Salary expectations - am I out of line?

[lgb78]

I am expecting an offer for a job in a new company (I was verbally offered the job, and the recruiter is working with company management on putting together a written offer).  It is a level higher than where I am now, will require 25-50% travel (I have virtually no travel right now) and has significantly more responsibility than my current role.  It is a good opportunity with a large, global company.  It would reduce my commute 20 miles each way and offer more opportunity for growth than where I am now.  I am excited about the role, however, I am not *unhappy* in my current role, just a little restless and my commute sucks (around 50 miles each way).

That being said, I am feeling a bit put-off regarding salary discussions for the role.  I have been working with a recruiter and the range listed in the job posting seemed fair and reasonable.  On the low-end, the base salary was 25% more than I am currently making.  But in relation to the expanded role, that seemed in-line with my expectations.  However, now the recruiter is seeming to back-pedal on the salary and it sounds like the offer will come in around 15% more than my current role.  I feel like I am under-paid at the moment.

I understand the economy is tough right now, but I am trying to figure out how to proceed.  I am def. wanting to negotiate because I don't want to sell myself short, but maybe I am just being unrealistic with my expectations? 

This is a mid-senior level finance role that requires both an advanced degree and CPA license (both of which I have).

[Deleted]

I don't think you are out of line. If the company knows how much you currently make, they probably think they are being fair since you are getting a raise. But you don't have to accept. Keep negotiating!
Did the recruiter give you the wrong range originally?

[vanillacourage]

For 50% travel (up from zero) I would need a lot more than a 15% bump.

[lgb78]

Jan 25, 2013 12:49:08 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

It doesn't really matter what the new rate is in comparison to your current rate, what matters is how it compares to what the average salary is for the new position. I'll say, though, that for that level of increased travel alone I personally would want at least the 25% increase.

I don't think you're being unreasonable and would push the recruiter to explain the discrepancy.

That is my thought as well.  I am fairly certain the range posted was the midrange for the position.  However, I am worried that the recruiter is putting too much emphasis on my current salary vs. the expectations of the new role.  I am waiting to see what they come back with, I was hoping to hear something today, so we'll see.

[lgb78]

Jan 25, 2013 13:46:23 GMT -5 @vicmo said:

I'm a little confused by your comments about the salary range. Are you saying that the range in the job description was X to Y, where X was a 25% increase on your current salary, and now the recruiter is saying that the offer will be even less than X, but still between your current salary and X?

I would not be happy about receiving an offer that was below the range originally provided in the job description.

Yes, this is exactly what I am saying.  While I haven't received the official offer, I will be pretty unhappy if it ends up coming in under the range in the job description, which it sounds like it is heading in that direction. 

The recruiter's attitude is that in his experience, a 15% increase to change jobs is "fair".  The whole conversation on the subject left a pretty bad taste in my mouth.  The recruiter is independant of the company, however, this company exclusively uses his services to recruit for finance roles. 

[MrsE]

Jan 25, 2013 12:55:25 GMT -5 c7 said:

Jan 25, 2013 12:49:08 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

It doesn't really matter what the new rate is in comparison to your current rate, what matters is how it compares to what the average salary is for the new position. I'll say, though, that for that level of increased travel alone I personally would want at least the 25% increase.

I don't think you're being unreasonable and would push the recruiter to explain the discrepancy.

Ditto all of this.  Sounds like they are going to low ball you.  You should push back.

Tritto


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[SuziSaysDa]

Oh no, that would not sit well with me - I walked from a job offer once b/c the recruiter told me the higher salary I was negotiating for was not an issue, but then the company would not budged, and he said it was still a food offer based on what I was making previously - so I tend to not trust recruiters in the first place and now refuse to work with that firm for my hiring.

Definitely push back, and if he uses the 15% is a fair increase, tell him you only applied for he job and were willing to do the required travel/increased responsibilities for a salary in the range that was originally presented to you. It is not about what you were making before, it is about the market rate for this position.