Question about what to ask salary wise for a possible new job.

Jenny · 04-15-2006, 01:23 AM

No, not me. lol

Scott wants to post and ask some advice but wanted to make sure people wouldn't ignore him cause they didn't know him.

He'll post after me. lol

3xbit · 04-15-2006, 02:19 AM

Here is the situation. I am in the very (emphasis on very) preliminary stages of possibly getting a new job. Currently I am a web designer / developer / jack of all trades, and have been for 4+ years. I work for a small ISP - good boss, nice company, but no advancement, no training, no prospect for that turning around any time soon. Frankly, think I am getting a little burned out working for them.

So, headhunter calls me yesterday - has a permanent position for a company, Weatherdata, for a person to do HTML, CSS, javascript - they have people to do backend - for I am assuming their clients pages, company website, etc. He also mentions he thinks the job might be 40-45k a year pay range. I had to take an online HTML knowledge test which I didn't do stellar at (in my defense I do know my job, but some of the questions and answers seemed to be written by someone who looked up tags and what they should do - but had never actually used them).

My compensation currently is in the range of 34k, including insurance. So I need at least 34k to not lose money -- but being able to add another company to my resume, especially one with some big name clients like they have, would be good too, plus like I said am getting a little burned out where I am currently.

So - how much should I ask for that would try and get me more compensation but not have them laughing as they showed me the exit?

MikeD · 04-15-2006, 05:19 AM

First question: where did the headhunter get his 40-45k number from?

I would ask for ~40-42k with the agreement of a 6 month review. That safeguards the company from throwing money away (they get a 6 month try-out), while you get the bump in salary knowing that even more could be only a short time away. It also prevents you from getting laughed before ever getting in the door.

I personally did this at my current job. I took about 5-10k less than I thought I was worth, but I really wanted the job pretty bad. It's worked out well, 6 months just passed, and things worked out for both parties.

Whatever happens, best of luck. Sounds like you're in for a raise if you get the job, no matter what.

3xbit · 04-15-2006, 11:14 AM

The headhunter made it sound like he was getting his numbers from the company, but now that you mention it I don't think it was specifically stated that way.

Scott

PoorAvatar · 04-15-2006, 12:12 PM

Tell the headhunter you would like $45,000. You have 4+ years of experience and your good at what you do. Also be sure to throw in some shtick(sp?) about how dedicated you are. The headhunter has seen your resume and knows the company. They would not be seeking you if they didn't think it was a good match. The headhunter can always go back to the company with what Mike suggested. Good luck!

mcs328 · 04-15-2006, 02:10 PM

That number sounds low to me but I guess it varies by state. I don't trust head hunters at all. Have you tried Dice.com to look for jobs?

Jenny · 04-15-2006, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcs328

That number sounds low to me but I guess it varies by state. I don't trust head hunters at all. Have you tried Dice.com to look for jobs?

heh Yeah, it's low for the coastal states but here in Kansas, don't think it's that low.

3xbit · 04-15-2006, 03:14 PM

I also wasn't really looking for a job - they found a resume of mine online and called me. Apparently the headhunter (with Technisource) usually supplies contract and temp people to them but are doing this permanent position as well.

And I have looked at Dice.com occasionally - but there are of course a great deal more of these jobs on the coasts than here in flyover country.

yippiekiyeh · 04-16-2006, 01:05 AM

If you know your stuff, you shouldn't be worried about asking for more. Have the confidence and be willing to accept that 42-45k. It's all about negotiation. If they are willing to pay you that and that sounds good for you, then take it! The truth really lies with the hiring company. Many times a hunter is given info but that info might change when you speak to the hiring people. Just remember the first person to mention a number is the one that loses. Say that you are willing to negotiate. Honestly, you are receiving 34k, they are offering you 40-45k that is a a 17% to 32% raise. I'd say it is worth looking into.

cheapchinese · 04-17-2006, 10:25 AM

you can always check the pre wage on uscis for your occupation

Jenny · 04-18-2006, 09:03 AM

He has an interview tomorrow morning at 9am. w00t!

Good luck honey!

ray · 04-26-2006, 12:55 PM

Given your current skillsets and the fact you mention that you're a "jack of all trades" you may want to test yourself in the consultant market. With your technical background you could probably land some well-paying contract jobs that would require you to lead special projects etc.

