Need help w/ work/salary negotiation related questions

[devotchka]

Hey Mamas - has this ever happened to you? I interviewed for a part time job in June, and it seemed like love at first sight. It was a flexible position time-wise, and it's only 4 miles from here. It might be a little dull creativity wise but I need something so I shouldn't be picky. The only issue was that when she asked what I wanted salary wise and I basically told her what I have been making at my last position, and we translated it to hourly since it was p/t, and I saw a little micro-expression (quick flash of an emotion) on her face of shock (I see these things a lot now that I watched "Lie to me" - random fact) It is shocking that I made a decent living as a mid-career graphic designer, apparently. We get pretty underpaid around here. Anyway... we also discussed benefits and I made it clear I wanted them and she said they start at 30-32 hours a week, which I was fine with.

That was a friday. I wrote a thank you email that day and the following monday, she said she would get in touch by the end of that week to talk about the next steps. Then I didn't hear from her for a week and a half. I followed up to say that I would be going on vacation for a week and would get in touch when I got back (and she said she looked forward to that). I got in touch when I got back and she didn't get back to me at all. I called a week later and they told me she was on vacation, and I finally wrote another follow up email and FINALLY got a response. She basically said that she was interested in me for the position, and that they had originally budgeted a salary range and that was an issue for her, and did I have any wiggle room in my rate. She also said they had NOT budgeted benefits for this position. WTF... that would have been good to know during the interview. I was annoyed but I have nothing else going on, I guess it's a slow economy and summertime but none of the contracts I was hoping for have come through. So I came back with a lower rate and she emailed me saying she wanted me to come in to discuss it further. 

Have you guys ever done a salary negotiation in person? I haven't and am not sure what to expect. Would I be able to think about it if she offers me something or do I have to answer on the spot? I guess it depends on the person interviewing/company/situation but I am just wondering in general, what this implies. 

TIA

[irishsara]

I've only ever done a salary negotiation over the phone. I think it depends on what you want. Do you NEED more money. Are you willing to take less? Do you NEED benefits, etc. Figure out what you want and need and go in planning to stick to it. Unless you really are flexible.

They may offer you on the spot, but I always ask for 24 hours to get back to them. I like to be able to discuss it with DH to make sure its worth it.

Good luck!!!

[devotchka]

Jul 16, 2013 15:29:06 GMT -5 irishsara said:

I've only ever done a salary negotiation over the phone. I think it depends on what you want. Do you NEED more money. Are you willing to take less? Do you NEED benefits, etc. Figure out what you want and need and go in planning to stick to it. Unless you really are flexible.

They may offer you on the spot, but I always ask for 24 hours to get back to them. I like to be able to discuss it with DH to make sure its worth it.

Good luck!!!

I think I am going to do that. I can't imagine she wouldn't let me, rt? 

I think I want her to at least meet me in the middle of the rate that I gave her last time, it's $5 more than the range she gave me (hourly) but since it's zero benefits, a few more $ per hour will make a difference. The main thing I want to see if she can do is at least give me a trial period and see if she can raise my rate after that, or get me benefits within a certain timeframe. If not, it's just not a great incentive to stay. 

Overall, part time is just really hard. It seems like people think it's an excuse to pay people crap. I think I will have to find something full time eventually even though I don't want to... 

[livinreality]

The only time I did salary negotiations in person, I already had a job was just looking for a better job. So basically I went into the interview wanting X, they offered Y and then when I waivered they offered Y with a performance review in 90 days that with outstanding marks would bring me almost to my requested X (but not quite). It was friday and I told them I would get back with them on Monday.

I accepted and it all worked out really well. My recommendation is to go in with clear cut expectation of what you want, as in I must make $5 and have medical insurance and paid holidays, then ask for a little more but know what you are willing to settle for.

[devotchka]

Jul 16, 2013 15:56:08 GMT -5 livinreality said:

The only time I did salary negotiations in person, I already had a job was just looking for a better job. So basically I went into the interview wanting X, they offered Y and then when I waivered they offered Y with a performance review in 90 days that with outstanding marks would bring me almost to my requested X (but not quite). It was friday and I told them I would get back with them on Monday.

I accepted and it all worked out really well. My recommendation is to go in with clear cut expectation of what you want, as in I must make $5 and have medical insurance and paid holidays, then ask for a little more but know what you are willing to settle for.

great, thank you!