How to negotiate job offer if no leverage (currently unemployed)

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks to all - except for the snarky "recruiter" above.

HR is clarifying whether I will get an office or not. I did ask for stock options and he will check with the hiring manager if its possible but he understood my rationale.

His reaction was that its been done before. My job is also unique in that I directly impact the stock (think M&A and Investor Relations) type of role so I pitched it as stock options give me good skin in the game.

If I have any leverage I suppose its that I was interviewing at a few other places, where they would have given the stock options.

fingers crossed

[Anonymous]

I would really let go of the idea that you should get your own special office when the rest of the office gets open seating. That immediately marks you as high-maintenance.

I think if you are entertaining other offers that have stock options, that is one thing, but if you are "interviewing at places that would have given the stock options" (if they hired you), you have no case.

You're unemployed, and you don't have as much leverage as usual. Keep that in mind.

[Anonymous]

I just had a similar thing happen. I've been unemployed for four months, and wanted/needed a new job. Got an offer two weeks ago and negotiated anyway--for me, the salary offer was fine, but I asked for telework (very important to me), and they agreed. I guess my point is, even if you currently are not in a job, you still have value, and that value equals room to negotiate for what you want and what you're worth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just had a similar thing happen. I've been unemployed for four months, and wanted/needed a new job. Got an offer two weeks ago and negotiated anyway--for me, the salary offer was fine, but I asked for telework (very important to me), and they agreed. I guess my point is, even if you currently are not in a job, you still have value, and that value equals room to negotiate for what you want and what you're worth.

We just made an offer to someone who's currently unemployed and I agree with PP. I don't care that this candidate's currently unemployed; I liked them enough to make an offer and want that particular person to come work with me, and any reasonable negotiation request isn't going to make us withdraw the offer. Heaven knows recruiting and interviewing is a pain for the company as well as the candidate and it's hard to find someone who has both the skills we want and a personality we think will mesh in the office. So I would say, don't let the fact that you're currently unemployed make you feel that you have no leverage, not at all.

[Anonymous]

Thanks previous two PPs. very helpful and encouraging

-OP

[Anonymous]

As a hiring manager I would respect you more if you countered an initial offer, but remember you are unemployed, they likely know that, and but for the most extreme circumstances (as in, a turnaround exec in between gigs) that means you are a discounted resource. Tread cautiously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Um.. NO.

- corporate recruiter, ex retained executive and contingency search hunter.

PS - you have no job and you got a job offer. What's your prob? I hate candidates like you. Don't take it. Or ask and make your best business case for what you want. That's about your only 2 choices. I can always tell whether someone will work out long term by their approach to accepting the offer. Of course I have people ask for more/better offer but it's usually because of some reasonable justification. And honestly, if you didn't think they could match your last comp, why move forward? There's always these candidates that think after they get the offer they can negotiate. Corporate budgets are predetermined according to opening. Sign on bonuses are payable back within usually a year if you leave FYI.

Another recruiter here who thinks this person sounds like an ass. Yes, you should always ask for more money, regardless of your circumstances. Now I say that with the caveat that you have to make a compelling case as to why you are worth more. And depending on how badly they need you or how badly you need them, things will shake out from there. I would, however, laugh off any negotiation about the office set up and if you actually pursued that line I would reconsider your fit as a candidate.

NP- why would asking about the office set up reflect poorly? There are so many threads on here about how open concept is hurting productivity and attracting good candidates. If new people won't push for it, who will? The current employees will just vent and get jealous about someone pushing back but that's the way to get the whole office to change, people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Um.. NO.

- corporate recruiter, ex retained executive and contingency search hunter.
... honestly, if you didn't think they could match your last comp, why move forward? There's always these candidates that think after they get the offer they can negotiate.

Because pretty much every single piece of advice out there says to get the offer, then negotiate; that you shouldn't be the first one to throw out a number.

You sound like an ass and a crappy recruiter.

[Anonymous]

I was unemployed and negotiated for higher pay without a problem - I asked, they agreed. I said, "We both know I can do what you need, but I cannot work for the low pay you're offering. I need 20% higher pay.".They agreed because the current person had made a big mess and they needed someone to come and fix it ASAP.