Salary Question
jhenry1204
member
Hey ladies. I don't post here, but I'm really hoping you can help me out.
I've been a SAHM for the past year while I finished up my BS in Psychology. I finished my internship on Wednesday and was asked to come and interview for an opening on Tuesday. It would be for a drug and alcohol treatment specialist position. Due to my internship, I know what the other counselors are making. I am not happy about the pay but they will pay for all my training including my CAC. I need to get my foot in the door, and start making money so that I can start working on my masters.
So here's my question: How do I go about asking for more money? I know they are going to offer 28,000 which just isn't enough for me. But I also know with the economy the way it is, I have to take what I can get.
Any opinions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Re: Salary Question
Congrats on the new job and welcome to the board!
It's really hard to ask for more money. Maybe start with "I'm a little disappointed with the salary." You can then either tell them you had a different number in mind or you can ask to re-evaluate the salary in 6 months.
Also, do NOT tell them the reason you're asking for more money is because you can't afford to be making this low of a salary. They won't care you can't pay your bills. And try not to whine about what the other people you work with are making. They'll probably want a reason you expect X number. GL!
I got my degree in Psychology in 2004 and was offered a job right away. I started off at $20,000 annually as a mental health counselor. I think that the pay had a lot to do with the field and my level of education. Even employees with an MS/MA degree didn't make much more than $30,000. I ended up leaving because I couldn't get by financially and got a job with an insurance company.
If you are still interested in the job, find out about other benefits that are offered. Despite my low salary, the agency that I worked for offered a great benefits package - awesome health insurance, loads of sick/personal/vacation time, and tuition reimbursement. They were also very flexible with schedules, time off, etc. Those perks can definitely help.
Also, ask about raises. My employer wouldn't budge on a starting salary, but gave a small raise at the beginning of every fiscal year as well as merit increases.
GL!
Have prepared a list of reasons why you feel you should make more. *Don't* say that it's just too little for you, and don't bring up other people's salaries if you know what they make because of word of mouth as opposed to through official channels. Points like your prior internship and thus specialized experience would be good ones.
Then, when/if they make an offer, if it is not satisfactory, ask if the pay is negotiable. If the answer is no, like PP said, ask about the prospect of when a raise could be on the table. If not, it's up to you to take it or leave it (know which you'll do ahead of time). If it is negotiable, there is a decent chance they may ask you what you want/expect, so have a reasonable number in mind and *why* (i.e., salary offered at other positions you have been offered or seen, prior pay you have made, etc.) Don't pull a giant number off the moon, if you really just want a little more cash, perhaps 5% over offer if you have good reasons. They may say yes, they may present an interim offer.
It doesn't hurt to ask, if you do so professionally.
I negotiated my salary for $3000 more a year. I interviewed and was offered the job just 3 months ago, in this economy as well.
When I was offered the job, I was told to take my time to think about it. I waited 24 hours, then made the call. I stated that I was thrilled at the opportunity to work for xyz company and that I think I could be very successful at the position. I then said that I felt that $blank amount a year seemed more suitable to my qualifications. Then I listed the concrete reasons why I deserved more. In my position (I am a sales manager) it was important to list past producion and the amount of business I have been responsible for. I also stated that the position that was offered to me was one with many responsibiliteis and that I felt that what I was bring to the table justifies a salary of $blank. I did however state that I was open to negotiation and that I was in no way making a "demand". You want to be forceful, but not pushy. Don't mention that the salary isn't enough to support your life-they don't care. I was never ready to walk away from the job and wanted it badly. I just needed more mula!! My mom always said to dress wealthy and appear like you don't "need" the job but to appear like you "want" it. She has worked in HR for 25 years for a huge architect firm and has seen many fresh meat in her time.
Hope that helps.
Good luck and congrats!
DS #1: May 25, 2007
DS #2: Jan 7, 2009
DD #3 due May 17, 2014!!! Low lying placenta and DD measuring 1 week ahead at big u/s
Thanks ladies. I appreciate all your points.
I know the 28,000 salary because that's what they gave an intern that they hired 3 months ago. It sucks that thehuman services field doesn't pay much. I started the field with a goal of achieving a Psy.D but when I got pregnant it put a small wrench in those plans. I do believe that I will be looking into an MBA once I am able to start saving for grad school.
Again, I really appreciate all the advice that you have given me. Now, fingers crossed that I get the job!
Usually for an entry level position in a field, there's a standard as to what the "typical" starting pay is for a job. If it's $28k, and you say you want $35k, there's a fairly good chance you would be rejected. I work in HR, and many in positions to hire wouldn't choose a candidate who wants significantly more than the job pays because it's assumed they will leave in a few months for a better paying job, KWIM?