Negotiating advice for offer under current salary

[Anonymous]

Taking with an employer about a new position at a company. We got to a salary discussion and I asked the for the range, which was was about I'm currently making (low end: $20k less than currently making; high end: $20k more than current salary). Benefits about the same. Lateral but much better potential and out of my narrow vertical.

I said this range seem workable as a starting point. All good.

Got an offer letter that is at the lowest end of the range - $20k under current.

Ack. Where do I go from here? I'm comfortable negotiating, but right now we are about $30k lower than I was looking for. Is this gap too big?

It's a small (250+) family owned business.

Advice appreciated!

[Anonymous]

At least ask for the high end of the range! They told you that was the range!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Taking with an employer about a new position at a company. We got to a salary discussion and I asked the for the range, which was was about I'm currently making (low end: $20k less than currently making; high end: $20k more than current salary). Benefits about the same. Lateral but much better potential and out of my narrow vertical.

I said this range seem workable as a starting point. All good.

Got an offer letter that is at the lowest end of the range - $20k under current.

Ack. Where do I go from here? I'm comfortable negotiating, but right now we are about $30k lower than I was looking for. Is this gap too big?

It's a small (250+) family owned business.

Advice appreciated!

Your mistake was not narrowing the salary under discussion to the top half of their range during that first conversation. Your best bet now is to disclose your current salary and explain that it is not possible to even consider anything less given that this is a lateral move. Hope they agree with your assessment and will revise their offer to current salary plus a reasonable increase. Dont forget to factor in any raises or bonuses you may miss out on my leaving.

[Anonymous]

Thank you all, good advice. I will see what happens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you all, good advice. I will see what happens.

Wow, never give a low end range below what you are making.

Some people are smart technically but have no business or sense of self-worth.

You work hard and deserve not to get out-negotiated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you all, good advice. I will see what happens.

Wow, never give a low end range below what you are making.

Some people are smart technically but have no business or sense of self-worth.

You work hard and deserve not to get out-negotiated.

It sounds like OP tried to demur on the salary question by asking the employer's range. OP then said something like "I am OK with that range". OP should have said "I am looking more in the [current salary to higher part of employer's stated range]" or "I am currently making X, so I would hope to make at least that (or that plus five percent or whatever)."

This is what happens when people try to be cute with salary history/requirements.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you all, good advice. I will see what happens.

Wow, never give a low end range below what you are making.

Some people are smart technically but have no business or sense of self-worth.

You work hard and deserve not to get out-negotiated.

She ASKED for the range, she didn't offer it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you all, good advice. I will see what happens.

Wow, never give a low end range below what you are making.

Some people are smart technically but have no business or sense of self-worth.

You work hard and deserve not to get out-negotiated.

She ASKED for the range, she didn't offer it.

Yes, the HR person asked for the range.
But OP, should never give a salary request below what she is making or what she would accept.
Unless, it was for a less demanding or lower level position.

[Anonymous]

Congrats on the job offer, OP.

[Anonymous]

Update from OP. I ended up being able to negotiate an increase of $40k by sharing market data on salaries for the position, and by reworking the responsibilities slightly to capitalize on my foreign language fluency. I was so sceptical but it can be done!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Update from OP. I ended up being able to negotiate an increase of $40k by sharing market data on salaries for the position, and by reworking the responsibilities slightly to capitalize on my foreign language fluency. I was so sceptical but it can be done!

Congratulations!! I must share this thread with my nanny. Never accept less than your current earnings for a lateral move. They seem to not stand up for themselves. "Uppity women unite!" So trite, but couldn't resist.

Nevertheless, kudos to you, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Update from OP. I ended up being able to negotiate an increase of $40k by sharing market data on salaries for the position, and by reworking the responsibilities slightly to capitalize on my foreign language fluency. I was so sceptical but it can be done!

Congratulations!! I must share this thread with my nanny. Never accept less than your current earnings for a lateral move. They seem to not stand up for themselves. "Uppity women unite!" So trite, but couldn't resist.

Nevertheless, kudos to you, OP.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the update. I am usually timid about things like this, and it helps me to read about successful negotiations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the update. I am usually timid about things like this, and it helps me to read about successful negotiations.

Protip: don't accept (nor give) a window that bottoms out at $20k less than what you currently make.

Why do women make negotiating so difficult?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the update. I am usually timid about things like this, and it helps me to read about successful negotiations.

Protip: don't accept (nor give) a window that bottoms out at $20k less than what you currently make.

Why do women make negotiating so difficult?

Woman here. I was never taught how to negotiate or even told that it's a given. From my perspective coming out of college when I was desperate for a job, negotiating seemed ungrateful, and I was worried the offer would be withdrawn.

Now I know better.