The biggest downside of consulting is the lack of job security and additionally benefits. But, as long as you do your job well as a consultant, you'll always get more referrals and jobs as you go.

MikeD · 04-26-2006, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenny

Good luck honey!

, minus the "honey" part.

Itsme · 04-26-2006, 01:31 PM

There seems to be an unwritten rule in industry that in general, except for very special circumstances, you will only be offered a set percentage (10-15%) above what you currently make.

For example, if you and a friend have the same exact background and work history, but one of you makes more money now, and you were both eventually offered the same new job, you'd both be offered a different salary....some percentage over what you make now...not what the job seems worth.

That said, over the years, when asked my current salary, I have always told them a number that is 10-15% higher than it really is. In that way, my new salary I get is much more than the standard 10-15% increase to change employers. I never wanted to change jobs for just a 10-15% increase.

They have no way to check your salary, and if they did you could always later claim your higher number included bonuses, or extra pay for travel, or overtime, etc.

Jenny · 04-26-2006, 02:31 PM

The problem with that is that he is underpaid in our opinion. We knew it when he took the job, but it got us here to Wichita, where he could finish his degree, more opportunities, etc.

Dave_7 · 04-27-2006, 12:58 AM

Tell the head hunter, "See if you can get me $48k." Suddenly, the $45k number will be in play as opposed to auto-payment of the $40k number.

It may be moot now, but the best time to look for a job is when you have one. That way you won't be tempted by the lowball-offers due to desperation.

EDIT: Naturally, headhunters have their own interests in mind first, second and third. So beware and see if they can lob in some good offers while you sit back do your 9-5.

Dave.

04-15-2006, 01:23 AM	#1
Jenny Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Kansas City area Posts: 10,947	Question about what to ask salary wise for a possible new job. No, not me. lol Scott wants to post and ask some advice but wanted to make sure people wouldn't ignore him cause they didn't know him. He'll post after me. lol __________________ Check out my spoilers for over 20 shows @ SpoilerFix.com Check out my TV blog, where I post weekly & daily TV schedules, TV news, interviews with TV stars & more! All new TV forums as well @ TV Is My Pacifier

04-15-2006, 02:19 AM	#2
3xbit Administrator Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 54	How to ask for enough but not too much... Here is the situation. I am in the very (emphasis on very) preliminary stages of possibly getting a new job. Currently I am a web designer / developer / jack of all trades, and have been for 4+ years. I work for a small ISP - good boss, nice company, but no advancement, no training, no prospect for that turning around any time soon. Frankly, think I am getting a little burned out working for them. So, headhunter calls me yesterday - has a permanent position for a company, Weatherdata, for a person to do HTML, CSS, javascript - they have people to do backend - for I am assuming their clients pages, company website, etc. He also mentions he thinks the job might be 40-45k a year pay range. I had to take an online HTML knowledge test which I didn't do stellar at (in my defense I do know my job, but some of the questions and answers seemed to be written by someone who looked up tags and what they should do - but had never actually used them). My compensation currently is in the range of 34k, including insurance. So I need at least 34k to not lose money -- but being able to add another company to my resume, especially one with some big name clients like they have, would be good too, plus like I said am getting a little burned out where I am currently. So - how much should I ask for that would try and get me more compensation but not have them laughing as they showed me the exit?

04-15-2006, 05:19 AM	#3
MikeD President, Cowboys Nation Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In the 'burbs, west of D.C. Posts: 5,139	First question: where did the headhunter get his 40-45k number from? I would ask for ~40-42k with the agreement of a 6 month review. That safeguards the company from throwing money away (they get a 6 month try-out), while you get the bump in salary knowing that even more could be only a short time away. It also prevents you from getting laughed before ever getting in the door. I personally did this at my current job. I took about 5-10k less than I thought I was worth, but I really wanted the job pretty bad. It's worked out well, 6 months just passed, and things worked out for both parties. Whatever happens, best of luck. Sounds like you're in for a raise if you get the job, no matter what. __________________

04-15-2006, 02:10 PM	#6
mcs328 Admiral Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Maryland Posts: 6,578	That number sounds low to me but I guess it varies by state. I don't trust head hunters at all. Have you tried Dice.com to look for jobs? __________________

