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.

[DaFace]

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.

You forgot the part where she said she wanted double our normal starting PTO rate if we wouldn't give her a raise so that she could take lots of time off in the winter to keep up the ski gig.

(In retrospect, I'm glad she mucked it all up. Our second choice has been great.)

[|Zach|]

Originally Posted by wutamess

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.

Not if he has already accepted the job.

If he hasn't accepted the job all negotiations are on the table. You get the new job offer...you go to the current employer and tell them you have something lined up but will listen to an offer if they have interest in keeping you. You can take that info the new ones who have offered you the job.

To go back after accepting the job makes you look like a snake.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by wutamess

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.

I think most employers do think employees are a dime a dozen. And for many job fields, they are. And why should your superiors give a damn if you leave? They're not the ones that have to pick up the slack, your peers have to do that. It's unfortunate but as long as there's people out there looking for jobs your employer doesn't have to place much value on you.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

I think most employers do think employees are a dime a dozen. And for many job fields, they are. And why should your superiors give a damn if you leave? They're not the ones that have to pick up the slack, your peers have to do that. It's unfortunate but as long as there's people out there looking for jobs your employer doesn't have to place much value on you.

I couldn't possibly disagree more.

I always find it interesting that a lot of employees have this mentality but the fact is employees absolutely hate replacing people. You have to train them, you have to hope they end up being good employees.

The only time an employer could care less if you leave is if you suck ass at your job. That's it. Well or if you are asking for some unrealistic salary demands. Some things can't be done.

It does a company no good to continually have to replace people and train them etc....its just not good business and any half minded manager knows this. I don't care what job field it is.

I hate firing or replacing people, every time it happens the person has earned the firing though. The only thing worse than an open position is a worthless employee filling a slot a good person could be holding.

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

I couldn't possibly disagree more.

I always find it interesting that a lot of employees have this mentality but the fact is employees absolutely hate replacing people. You have to train them, you have to hope they end up being good employees.

The only time an employer could care less if you leave is if you suck ass at your job. That's it. Well or if you are asking for some unrealistic salary demands. Some things can't be done.

It does a company no good to continually have to replace people and train them etc....its just not good business and any half minded manager knows this. I don't care what job field it is.

I hate firing or replacing people, every time it happens the person has earned the firing though. The only thing worse than an open position is a worthless employee filling a slot a good person could be holding.

Yeah, I went through a fairly long process at the last few jobs I interviewed for, and a couple had training that lasted at least a 2-3 weeks... it can cost a lot of money to replace people, even if they're easy to find. For that reason, I've had to stay in a position or within a department for 18-24 months after being hired.

[wutamess]

what happened with this?

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by DaFace

You forgot the part where she said she wanted double our normal starting PTO rate if we wouldn't give her a raise so that she could take lots of time off in the winter to keep up the ski gig.

(In retrospect, I'm glad she mucked it all up. Our second choice has been great.)

I'm not even sure I heard about that part.

[BossChief]

Without reading the thread or even the OP...here are the two best ways to get a raise:

Go out and apply to every single business that does a similar thing as your specific job. Attend all interviews, even if you think the job won't pay as much as your current one with the intent of getting offered a job.

Once you get an offer for higher pay, go to your current employer and let them know you intend on bettering yourself by moving on to a higher paying position elsewhere, but that you really enjoy your current position. The only reason you are moving on is to make more money.

If you are valued at your current position and it wouldn't be cost effective to replace you, they will match whatever offer you were given.

2) go to school to learn a skilled trade and change professions.

Hope this helps.

[jspchief]

Don't you install cable for a living?

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by jspchief

Don't you install cable for a living?

If you're talking to me, the answer is no.

[HonestChieffan]

Originally Posted by Phobia

Here's another option. Go to your new job. Work your ass off. Exceed all expectations. Make The Man a lot of money. Accept promotions, bonuses, and salary increases. That's even better leverage than your former employer is offering. There are companies who have been known to counter-offer to get you to stay and then dump you after the fact because employers like loyal employees. It's below-the-belt but not unheard of...

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