Didn’t negotiate good salary
November 2, 2021 8:19 AM Subscribe
I am unemployed, and I just received a job offer yesterday! The employer offered me a more specialized position than I had applied for, though the workload will be the same. I’ll have some authority in creating new city policies. I asked for $X0,000 when I applied to the original position. They offered this exact amount for the new position. I could probably push for more but feel no need to - it’s the most I’ve ever been paid. Was I wrong to accept it immediately over the phone?
Unless you think the offer you have accepted would mean you are being substantially underpaid for the job, this is fine. The reason it's can be a problem if the company is really lowballing you regardless of whether you're happy with the money yourself is that it can be a sign that a company that undervalues your profession and/or the kind of work you do. I have accepted market rate offers without negotiating and been happy with the job and the money.
posted by plonkee at 8:32 AM on November 2, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by plonkee at 8:32 AM on November 2, 2021 [3 favorites]
employers don't typically make offers that aren't within the appropriate salary band for the company (or agency, whatever.) Particularly in the public sector, which it sounds like this is, this stuff is generally pre-defined. It's not like they're sitting there cackling about how they got you for less than you're worth.
What you wanted to get was what they pay for the role they want you to do. Awesome! Congratulations on your new job.
posted by fingersandtoes at 8:43 AM on November 2, 2021 [1 favorite]
What you wanted to get was what they pay for the role they want you to do. Awesome! Congratulations on your new job.
posted by fingersandtoes at 8:43 AM on November 2, 2021 [1 favorite]
Since you mention "city policies" - if this is a government job, you can probably access public pay information online. If this is a standard rate, you should be able to see it there. If you're underpaid compared to colleagues, you can also see that.
posted by mosst at 8:44 AM on November 2, 2021 [7 favorites]
posted by mosst at 8:44 AM on November 2, 2021 [7 favorites]
Wow, I feel you because this just happened to me and have some brain science from an old negotation seminar I once attended so buuuuuckle up.
Anyway, I just got an awesome job at an employer I really wanted to work for. I had $X target in mind for salary and $X+15% as my super happy goal. $X was already pretty far over my last job I quit in June/July.
Their initial offer after describing insanely good benefits was $X+30%. I accepted it, my exact words were I think "That's a fine offer, and I don't see any need for a back-and-forth on it. Thank you, I accept." Though in my head as I was saying it I was kicking myself like you should probably dicker or you'll be mad at yourself, Tyler.
So now what's happening in our brains. I used to negotiate as part of my job doing procurement/contract negotiation. What I learned is that our brains work on expectations. If you are say selling your car for $8-10,000 and you end up haggling with the person and end up selling it for $9,500. You may feel like that was an okay exchange, fair and reasonable. If however you have the price as $10,000 and they say yep that'll do great, you may wonder... should I have asked for more? It was too easy. If they offered you $11,000 you might have it even worse!
That's our brain. I've spent the past month kind of BEATING MYSELF UP because I got a JOB I REALLY WANTED for WAY MORE SALARY THAN I DREAMED OF. Like... I know I'm being ridiculous, but I also know that is how our brains often work when nebulous things are out there. We like feeling like we're getting the most out of situations and fairness.
edit to add: I didn't know the salary range for the position and I know when I applied, there is a part of their application process where you check what salary ranges you're looking for. I went lower than their offer, more my $X value. They clearly weren't looking to lowball me because they could've referenced that. So I know in the end I got probably an optimal deal. I believe that most well run companies are aware of this psychology and aren't out to mistreat/cause bad feelings by super lowballing everyone. Plus then they wouldn't get talent or they'd lose it quickly.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 8:45 AM on November 2, 2021 [9 favorites]
Anyway, I just got an awesome job at an employer I really wanted to work for. I had $X target in mind for salary and $X+15% as my super happy goal. $X was already pretty far over my last job I quit in June/July.
Their initial offer after describing insanely good benefits was $X+30%. I accepted it, my exact words were I think "That's a fine offer, and I don't see any need for a back-and-forth on it. Thank you, I accept." Though in my head as I was saying it I was kicking myself like you should probably dicker or you'll be mad at yourself, Tyler.
So now what's happening in our brains. I used to negotiate as part of my job doing procurement/contract negotiation. What I learned is that our brains work on expectations. If you are say selling your car for $8-10,000 and you end up haggling with the person and end up selling it for $9,500. You may feel like that was an okay exchange, fair and reasonable. If however you have the price as $10,000 and they say yep that'll do great, you may wonder... should I have asked for more? It was too easy. If they offered you $11,000 you might have it even worse!
