Salary Negotiation:

[Daseal]

Hey Guys,

I have a job interview today. I've researched the company, and I feel extremely prepared for the interview -- minus one key point. Salary. I'm petrified to hear the "What kind of compensation are you looking for question." If I go too low the company feels I'm devaluing myself, if I go too high I'm greedy -- I have no clue what to say to this question.

Personally, I'd like to say something to the effect of: I didn't come into the interview with a number in my head, at this point the experience is the most valuable asset to me. However, I don't know how well that would go over.

If anyone in HR or with experience could help me out, I'd appreciate it. I looked up the title, and the median salary is between 40-55K a year from what I saw (with my level of experience [none])

"Tactical Systems Technician I" is the job title I'm going after if that helps.

Thanks a ton guys!

[Schneed10]

The safe bet is to request something in the middle of that 40K - 55K range.

They would prefer that you give a number because it helps them make a decision. If you don't give a number, you run the risk of them thinking this guy's making it too hard for us.

If it were me, I'd say something like "Well, I think $50K would be ideal, but $45K would work too." That puts you right in the middle of the range. You've got to pick the numbers that work for you (because if $45K doesn't work for you, then don't say so!).

Other things to consider, do you feel like you'd be a candidate that really stands out from others? Did you go to a stellar college, have a 4.0, have a graduate degree? If any of these are true, you can probably shoot for $50K or higher. If none are true, think $45K-$50K.

Decent starting salary any way you cut it. Good luck!

[Daseal]

Actually, I'm still in college. It's customary for students in the GMU IT degree to go into the work force while in school. Thanks for the advice Schneed, ugh I hate that part of interviews.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by Daseal

Actually, I'm still in college. It's customary for students in the GMU IT degree to go into the work force while in school. Thanks for the advice Schneed, ugh I hate that part of interviews.

That's right, you had mentioned you were at GMU before. I remember you were going bonkers for the Final 4 appearance! I went to Richmond and when we beat 3 seed South Carolina in 1998 I was flippin out, but that's nothin compared to a Final 4!

GMU's a solid school. If you can do yourself any favors in the interview, it is to appear enthusiastic about working for the company, and to try to appear "polished and professional" beyond your years. Interviews for new college grads are much different than interviews for experienced workers. There are no questions to ask about your work experience. You want to be able to demonstrate that you're a hard worker, show that you're a good and willing learner, and demonstrate that you're ready for the workforce in terms of maturity (acting polished and professional).

[Schneed10]

PS I think saden works in IT. Might want to PM him for other info.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Make sure you come in with knowledge of jobs in that area too. Call around and even ask some HR departments what the base pay is for the job you're interviewing for.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Not only that, it's been my experience that you're going to get damn near the base salary for the position without experience. Where I work, there's this guy who is TOTALLY incompetent but makes almost double what the rest of us make because he's been around for thirty years.

Get as much as you can first, because it'll take a promotion or a job change to negotiate it again. Talk about costs of living, apartments, houses, benefits, all that stuff.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

I would suggest asking for the lower end of the range (e.g. $45K) since you don't have experience, with the qualification that your salary needs depend (to a limited extent) on the fringe benefits and opportunities for salary increases/promotions. It's perfectly reasonable and wise to accept a lower salary now if your future prospects with the company are bright and they have great 401K, medical/dental/optical, disability, and vacation benefits.

[Daseal]

Yeah, to be honest the salary doesn't really concern me that much -- it's answering the question I'm afraid of -- I think I'm going to say 40-50K, thats a broad range and hopefully good. I'll still try to avoid the question if possible, but we'll see!

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Originally Posted by Daseal

Yeah, to be honest the salary doesn't really concern me that much -- it's answering the question I'm afraid of -- I think I'm going to say 40-50K, thats a broad range and hopefully good. I'll still try to avoid the question if possible, but we'll see!

You can also skirt the issue totally by saying, what do you expect the salary to be? Put the ball in their court without giving an actual number. If they give you a range, then tell them a number you're comfortable with.

[onlydarksets]

Originally Posted by Daseal

Yeah, to be honest the salary doesn't really concern me that much -- it's answering the question I'm afraid of -- I think I'm going to say 40-50K, thats a broad range and hopefully good. I'll still try to avoid the question if possible, but we'll see!

Don't do that - you've just told them that you will take $40k, thank you very much. What others are suggesting is to aim in the middle, but make it clear that this is a negotiation, not a firm offer on your part. You do that by saying something like:

"I think, given X and Y, that $ZZ,000 is an appropriate salary. However, I understand that there may be considerations on your side that I am not aware of, and I would be interested to hear what you think would be appropriate given my background."

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Don't be shy asking high. If they really want you, they'll say this: "Sure, that's more than we're willing to pay, but let's at least OFFER him a lower figure because all he can say is 'no'".

[MTK]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

Don't be shy asking high. If they really want you, they'll say this: "Sure, that's more than we're willing to pay, but let's at least OFFER him a lower figure because all he can say is 'no'".

I would agree. In most companies you're going to get your money coming through the door so don't be afraid to shoot high. Not ridiculously high of course, but keep in mind they're going to come at you on the lower end of things so they are playing the same game you will be.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I would agree. In most companies you're going to get your money coming through the door so don't be afraid to shoot high. Not ridiculously high of course, but keep in mind they're going to come at you on the lower end of things so they are playing the same game you will be.

True. My thought was, if $40-$55K is the range and he doesn't have any experience, shooting for $50-$55K might be unreasonable. Yes, lowballing/highballing is part of the game and everyone knows it, but there's some truth to the idea that going too high can adversely affect your chances of landing the job.

Daseal, can you clarify what you meant by $40-$55K being the median salary? Does that include employees with no or tons of experience? Is that range the industry standard, or specific to this particular company? Is your school considered good in that field? Do you have other experience that qualifies you for the job. All of those factors, IMO, affect what you should ask for.

As Matty said, it's a good idea to show you've done your due diligence. If you are forced to throw out a range or a specific number, have some reasons for asking for that amount/range. IMO, a big mistake in negotiations is to demand X and have no foundation upon which that demand is based. Conversely, the best negotiators aren't the "fist pounders," but those who articulate bona fide arguments as to why their demands are reasonable.

[MTK]

If you know the approximate salary range, don't be afraid to throw that out there and say something like "based on the research I've done the range for this position appears to be X amount to Y amount (at that point you could ask if they agree with said range), and I'm comfortable discussing a figure in this range".

I would definitely avoid getting pinned down to an exact figure.