How to negotiate salary when offered a promotion? (employment, 2014, tips)

[WoodDum2014]

I have been working at x company for some time now. I have proven myself and to my employer that I am a valued employee. I have been offered a promotion to a higher level position but the details have yet to be discussed (duties and salary). I currently make roughly $35,000/year. I want to be prepared with what to say in the event they offer me a salary that is less than what I want. This is a promotion they came to me with based off my performance so I believe I will have some leverage. Any tips welcome.

[MJ7]

What do you want to make?

[WoodDum2014]

Originally Posted by MJ7

What do you want to make?

Ideally $50,000 and no lower than $40,000. Does that sound unreasonable?

[johnrex62]

It depends on what the job will generate in income/productivity to the company and how well the company is doing finacially. If you are talking about a job where you can generate a couple hundred grand to the company bottom line, that is much different than one where you generate nothing and the rest of the company offsets your expense.

Also, what does the industry pay for this position? If all of your peers earn $70k, then $50 is a bargain. If they only get $25, start thinking salary reduction in exchange for job stability.


There is no one answer to your question as there are too many business variables for us to provide you with a clear cut response.

[beera]

What industry do you work in? Do you know what people higher up make?

[Chicago87]

$35,000 to $50,000 is a big jump for an internal promotion which are typically 5% to 10%. Even going from $35,000 to $40,000 is a 14% increase.

What type of education and experience do you have and what exactly do you do?

[move4ward]

Is it a step up to management or the same role with just higher pay? It's a bit hard to make a large jump without previous management experience. After 2 years experience, you would be worth significantly more.

Generally, internal moves will always be smaller than jumping ship. Other companies have lure you away with extra cash.

[MJ7]

Originally Posted by WoodDum2014

Ideally $50,000 and no lower than $40,000. Does that sound unreasonable?

Depends on the role, however, a step fashion promotion (on a ladder system) would probably be more around 15-20% increase in pay. You really need to sit down with your boss and discuss your employment plan with the company. You really need to make a list of goals that you would like to achieve (in the broad sense) and then list things (that your boss can help you with) that will help you get there.

Do not be surprised if the increase is more around the 8% margin. At the company I currently work at I have come to hear through the grapevine that the raises are poor and many people do not get promoted. It all depends on the company and how they view your work. If you are an essential asset they will have no problem honoring that with a nice promotion and raise.

You can try to negotiate a little, however, often times you are not in a position to do so. What are you going to say, "I want a 15% raise and if you can not meet me there then I will stay at my current position"? You are really subject to what they are willing to offer you. If they offer you something you are not comfortable with there is always more options (find a different job). Express what you would like to earn in x position and see what they offer, go from there. Good luck

[joe from dayton]

Can't say without knowing the salary range for the position, what current holders of the position make and what they typically start that position out in. Internal promotions like this generally don't have huge pay raises and you really don't have a position to bargain from, but they may have a little wiggle room. Where I work it is, "Here is the position and this is the pay." If you don't take it, they move on to candidate #2.

[WoodDum2014]

Originally Posted by joe from dayton

Can't say without knowing the salary for the position, what current holders of the position make and what they typically start that position out in. Internal promotions like this generalIy won't have huge pay raises and you really don't have a position to bargain from, but they may have a little wiggle room. Where I work it is, "Here is the position and this is the pay." If you don't take it, they move on to candidate #2.

All I know right now is that they are creating this position for me. So, it is not an established position already. It will be a lead position and I will be assisting my manager with his duties because he needs back up. I work in the medical field/customer service.