BootsnAll Travel Community

When do you do this? Is salary always negotiable?

Thing is, I have a job interview next week. I think they're pretty interested- they called me within 5 minutes of my email resume submission. I had a very similar job in the past where I have excellent references. I think there's a decent chance I'll be offered the position (not to count chickens, etc., etc.)

But they're offering less than I'd like. Less than I make at the part-time job I have now (which is only 8 hours a week so something I really can't live off of).

So, how do you ask for more money? They didn't really make it seem negotiable. When the lady called to set up the interview, we talked for about half an hour and she mentioned what the salary was, but nothing about negotiating or flexibility. It's a non-profit, so I don't think it's on a city "grade" payscale like the similar job I had before.

Do I mention something at the interview or wait and if a position is offered and then try and negotiate before giving them a decision?

I'd really appreciate any words of wisdom

I would encourage you not to mention salary on the first interview (unless brought up by the interviewer). That is general interview etiquette.

However, usually on the phone interview, they ask what you make. That's a great time to set their expectations.

Either way, go on the interview. If anything, it is good practice. Knock their socks off. Salary is usually somewhat negotiable.

A word of advice given to me when I was interviewing: Don't sell yourself short for a job, on both the salary and position. When you first start a new job, you're in the best position to get a higher salary. Once you are in a company, you are more limited to just promotions/annual limits, which, if you start too low, may limit your potential.

Oh, also, I feel like there may have been a thread similar to this earlier this year that had good advice. A quick search may turn it up

In my last job as a career counselor, this was one of the most frequently asked questions of me. The rule of thumb is that, salary is pretty much ALWAYS negotiable. However, not until they bring it up, and even when they do ask, the unspoken rule is whoever names a number first is in the weaker position - so try not to name a number; and if you are forced to, make it a wide range of about $5000-$10000 on either side of your target salary (if we're talking annual).

If they ask you what your expectations are right off the bat, it is usually because they don't want to waste their time and yours with a lengthy interview process if they know they have a set salary cap they cannot go over, and likewise, if your expectations are not in alignment with their capability, it makes no sense for you to interview either. Most of the time though, salary negotiations are initiated after you receive an offer. Also, if it is non-negotiable they will make that clear (i.e., if they don't come right out and say "and this salary is non-negotiable" you can assume that it's open for negotiation)

That said, there are many things to consider when going through the job search/interview process besides compensation. Namely, experience, skills learned, exposure to an industry/contacts/training etc. you might not otherwise have, benefits (e.g., tuition remission, freebies, health insurance, 401K matching, travel etc.)

I totally agree with Annie about being in the best position to negotiate for pretty much anything you require, right before you start a new job - particularly if your background, skills, experience, etc. make you a very valuable candidate. You should completely use your current hourly salary as a base from which to negotiate from (and you don't necessarily have to mention you only work 8 hours/week). However if it's a Not-for-profitand especially if it's a SMALL NFP, their wiggle-room for compensation may be minimal, at best. Which ultimately will be better for you to know anyway, in order to make your decision.
Good luck!!

Thanks Annie and Amy! I really appreciate your advice. Oh, and I found that other thread, which did have lots more advice, especially about negotiating vacation, etc, if salary isn't so negotiable.

My interview's on Tuesday- hopefully it goes well!!

Everything is negotiable! I don't believe in the etiquette crap. Tell them what you want plus 10%, then negotiate down. However, I do work in a business where "beating around the bush" is not tolerated. I have interviewed a lot of people over the years and I always feel that someone who represents themselves well in an interview will, if they get the job, will also represent the company's interests well. When I say represent, I mean defending the position, negotiating, etc, not how your hair looks.

The stance I take with the interviewer/salary negotiator (make sure the person you are talking to is the right person to talk salary with!) is:"Hey, I don't work for you yet, my job right now is to get as much as possible from you, however, when I am working for you it will then be my job to fight for the company with the same tenacity." Basically, if you are a wuss when it comes to your own money, what can I expect from you when it comes to Company XYZ's money?

So far this approach has got me an offer in every interview except one, alway with more money than I hoped for.

Also - don't forget that vacation time is often negotiable (definitely don't take less than your last job) as well as a delayed start (for travel) and that you should talk about any trips/time off you will need for things that you already have planned (sister's wedding next summer, dope run to Amsterdam, whatever). Now is the time to talk.

Good luck!

All the best for the interview. Let us know how it went.

Well, the interview seemed to go quite well. I was pretty sure I'd get an offer. Then, they started playing games with me.

I was leaving town for two weeks and they said they wanted somebody to start sooner (seems like two weeks between interview and starting is typical for a MINIMUM amount of time... giving notice and all...)

They also said (five days after the interview) that the job had changed, now they wanted a different schedule (including weekend availability), etc. which was kind of odd that it changed so quickly. Then, right before I left for my trip, I emailed her and asked for more info on the new job. After a week of no answer, I figured I wouldn't receive one. Then, she emailed with some more information and that I should call her when I'm back in town.

They seem pretty flaky. If it's this difficult to get a job from them, I wonder what it would be like to WORK with them... I'll give her a call though, nothing to lose!

My experience is if someone wants you for a job, they act quickly. It's kind of like that rule you can't call someone the day after you first meet them...false. If you're interested you can't help yourself - and neither can employers.

quote:

Originally posted by Keppie:
They seem pretty flaky. If it's this difficult to get a job from them, I wonder what it would be like to WORK with them...

Aaah. I've discoverd what it's like to "WORK with them". There are six of us with the same job. Three of us have started within the last two months. Out of six, two are leaving this summer. One just turned in two weeks'. And I mentioned to one of the remaining coworkers that I noticed the job posting on craigslist. Coworker mentioned that they too noticed the job on craigslist. You don't accidentally stumble across jobs on craigslist. Interesting....