RE: Negotiation questions

[Linda Nunes <linda -dot- nunes -at- quest -dot- com>]

There are a few more questions she has to ask herself - right after she
realizes that it's perfectly OK for her to be in charge of her life and it's
OK to inquire about all questions she has about the job.  Moving for a job
is a big deal and it sounds like it's an option for her, not a necessity,
correct?

Looking at the bigger picture. . .the bonus only brings her salary up to
standard for the first year; then it will drop down to substandard.  Is this
OK for her and her living expenses?

Salary is only part of the package.  Do the other benefits make this a job
that better fits her needs than a job that simply gives her a higher salary?

Is this a good job for the short term?  Does it fit her long term goals to
make use of the tuition remission program and them move on to another job
when she has new skills?

If she needs to do more research before she can make an informed decision,
she should do so. Call the prospective employer back today - ask further
questions, then agree on a time for a decision.

And, finally, YES - if she feels she is worth a greater salary, she simply
tells the prospective employer that she cannot accept the position for less
that 'X' amount of salary.  If the answer is 'no', then she knows that she
and the employer would not have been a good fit.


-----Original Message-----
From: anonfwd -at- raycomm -dot- com
To: TECHWR-L
Sent: 4/20/00 6:28 AM
Subject: FWD: Negotiation questions


A friend of mine has been offered a job out of the area, and I was
hoping
someone on the list could help me help her with the negotiations
(neither
of us has ever been in this situation).

The salary offered is about 10k less a year than the median average for
the area in which the job is located; however, the company is offering
her
a lump sum "bonus" for relocation expenses or "whatever she wants to
spend
it on"  that brings the salary close to the average.

Her immediate concern is: is it worth negotiating for more pay since the
combined total of the salary and bonus equals about the average for the
area?   (She thinks most companies try to "lowball" on their first
offer,
so she's wondering if they are expecting her to counter-offer while
hoping
she doesn't.)  I'd hate to see her sell herself short, but I also don't
want her to risk the job.

Her secondary concern is negotiating for time to start.  She can't rent
because she has pets, but she won't be able to close on a house for at
least 60 days.  Is that too much to ask for, in anyone's opinion?
Again, I'd hate for her to ask for too much and risk losing the job (it
has great benefits, including tuition reimbursement, and the company is
located near a school with a terrific Master's program).  She probably
could have someone watch the animals while she rents and looks
for/closes
on a house, but she'd rather not.

On one hand she feels greedy for asking them to get the salary closer to
the median average because 1) the other benefits are so great and 2)
because the salary is close to the average for the first year (including
the bonus).  On the other hand, I know she'd like to be at least a
little
closer to the average (thinking about the future, when she may start
resenting being so far behind the average), and it seems to me they
should
understand the time she needs to buy a house.

Does anyone have any insights or tips on how to negotiate?  Is she out
of
her mind to ask for more?  Or out of her mind to take the job as
offered?
Any tips on how to ask for a higher salary - does she just say "I can't
take less than $X"?  She's supposed to call them this afternoon, so
immediate responses would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance.



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