I'm finalizing a final offer this week (excited!) and I'm wondering what a reasonable % increase would be to negotiate for? I'm thinking 20% is reasonable. I'm already fairly underpaid (I scaled back my career for a few years when my kids were born). What % increase have you typically received when jumping jobs?
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20%. I would definitely maximize the increase because it's so much harder to get increases once you're with the company.
Good luck!!
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@Freckles: YES! One of my old managers told me to "always make your deal going in". I'm going to ask for a 20% increase plus a sign on bonus. And maybe more paid time off. I hate negotiationg though. ugh...
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Wow, I was going to say 10% but I think Freckles has a good point. AND if you are underpaid to begin with, that sounds like a good point.
@banana: Have you done your market and job research to see what you should be getting paid and what others in your job are getting paid in your area?
Good luck!!
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@banana: ohhh more paid time off for sure! You can always use that!!
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I got 20% when I changed positions earlier this year.
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@mediagirl: I've done some research and I know I'm underpaid by at least 20-25%. So asking for a 20% increase is fairly reasonable. To be honest though, I'd take it for a 10% increase because there are tons of other benefits about working there. But if I'm negotiating, I'm going to go all out.
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@Bookish: Great! So 20% is definitely reasonable then!
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I wouldn't make any change unless it's at least a 20% increase.
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I wouldn't take anything less than 20%.
Your first job/entry into a new company is where you'll get the biggest bump in salary. with nothing to lose, ask for the max possible!
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@mamabear57: @mrsjyw: Thank you!! I feel more empowered now! I'm getting their first offer later today.
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@banana: Definitely, and that was without any negotiation because I'm an idiot and didn't think I could
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@Bookish: Do you think you could have received an extra 5 or 10% more? Maybe I should ask for 30% and see what happens? I'm always afraid of turning them off but how bad can it be if I ask for more, right? It's not like they would take back their offer. WOULD THEY???
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@banana: Hahah the worst they can do is say no, but 30% is probably pushing it. I'm in a pretty low-paying position, so when I say negotiate, I really could have gotten maybe 1-2K more. See what their first offer says and if it's already 20% above, then you can go more.
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@Bookish: Ok! I'll see what they come back with. They HR guy said that I will be happy with this offer. Whatever that means!
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@banana: Good luck!!
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I think it depends, companies usually have sweet spots for certain positions and dollar amounts.
I got exactly what I asked for...basically what I said was "I am not coming here for less than x."
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@Bookish: THANK YOU!
@looch: I wish I was that brave! I'd suck at sales.
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@banana: I don't know if it was brave, lol. I wasn't sure I even wanted the job, so I was kind of hoping they would say it is too much and make the decision for me. Little did I know they would call my bluff.
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It really depends on the salary as to what percentage should be reasonable, i.e., 20% at $60k per year is not the same as 20% at $150k per year . . . if that makes sense. It also depends on how much I want the job . . . if I am unhappy where I am, I would accept less to change environments . . . and there are other factors, BUT, I think 20% is a good ball-park percentage to work from.
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@looch: I didn't really want the job that much, I'd probably go for it. But I really want it, even if it's just a 10% increase! It's closer to my house, more casual work environment, more paid time off, and the work would be a lot more interesting. I'd take it for 10% more but I really want 20%!
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@MsLipGloss: Oh interesting...So if you're making more (say $150k like in your example), a 20% increase wouldn't be reasonable?
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@banana: I think you should def. ask for 20%! I mean, if anything, they can come back with less, which would still be acceptable.
I mean, they already know you would accept less than your starting quote anyway, I hate these games, don't you!
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I agree with @MsLipGloss. I would consider how much other people are making in the same industry with the same level experience, and base my expectations on that.
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@looch: Yes, I HATE these games! I wish I could hire a lawyer to do my negotiating for me. That'd probably turn them off though. haha
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@MsLipGloss: I actually took less money for my current job.
But it has a higher potential for advancement, more flexibility and closer to home. -
@banana: Just the opposite, really. 20% at $150 is much easier to negotiate because there is already an expectation to pay someone more for their work (and more room to negotiate) . . . 20% at $60 is harder to negotiate because at that range, there is likely less flexibility within set salary ranges (and more lateral comparisons), so the recruiter/ hiring person will likely have less room to negotiate.
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@littlek: Ooooh, those all sounds like GREAT benefits to have. This job is very similar (closer to home, more advancement opportunities). So I really want it! But I think I'll go for it and ask for 20%. I asked for a sign on bonus, too. It worked out because it's the end of the year so I told them that I'm expecting a sizable bonus this year (which is true). A few of my friends told me that getting a job at the end of the year was ideal because budgets are re-set and bonuses are handed out. So it's not unreasable to get sign on bonuses.
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@littlek: I did too.
I knew the environment was a better fit, and the long-term benefits/opportunities were infinitely better.
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@MsLipGloss: OOOH ok that makes total sense!! I'm such a dork. But you're totally right. It's probably easier to ask for more when you're in the upper ranges.
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I have a golden handcuffs situation here, and that plays a huge factor. So 20% isn't a realistic option within my organization {more like 10%}, but that's what I would shoot for if I were to ever consider leaving.
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@banana: Just make sure the offer is reasonable so they don't rescind!
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@MrsH: That's my biggest fear!!!!
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@banana: Lol - you're not a dork!
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@MsLipGloss: I heart you!!! By the way, every time I hear a Biggie song, I think of you! hahaha...woooooord.
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@banana: It just happened to my DH last week and he only asked 4% over the salary they offered him. Thankfully he has like 3 companies pursuing him.
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@MrsH: I wish I was in that position (having 3 companies pursue me). Your DH has so much leverage now! Can he work them against each other?
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@MrsH: That is ridonc! Sounds like he dodged a bullet though, if that is an indication of their (inflexible) environment.
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I was going to say 20-25% since you're already under paid. For my line of work, yearly, they publish a salary guide that tells you for this type of position in this size of a firm, you should expect to be paid XXX amount. Is there something like that for you? If so, look up what you're "worth" and go from there?
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@MrsH: And I agree with @MsLipGloss. That's just ridiculous. 4%??? Good thing he's not working there if that's how they treat their potential new hires!!
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