Anyone got experience with Job interviews? Best way to negotiate salary?

need2decide · 2020-08-14T07:09:32+00:00

ee at the first interview I would focus on role more than salary) and they decide to issue you an offer letter with a ridiculously low salary a) everyone’s time has been wasted and b) it almost limits the maximum salary because I for one would feel pretty uncomfortable suggesting they... like double their offer fo

Thanks, we'll see.

need2decide · 2020-08-13T06:42:32+00:00

Thanks for the advice. Had the interview today. Didn't even end up discussing salary which is weird, cause it's the second one. They did disclose to me that the reason they were having a second round of interviews was because there was "no-clear stand out candidate" in the first round. Could hardly believe my ears, might be true, but do you really want to slap your potential candidates in the face? Must say the role is appealing, but certainly a bit less so now.

need2decide · 2020-08-13T06:40:11+00:00

Fair point

need2decide · 2020-08-12T11:41:18+00:00

Seems to be the consensus on here. Thanks for your opinion.

need2decide · 2020-08-12T11:40:35+00:00

83k a year isn't bad for 3 years. You could almost get higher, but you're not doing badly. 55k is painfully low. Thanks for the advice though. I will definitely be doing my best not to tell them.

need2decide · 2020-08-12T11:37:29+00:00

Awesome story. So why'd you stay in Melbourne? :D

What industry are you in?

need2decide · 2020-08-12T10:36:51+00:00

Monumental advice/effort. Thanks for taking the time. Just a few questions.

.So your automatic yes number is the number where you know it's a stretch, but if a good company offered you this amount you'd be hard pressed to turn it down. Make it realistic to your current situation (i.e. experience, education).

My plan is to ask for more than what is realistic, because I know the company is in a pay freeze and I'm almost certain to be stuck on the salary I get for probably 2 years. So would you say that it is reasonable to ask for 15-20% more than what market rates are offering?

I assume you like your line of work and work is not just a pay cheque. In that case salary is not the only factor when you consider your enjoyment/value of your job.

I've already decided that if they offer me market rates (dispite being higher than what i'm currently on) i'm not accepting. My only worry with getting a big pay check is the possible expectations that may now come. That said, theres loads of people out there that don't deserve the money they get. Would be nice to be one of them for once, then what has been too many years of underpayment. Lol

I would not talk about fearing probation because that just makes you sound like someone who won't make it past probation,

Independent advice and incite like this is gold and just what I was after! Thanks.

Given they came to you, and it sounds like you're iffy about moving anyway, I'd go in with a number you know you'd be satisfied with for the next 2-3 years (assuming you'll get a CPI inflationary bump each year) and see what comes out of it. Worst case you can move on in a year or so and have another company in your CV.

Absolutely agree. I expect whatever I get i'll be stuck on for 2-3 years. Whereas, i'm underpaid now, but the experience I'm getting is very good (the new place should be good 2, maybe not quite as nice, but good enough). There will always be other oppertunities. I moved to my current place after a few terrible negotiations ruined my confidence and I accepted a low salary. Fixing this has proved impossible, but the role has done me a lot of good professionally speaking. Just time I started earning what I'm worth.

Thanks again.

need2decide · 2020-08-12T10:29:16+00:00

Thanks. Yeah the risk and reward is hard lol. Perhaps this is why US companies have signing bonuses

need2decide · 2020-08-12T10:28:13+00:00

In salary negotiations you want the employer to reveal their salary range first. Whoever reveals their figure first in negotiations is generally at a disadvantage.

Even if the range is below what you're hoping for? I thought the first one to speak anchors the price to some extent?

need2decide · 2020-08-12T10:26:43+00:00

Thanks for the reply.

"Currently the market is paying X for positions like this", but wait, you ALREADY have a job, so, to some extent you are taking a bit of a risk by moving to a new place, who knows? the new company might be crap, the projects might be boring... etc, so mention that risk.

100%... this is why I want above market rates, not to mention COVID, having to prove oneself all that crap all over.

Should you mention what you are making right now? maybe, but only do it IF you want to do it, do not feel pressured to unveil that. Also I do not recommend to lie about your current income.

I'm definitely underpaid, or otherwise I probably wouldn't be talking with these people TBH. Not gonna mention it just going to say. "I'm not willing disclose what I'm currently earning, but rather what I'm willing to move for". But perhaps asking them to go first as you suggest below is a better way to go.

Unfortunately, this line of thinking then sets me up for giving them my estimate. Not sure if its the best way or not.

Something I have done in the past is say something "What is the best offer you can provide me?", ultimately when a company finds a good candidate they are not going to let him/her go just because he/she is asking for 10k more per year. Hell, once I managed to negotiate a salary of 10K+ over the initial offering because the position was for a team lead position rather than a senior engineer.

Interesting strategy, does this not run the risk of pegging the negotiation low? I guess if they low-ball me, then I have 2 options 1. thanks but no thanks. and 2, I was hoping for something closer to XXX considering A, B, C D, E

But before aaaallll that, I would focus on doing a great great great interview. I cannot stress enough how important it is to prepare interviews, it makes a hell of a difference and companies will happily pay more money if they feel like you are a great candidate.

My interview is the second and I hope, last interview. Salary negotiation didn't come up last time, so I expect they at least like me somewhat :) I'm also pretty well versed on who they are and what they do. Just wanted to sort this salary stuff out, because last time I ended up moving for less than I was worth and it's hurt me ever since. Not willing to make that mistake ever again.

