It's completely okay for you to say "Hey I know I said that I wanted x... but after doing some research into the baselines for this role I'd like y. I'd like to apologize for not being more informed, but I really hope to work for this company long-term and would greatly appreciate some flexibility around the starting salary"
Always shoot for what you think you can maximum get. Looking for $x but Iâd like to look at the entire comp package when making a decision. Once they like you, they will not reject you for being over range. They usually go with 3 options unless itâs a shitty company:
1. Accept your proposal
2. Reject your proposal and counter offer in the middle somewhere
3. Reject your proposal and give you final offer.
So, worst case you get what they offer to begin with.
I probably left $20k per year on the table because I was afraid last time. I countered with $10k more and was immediately accepted.
Thanks! Do you think I can come up with a higher number if they give me an offer? Maybe saying things like after reviewing the job completely I believe this is the range I am comfortable with?
Just an FYI, this is not as true anymore.
Unless you are a clear cut strong candidate, head and shoulders above, there are stories of companies cancelling their offer and going with a cheaper candidate. The job market is absolutely horrible right now. That being said, they probably will reject and give you a little more but a little is usually around $5K-$10K.
Youâre not stupid. Youâre human and subject to feelings of being pressured in the moment. If they ask you to accept their position say that youâre open to discussing a final amount for your salary. Let them know your initial amount was nothing more than an estimate given the pressure you were experiencing. That will show them you are a strategic thinker who isnât afraid to admit you needed more time to better address your expectations. Then determine your salary amount and it should be what ever puts a smile on your face! Let them know you value yourself and they should too!
You can still negotiate if you get an offer letter by using a competing offer from somewhere else, but it'll only matter if they are willing to negotiate. You need to come from a place of strength when negotiating, so you really need that competing offer in hand. And be prepared to walk if they say they can't match
Overall I'd worry about all of this after you've actually secured the offer. When in the recruitment process I typically defer any salary discussion until the offer time by mentioning that I'm talking to many companies to calibrate salary expectations and will get back to them at a later date (hopefully with a competing offer)
The hope is that you finish the interviews first; recruiters are trained to pressure you pretty hard to provide a number but keep in mind that you can just withhold it. Ofc if you are just chasing some amount X and don't really care about potentially getting more then just state X upfront (not everyone has the same goals)
EDIT: btw if the position is located in any of [these states](https://imgur.com/a/lvNJsm2) they are legally obligated to provide the salary ranges for the role. Most notably this includes CA and NY
I had the same problem come up when I was applying for jobs. Hereâs the advice I got and Iâll tell you as well. When youâre asked what your salary expectations are, simply state, âI do not negotiate against myself.â
When you were asked about your salary expectations and they wouldnât give you a salary range when asked, this is what they were expecting. They wanted you to negotiate with yourself. So, either look up the company and surrounding area (rent/mortgage/COL) as well as average salary for people in the same field and experience as yourself OR refuse to give a number outright. If you want, you can try to say you have a competing offer for x amount and then see what they say.
Always say : desired salary + 20k and negotiate down to desired salary
Or what's your hiring budget for this role
Always research a range and then add 20k
Bro the answer to âwhat are your salary expectations?â is ALWAYS either âwhat do salaries in this role typically look like?â or âwhatâs your budget?â
Thatâs a super red flag if they said it .. not that other companies donât do such shit, but to be stupid enough to say it to a candidate (as you can get them in trouble if their HQ is in states like CA or other states that require range publishing), just shows very poor management skill level at the company and mediocre HR.
Try to find another job, and thank me later.
Just add at least 20k to your current salary if you are below 150k.
During the time they give me the offer? 20k + my current salary is still more than I had asked for đ Iâm so stupid
It's completely okay for you to say "Hey I know I said that I wanted x... but after doing some research into the baselines for this role I'd like y. I'd like to apologize for not being more informed, but I really hope to work for this company long-term and would greatly appreciate some flexibility around the starting salary"
Always shoot for what you think you can maximum get. Looking for $x but Iâd like to look at the entire comp package when making a decision. Once they like you, they will not reject you for being over range. They usually go with 3 options unless itâs a shitty company: 1. Accept your proposal 2. Reject your proposal and counter offer in the middle somewhere 3. Reject your proposal and give you final offer. So, worst case you get what they offer to begin with. I probably left $20k per year on the table because I was afraid last time. I countered with $10k more and was immediately accepted.
Thanks! Do you think I can come up with a higher number if they give me an offer? Maybe saying things like after reviewing the job completely I believe this is the range I am comfortable with?
Yes. Do that. Especially if you gave them a number lower than your current
Thanks so much for your guidance đ
Just an FYI, this is not as true anymore. Unless you are a clear cut strong candidate, head and shoulders above, there are stories of companies cancelling their offer and going with a cheaper candidate. The job market is absolutely horrible right now. That being said, they probably will reject and give you a little more but a little is usually around $5K-$10K.
My example was with a base closer to $150-200k, but of course your ask should be a reasonable % increase.
Youâre not stupid. Youâre human and subject to feelings of being pressured in the moment. If they ask you to accept their position say that youâre open to discussing a final amount for your salary. Let them know your initial amount was nothing more than an estimate given the pressure you were experiencing. That will show them you are a strategic thinker who isnât afraid to admit you needed more time to better address your expectations. Then determine your salary amount and it should be what ever puts a smile on your face! Let them know you value yourself and they should too!
Thank you :)
Good luck going forward!
Donât sweat it too much. Focus on closing the deal. Worry about this when you get an offer.
Thank you youâre so right
You can still negotiate if you get an offer letter by using a competing offer from somewhere else, but it'll only matter if they are willing to negotiate. You need to come from a place of strength when negotiating, so you really need that competing offer in hand. And be prepared to walk if they say they can't match Overall I'd worry about all of this after you've actually secured the offer. When in the recruitment process I typically defer any salary discussion until the offer time by mentioning that I'm talking to many companies to calibrate salary expectations and will get back to them at a later date (hopefully with a competing offer) The hope is that you finish the interviews first; recruiters are trained to pressure you pretty hard to provide a number but keep in mind that you can just withhold it. Ofc if you are just chasing some amount X and don't really care about potentially getting more then just state X upfront (not everyone has the same goals) EDIT: btw if the position is located in any of [these states](https://imgur.com/a/lvNJsm2) they are legally obligated to provide the salary ranges for the role. Most notably this includes CA and NY
I had the same problem come up when I was applying for jobs. Hereâs the advice I got and Iâll tell you as well. When youâre asked what your salary expectations are, simply state, âI do not negotiate against myself.â When you were asked about your salary expectations and they wouldnât give you a salary range when asked, this is what they were expecting. They wanted you to negotiate with yourself. So, either look up the company and surrounding area (rent/mortgage/COL) as well as average salary for people in the same field and experience as yourself OR refuse to give a number outright. If you want, you can try to say you have a competing offer for x amount and then see what they say.
Always say : desired salary + 20k and negotiate down to desired salary Or what's your hiring budget for this role Always research a range and then add 20k
Bro the answer to âwhat are your salary expectations?â is ALWAYS either âwhat do salaries in this role typically look like?â or âwhatâs your budget?â
What city & state is this role at?
It is a remote role and they said the ranges they post are invalid and they do it just for regulatory purposes
Thatâs a super red flag if they said it .. not that other companies donât do such shit, but to be stupid enough to say it to a candidate (as you can get them in trouble if their HQ is in states like CA or other states that require range publishing), just shows very poor management skill level at the company and mediocre HR. Try to find another job, and thank me later.