04-16-2006, 01:05 AM	#9
yippiekiyeh A Friend of a Friend Join Date: May 2001 Location: WESTSIDE! Posts: 1,673	If you know your stuff, you shouldn't be worried about asking for more. Have the confidence and be willing to accept that 42-45k. It's all about negotiation. If they are willing to pay you that and that sounds good for you, then take it! The truth really lies with the hiring company. Many times a hunter is given info but that info might change when you speak to the hiring people. Just remember the first person to mention a number is the one that loses. Say that you are willing to negotiate. Honestly, you are receiving 34k, they are offering you 40-45k that is a a 17% to 32% raise. I'd say it is worth looking into. __________________ Distributed.Net I'm Trying this blogger thang... Last edited by yippiekiyeh : 04-16-2006 at 01:11 AM.

04-15-2006, 11:14 AM	#4
3xbit Administrator Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 54	The headhunter made it sound like he was getting his numbers from the company, but now that you mention it I don't think it was specifically stated that way. Scott

04-15-2006, 12:12 PM	#5
PoorAvatar Lieutenant Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 289	Tell the headhunter you would like $45,000. You have 4+ years of experience and your good at what you do. Also be sure to throw in some shtick(sp?) about how dedicated you are. The headhunter has seen your resume and knows the company. They would not be seeking you if they didn't think it was a good match. The headhunter can always go back to the company with what Mike suggested. Good luck!

04-15-2006, 03:14 PM	#8
3xbit Administrator Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 54	I also wasn't really looking for a job - they found a resume of mine online and called me. Apparently the headhunter (with Technisource) usually supplies contract and temp people to them but are doing this permanent position as well. And I have looked at Dice.com occasionally - but there are of course a great deal more of these jobs on the coasts than here in flyover country.

04-17-2006, 10:25 AM	#10
cheapchinese I love free! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: LA, California Posts: 2,998	you can always check the pre wage on uscis for your occupation

04-18-2006, 09:03 AM	#11
Jenny Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Kansas City area Posts: 10,947	He has an interview tomorrow morning at 9am. w00t! Good luck honey!

04-26-2006, 12:55 PM	#12
ray captain awesome Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 7,054	Given your current skillsets and the fact you mention that you're a "jack of all trades" you may want to test yourself in the consultant market. With your technical background you could probably land some well-paying contract jobs that would require you to lead special projects etc. The biggest downside of consulting is the lack of job security and additionally benefits. But, as long as you do your job well as a consultant, you'll always get more referrals and jobs as you go.

04-26-2006, 01:31 PM	#14
Itsme Vice Admiral Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 4,813	There seems to be an unwritten rule in industry that in general, except for very special circumstances, you will only be offered a set percentage (10-15%) above what you currently make. For example, if you and a friend have the same exact background and work history, but one of you makes more money now, and you were both eventually offered the same new job, you'd both be offered a different salary....some percentage over what you make now...not what the job seems worth. That said, over the years, when asked my current salary, I have always told them a number that is 10-15% higher than it really is. In that way, my new salary I get is much more than the standard 10-15% increase to change employers. I never wanted to change jobs for just a 10-15% increase. They have no way to check your salary, and if they did you could always later claim your higher number included bonuses, or extra pay for travel, or overtime, etc.

04-26-2006, 02:31 PM	#15
Jenny Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Kansas City area Posts: 10,947	The problem with that is that he is underpaid in our opinion. We knew it when he took the job, but it got us here to Wichita, where he could finish his degree, more opportunities, etc.

04-27-2006, 12:58 AM	#16
Dave_7 Captain Join Date: May 2000 Location: L.A..... Costa Mesa... Whatever, Man! Posts: 1,824	Tell the head hunter, "See if you can get me $48k." Suddenly, the $45k number will be in play as opposed to auto-payment of the $40k number. It may be moot now, but the best time to look for a job is when you have one. That way you won't be tempted by the lowball-offers due to desperation. EDIT: Naturally, headhunters have their own interests in mind first, second and third. So beware and see if they can lob in some good offers while you sit back do your 9-5. Dave. Last edited by Dave_7 : 04-27-2006 at 01:00 AM.

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