Negotiate or decline. It may have more to do with who was in the last position, their salary and the supervisor. My husband is at a lower category than many of the guys he works with. They do 1/2 as much work as he does (everyone knows it but they refuse to bump him up).

Anonymous wrote:OP this totally sucks, but this is an opportunity! You now know the value of true value of the position. Negotiate and play hardball, "I get X or I don't take it."

I have a position open and parameters are set. Give me an ultimatum and you will walk.

OP this totally sucks, but this is an opportunity! You now know the value of true value of the position. Negotiate and play hardball, "I get X or I don't take it."

Does your colleague have more experience, better qualifications, better client base, etc? Salary offers are rarely ever the same for two candidates, even if they are interviewing in the same location for the same position.

Anonymous wrote:Office locations are 20 minutes apart, same job and company. I received what I thought was a decent offer only to find out colleague was also interviewing in a different location and got an insanely better offer. How do I handle?

Same team size, same budget, same external visibility?

Those variables matter more than "Office locations are 20 minutes apart, same job and company"

You have to negotiate or else you're going to spend the next few years pissed off and disgruntled. Do you and your colleague make the same same salary currently?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let me guess, you are a woman and the colleague who received the better offer is a man.

Op here and yes, colleague is a man. I am pissed is right and trying not to figure out best way to handle as I was leaning towards taking job but now I am not so convinced it's best place after hearing this.

Negotiate. If they say no, you walk.

Anonymous wrote:Let me guess, you are a woman and the colleague who received the better offer is a man.

Op here and yes, colleague is a man. I am pissed is right and trying not to figure out best way to handle as I was leaning towards taking job but now I am not so convinced it's best place after hearing this.

Let me guess, you are a woman and the colleague who received the better offer is a man.

I'd be really ticked, honestly.

Without getting specific, I'd say that you're aware that they've made significantly higher offers for the same position at other offices in the area. Through the interview process, you've come to understand that you bring the skill set they're looking for - what would it take to get valued at the same level as others in this position?

There are jobs which can vastly different in scope, but have the same title. For example, I am a senior scientist. I know people with that title that make hall my salary and 50% more, and we are all being paid market rates for what we do.

Also, there may be salary difference between DC and other areas in DC Metro.

Is your colleague a man?

Can you say something vague about "researching market salaries" and ask for more? I would definitely try to negotiate, but I don't think I would tell them you know the colleague's exact offer.

Also, offices may be geographically close, but are there other differences in terms of business unit which could impact the level of responsibility or the revenues associated with the particular team or something?

Office locations are 20 minutes apart, same job and company. I received what I thought was a decent offer only to find out colleague was also interviewing in a different location and got an insanely better offer. How do I handle?