Best tips for negotiating a salary and moving expenses?

[Anonymous]

Anybody have experience with this? I've been in govt jobs my whole life, and there's very little room for negotiation in govt so I suck at it. Moving to the private sector and I'm assuming they expect me to negotiate. I also want to ask for moving expenses since the job requires a HUGE cross country move. Any tips?

[Anonymous]

I was the OP who recently posted a similar question. The answers were very helpful and the link to the WSJ article was great. See http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/177556.page

[Anonymous]

This was great, PP, thanks. I am wondering about anyone who has actually negotiated moving expenses? Is that common? What will employers typically pay for?

[Anonymous]

I think moving expenses really depend greatly on the company. But no ask, no get. Some companies will just give you a stipend of a couple/few thousand dollars. Some will reimburse you for travel expenses. Some will give you moving services. . .

[Anonymous]

If it is a big company, they may have relocation packages (not as common since the recession). Also, if they do have them, they likely have different levels (i.e., one may include moving expenses, visiting expenses to look at houses, temporary housing for a period until you find something, etc. whereas another package may just include moving expenses. Obviously, try to negotiate for the best package you can. We were moved a few years ago and the relo package was part of the job offer.

[Anonymous]

relocation expenses coverage really depends on the field and the company. i can tell you the small firm i worked at previously would have laughed in your face about covering moving costs. then i know of a company that will not only cover relocation but give you paid days to house hunt and provide temporary housing.

[Anonymous]

We just did this. I would really encourage you to ask about moving expenses but don't be shocked when they say they don't offer those any longer. With the down economy there has been a huge cutback.

That said, you can always pad your salary to make up for the costs. If you are indirect negotiations with your potential boss you should express the concern and see what they can do.

At the end of the day I negotiated a bonus at the end of the year which would cover our moving expenses in addition to the regular bonus. It is a one time deal and I was happy with that.

[Anonymous]

We were relocated last year for my husband's job from DC to Boston area. We were sent up to MA for the weekend to look at the area before we agreed to the move. Then our relocation package that was to be used for movers and really any costs related came to about 10k after taxes. That kind of thing is heavily taxed like a bonus so it might have been about 20k pre-taxes. This is what I think I recall, but don't quote me on it, my husband would know better.