Karen writes:
I had an interview yesterday, and during the interview I was told they would be calling some applicants back for a second interview next week… When I was told the pay range of my position I did not speak up then that I felt it was too low for my skills and ask if it was negotiable. If I am called back for the second interview, or they just call to offer the position to me, how do I handle salary discussion? The pay range was between $8 and $10. I believe I’m worth at least $12 an hour starting out. What should I do?
The Career Doctor responds:
The general rule-of-thumb with salary negotiation is to put off any salary discussions until as late in the process as possible — to the point where you become the chosen candidate and thus have more bargaining power than earlier in the process.
That said, you also need to have realistic expectations about what the employer is willing or able to pay. It’s been my experience that employers do not pay workers in a given job classification more than the top of the range — that’s why they have pay ranges and job levels.
So, here’s what you need to do. You need to do a little research and find out — if possible — the exact pay range for this job. If they usually start at $8 to $10, but the real range is $8 to $14, then you certainly have room within the range to make your case. If, however, the range for the job is that small, from $8 to $10, then it is extremely unlikely you are going to get anything above the top limit.
You may also need to factor in other non-salary issues. For example, if the company offers a generous benefits package to employees, that may well make up for the lost $2 an hour, especially given the high cost of health benefits. You could also look into other options, such as a shorter raise review window, the possibility of bonuses, or other additional perks.
Learn more in the Salary Negotiation and Job Offer Tutorial published on Quintessential Careers.
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