Hi Everyone - I believe I’m being offered a job this afternoon. Had a great final interview on Friday and they reached out to my references this morning and got great feedback. I’m scheduled to talk to the recruiter this afternoon and have a couple questions.
If they offer me a salary that hits my stated range that I gave in the pre-interview, but is at the low point in that range, is it frowned upon to negotiate for higher salary?
Can I negotiate for 3 weeks of vacation? For the last 5 years I’ve had 3 weeks and this place only gives 2 in the first year. Seems like fair game but just curious.
Any tips for negotiating for a higher salary are welcome too. Thanks!
You can definitely negotiate soft benefits like vacation, most employers shouldn’t have a problem with this ask. Re: salary - a lot of the time it depends on predetermined salary bands for the role you’re applying for. I would suggest asking them what the salary band is for the role; and if it’s consistent/higher than what you asked for originally you have some leverage to negotiate comp. if you’re already close to the upper end of the salary band, you may not have as much leverage.
I think it’d be more frowned upon if you didnt try to negotiate. Do some research on comp levels for that position so you know you’re not overreaching. Ask for something higher than what you would want so they meet you halfway or something.
You can ask for higher salary, but you need to substantiate your number somehow. For instance, by using some kind of market data, or even your current compensation.
I’m not sure if they can give you more vacation days. It depends on the company. In big companies, it’s normally standardized. I suppose you could still ask. 2 weeks does seem a bit stingy. I have like over 4 weeks (but in reality only use ~2 weeks…).
CFA sent out their salary study a while back with ranges for all types of positions and geographic areas. Use this as a baseline unless it’s lower than what you’re asking. Also, if you can quantify some expected bonus you’re giving up at your current job, you can probably land a sign on bonus as well.
Well, I got offered right in the middle of my requested range so I took the offer. Reasonable considering it’s a great fit for me. Thanks for the responses.
Vacation is a good negotiating lever to pull on, especially if you’d go down with the change in role. It was fairly easy for me to negotiate an additional week when I moved to my current role. It’s easy because it doesn’t cost the company any more cash, and if you’re a good employee that gets your shit done, shouldn’t matter too much if you work 49 or 50 weeks a year.
^ I know right? Last year was a record for me. Between vacations at my first company, 2 weeks of public holidays, the week I took off at Christmas after changing jobs, and my 2 week notice period where I was paid but told to not come to work, I spent 8ish weeks on paid time off.
Back when I was in sales, 2 places offered no payed time off, the one who did, you had to work 2+yrs to get paid 5 days (avg daily income for the year), 5+yrs for 10 days, 10+yrs for 15 days vacation. No paid holidays and mandatory to work all Saturdays and all holidays except xmas and thanksgiving. Sundays off though
My advice is to always price higher, but within 10-20% of your market comparables.You can talk your salary down a lot faster than they can. Asking for a raise down the line is harder than throwing a big number out now. Good luck!
My wife works at a dealership, get 2 weeks off per year paid time off. She can take more time off though if she wishes, since it’s commission only anyway.
