Negotiating Salary in NoVA Am I Wrong to Think This

[joiseygirl732]

That was one of the primary reasons I took this job. I didn't want it to be about the money. I thought about the commute. My last job I was commuting 30-40 minutes each way in traffic in an old SUV, and paying for parking at the job.

And I hope this position will allow me better work-life balance. I know that's not too realistic in today's world, but I think it will be an improvement from where I was coming from.

[scottfs]

First, what makes you think you're worth so much more if nobody's offering it to you?

Also, if you're a direct charge employee with a gov't contractor, they might not have enough head room for you on the contract depending on how they bid the job. Additionally the more expensive you are the more likely you are to be greened off the contract in a year or two for someone at the lower end of the labor category.

[DCmum]

Originally Posted by joiseygirl732

That was one of the primary reasons I took this job. I didn't want it to be about the money. I thought about the commute. My last job I was commuting 30-40 minutes each way in traffic in an old SUV, and paying for parking at the job.

And I hope this position will allow me better work-life balance. I know that's not too realistic in today's world, but I think it will be an improvement from where I was coming from.

See, you already have your answer. Take the job, what do you have to lose? You can always quit if it doesn't work out. In your situation, I would take the offer, work my ass off and ask for a raise later on. Plus you already know how to do the job since you used to work there so you will move up faster and your learning curve is significantly lower than for the other new hires. Take it before someone else snaps it!

[danguyf]

If they are firm about the salary, say that you understand completely but that, since you know you are worth more, given your experience and expertise, you would like to explore other possible avenues of compensation.

Instead of a pay cut, would they be willing to allow you to work more flexible hours to better fit your schedule?
Could they start you at an additional week of paid time off per year?
Things like that.

[oneasterisk]

Originally Posted by joiseygirl732

That was one of the primary reasons I took this job. I didn't want it to be about the money. I thought about the commute. My last job I was commuting 30-40 minutes each way in traffic in an old SUV, and paying for parking at the job.

And I hope this position will allow me better work-life balance. I know that's not too realistic in today's world, but I think it will be an improvement from where I was coming from.

Well there you go. If it's not about the money, then why quibble over a few thousand dollars?

Work balance is super important. That last contracting gig I was at, they kept wanting to move me to a different contract vehicle because of my skill set and even offered me a pay bump to entice me. I kept declining because my current customer site was super convenient for my commute, and I actually genuinely liked the customer and the work was interesting. The extra money would have increased my commute by double I was sure the customer would be need more attention. Just wasn't worth it to me...
The customer liked me enough that they offered me a full time gig this past Jan.

I say take the job that was offered and if you find that it's not what you thought it'd be,then keep looking. When you find another job, you'll be in a stronger position to negotiate because you'll be gainfully employed. It's much easier to switch jobs, when you're already working.

Good luck!

[HFAutistic]

I'm probably to late weighing in on this, but here is suggestion: (please rephrase where appropriate, as I do not claim to be tactful... LOL!)

Tell them even though you appreciate the offer of $3000.00 more per year, that is not enough to compensate for the inflationary cost of living over the past 2 years in this area.

Be firm but polite, and stick to facts when you inform them that your most recent Salary is/was 15% higher than the original base pay, plus the additional $3000.00 increase they have offered. Therefore currently employed or not, you do not see the offered compensation as a competitive wage for this area considering your previous work experience with them. Encourage them to feel free to contact your most current employer to verify what you are stating in this regard, but make darn sure your Math is correct and can be verified without any hint of exaggerating.

Regardless of a Recruiter saying or implying any offer as "Firm" or not, keep in mind that there is a huge overlap in any company's salary ranges and designations for any position they are trying to fill. A Recruiter's job is primarily to find the cheapest qualified candidate possible for the position. They will never offer you more than the lowest salary for any particular positions they are trying to fill.

Likewise, in them contacting you as a former employee of their organization, it means they valued your previous employment experience with them, and respected it enough to consider you for re-employment rather than a complete stranger off the streets.

You see, just because the economy is bad right now doesn't mean the company has not been awarded a contract they obviously view as profitable for them. Thus your experience is being sought after for that, and therefore the pay and benefits should, without question, be duly compensated for. Never accept any Recruiter's excuse of "It's the Economy Stupid" for taking a lower salary than you were making from any previous employer.