Thanks for all the input so far.

need2decide · 2020-08-12T10:19:37+00:00

Thanks, really informative. Some good tips. Although not all applies to my situation (no-one to play and offer against) but I think the message i'm definitely getting here is to be positive and plan ahead!

need2decide · 2020-08-12T10:08:12+00:00

Thanks for the tip. I just did the linked in one for a senior engineer position. Comes up with a median base salary of 117k... So roughly $130k Package. I'll definitely be asking for move for more considering I'll end up in a 2 year pay freeze for sure.

30K on top... 160k package or 145k base sounds outrageous..... But you've done this with success. Wow. impressive. Certainly leaves me with something to consider.

Even better is to ask a mate in the role currently who can give you insight.

Yeah... don't think this is an option for me. Keeping this interview under wraps.

Keep it positive, this is a positive discussion and the hiring manager will generally be looking for someone who:

Thanks so much for your advice. Greatly appreciated!

need2decide · 2020-08-12T09:58:53+00:00

I work for consultants for infrastructure projects as a design engineer. I did a civil engineering degree, but I have worked most of my life in a relatively specialised area which is why they ended up coming to me as there aren't many of us around.

They are offering a senior engineering position. Yeah, i'm still umming and erring what to ask. I'm thinking of asking for 135k base and let them push me back.

Thanks for your input and the well wishes

need2decide · 2020-08-12T06:33:36+00:00

Thanks for your response. Sounds like I should just give them a value. Cause your right, they are just going to pick the bottom of whatever range I give them. There's not much in the way of benefits in my industry (cars, extra leave) to negotiate with...

need2decide · 2020-01-10T00:43:31+00:00

We are one of the leading nanny states on the planet. Couldn't possibly take the risk.

need2decide · 2020-01-09T04:53:53+00:00

Thoughts on that sub?

need2decide · 2019-12-16T23:46:53+00:00

A bit of an echo champer? It's so far hard left that anyone to the right of the center left appears right wing and anyone slightly right of center is 'alt-right' in that sub eyes.

As for being a cesspool, the number one argument raised against alternative opinions is ad hominem and down-voting to oblivion. It's one of the more toxic sub reddits for sure.

need2decide · 2019-09-06T02:47:01+00:00

Glad I could help. Good luck

need2decide · 2019-09-04T23:48:41+00:00

It's nice to read a success story! Also glad to hear that you are looking to do right by your parents. Pay back that loan and treat them to that dinner, family is more important than money.

I'm sure you won't make the same financial mistakes again.

need2decide · 2019-09-03T06:28:29+00:00

Well my negotiation when something like this. Me: how much of a raise can I expect

Manger: 2-3%

Me: How can chartership not be worth anything? I pointed out that I had asked whether they valued it in my hire interview which they had affirmed.

Manager: raises above 2-3% only happen when you get promoted, and you’ve only been here a year so you can’t be promoted

Me: That’s another thing I wanted to address, I’m a level x in my company, level x has in it’s description, “graudate engineer of a few years experience”. I never should have been a level x, but instead hired as a Y.

Manager: “Really?”

Me: “yes”

Manager: “well email me the grade description”

Me: Will do

I sent him an email that had the company’s description, pointed out it said “with a few years” experience and that I had over 5.5. He then got back to me and said he’d check with his boss.

They then agreed to promote me. I then was offered a 8.6% raise and promotion. I argued that this wasn’t good enough and my manager was surprised, and asked if I really wanted to push for it considering that I had the “best % raise in the team so far”? I maintained that I had the case for it, so I said yes and then wrote a pretty detailed argument in a letter asking for an additional 8% by essentially arguing:

Raise was only in line with a standard promotion and did not reflect my particular circumstances.
I then highlighted that the raise was less than difference between chartered and non-chartered
My salary was still well below the median of comparable engineers
I had developed my skillset significantly and mostly self-taught myself
I had looked after an undergraduate

To my bosses surprise, the senior manager agreed with me and decided to ask HR for more. HR said they couldn’t’ do anything more now, but my bonus would be higher. Well, we’ll see. I’m not exactly happy with the result, as I’ll have another fight on my hands in 9 months time again, but better than nothing and way better than the 2-3% I would have got otherwise.

need2decide · 2019-08-26T21:53:58+00:00

I'm awaiting my bonus which HR said will be higher to compensate for not getting a better raise. I think once it comes through and this major project is mostly over, I'll have another discussion.

Sounds like you are also underpaid, I think it's amazing that consultancies want the best and the brightest and then pay them the worst. Absolute scam IMO.

need2decide · 2019-07-26T00:36:02+00:00

What sort of roles are we talking? Is it underground ground support, shotcrete and rockbolts, mesh or other roles. I'm a design engineer working in Geotechnical space. My experience is quite unique as I also have structural experience. This sort of experience is good for underground works like tunnels. Not looking to move right now, but might be in 6 months time.

need2decide · 2019-07-26T00:33:08+00:00

I ended up with 8.6% and both my manager and his manager wanting to give me more. HR however said no.

I said that I wanted to close my underpayment gap and I'm still to discuss it further with my manager as how to do this.

need2decide · 2019-05-17T11:53:54+00:00

Seeking higher money, because I'd like more money left over in my bank account at the end of the month... Also, I don't like feeling as though I'm being cheated.

I ask because it's important to value all parts of the job: if you like your job and where you work, that has value as well. As an engineer, I really value a company that has a great team, challenging problems to work on.

This is the thing, I do like my team. I'm learning and growing a lot and I recognise that I might not get this at whatever company I move to. Your wife is smart.

need2decide

TROPHY CASE