Board 8 > Negotiated my salary on a job offer - UPDATE

(+) Yeah! (+)

The original topic, which I made about a week ago, purged. Below are the abridged facts along with the update:

- I've been unemployed for six months since my last employer (a CPA firm) closed its doors
- I got an offer from my #1 prospect, a large company located 0.5 miles from my condo (godly commute)
- The benefits (health, 401K, bonus structure) seemed solid, but the base pay was a little low
- They offered $62.5k in base pay
- I debated whether to negotiate that considering I don't even have a job
- I decided to negotiate

UPDATE
I sent the recruiter an email asking if management would consider starting me at $67k. My hope here was that they'd split the difference and agree on $65k, which is the number I had in mind at the onset. I started to get a little nervous after a couple days of no response, wondering if I had disrespected them. Luckily on Friday, the recruiter replied stating she was working on a counteroffer. She just called me and said management's counteroffer was indeed $65k, and I told her I'd be happy to accept and sign.

So yeah, an extra $2,500 might not seem like a huge deal, but I think any increase to base pay is valuable, and hell, it beats NOT getting it.

Thanks to everyone who gave me their thoughts in the last topic. Finally time to get busy again!
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Congrats, man.
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cngrats! I think any of us would happily take an extra 2.5K a year!

I didn't realize your commute was so small - will you walk to work?
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10 minute walk to work sounds great, although in Nevada summers how do you avoid coming to work drenched
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Thats a nice 4 percent raise or something like that.
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Nice, good for you.

Just remember, it's not just a small bump now, every raise from here on will be based on that number.
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Menji posted...

Nice, good for you.

Just remember, it's not just a small bump now, every raise from here on will be based on that number.

Exactly. You did a damned fine job, man.
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Great work
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Negotiating rate isn't just for the money, it's so you can test the management and see how they react to these kinds of things
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unrelated - how were the six months off?
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That's awesome, congrats!

and $2.5k is a pretty solid bump.
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Hell yeah, dude. It can't be understated how fulfilling a tiny ass commute is.
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Congrats! Could you share the wording you used for negotiating? I could use all the tips I need because I know I don't have a good strategy for negotiating salary
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I would take a 2.5k pay Cut for a .5 mile commute
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Thanks everyone!

SeabassDebeste posted...

I didn't realize your commute was so small - will you walk to work?

I think it'd be pleasant seven months of the year. As Bartz said, I'd be a puddle during the summer months, so I don't think that'd work.

Menji posted...

Just remember, it's not just a small bump now, every raise from here on will be based on that number.

Yes indeed. They're touting an annual bonus that seems too good to be true (12.5% of base for the accounting team), but at the end of the day, I know base is the most important thing, so I wanted to fight for that at least a little bit, even in my disadvantaged situation.

SeabassDebeste posted...

unrelated - how were the six months off?

Kinda scary, tbqh. In January, I thought for sure I'd be driven stir crazy inside six weeks, as I had been so busy with work the last few years. Fast forward six months later, and it's honestly alarming how content I am with all my free time, with the freedom to go to the gym, or the park, or drive around, or travel, or run errands, or assist my family with projects, whenever I want.

I tried watching daytime television like once during this entire period when I was at my parent's house, and I couldn't stand it after five minutes. It was so fucking boring, but the internet is a 24/7 stream of entertainment. You can read, learn, consume entertainment, and be active in online communities and feel just as fulfilled as you would from the old 9-5. This must be the easiest time in history to be unemployed, I've found out. I've also used this time to be more civilly active, as I've volunteered more often and donated blood every eight weeks, so I don't feel nearly like the outcast pariah I thought I would after six months off.

ChaosTonyV4 posted...

Hell yeah, dude. It can't be understated how fulfilling a tiny ass commute is.

After my last two jobs needed freeway commutes during rush hour, I'm salivating at the thought of this new drive. Literally ONE traffic light away!
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Congrats!
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barreldragon88 posted...

Congrats! Could you share the wording you used for negotiating? I could use all the tips I need because I know I don't have a good strategy for negotiating salary

No prob - I'll just share the whole email, but please know that pr much all the credit for this goes to B8ers who helped me during the last topic (seriously, you guys are ace).

