On Thu, December 7, 2006 2:21 pm, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> Anyone have any advice on negotiating salary at a new job interview?
> I'm afraid to ask too low cuz then I'm short changing myself.
> I'm afraid to ask too high and scare people away.
> Damned if I do and damned if I don't.
>
> Also, not really sure what a Ph.D. programmer should
> expect in commercial world these days.
>
> Any help greatly appreciated.
>
I always nail down that there is a job offer first. If they say what
salary are you expecting, I tell them my current salary and benefits are
<$$, vacation days and medical go here>. I give it as facts and don't say
any more. They can assume they have to do better.
When they commit to giving me an offer ("when can you start?"), I say how
I'm gratified and happy for the prospect of joining such a great company
and I can't wait to discuss salary and benefits with HR. And that is who
you discuss it with. In other words, I accept contingent on their offer
being acceptable.
When you get with HR, they're pros. They're not giving anything away, but
they recognize that there is a cost in changing jobs, and they'll make
what they think is a low but fair offer. If you find it acceptable, accept
it. Don't play poker -- it's still just an offer. However, if you've
googled salaries in the area for your skill set and level and they're
trying to skate on a 5% bump, tell them, factually and any hint of
dissapproval in your voice, what you found in doing comparisons.
If they say they can't go any higher, you can reply that the move is
difficult/a risk for you in some ways, and you really hoped for more
compensation in some form. You can tell them that if they have a cap on
salaries, in view of your previous experience perhaps they can justify the
next level of vacation days.
Remember, if you squeeze too much out of them, they'll expect you to walk
on water, which puts you in a hell of a situation out of the box. And in
the last analysis what matters is, is it a good career move and do you
think you'll be happy there.
Good luck,
Lan, who has been in far far too many job interviews
--
Lan Barnes
SCM Analyst Linux Guy
Tcl/Tk Enthusiast Biodiesel Brewer
--
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