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I was wondering if HR managers expect entry level employees to negotiate the salary that they were offered. Is there a range that the HR manager operates in or do they generally offer a price that is not up for negotiation? I was offered a job in Manhattan making 47k (+benefits such as medical, dental, life insurance, 401k, and even paying for part of my phone bill each month). I was going to attempt to negotiate closer to 50k. I am not sure how well this will go over. I don't want to lose the job offer. Do they expect college grads with not much experience in their field (other than school) to negotiate? Does anyone have experience with this. Boosting my salary even a little will help in the long run.
Last edited by Flyers600; 06-08-2014 at 06:23 PM..
I was wondering if HR managers expect entry level employees to negotiate the salary that they were offered. Is there a range that the HR manager operates in or do they generally offer a price that is not up for negotiation? I was offered a job in Manhattan making 47k (+benefits such as medical, dental, life insurance, 401k, and even paying for part of my phone bill each month). I was going to attempt to negotiate closer to 50k. I am not sure how well this will go over. I don't want to lose the job offer. Do they expect college grads with not much experience in their field (other than school) to negotiate? Does anyone have experience with this. Boosting my salary even a little will help in the long run.
I don't think there is much room for negotiation for entry level. But 50k is reasonable.
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It depends on the company, and what they might consider entry level. We are able to negotiate from the starting point to midpoint of the range for any position. At a past place, everyone had to start at the bottom of the range
and wait until after passing the 6 month probation to move up one step in the range.
Both of my kids negotiated salary when offered their first full-time job coming out of school. One got $2K more and the other got $2,500 more.
Unless they say, "This is our firm offer" or "We do not negotiate", I think it's almost expected that people will try to negotiate more. If you cannot get a higher salary, is there a signing bonus or more vacation days you can get? Sometimes companies will provide you with either one of those instead of a higher base salary.
Be careful how you approach this, though. You cannot say, "I'm willing to take it for $50K." You should say, "Is there's any room for negotiation? I was thinking the position was probably closer to $50K."
If you have an in-demand degree like technology, you will have more sway. Otherwise, you might be able swing $1-2k more. If they really like you, they will go for it.
$3k isn't going to break their budget. For entry level, HR has you at the bottom of their scale. $50k may still be within range.
Both of my kids negotiated salary when offered their first full-time job coming out of school. One got $2K more and the other got $2,500 more.
Unless they say, "This is our firm offer" or "We do not negotiate", I think it's almost expected that people will try to negotiate more. If you cannot get a higher salary, is there a signing bonus or more vacation days you can get? Sometimes companies will provide you with either one of those instead of a higher base salary.
Be careful how you approach this, though. You cannot say, "I'm willing to take it for $50K." You should say, "Is there's any room for negotiation? I was thinking the position was probably closer to $50K."
Thanks! I am just a little hesitant because this position was for 1 person (others I am applying for are for multiple candidates) and they happened to choose me. I am really interested but think I should be getting a bit more. Don't wanna lose the offer completely or have them go to the next person in line.
Thanks! I am just a little hesitant because this position was for 1 person (others I am applying for are for multiple candidates) and they happened to choose me. I am really interested but think I should be getting a bit more. Don't wanna lose the offer completely or have them go to the next person in line.
If you don't feel comfortable negotiating at this point, then don't. If you feel it could cost you this opportunity, it isn't worth risking just to get another two thousand dollars. Accept it and don't look back.
Also, if you haven't already done so, ask what the career path is and what the timeframe is. My younger one who had the first job for eighteen months was promoted in that first company after a year.
it doesn't hurt to negotiate, at all. It doesn't look bad on your end. It shows that you are willing to stand up for yourself and that you value your work. I have negotiated salary at every job I've had (which is 3 professional jobs, after college), and the only time I didn't win was my first one. But I still tried. Still got the job, though. Once they pick you, they aren't going to un-pick you because you asked for more money, unless you do it in a negative way or you say you won't take less than x.
They will not drop the offer just because you show an interest in negotiating. The opportunity cost would be too high for them.
You can broach the subject and if you meet heavy resistance upfront, then back down and accept what you get.
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