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Need help negotiating salary for new job offer

stefsautstefsaut member
in Working Moms
I was offered a new job today. At my current job, I make my base salary with no opportunity for a bonus. The job I was offered today offered me about 5% less per year in base salary compared with what I am making now. The new job would have a potential 8% annual bonus based on performance (could be more or less). My current job is in a rural area, so I do not have to pay for parking. The new job is downtown, so I would have to pay approximately $8/day for parking - which adds up to about $1800 per year (I would only work in office 4 days/week). I would really like to make at least what I make now (which doesn't even factor in the parking). The bonus opportunity is nice, but with 2 kids in daycare I can't really afford a cut to my monthly take home pay. How would you go about negotiating this? Also, if I want to make at least my current salary would you go in a little higher than that in case they want to "meet in the middle"?
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Re: Need help negotiating salary for new job offer

  • AZ123AZ123 member
    For sure counter with above your current salary in case they come back with something lower. You should always try to get the highest base since bonus is so iffy. You could ask how historically the company has paid on bonuses. Some companies have bonus structures but due to the economy haven't paid them for the past few years. Other companies consistently pay bonuses each year. Also, the problem with bonuses, as nice as they are, they get a hit with a higher tax than salary so that's why you always want to go with the higher base. Just explain to them that you have to be making more than your current position to warrant a move.
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  • financialdivafinancialdiva member

    Not trying to be harsh, but your new job doesn't care that you have daycare expenses, parking expenses, etc.

    In order to negotiate your salary, you have to prove to them that you're worth X amount of dollars you're looking for. You need to research how much people are making in your location at your job level. If you find the market is paying more than what they have offered, you can approach the negotiation by saying the market dictates this salary level for x, y, and z skill set.

    Also, I wouldn't play the ask for more game in case they want to meet in the middle. You can also say I'm currently being paid $XX,XXX. To make the move worth wild, I would like to at least be paid (the same, a little more then you're current salary, whatever you think you are worth). If they still refuse and you want to take the job, ask if they can reevaluate in 6 months.

    Good Luck and congrats on the new job.

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  • duchess0727duchess0727
    Most companies expect candidates to negotiate (not all women do - i'm sure most men do).  I would ask for 10% more than your current salary.  If they say no, then you are back where you started.  Hopefully they will meet you halfway.  If they won't, I'd ask for a signing bonus to cover your commute/parking expense.  At my current job they weren't able to offer me a higher salary because of existing pay levels in my group but they did increase my signing bonus to compensate.  You could also ask for a higher bonus target and a possibility of guaranteeing a portion of it.  Many companies prefer to compensate through bonus rather than salary. 
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  • ai&Jasai&Jas member
    I agree with pp that a higher base is better than a bonus as bonuses are not

    guaranteed. In my experience all companies expect some sort of negotiations and unless they say, this is the rock bottom salary, they expect wiggle. I normally say my salary is $X (plus 10%-15% more-- its not true, but its realistic) and I currently have an offer on the table for $Y (normally $10-$12K more then current salary stated above-- so that is an extra 10-15% on top), and I would be willing to move because of these benefits that you offer, if you can meet me at this price (ie at $Y), or a slightly lower amount ie $2K less.... So far its worked well for me.

     

    Women normally do not negotiate as much as they could. In my current position I was desperate to stop travelling so I did a soft negotiation and just asked for $2K more on base and $5K signing bonus. Before I interviewed they did ask how much I was making so I did raise my current salary by 15% so the final base I signed on with was already close to 20% more then my last job.

     

    Good luck!

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  • victoria1212victoria1212 member

    it sounds like at this new job you could potentially be making less since the bonus is not guaranteed?

    I would definitely ask for 10% over your current salary plus a higher percentage in bonus potential.

    I would frame it as: given the responsibilities of this new job, I would like my salary to be X and my bonus to be X. 

    Also, I have negotiated added vacation time in the past and it always works out (does not really cost the company anything).

    GL!

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  • katydid2007katydid2007

    I work in a bonus heavy industry and I would never, ever take a job where my base salary would be less than my current base salary. Bonuses are discretionary and you can't count on them.

    If I were in your position, I would tell them that I would only consider making a move for a higher base salary. I wouldn't get into the details of your child care arrangements or your parking situation - it's irrelevant.  As for the bonus, tell them to guarantee it for the first year. 

    GL.

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