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Thank you for the very helpful information, recruiter's name. I am very excited about the opportunity of working for company name. I truly enjoyed meeting and interviewing with the talented team of professionals during my two visits to the office, and I cant wait to work alongside them.

The benefits package and the opportunities for growth seem amazing, but Im wondering if there is any wiggle room regarding the base salary. Since my second interview, I actually tested for and earned my CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner) license, a valued certification for accounting professionals. With my experience in public accounting, new certification, and masters degree, I humbly ask whether the management at company name would consider starting me at a base salary of $67,000.

I am very enthusiastic about this opportunity, and about company name. With my experience in public accounting, serving clients large and small, I am confident in the value I can immediately contribute to the company. I am definitely planning on staying on this career path long-term, so please let me know if this would be possible. Thanks as always!
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Glad you went with the number I said to ask for! Grats
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Congrats on the job and successful negotiation! I have a similar commute and it is pretty amazing. 3 minutes by bicycle if I don't have to wait at the intersection
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Awesome, congrats! Good luck on your new job!
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Good work but YIKES, your father and I were sweating bullets all week until that counter offer materialized.


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awww yeahhh the split-the-difference strategy works again!

And not only are future increases based on that higher salary, as mentioned earlier, but that's a higher bonus too. If your target is 10% then it's an extra $250.

I'm glad you didn't go for the weaker "just ask for 65" I advised, though they might have still done it, the more aggressive 67 truly was the best!

https://image.ibb.co/dLUHCT/3UjhaHE.jpg

Also nothing is better than a short commute, like you can't even put a price tag on it. Except maybe getting your own office. I would take a pay cut for that probably...

CaptainOfCrush posted...

barreldragon88 posted...

Congrats! Could you share the wording you used for negotiating? I could use all the tips I need because I know I don't have a good strategy for negotiating salary

No prob - I'll just share the whole email, but please know that pr much all the credit for this goes to B8ers who helped me during the last topic (seriously, you guys are ace).

.
.
.

Thank you for the very helpful information, recruiter's name. I am very excited about the opportunity of working for company name. I truly enjoyed meeting and interviewing with the talented team of professionals during my two visits to the office, and I cant wait to work alongside them.

The benefits package and the opportunities for growth seem amazing, but Im wondering if there is any wiggle room regarding the base salary. Since my second interview, I actually tested for and earned my CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner) license, a valued certification for accounting professionals. With my experience in public accounting, new certification, and masters degree, I humbly ask whether the management at company name would consider starting me at a base salary of $67,000.

I am very enthusiastic about this opportunity, and about company name. With my experience in public accounting, serving clients large and small, I am confident in the value I can immediately contribute to the company. I am definitely planning on staying on this career path long-term, so please let me know if this would be possible. Thanks as always!

Thanks! I'm going to keep this as a reference, if you don't mind

So is it generally better to negotiate over email if possible? Like if they call you and make you the offer, is the tactic to tell them I need time to think about it and wait a day or so and then respond?
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Glad to hear it went well! Congrats and good luck in the new position.
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barreldragon88 posted...

So is it generally better to negotiate over email if possible? Like if they call you and make you the offer, is the tactic to tell them I need time to think about it and wait a day or so and then respond?

This is the first time I've ever negotiated, so I'm far from an experienced source, but my general hunch was that this is better via email. I know that it's a good strategy to ALWAYS politely ask for some time to think over the offer and discuss it with family, and the company should generally be understanding of that. For me, it was especially easy because the recruiter herself told me to take a day or two to think things over, at which point it just made sense to use email for my questions and the negotiation.

But yeah, in an email, you can take your time to word things perfectly and to eliminate that phone awkwardness or any potential miscommunications. My first go went smoothly, so I'll utilize the same methods the next time I wish to negotiate.
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I will never negotiate with a new employer over the phone. Email is the best way to do it
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I've done it via email and phone and in-person and it always requires some time in between to get your answer, so might as well just go by email
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I did it via WhatsApp.
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Interestingly (or maybe not), both the original offer and counteroffer first came via phone, while I gave my request via email. Maybe the employer generally prefers phone as a gentle pressure tactic.
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I have noticed that with employers. Also they are on the phone all day anyway.
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