That's our brain. I've spent the past month kind of BEATING MYSELF UP because I got a JOB I REALLY WANTED for WAY MORE SALARY THAN I DREAMED OF. Like... I know I'm being ridiculous, but I also know that is how our brains often work when nebulous things are out there. We like feeling like we're getting the most out of situations and fairness.
edit to add: I didn't know the salary range for the position and I know when I applied, there is a part of their application process where you check what salary ranges you're looking for. I went lower than their offer, more my $X value. They clearly weren't looking to lowball me because they could've referenced that. So I know in the end I got probably an optimal deal. I believe that most well run companies are aware of this psychology and aren't out to mistreat/cause bad feelings by super lowballing everyone. Plus then they wouldn't get talent or they'd lose it quickly.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 8:45 AM on November 2, 2021 [9 favorites]
Best answer: Congratulations, and feel good that you have a good job for a good salary.
I am an in-house lawyer and in the job I'm in now the offer they made me was good right up front. It was more than I was making at my last job and I knew for sure I wanted to accept right then, but I felt like I was supposed to bargain. So I went back and asked for more and they came back and said "uh...no, that's the offer and we thought we were being really fair the first time." So instead of getting some small bit of extra money that I didn't care about in the first place I felt awkward right out of the gate at my new job. 5 years later the job is great and my failed salary negotiation became a bit of a joke between the HR person and me, but I still wish I had just gratefully accepted the offer in the first place.
TL;DR: if it's a fair offer and you'd be happy with that ending, be happy with that ending.
posted by AgentRocket at 9:01 AM on November 2, 2021 [26 favorites]
I am an in-house lawyer and in the job I'm in now the offer they made me was good right up front. It was more than I was making at my last job and I knew for sure I wanted to accept right then, but I felt like I was supposed to bargain. So I went back and asked for more and they came back and said "uh...no, that's the offer and we thought we were being really fair the first time." So instead of getting some small bit of extra money that I didn't care about in the first place I felt awkward right out of the gate at my new job. 5 years later the job is great and my failed salary negotiation became a bit of a joke between the HR person and me, but I still wish I had just gratefully accepted the offer in the first place.
TL;DR: if it's a fair offer and you'd be happy with that ending, be happy with that ending.
posted by AgentRocket at 9:01 AM on November 2, 2021 [26 favorites]
In a perfect world you would be able to quantify exactly the value of your labor and expertise and have a command of the salary ranges for your job, and counter any offer with the precise salary you feel is fair.
However, in the real world, you were making nothing, you got offered a good job for I'm assuming a good salary, making more than you've ever made before. Don't overthink it, just be grateful for your good fortune and once you are ensconced in the job perhaps you can plan to negotiate for the next one down the road.
posted by fortitude25 at 9:06 AM on November 2, 2021
However, in the real world, you were making nothing, you got offered a good job for I'm assuming a good salary, making more than you've ever made before. Don't overthink it, just be grateful for your good fortune and once you are ensconced in the job perhaps you can plan to negotiate for the next one down the road.
posted by fortitude25 at 9:06 AM on November 2, 2021
I don't know what your gender is, but if you are a woman and/or have been raised/socialized as a woman, then the odds are that you don't make a regular practice of negotiating your salary and thereby cheat yourself out of hundreds of thousands of dollars in lifetime earnings.
Your salary determines contributions to your retirement and future raises, so it's good to develop a habit of negotiating for more.
That said, money isn't the only thing that makes a job worth doing and if you are happy with the salary you were offered be happy.
posted by brookeb at 9:31 AM on November 2, 2021 [1 favorite]
Your salary determines contributions to your retirement and future raises, so it's good to develop a habit of negotiating for more.
That said, money isn't the only thing that makes a job worth doing and if you are happy with the salary you were offered be happy.
posted by brookeb at 9:31 AM on November 2, 2021 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks everyone! In terms of whether the salary is appropriate, it’s $3000 above the maximum listed in the online job posting. I heard from a government employee that HR can go above the max, so I know it was a good offer, just trying to figure out how good. Overall just happy to be employed!
posted by halfnhalfling at 9:44 AM on November 2, 2021 [19 favorites]
posted by halfnhalfling at 9:44 AM on November 2, 2021 [19 favorites]
Government jobs often post their salaries online, I thought. Like they have to disclose. I guess it depends on which government we're talking about, but USA my state all of the salaries I think are posted.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 10:23 AM on November 2, 2021
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 10:23 AM on November 2, 2021
There are a lot of people here who will go on and on about negotiating higher salary offers and drag people for not asking for more. Ignore it--you got what you'd asked for, and that's fantastic, and you have a new job to look forward to!
posted by kitten kaboodle at 10:44 AM on November 2, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by kitten kaboodle at 10:44 AM on November 2, 2021 [4 favorites]
Negotiating salary is the easiest money you'll make in your life. Most companies expect it. It's easy to do without losing face.
