Salary Raise When switching jobs

[Anonymous]

Hello,
What was the biggest salary raise you've received when switching jobs? ( mind sharing salary and raise i-e went from $70k to $100k). Could you explain, how youw ere able to get the raise or persuade new employer to pay that much more? I am currently looking for new opportunities and I feel like during the interview process when they ask about your salary history, they offer you close to what you are currently making, I have had people try offering $2k more which to me is just not enough to start a new job with all the risks it entails. So, how do you market yourself in an efficient way to get a higher salary especially in situations where they tell you the position is capped at Xdollar amount? Thanks a bunch!

[Anonymous]

Never tell them what you are currently making. When they ask tell them what you are looking for and give a range. For example, if you want to make 75k (and that is reasonable for the position), say you're looking for something in the 75k to 85k range.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Never tell them what you are currently making. When they ask tell them what you are looking for and give a range. For example, if you want to make 75k (and that is reasonable for the position), say you're looking for something in the 75k to 85k range.

OP Here, I do that sometimes, but some will be pushy and ask for a specific number

[Anonymous]

Walked across the street from private sector job to Fed job - instant raise of $23,000.

[Anonymous]

DH went from a non-profit job to a fed job that came with a $30k pay bump. He was really underpaid at the non profit, but stayed because he valued their mission.

[Anonymous]

Only times I've gotten big jumps have been when they luckily didn't insist on knowing my current salary: 32k to 48k and 52k to 65k. At least those felt big to me.

[Anonymous]

When they say the budget for the position is let's say $80k and that's the market rate, does it mean they won't budge and offer more?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Only times I've gotten big jumps have been when they luckily didn't insist on knowing my current salary: 32k to 48k and 52k to 65k. At least those felt big to me.

Those are pretty decent jumps, congrats. So you just stayed evasive on the salary topic?

[Anonymous]

$80 to $120. I had the skill set and clearance they needed. They had a contract signed that they couldn't staff. I was originally offered $100 but they went up if I agreed to start in 2 weeks. I had wanted to take some time off between positions. They also offered me am extra 2 weeks PTO if I started in 2 weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$80 to $120. I had the skill set and clearance they needed. They had a contract signed that they couldn't staff. I was originally offered $100 but they went up if I agreed to start in 2 weeks. I had wanted to take some time off between positions. They also offered me am extra 2 weeks PTO if I started in 2 weeks.

Wow, that's awesome. Congrats!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Only times I've gotten big jumps have been when they luckily didn't insist on knowing my current salary: 32k to 48k and 52k to 65k. At least those felt big to me.

This. 54K to 74K. I was asked vaguely what I made at my last job and what I was looking for, and I didn't say what I made but was equally vague in saying "Well it's a little different since I'm coming from the government (to private sector), so one needs to consider vacation, holiday, and healthcare benefits...." And she sort of pushed me to spit out a number for my annualized/adjusted salary. I truthfully accidentally said 72, when it was actually more like 65 - I had been thinking of askin for 72 in my head and so spit that number out. I ended up being offered 74. In the end you could say it was more like a 65-75K jump.

That's probably a unique situation but overall it really helps to do some legwork and identify what other people in similar positions are already making at the company (Glassdoor.com), what the avg salary is in the current market for your position, etc. The downside of haggling/negotiating is that sometimes you'll be forced to walk away - if you're prepared to walk away you might actually get the additional money you want. But then again they may go with candidate #2.

[Anonymous]

I feel like it used to be pretty standard to give 5-8% more than what you made at your previous job, but times are still tough and jobs scarce, so that's not as likely I think. I feel like people look for a new job not just for a salary bump so you just have to figure out what are your priorities - if you're "only" getting offered 2K more but the job seems very good, then maybe that's more important. Keep in mind these days people are taking payCUTS in many areas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only times I've gotten big jumps have been when they luckily didn't insist on knowing my current salary: 32k to 48k and 52k to 65k. At least those felt big to me.

This. 54K to 74K. I was asked vaguely what I made at my last job and what I was looking for, and I didn't say what I made but was equally vague in saying "Well it's a little different since I'm coming from the government (to private sector), so one needs to consider vacation, holiday, and healthcare benefits...." And she sort of pushed me to spit out a number for my annualized/adjusted salary. I truthfully accidentally said 72, when it was actually more like 65 - I had been thinking of askin for 72 in my head and so spit that number out. I ended up being offered 74. In the end you could say it was more like a 65-75K jump.

That's probably a unique situation but overall it really helps to do some legwork and identify what other people in similar positions are already making at the company (Glassdoor.com), what the avg salary is in the current market for your position, etc. The downside of haggling/negotiating is that sometimes you'll be forced to walk away - if you're prepared to walk away you might actually get the additional money you want. But then again they may go with candidate #2.

That's a great jump. I also wonder if they can verify salary history, i-e in a case like this and 72 slipped, would they hold that against you if they were able to verify and your previous employee said well she is making 54

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like it used to be pretty standard to give 5-8% more than what you made at your previous job, but times are still tough and jobs scarce, so that's not as likely I think. I feel like people look for a new job not just for a salary bump so you just have to figure out what are your priorities - if you're "only" getting offered 2K more but the job seems very good, then maybe that's more important. Keep in mind these days people are taking payCUTS in many areas.

That is true, but starting a new job is so risky that I feel like there has to be some compensation upside to mitigate that risk, otherwise why take the chance to leave a stable job to start one where you could be fired the next day without any upside potential?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's a great jump. I also wonder if they can verify salary history, i-e in a case like this and 72 slipped, would they hold that against you if they were able to verify and your previous employee said well she is making 54

It's funny you say that because she actually did try to verify my salary with my previous supervisor, but it being local government my supervisor said she (truthfully) didn't know what I was making. Now-boss should've found out how to contact HR to verify. Once I realized I had said '72' when I mean '65' (55 annualized/adjusted for different benefits), I considered contacting her and letting her know, but figured it could be in my favor so let it play out. 70's is the market going rate so I don't feel badly.