They called me with the offer around 4:15 Friday afternoon. The salary offer was less than I was hoping for, and I re-expressed my interest in the position and with the company but I said to the HR guy that "I was hoping for a salary closer to X amount." I said that while I have not received an offer from Job B, I have had four interviews there and I know the starting salary there is $6k higher, plus the healthcare is free, plus the retirement match is 6% higher, plus there's the tuition benefit since it's a university. The HR guy said he would call back Monday to let me know if they could go any higher on the salary.
Yesterday I heard nothing and panic set in. So far today...nothing. Should I call the HR guy back to ask for an update or to re-iterate my interest in the position? I definitely want this job, and I will accept the initial offer if they can't come up any higher. I don't want to shoot myself in the foot by contacting him again, but it is killing me to just sit and wait for the counter-offer.
I've never negotiated before and don't want to jeopardize the initial offer in any way.
Ok, thanks. I wasn't an ass, just a nervous wreck. These past few months of unemployment have really rattled me, I've never negotiated before, and I really fricking want this job!
Good luck and I agree that you need to just wait. Since it was so late in the day when you spoke to the recruiter it is possible that they didn't even present your requests until Monday. From there it could be a couple of days until they decide or talk to the proper people to make any changes. I hope it works out for you.