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Salary Negotiations
Jeice
regular
regular
Ok, so a little background. I'm almost a new graduate (will end classes end of summer and receive my degree in the fall, but can work full time now). I've been applying to jobs since March of this year and just got a possible offer for a job this morning (in salary negotiations atm). Before going to this interview, I've had lots of previous interviews, but haven't been getting offers because of my lack of technical knowledge/experience. So, I'm kind of desperate, and I kind of just want to jump at this opportunity.
So, for the position, it's a Software Developer position. I know the average salary for a new graduate is 50-60k. Now, this is a smaller company, and I was able to google around and find out that their range for this job is 40-45k. They don't know I know this fact.
They emailed me what my salary expectations are, and told me if we can come to an agreement, they'll send me an offer. So, I have to email them back giving them a salary expectation. What do I say? I don't think (being a smaller company) that they'll likely be able to go past 45k. So, should I still say 50-60k? I don't want to lose this opportunity though. Should I say 40-50k? Or 45-50k? Hoping to get the high end of their range? Oh, also, I'm surprised I was given this offer at all. They were looking for someone with web development experience, which I have none of and they know this. They say they like my attitude and my other qualifications are I guess good enough.
Also, I have another interview with another company on Monday. But, going by my offer/interview ratio thus far, the chances for getting an offer for that job are pretty slim. So, I don't want to delay this negotiation just for a chance at something better (may not be better) on Monday. Again, it's because I feel desperate. And, I'm pretty sure this negotiation will be done by the end of today.
Please help.
So, for the position, it's a Software Developer position. I know the average salary for a new graduate is 50-60k. Now, this is a smaller company, and I was able to google around and find out that their range for this job is 40-45k. They don't know I know this fact.
They emailed me what my salary expectations are, and told me if we can come to an agreement, they'll send me an offer. So, I have to email them back giving them a salary expectation. What do I say? I don't think (being a smaller company) that they'll likely be able to go past 45k. So, should I still say 50-60k? I don't want to lose this opportunity though. Should I say 40-50k? Or 45-50k? Hoping to get the high end of their range? Oh, also, I'm surprised I was given this offer at all. They were looking for someone with web development experience, which I have none of and they know this. They say they like my attitude and my other qualifications are I guess good enough.
Also, I have another interview with another company on Monday. But, going by my offer/interview ratio thus far, the chances for getting an offer for that job are pretty slim. So, I don't want to delay this negotiation just for a chance at something better (may not be better) on Monday. Again, it's because I feel desperate. And, I'm pretty sure this negotiation will be done by the end of today.
Please help.
Jeice on
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Posts
If you know that their range is 40-45, and you think you're worth I'd say 45-50. That allows them room to talk you down if that's out of their range.
PS - that's good money for a new grad, especially in this market*
*-unless said job is in NYC/Boston/SF, where everything is $$$
Also, city (or at least region) and degree would help us out.
Bachelor of Computer Science, Toronto.
I know the range is 50-60k because when I've asked all the other companies what the salary was for the same/similar role, they've said 50-60k. I've asked around a dozen companies during the interview process.
Ah ok. The small company just may not be keeping up with salary trends in your area...or worse, they're low-balling new grads on purpose because the new-grads don't know better ($40-45k is significantly undervalued for CS grads, especially in an urban area). Have your other interviews produced any offers? Having some leverage would be nice even if you have no intent of working at the larger companies.
Just a side-note, that could be why you haven't had much luck at any of your other job interviews. Salary questions are for this stage of the game, no earlier.
So, what number should I email them? Should I be like, well the average is 50-55k, and that is what I'm expecting?
On this situation, I think that the average is irrelevant. Since you know their range you need to decide if you can live with that and if so hit the high end (45-50) or something, otherwise if you can't then ask for how much you want and be prepared to not get the job.
It's really shitty for them to even make you do this for an entry-level position, though.
Let's face it; this won't be your last job, and you're a student on student loans/salary. 45$K is huge for someone with not so much personal responsibilities.
In the meantime, continue to look for better paying jobs if you like. You're not attached in any way to any company; if you find a better job in 3 months after accepting this one, go for it.
PS: This is mostly only doable when searching "just out of school" jobs. Don't to this (too much) in the future
This or just reply back with 'What range were you looking for in the position?' It's always best to make them give a number first, even a range. Whatever you say, don't mention their posted amount. You could throw out the average you found for that position, but if you think it's that different, it might be deal-killer.
And they say Americans are forward!
Do you know how many H/A threads are made with people going "I was promised an early chance at a promotion/raise and now my boss won't talk to me?
Yeah, don't count on anything the company says, regardless if it's 'in writting'.
If you think the salary is too low, the other option is to negotiate for more vacation/PTO days or sooner 401(k) matching/vesting if offered.
Either way, 45k starting for a new grad doing web development is NOT a low offer in Toronto. Toronto is the city of the overpriced and underpaid. 50-60k for a new grad is a fucking pipe dream and anyone who tells you theyre making that out the door is either lying or knew someone who got them a job at an above average salary, or did something incredible while still in school and had a job lined up long before they ever graduated. UofT and Waterloo crank out CS grads like no other, and the market is really competitive. Take solace in the fact that if you know your shit and do well, the software space in this city is really small and you will get poached really quick or be able to get your company to match other offers for you. The best make the big dollars, and everyone else idles along at low-50's for the rest of their careers.
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