Employer wants to move forward and then ghosted me!

[Anonymous]

OP update :

After further discussion it seems that I jumped the gun. The call last week was a discovery call in terms of salary range. I was told that I am a finalist and the next step is checking references and I should hear back mid next week. This has definitely been a learning experience and will use all feedback to go into my next situation on better terms. I am still sending out applications and appreciate everyone's input.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, OP, I think they are figuring out whether the other finalists are going to work better for them. Negotiating is hard--you're always told that you should negotiate, but it can backfire, esp for women.

you got some great tips, but a few things to keep in mind: the most desirable you are (niche market, they've been looking a year, specialized experienced and you have a great job) the more room you have.

the second thing is to start a good conversation and reiterate throughout that you are really interested in he job as a whole, not just the salary.

I would have started the conversation with honesty: they tell you 49-52: you respond, my target salary is in the mid 50s. This is in line with my experience, skills and what others in a similar position are making (have some stats). Is there any wiggle room or other parts of the compensation package that we can discuss?


But, with no job, 6 m unemployment, and a past salary in the mid 40s, you should really accept the fairly large jump they are offering you--if the job doesn't work out, then you have that salary (50k) to negotiate a raise in the next one. Most of all, employers don't respond to your salary needs--you may 'need' 59k/55k, they need a worker that fits their budget.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, OP, I think they are figuring out whether the other finalists are going to work better for them. Negotiating is hard--you're always told that you should negotiate, but it can backfire, esp for women.

you got some great tips, but a few things to keep in mind: the most desirable you are (niche market, they've been looking a year, specialized experienced and you have a great job) the more room you have.

the second thing is to start a good conversation and reiterate throughout that you are really interested in he job as a whole, not just the salary.

I would have started the conversation with honesty: they tell you 49-52: you respond, my target salary is in the mid 50s. This is in line with my experience, skills and what others in a similar position are making (have some stats). Is there any wiggle room or other parts of the compensation package that we can discuss?


But, with no job, 6 m unemployment, and a past salary in the mid 40s, you should really accept the fairly large jump they are offering you--if the job doesn't work out, then you have that salary (50k) to negotiate a raise in the next one. Most of all, employers don't respond to your salary needs--you may 'need' 59k/55k, they need a worker that fits their budget.

This, except I can assure you it is just as difficult for men. We don't usually see the issues with negotiation. The problem is if you say I want X, you will alomst never get more than X.

The problem was once they gave you a range, that told there limits. A good response might have been...Ok, I was hoping for 59K, because (and justify the higher salary). But I will consider any offer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, OP, I think they are figuring out whether the other finalists are going to work better for them. Negotiating is hard--you're always told that you should negotiate, but it can backfire, esp for women.

you got some great tips, but a few things to keep in mind: the most desirable you are (niche market, they've been looking a year, specialized experienced and you have a great job) the more room you have.

the second thing is to start a good conversation and reiterate throughout that you are really interested in he job as a whole, not just the salary.

I would have started the conversation with honesty: they tell you 49-52: you respond, my target salary is in the mid 50s. This is in line with my experience, skills and what others in a similar position are making (have some stats). Is there any wiggle room or other parts of the compensation package that we can discuss?


But, with no job, 6 m unemployment, and a past salary in the mid 40s, you should really accept the fairly large jump they are offering you--if the job doesn't work out, then you have that salary (50k) to negotiate a raise in the next one. Most of all, employers don't respond to your salary needs--you may 'need' 59k/55k, they need a worker that fits their budget.

This, except I can assure you it is just as difficult for men. We don't usually see the issues with negotiation. The problem is if you say I want X, you will alomst never get more than X.

The problem was once they gave you a range, that told there limits. A good response might have been...Ok, I was hoping for 59K, because (and justify the higher salary). But I will consider any offer.

pp here. And your justification must be made based on their needs/business needs and your quals, not on your desires. Personally, I would love a 20% raise, but it is not happening.

[Anonymous]

I'm not an expert, just another worker bee myself, but you may be able to negotiate a signing bonus rather than the higher salary.

You've been out of the workforce for a bit and could try get some sympathy. That and it's not considered part of the budgeted salary, i.e. they're not digging in annually for your higher pay demand.

Again, I'm not an expert, I'd love other opinions on signing bonuses.

