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

[Anonymous]

I received a job offer for a decent salary but not as high as my last job. I also heard that the space is mostly open concept when I would prefer a private office. Do I still have leverage to negotiate and how do I phrase to the recruiter? Or is it better to go to the hiring manager?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I received a job offer for a decent salary but not as high as my last job. I also heard that the space is mostly open concept when I would prefer a private office. Do I still have leverage to negotiate and how do I phrase to the recruiter? Or is it better to go to the hiring manager?

It doesn't hurt to ask. If they say no, will you still take the job? Do you have the finances and backup possibilities to walk away from this offer? If you can answer those questions, that may help to clarify things in your mind.

[Anonymous]

If it's in the same industry they should match your last job. The open concept thing is probably unfixable. Is it just really senior people who get an office?

[Anonymous]

you are not going to be able to do anything about open concept but definitely negotiate salary.

[Anonymous]

It depends on how badly you need the job.

An important thing is to know the market rate for someone of your experience and background.

Is it possible that you were overpaid at your last job and how likely is it that would find someone else who is willing to take a lesser offer for the same position?

You have some leverage because you can always just not take the job. The question is how confident are you in getting an offer for the range you're expecting.

That's something that you can mention in your negotiations.

Not sure how open you are referring to in open concept. But I basically kind of moved backwards where I used to have private areas/offices to now sitting in an open area with cubicles. It's not that bad, although whenever I need to do anything personal over the phone, I always try to go outside now. Which was kind of a pain when trying to coordinate something with someone who was using an answering service and I couldn't get a direct number.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. Is it better to negotiate with the hiring manager or with HR?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks. Is it better to negotiate with the hiring manager or with HR?

I would negotiate with who ever delivered the offer. If it's HR, they will likely consult with the hiring manager

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I received a job offer for a decent salary but not as high as my last job. I also heard that the space is mostly open concept when I would prefer a private office. Do I still have leverage to negotiate and how do I phrase to the recruiter? Or is it better to go to the hiring manager?

Forget the private office. How far apart are the #s?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I received a job offer for a decent salary but not as high as my last job. I also heard that the space is mostly open concept when I would prefer a private office. Do I still have leverage to negotiate and how do I phrase to the recruiter? Or is it better to go to the hiring manager?

Forget the private office. How far apart are the #s?

Its mostly an issue where base/target bonus are the same but at this new job I would be making no stock options. Whereas at my last gig I was given $20k or so worth in options per year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I received a job offer for a decent salary but not as high as my last job. I also heard that the space is mostly open concept when I would prefer a private office. Do I still have leverage to negotiate and how do I phrase to the recruiter? Or is it better to go to the hiring manager?

Forget the private office. How far apart are the #s?

Its mostly an issue where base/target bonus are the same but at this new job I would be making no stock options. Whereas at my last gig I was given $20k or so worth in options per year

Honestly, if that's the only gap, I'd probably push for $10K more bonus and then accept whatever they counter. Zero leverage and no downside to prior job sounds pretty good deal.

[Anonymous]

I got a sign on bonus and a guarantee
Bonus at year end only cause I asked

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Op how much difference are we talking here? Also, are the benefits good?

I think if I were unemployed I would just accept. Renegotiate in a year.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Never hurts to ask, as long as your are polite and offer a reasonable explanation. The open concept thing is something you are probably stuck with, but the salary thing is worth responding to with an explanation that at your last job you got stock options and you are wondering whether they can increase either salary or bonus.