Salary negotiation: what should I ask for?
June 7, 2015 3:55 PM Subscribe
I'm hopefully about to get a job offer from a Big Tech Company in Silicon Valley. I currently live in the Midwest, where the cost of living is very very low. Can you help me figure out what salary range I should aim for?
Currently, I make $50k in a senior creative position at a small startup in a small town with a low cost of living. At Big Tech Company, I'd be a writer (specifically, a content strategist). I punched some numbers in a couple of salary calculators, and it looks like my equivalent salary would need to be ~$87k. Looking around at job sites like Indeed and Glassdoor, it seems that content strategists make around $75k to $95k in the area.
Is that correct, or will the company think I'm crazy or ridiculous for aiming so high? I've heard that I should look for a 20% raise at a new place, but $60k seems too low for Silicon Valley. Then again, I'm not a developer/engineer, so $95k sounds like a pie-in-the-sky figure to me right now. (Also, as a woman, I tend not to be a very aggressive negotiator, but I feel like this is something I need to work on here.)
I'd love any insights or advice on salary negotiation, especially regarding such a huge shift in cost of living/location. Thank you!
Currently, I make $50k in a senior creative position at a small startup in a small town with a low cost of living. At Big Tech Company, I'd be a writer (specifically, a content strategist). I punched some numbers in a couple of salary calculators, and it looks like my equivalent salary would need to be ~$87k. Looking around at job sites like Indeed and Glassdoor, it seems that content strategists make around $75k to $95k in the area.
Is that correct, or will the company think I'm crazy or ridiculous for aiming so high? I've heard that I should look for a 20% raise at a new place, but $60k seems too low for Silicon Valley. Then again, I'm not a developer/engineer, so $95k sounds like a pie-in-the-sky figure to me right now. (Also, as a woman, I tend not to be a very aggressive negotiator, but I feel like this is something I need to work on here.)
I'd love any insights or advice on salary negotiation, especially regarding such a huge shift in cost of living/location. Thank you!
Are they moving you? Do you get moving expenses? The phrase you're looking for is "I just want to make sure I remain whole (throw in the family here if you got one) during this transition. Your offer is very generous but in order to remain whole I'm going to need to change my whole lifestyle and account for a much higher cost of living. 87k will allow me to do that and be a productive member of your team."
posted by Potomac Avenue at 4:19 PM on June 7, 2015
posted by Potomac Avenue at 4:19 PM on June 7, 2015
I don't think that's too much to ask for. But, the first rule of negotiation is to let them put out the first number...
How much are you willing to sacrifice quality of life in terms of housing? As I'm sure you've heard, your apartment search will be crazy here, whether you're making $90,000 or $150,000. Quality of life may be better in other ways, but before you make the move, give careful thought to whether you want to live in a crappy studio or 1-bed apartment.
posted by three_red_balloons at 4:19 PM on June 7, 2015
How much are you willing to sacrifice quality of life in terms of housing? As I'm sure you've heard, your apartment search will be crazy here, whether you're making $90,000 or $150,000. Quality of life may be better in other ways, but before you make the move, give careful thought to whether you want to live in a crappy studio or 1-bed apartment.
posted by three_red_balloons at 4:19 PM on June 7, 2015
You're anchoring yourself based on where you are. It probably only feels "crazy or ridiculous" because you're comparing the salary at this new company to your current one. That's a fallacy. Stop thinking that way. This isn't a raise, this is establishing what is a proper level of compensation.
It sounds like you've done the research about what the going rate is for a content strategist in the area. So go with that.
General advice I often see is not being the first person to quote a number. That's a pretty tricky thing to do. You said you're waiting on a job offer, did they not ask you what you're looking for? Did the position not state a range? Did they ask you what your previous salary was?
Second, try to establish a target salary for yourself. What is your ideal salary given the new location and the cost of living? Not sure of your age, but if you're still young... small differences in starting salary can make a difference of hundred of thousands of dollars over your lifetime. Depending on that value, you likely want to start higher so that you can come down to that price. Be able to back up why you should be at that price.
Finally, salary isn't exactly everything. There's lots of other things that will go into your compensation package in terms of benefits (health insurance, 401k contributions, profit sharing, stock options) but also in just quality of life stuff -- Are you going to be commuting? Will you have less time for yourself? Will they demand long hours sometimes?
If that's more important to you, negotiate on that instead... will they pay for your move? How about a signing bonus (even though a higher salary is generally better in the long run)? More vacation time per year? Is there opportunity for an expensive account or another perk? What about a re-evaluation of your salary at month 3 or month 6?
Whatever it is, keep coming back to why you deserve what you're asking for. Always have evidence to back up why they want to invest in you. They've spent alot of time bringing you in and its an important decision for them -- a good hire is worth a little more in compensation.
posted by miasma at 4:21 PM on June 7, 2015 [3 favorites]
It sounds like you've done the research about what the going rate is for a content strategist in the area. So go with that.
General advice I often see is not being the first person to quote a number. That's a pretty tricky thing to do. You said you're waiting on a job offer, did they not ask you what you're looking for? Did the position not state a range? Did they ask you what your previous salary was?
Second, try to establish a target salary for yourself. What is your ideal salary given the new location and the cost of living? Not sure of your age, but if you're still young... small differences in starting salary can make a difference of hundred of thousands of dollars over your lifetime. Depending on that value, you likely want to start higher so that you can come down to that price. Be able to back up why you should be at that price.
