

I do have concerns though. If I talk to the other company and tell them what is going on, could that paint a negative picture on me?

I would hate NOT to at least try and negotiate a slightly higher salary and kick myself later for not trying.

I have until Monday.

THanks.

[Jenson71]

My advice is to renounce all earthly goods and accomplishments and live at one with nature, striving for nirvana and spiritual enlightenment in a prayerful monastic community.

[Brock]

Originally Posted by thecoffeeguy

I decided not to try and negotiate more money with the new company.
However, I turned down my current company today and they came and offered me 35% more money, plus a few other things!!!

Jeebezus...I really am at a loss at what to do now. Stay or leave.

Does money make you happy? For me, the answer is yes.

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by Brock

Does money make you happy? For me, the answer is yes.

Sad but true.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by thecoffeeguy

I decided not to try and negotiate more money with the new company.
However, I turned down my current company today and they came and offered me 35% more money, plus a few other things!!!

Jeebezus...I really am at a loss at what to do now. Stay or leave.

Good move relative to the new company. If you've already accepted an offer, you should never go back after that and re-open negotiations. That's really bad form.

[Rain Man]

We had a job candidate a while back who seemed promising, but we had a few concerns, chief among them being that she had held a "recreational job" for several years instead of pursuing a career. We asked her if she was really planning to concentrate on her career because we didn't want to compete with the recreational job (ski instructor). She assured us that she was ready to get to work. We had also informed her of our salary range.

So we make her an offer, and all seems well. Then out of the blue she comes back and says that she wants a salary that's way out of our salary range, 50% or more higher than her job offer. It was completely unrealistic. And then she informs us that she plans to keep her ski instructor job in addition to working for us, which essentially told us that she just wanted a paycheck from us and that she wasn't committed to a career with us.

I wasn't on the hiring team for that one, but our hiring team huddled over it and told her, "Thanks but no thanks." She had been in a near dead heat with another candidate, so we were going to go with the other candidate. She came sputtering back and said, "I was just negotiating with you. I'm ready to accept your offer."

I don't know who gave her advice, but it was really, really bad advice. We hate job negotiations to start with and tell people that we make the best offer we can and don't negotiate. We're not bluffing. But then to have someone come back and make a completely unreasonable salary demand that was out of the range we'd told her, and then also inform us that we're going to be second on her list of job priorities was a fatal mistake, particularly since it wasn't what she'd promised us in the interview. Our team pulled the job offer and moved on.

I actually felt kind of bad for her, but geez, get a clue.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by thecoffeeguy

I decided not to try and negotiate more money with the new company.
However, I turned down my current company today and they came and offered me 35% more money, plus a few other things!!!

Jeebezus...I really am at a loss at what to do now. Stay or leave.

Speaking as someone who just went through the exact same situation a little over a month ago, my advice is to stay, unless one of the following applies:

A. You REALLY REALLY hate your current job. I don't mean that you think you hate it, you need to KNOW that you hate it, and there's no way the new job could possibly be worse.

B. There is a possibility that the extra money is a ploy to keep you around long enough for them to groom a replacement, and they're going to fire you once that replacement is ready.

[thecoffeeguy]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Speaking as someone who just went through the exact same situation a little over a month ago, my advice is to stay, unless one of the following applies:

A. You REALLY REALLY hate your current job. I don't mean that you think you hate it, you need to KNOW that you hate it, and there's no way the new job could possibly be worse.

B. There is a possibility that the extra money is a ploy to keep you around long enough for them to groom a replacement, and they're going to fire you once that replacement is ready.

Appreciate the input.
Basically, in a nutshell, I started to slowly look a few months ago. We had new management come into our company and I have had a uncomfortable feeling about how things were going. For example, I have paid very close attention to how they are treating my boss, and in all honestly, they are really keeping him in the dark. My boss and I are good friends and we have talked about it. When I submitted my two weeks, he came forward with some information and said he has been very uncomfortable since new management came in. Lots of changes and people being let go. My manager does not feel safe right now and even told me, he needs to start looking.

My fear is they are going to ditch my boss. I think its not a matter of if, but when.

Hopefully that sheds some light on the situation.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Yeah. I think you pretty much have to take the new job in that situation. Take the offer that was originally offered and hopefully it's greener pastures.

[ChiefRocka]

IMO, promotions and job transfers are the healthiest way to boost a salary. Unless of course you have a very unique talent.

[|Zach|]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

We had a job candidate a while back who seemed promising, but we had a few concerns, chief among them being that she had held a "recreational job" for several years instead of pursuing a career. We asked her if she was really planning to concentrate on her career because we didn't want to compete with the recreational job (ski instructor). She assured us that she was ready to get to work. We had also informed her of our salary range.

So we make her an offer, and all seems well. Then out of the blue she comes back and says that she wants a salary that's way out of our salary range, 50% or more higher than her job offer. It was completely unrealistic. And then she informs us that she plans to keep her ski instructor job in addition to working for us, which essentially told us that she just wanted a paycheck from us and that she wasn't committed to a career with us.

I wasn't on the hiring team for that one, but our hiring team huddled over it and told her, "Thanks but no thanks." She had been in a near dead heat with another candidate, so we were going to go with the other candidate. She came sputtering back and said, "I was just negotiating with you. I'm ready to accept your offer."

I don't know who gave her advice, but it was really, really bad advice. We hate job negotiations to start with and tell people that we make the best offer we can and don't negotiate. We're not bluffing. But then to have someone come back and make a completely unreasonable salary demand that was out of the range we'd told her, and then also inform us that we're going to be second on her list of job priorities was a fatal mistake, particularly since it wasn't what she'd promised us in the interview. Our team pulled the job offer and moved on.

I actually felt kind of bad for her, but geez, get a clue.

Haha that is horrible.

[Predarat]

When the economy is decent walk away at least once. In this shitty state of the current economy all that will get you is a well.........bye.

[|Zach|]

Originally Posted by Predarat

When the economy is decent walk away at least once. In this shitty state of the current economy all that will get you is a well.........bye.

Obviously not.

[wutamess]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

It's hilarious to hear all the "loyalty" talk in this thread. There's no such thing from employers these days, why should there be any from the other direction either?

That's what I was trying to explain... Their stance as anemployer is what have you done for me lately so yours as an employee should be also.

Hoover. If it was me... You can play all the pity party First 48 "be a man" type detective shit all you want. Bottom line is, I as the employee believes I'm worth a certain dollar amount and the negotiation is never closed until I get my fair market value (considering all things being equal). You operated in good faith, but it's all a chance since your grass may NOT be as green once I get over there.

So if we're talking a significant amount of coin here, you and your morals can KMA. Just saying. Find you another employee since it's so easy.

[wutamess]

Originally Posted by saphojunkie

If they respond with "what is the offer? Can we match it?" then, fine. But that's THEIR prerogative, not yours. Not because you don't have a right, but just because it's not the wisest negotiating tactic, IMHO.

^. But like I said... you have to be prepared to walk and understand it's all business.

[wutamess]

Originally Posted by thecoffeeguy

I decided not to try and negotiate more money with the new company.
However, I turned down my current company today and they came and offered me 35% more money, plus a few other things!!!

Jeebezus...I really am at a loss at what to do now. Stay or leave.

Dude... if you don't speak up now, you'll hate yourself for it?
The new company should always expect something like this if you're a great employee at your current employer.

?: Why do you not like your current job?

Was the new job a big raise? and how much over the new company are they offering?