What if you put lower salary requirement than the company had expected? (employers, job)

[call_j]

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[JohnZ963]

I did this once, because I was desperate to get out of a job with a witch of a boss and no growth potential. I told them my range, which was about 15% higher than my current job. Turns out their bare minimum pay for the position was 20% higher than my current job, and they would have been willing to pay 40% more. So I got stuck with 20% higher, which is still great but I screwed myself out of a lot of money. I was still very happy that I got the job. At that company, what you make when you get hired is what you make forever, plus the usual 3% or so annual nflationary increases.

[kodaka]

I did something similar to John. Asked for more than I was getting at my previous job, but way less than they were willing to go for.

I did my time at the lower amount that I had asked for, and when a year was up and they offered me a paltry 5% raise I counter-offered with a higher amount, which they accepted. And after that, they knew I was not afraid to negotiate and would do my research on the prevailing wages for my field and experience. After that first year's raise, I think my raises were higher than many of my peers because they knew if it wasn't enough I wouldn't simply accept a low raise like others might.

[sike0000]

Did something similar to both of you. I make a lot better money, but nothing compared to what I could have been making!

But it wasn't because I knew the salary range (I do for my xp level and type of work). I just didn't know how well they paid. No wonder no one here ever quits. They have priced themselves out of the market

Normally I would shoot for one level above where I think I should be, then let them negotiate.

Past couple years have been bad with employers wanting me to take a pay cut to make a move. They actually try to put a positive spin on it.

Oh, I do not believe it is a good idea to go lower than their range. You should be confident not only in your abilities, but also your percieved worth

[dspguy]

When I got out of college I took a job at a company I had interned for. It was on a part-time basis. So, I didn't think I could command much of a salary (they were out of my field anyway). The hourly rate I offered was accepted immediately. I wanted to shoot myself for lowballing myself, but I was desperate for work (starving college student and all). I guess it wasn't so bad since I knew I would be there less than a year and I had completely flexible schedule.