Finally, salary isn't exactly everything. There's lots of other things that will go into your compensation package in terms of benefits (health insurance, 401k contributions, profit sharing, stock options) but also in just quality of life stuff -- Are you going to be commuting? Will you have less time for yourself? Will they demand long hours sometimes?
If that's more important to you, negotiate on that instead... will they pay for your move? How about a signing bonus (even though a higher salary is generally better in the long run)? More vacation time per year? Is there opportunity for an expensive account or another perk? What about a re-evaluation of your salary at month 3 or month 6?
Whatever it is, keep coming back to why you deserve what you're asking for. Always have evidence to back up why they want to invest in you. They've spent alot of time bringing you in and its an important decision for them -- a good hire is worth a little more in compensation.
posted by miasma at 4:21 PM on June 7, 2015 [3 favorites]
Yeah, negotiate in the market for your job where you are going to be, which apparently is 75-95. Your 50 is irrelevant from their perspective, but 87 is relevant from your perspective. I would aim high and ask for 90-95 based on the research you have done.
posted by J. Wilson at 4:23 PM on June 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by J. Wilson at 4:23 PM on June 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
Yes, ask for 90K. You may not get it, but I guarantee you it won't be seen as an outrageous ask. 90K in the Bay Area is 50K in the Midwest, no problem. Also yes, ask them to pay your relocation costs, including flying you out at least once to house-hunt.
None of this will be unusual or surprising for them: the big tech companies do this every day. You probably won't need to negotiate it: there will be a formula.
posted by Susan PG at 4:26 PM on June 7, 2015
None of this will be unusual or surprising for them: the big tech companies do this every day. You probably won't need to negotiate it: there will be a formula.
posted by Susan PG at 4:26 PM on June 7, 2015
(If you are freaking out about negotiating, stop thinking about your Midwest costs. Start thinking about how the average studio rental in San Francisco is 3K monthly and climbing. You will *need* 90K, it will not make you rich. The Bay Area has the highest density of millionaires in the United States and the fastest-growing income inequality: you will be shocked at how expensive it is. I say this not to scare you but to help you get in the right mindset, so you can ask for what you'll need :))
posted by Susan PG at 4:31 PM on June 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Susan PG at 4:31 PM on June 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
Yeah, 90K is not Big Fancy Money on the west coast. It's good, it's not manual labor, but it's a higher tax bracket (and if you weren't in AMT territory before you might be at that amount) and you're going to be looking at a pretty terrifying rent-to-paycheck ratio even at 90. Keep THAT number in your mind as you negotiate.
posted by Lyn Never at 4:36 PM on June 7, 2015
posted by Lyn Never at 4:36 PM on June 7, 2015
The rental market in and around Silicon Valley is so crazy that salary calculators may be behind. I'd look at apartment listings and figure out what you would need to maintain your standard off living. Seconding the AMT - bumping up into a higher tax bracket can be an unpleasant surprise.
posted by jeoc at 4:52 PM on June 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by jeoc at 4:52 PM on June 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
You don't say how old you are or how much work experience you have...but as someone who works in tech in San Francisco that doesn't sound unreasonable to me at all. Might actually be low depending on your experience level.
posted by radioamy at 5:50 PM on June 7, 2015
posted by radioamy at 5:50 PM on June 7, 2015
I thought it seemed low, too.
If you must lowball yourself, ask for 92k. You are a professional and need to need to be able to live comfortably. Don't sell yourself short.
Similarly, in negotiations "the one who says the first number loses" so make them define the offer number first, if possible. Then counter appropriately.
posted by jbenben at 6:10 PM on June 7, 2015
If you must lowball yourself, ask for 92k. You are a professional and need to need to be able to live comfortably. Don't sell yourself short.
Similarly, in negotiations "the one who says the first number loses" so make them define the offer number first, if possible. Then counter appropriately.
posted by jbenben at 6:10 PM on June 7, 2015
Yeah, just chiming in that no big tech company is going to bat an eye at anything less than $100k. For sure do not sell yourself short: the cost of living is crazy - do not underestimate the switch from the midwest - and you'll have a hard time renting anything with a reasonable commute to SF/Silicon Valley/the peninsula on $87k.
Source: Hiring manager at a networking company. Homeowner on the peninsula. Relocated from the midwest 8 years ago.
posted by handful of rain at 8:10 PM on June 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
Source: Hiring manager at a networking company. Homeowner on the peninsula. Relocated from the midwest 8 years ago.
posted by handful of rain at 8:10 PM on June 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
How many years of experience do you have? i.e. how old are you? That seems a little low to me if you are over the age of 30.
posted by amaire at 9:28 PM on June 7, 2015
posted by amaire at 9:28 PM on June 7, 2015
Usually when you move jobs, you expect a raise. When I made a similar move to the Bay, $50k to $80k was not a raise; it was the exact same amount. So if you were expecting, say, a 20% raise, you would calculate off of $80k and ask for $16k more.
posted by jander03 at 9:32 PM on June 7, 2015
posted by jander03 at 9:32 PM on June 7, 2015
« Older Taking shortcut when locked out - is this... | How do I safely dispose of a can of Danish Oil? Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 4:16 PM on June 7, 2015