Current Events > Is it possible to negotiate pay when there are payscales?

(+) Yeah! (+)

got a job offer, I have almost 10 years of experience in this field, they want to start me at Level 1 (of 4) at $15/hr, which is what all level 1 employees make

Should I even bother to negotiate? Do companies with "set" pay levels like this just not budge?

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What are they going to do, take away the offer entirely? Always be an advocate for yourself, if you feel like the pay isn't up to what you deserve, bring that up. If they say they won't move on it, then it's your decision to accept the lower pay or go elsewhere.

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What's your field and how much do you think you should be getting paid for 10 years experience?
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you march into your boss's office right now and you demand a pay raise

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If they won't budge, at least see if you've got an opportunity for accelerated advancement based on previous experience. Maybe 30 day reviews instead of 90 day. Nothing wrong with negotiating or asking questions.

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always negotiate when starting a new job, especially when you have 10 years of experience.

voldothegr8 posted...

What's your field and how much do you think you should be getting paid for 10 years experience?

Avalanche mitigation

Closer to $18-20 would be fair for an experienced person just starting at a new place. $15 is like what 1-2 year people make elsewhere

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Then of course you negotiate. And if they won't offer reasonable wages, you walk. You can clearly do better and you need to let them know that you know that.

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Coloradough posted...

Avalanche mitigation

Is that where you toss explosives from helicopters?

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Corrupt_Power posted...

Is that where you toss explosives from helicopters?

It's usually on skis/foot, but yes

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Coloradough posted...

It's usually on skis/foot, but yes

Neat!

But yeah, negotiate. Always negotiate if you feel like you're not being paid what you deserve. Especially with that much experience in one field.

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AzureAnihilator posted...

Then of course you negotiate. And if they won't offer reasonable wages, you walk. You can clearly do better and you need to let them know that you know that.

My problem is there aren't very many of these jobs, like one employer for a whole town, and we aren't moving so they kinda got me by the balls

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Coloradough posted...

My problem is there aren't very many of these jobs, like one employer for a whole town, and we aren't moving so they kinda got me by the balls

So negotiate and see what they say. No use getting bent out of shape with what-ifs. If they're open to it, fantastic! If they're not, then you have a real, concrete decision to make, not a what-if to worry over.

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Corrupt_Power posted...

So negotiate and see what they say. No use getting bent out of shape with what-ifs. If they're open to it, fantastic! If they're not, then you have a real, concrete decision to make, not a what-if to worry over.

Good advice, thanks. Very taoist. Don't worry about things out of my control, live now.

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Coloradough posted...

Good advice, thanks. Very taoist. Don't worry about things out of my control, live now.

I used to what-if myself to the point of breaks with reality. Took a while, but I managed to turn that around. Worrying about things that you can't manage or do something to influence is just burning time and health.

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Don't work for less and know your worth. Everything in life is negotiable. Remember that.

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Coloradough posted...

Avalanche mitigation

Closer to $18-20 would be fair for an experienced person just starting at a new place. $15 is like what 1-2 year people make elsewhere

Then I'd counter offer to be started at level 3
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voldothegr8 posted...

Then I'd counter offer to be started at level 3

Well the levels are based on your responsibilities, like I'm not a supervisor so I can't be level 3

Theyre just saying me (10 years) and Joe (0 years) both have the same job duties, and those people are paid $15 end of story.

I'm not sure if that's fair or not

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If you don't like the offer and they won't budge then you gotta decide what you wanna do. Maybe take the job while still applying to more jobs. If you still can't land something then you either suck it up and deal with the situation or do a different job else where.

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Austin_Era_II posted...

If you don't like the offer and they won't budge then you gotta decide what you wanna do. Maybe take the job while still applying to more jobs. If you still can't land something then you either suck it up and deal with the situation or do a different job else where.

That's a good point, I can always keep shopping around while I work for them

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Definitely negotiate up front. Once youre in the door, there will always be excuses as to why the company is making money hand over fist but they cant give you a raise/bonus.

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