[Anonymous]

Tell us OP--why do you think they should pay you $59K just because that's what you want? I guarantee that's exactly what they're asking themselves as well.

[Anonymous]

I really hope they come back to you, but it sounds like you were a big enough PITA during the process that they may have changed their minds.

There's negotiating when you have actual leverage and there is what you did...two very different situations, I am afraid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really hope they come back to you, but it sounds like you were a big enough PITA during the process that they may have changed their minds.

There's negotiating when you have actual leverage and there is what you did...two very different situations, I am afraid.

This. A couple of years ago, a company found my resume -- the HR person saw it, forwarded it to the hiring manager. I had applied for a job with a company they acquired several years earlier. They told me the req had been open for a year, and I was the first qualified resume. Funny thing was I was not looking. They wanted to talk; my attitude is I will always talk.

We had a 15 minute phone conversation. That was going to be a prelude to an onsite interview. Instead, they offered me a position with a 10% bump, but the benefit loss would have cost me some real $$$. (I would have lost two weeks of vacation a year). More to the point, I was happy in my job. It has been very secure and I am well liked. I have been with the company for 22 years.

So I asked some questions. I made it clear that the offer was flattering, but I am happy where I was. I did not ask for more money, but they offered me more -- 25K more than my then current salary, which would be a 15% bump. Only when you factor in the different benefits, such as vacation and disability, and a few other things, I would only be about 15K ahead with the new job. In the big picture, I decided not to take it. Mostly because I never met any of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I received a call last week from the employer stating they want to move forward with me. They ask my salary history and for my references. I decline my salary history and instead ask for their hiring range. She states she'd like to know my salary history again so that they won't pay me less than my previous employer. The problem is that I was making mid 40s at my last employer and I want to make ideally in the 60s but bottom line 55. I state I'd prefer to know the range. She agrees and says she'll get back to me. I get an email stating the hiring range is 46-52 and to state my requirements.

I thank her for the information and state I'm looking for 59 (doubt they'd give this but if we can negotiate to 55-57, perfect). She states she'll speak to director and get to me next week. This was last Thursday and it is now Wednesday and I'm feeling extremely anxious. I reached out on Monday to follow up and she basically snapped back, "What is there to discuss, I'll get back to you after I speak to the director". This came off as unprofessional and rude imo.

I am in desperate need of a job, I have been unemployed for 6 months. I have a masters degree but if its not for a position related then I leave it off for fear of being "overqualified". I am late 20s, female, DC metro area, background 5 years admin/2 hr. This position was at a non profit and in HR if that matters.

Advice needed!!

Don't be difficult if you "need" a job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I received a call last week from the employer stating they want to move forward with me. They ask my salary history and for my references. I decline my salary history and instead ask for their hiring range. She states she'd like to know my salary history again so that they won't pay me less than my previous employer. The problem is that I was making mid 40s at my last employer and I want to make ideally in the 60s but bottom line 55. I state I'd prefer to know the range. She agrees and says she'll get back to me. I get an email stating the hiring range is 46-52 and to state my requirements.

I thank her for the information and state I'm looking for 59 (doubt they'd give this but if we can negotiate to 55-57, perfect). She states she'll speak to director and get to me next week. This was last Thursday and it is now Wednesday and I'm feeling extremely anxious. I reached out on Monday to follow up and she basically snapped back, "What is there to discuss, I'll get back to you after I speak to the director". This came off as unprofessional and rude imo.

I am in desperate need of a job, I have been unemployed for 6 months. I have a masters degree but if its not for a position related then I leave it off for fear of being "overqualified". I am late 20s, female, DC metro area, background 5 years admin/2 hr. This position was at a non profit and in HR if that matters.

Advice needed!!

Don't be difficult if you "need" a job.

Many if not most people who have been unemployed for six months or more take a pay cut to get back into the work force. You have only had one job before. You need a little humility.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not an expert, just another worker bee myself, but you may be able to negotiate a signing bonus rather than the higher salary.

You've been out of the workforce for a bit and could try get some sympathy. That and it's not considered part of the budgeted salary, i.e. they're not digging in annually for your higher pay demand.

Again, I'm not an expert, I'd love other opinions on signing bonuses.

I don't know of any $59k positions that would pay a signing bonus.

[Anonymous]

what were you thinking?!