"Hi! I'm so excited for the opportunity! I know the salary you offered is on a range - do you know if there is flexibility on that number? My ideal salary would be X."
I don't really foresee how this could hurt!
posted by bbqturtle at 12:16 PM on November 2, 2021
"Hi! I'm so excited for the opportunity! I know the salary you offered is on a range - do you know if there is flexibility on that number? My ideal salary would be X."
I don't really foresee how this could hurt!
posted by bbqturtle at 12:16 PM on November 2, 2021
You did negotiate. You knew going in what would be a good salary and what you would agree to. They offered at or over that. You took it. They blew it. They could have started lower and prolly got you.
posted by AugustWest at 12:19 PM on November 2, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by AugustWest at 12:19 PM on November 2, 2021 [4 favorites]
the employer didn't "blow it." They wanted OP to accept the offer and be happy with it. Hiring is a PITA and when you find a candidate you want, you do what you can to make the offer stick.
Having worked for many years on the hiring side of these scenarios, I can say with confidence that most of what is published in magazines etc about how you should always "negotiate" is just not true and can absolutely turn a positive situation sour. And I have personally seen offers get rescinded when candidates convey a haughty attitude; that they think they're being lowballed; etc.
posted by fingersandtoes at 3:19 PM on November 2, 2021 [2 favorites]
Having worked for many years on the hiring side of these scenarios, I can say with confidence that most of what is published in magazines etc about how you should always "negotiate" is just not true and can absolutely turn a positive situation sour. And I have personally seen offers get rescinded when candidates convey a haughty attitude; that they think they're being lowballed; etc.
posted by fingersandtoes at 3:19 PM on November 2, 2021 [2 favorites]
Feel great!
To counter: I just got a new position and was offered a substantial increase in salary. My highest paying job of my career. When HR called me with the offer, I pulled out my phone, did a quick calculation of what an additional 25% would be (because why not?), and they said "oh, well, anything over 14% requires Senior VP approval, so...." and I didn't say a thing. So then the HR rep said ".....oh so you want me to go to the Senior VP and ask?" and I said yeah. And in a few hours I got a call saying "ok, approved, you start Monday".
Free money, man.
This was an internal position though, so I knew they weren't going to just fire me for asking for more money. Also, it's a big machine and I'm a cog, so it's not like I'm trying to make partner eventually or anything.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 7:23 PM on November 2, 2021 [2 favorites]
To counter: I just got a new position and was offered a substantial increase in salary. My highest paying job of my career. When HR called me with the offer, I pulled out my phone, did a quick calculation of what an additional 25% would be (because why not?), and they said "oh, well, anything over 14% requires Senior VP approval, so...." and I didn't say a thing. So then the HR rep said ".....oh so you want me to go to the Senior VP and ask?" and I said yeah. And in a few hours I got a call saying "ok, approved, you start Monday".
Free money, man.
This was an internal position though, so I knew they weren't going to just fire me for asking for more money. Also, it's a big machine and I'm a cog, so it's not like I'm trying to make partner eventually or anything.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 7:23 PM on November 2, 2021 [2 favorites]
You got the salary you named. This was a successful negotiation. Congrats!
posted by ewok_academy at 10:12 AM on November 3, 2021
posted by ewok_academy at 10:12 AM on November 3, 2021
I am a government official and I have a new hire in my office. We have a budgeted amount for the position, and offered exactly that. Our new hire tried to negotiate. For me to go above the initial salary would require legislative and budget approval - tasks I was unwilling to undergo. She asked for more money. I did speak with Personnel on the issue, and the Personnel Director told me a flat "No".
She accepted the job at the original offer, but her attempt to negotiate a higher salary propagated throughout senior management. It wasn't the best optics for a new employee.
posted by Colonel Sun at 7:39 AM on November 4, 2021 [1 favorite]
She accepted the job at the original offer, but her attempt to negotiate a higher salary propagated throughout senior management. It wasn't the best optics for a new employee.
posted by Colonel Sun at 7:39 AM on November 4, 2021 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by primethyme at 8:23 AM on November 2, 2021 [42 favorites]