Salary negotiation after a layoff/in this market

[Anonymous]

I've been reviewing a lot of videos online and spoke to a career coach, but I feel like there's something missing from everything I've found online. Most salary negotiation advice online implies that you're applying to your dream job and trying to make a step up. That's not possible for a lot of folks in this job market, especially in the fed and contractor environment where folks would be happy to have employment and may have to set aside their dream job for the sake of staying afloat. How do you negotiate when the job you are offered is a much lower pay (per the recruiter) than your last job paid but you are the top candidate? The interviewing process was rigorous, and I've gotten positive feedback throughout, so they like all that experience I bring, but don't offer a great salary. I get that it's an employer's market and if I push too hard, and the next person is happy to have a job, the employer might move on to the next person.

For what it's worth, I am 20 years into my career and not being greedy here. I'm overqualified for the job as it's written on paper, and well qualified for the job in terms of some of the needs that the higher ups have described. It feels like a lot more is expected of this role than is really outlined in the job description but how do you convey that to the recruiter who hasn't been involved? I've made a list though based on some of the interviews I've been in. I'm grateful to be among the few of my network getting any bites, and I know the decision makers are confident that I am capable of building the program in a great direction.

How are folks navigating salary negotiation after job loss, especially if it's not a move up?

[Anonymous]

You make a token 10% counter, then take what they give you. How is this a question.

Or if you do need a job soon, you take it as is.

[Anonymous]

BTW it is a huge move up from $0.

[Anonymous]

I went in with the attitude that money coming in was better than no money. I knew the salary ranges and targets going in. For the offer that I accepted, I countered but had reasons why (increased commuting costs) and they agreed to my request.

I declined some offers that were lower but not only because they were lower.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went in with the attitude that money coming in was better than no money. I knew the salary ranges and targets going in. For the offer that I accepted, I countered but had reasons why (increased commuting costs) and they agreed to my request.

I declined some offers that were lower but not only because they were lower.

So you remained unemployed rather than take those jobs? What were red flags?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've been reviewing a lot of videos online and spoke to a career coach, but I feel like there's something missing from everything I've found online. Most salary negotiation advice online implies that you're applying to your dream job and trying to make a step up. That's not possible for a lot of folks in this job market, especially in the fed and contractor environment where folks would be happy to have employment and may have to set aside their dream job for the sake of staying afloat. How do you negotiate when the job you are offered is a much lower pay (per the recruiter) than your last job paid but you are the top candidate? The interviewing process was rigorous, and I've gotten positive feedback throughout, so they like all that experience I bring, but don't offer a great salary. I get that it's an employer's market and if I push too hard, and the next person is happy to have a job, the employer might move on to the next person.

For what it's worth, I am 20 years into my career and not being greedy here. I'm overqualified for the job as it's written on paper, and well qualified for the job in terms of some of the needs that the higher ups have described. It feels like a lot more is expected of this role than is really outlined in the job description but how do you convey that to the recruiter who hasn't been involved? I've made a list though based on some of the interviews I've been in. I'm grateful to be among the few of my network getting any bites, and I know the decision makers are confident that I am capable of building the program in a great direction.

How are folks navigating salary negotiation after job loss, especially if it's not a move up?

What does market research say your salary should be?

[Anonymous]

I was laid off in September, got two offers around the holidays, and was able to negotiate to just below my previous salary (about 10% more than what I was offered).

I always negotiate, because your salary is unlikely to go up much after that, in that role at that company, and even moving into another role they will low ball you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was laid off in September, got two offers around the holidays, and was able to negotiate to just below my previous salary (about 10% more than what I was offered).

I always negotiate, because your salary is unlikely to go up much after that, in that role at that company, and even moving into another role they will low ball you.

Having two offers in hand is key. How did you get to 10%, did you counter with 20% and iterate down to 10%?

[Anonymous]

Don’t overestimate how valuable you might be to them. Even in strong markets, I’ve been involved in searches where the eventual hire was not the committee’s first choice, sometimes the third or fourth, but still turned out to be an excellent fit and exceeded expectations.

The job compensation reflects the role and the organization’s budget, not your internal narrative about being overqualified or the top candidate. They likely assume you will be moving on sooner rather than later.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've been reviewing a lot of videos online and spoke to a career coach, but I feel like there's something missing from everything I've found online. Most salary negotiation advice online implies that you're applying to your dream job and trying to make a step up. That's not possible for a lot of folks in this job market, especially in the fed and contractor environment where folks would be happy to have employment and may have to set aside their dream job for the sake of staying afloat. How do you negotiate when the job you are offered is a much lower pay (per the recruiter) than your last job paid but you are the top candidate? The interviewing process was rigorous, and I've gotten positive feedback throughout, so they like all that experience I bring, but don't offer a great salary. I get that it's an employer's market and if I push too hard, and the next person is happy to have a job, the employer might move on to the next person.

For what it's worth, I am 20 years into my career and not being greedy here. I'm overqualified for the job as it's written on paper, and well qualified for the job in terms of some of the needs that the higher ups have described. It feels like a lot more is expected of this role than is really outlined in the job description but how do you convey that to the recruiter who hasn't been involved? I've made a list though based on some of the interviews I've been in. I'm grateful to be among the few of my network getting any bites, and I know the decision makers are confident that I am capable of building the program in a great direction.

How are folks navigating salary negotiation after job loss, especially if it's not a move up?

You are very full of yourself, and NO ONE CARES about your list.

Make a counter offer, if it’s more than 20% don’t be surprised if they rescind it because they realize you will be looking for a new job elsewhere on day one.

[Anonymous]

Great topic. Huge negotiator typically who is preparing 'not' to negotiate if get offered a job in this terrible market as fear can't risk it.

[Anonymous]

Executive who oversees a lot of hiring here. We psot salary ranges and have not been negotiating beyond those for the past year due to general belt-tightening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Executive who oversees a lot of hiring here. We psot salary ranges and have not been negotiating beyond those for the past year due to general belt-tightening.

This is good point. Most jobs post ranges and generally we talk salary before interviewing. I think OP feels the job was more than it seemed and wants to go back an renegotiate. Is that the case?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Executive who oversees a lot of hiring here. We psot salary ranges and have not been negotiating beyond those for the past year due to general belt-tightening.

This is good point. Most jobs post ranges and generally we talk salary before interviewing. I think OP feels the job was more than it seemed and wants to go back an renegotiate. Is that the case?

Yes, its a conpany that would hire me to implement a program for a client. The conpany surely wrote the description. They held the early calls and then I had later meetings with the client. I feel like there seem to be different expectations from each side on what the job looks like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great topic. Huge negotiator typically who is preparing 'not' to negotiate if get offered a job in this terrible market as fear can't risk it.

Thank you for understanding and I'm sorry you're in this too. Not a lot of leverage for us