Mo' Money

If you were in the market for jobs, and you get offered one that seems great, would you still ask for more money even if the offer was on your high end - just to see if they low balled you? BTW - there is a demand for this type of job, and you have a pretty good background

Will it make you look stupid if they say no, and you take it anyway - or will they always go up. Incidentally this is a firm with enough capital... not exactly a mom and pop situation.

I would. I think, if you want more money (and who doesn't) If they don't bite on that, I would ask for a sign on bonus.

I did this and I got it.

actually - I think they are giving a sign on bonus - but the thing about the bonus is that its almost like you don't get a raise the following year.

say you make 10k, with a 1k sign bonus. you really made 11k. but next year, if they gave you a 10% raise you would still only get 11k, right? that would really be no raise.

I would only do this if I had more the one offer on the table.

A company can offer you say 80k. You think that is high... but you want to be greedy and ask for 85k. They say no... doesn't necessarily mean the original 80k offer is still valid.

They may offer the 80k to someone else then. Even if you were comfortable with the 80k... the company may not be comfortable that you asked for more... and they may feel that if you take the job anyways... you are taking it for 'less than what you wanted' and may not be a 100% productive employee because of it.


Tricky tricky situation.

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Posted by DjPiLL

I would only do this if I had more the one offer on the table.

A company can offer you say 80k. You think that is high... but you want to be greedy and ask for 85k. They say no... doesn't necessarily mean the original 80k offer is still valid.

They may offer the 80k to someone else then. Even if you were comfortable with the 80k... the company may not be comfortable that you asked for more... and they may feel that if you take the job anyways... you are taking it for 'less than what you wanted' and may not be a 100% productive employee because of it.


Tricky tricky situation.

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Exactly my point! You hit the nail on the head!


Do they offer less in anticipation that you will ask for more? Or do the offer what they want to give you - with out negotiation. I'm ok with the amount.... but will the go higher if I just ask?

I've been in HR for years and I've been on the other side of the table. I have always given more in the few times I was asked. It may not be all of what is asked for, but something fair. An employer who is convinced about you will not let someone walk for a few thousand.

If it's in the high end of what you wanted and you are happy with that, then accept. If you feel the job warrants more with benefits all in then I would negotiate. Women tend not to negotiate in these circumstances. It all depends on what you want. If the job offers $50 and you want $100 then you're barking up the wrong tree. But if it's nominal, it should not be a big deal. Employers want you walking in the door feeling good about the job.

You can start by getting the offer along with salary and benefits outlined.

Unless your job is sooooo in demand... I wouldn't counter unless I was very obviously 'low-balled'.

Or... unless you are currently working somewhere... you are fine with it somewhat... and are just looking for something better. It wont hurt if you counter... and they get turned off and you lose the job.