Job offer advice

HuskerfaninOkieland

HuskerfaninOkieland

Heisman Trophy Winner
Yesterday I submitted my resume for a position I found in a profession closely related to what I would like to do (EHS). This morning they asked me to submit an "Application of Employment" which I did. They emailed me back with what appears to be a job offer which is great but it's not at the salary range I'd like to be (though it's close). They contacted me via email so I haven't talked directly with them. Is it acceptable practice to ask for more information on the position but more importantly, the salary/wage aspect of things i.e. is it negotiable, etc? It offers benefits which I don't need since I have medical/dental benefits already and we can survive on the salary they listed considering I'll have my military retirement but it would be nice if I could get $4-6K a year more. This whole civilian hiring process is greek to me so I'm at a loss.

 
HuskerfaninOkieland said:
Yesterday I submitted my resume for a position I found in a profession closely related to what I would like to do (EHS). This morning they asked me to submit an "Application of Employment" which I did. They emailed me back with what appears to be a job offer which is great but it's not at the salary range I'd like to be (though it's close). They contacted me via email so I haven't talked directly with them. Is it acceptable practice to ask for more information on the position but more importantly, the salary/wage aspect of things i.e. is it negotiable, etc? It offers benefits which I don't need since I have medical/dental benefits already and we can survive on the salary they listed considering I'll have my military retirement but it would be nice if I could get $4-6K a year more. This whole civilian hiring process is greek to me so I'm at a loss.
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Yes, it is, you have to be your biggest advocate. A few years back I was offered a Principal position and the first offer was low and I basically just said "Yeah, that is kind of what I make right now, with my coaching and camps that I run" well, he changed the number right there, right away. It was still low and I never took it but yes, it is okay.

 
Just send them this gif:

showmemoney_original.gif


They'll get the hint

 
Did the initial application have a "Requested Salary" or anything like that?

Salaries are almost always negotiable. If they were that quick to make you an offer, it seems you would have some leverage. No business could expect you to make a decision such as this without more information. Don't be afraid to request more information regarded compensation, whether that includes salary, benefits, retirement, etc. Depending on this compensation package, you may find the "salary" portion is actually reasonable because of the other benefits.

If you are still not happy with the dollar figure, I would surely try to negotiate. This is their "initial offer." Let them know what you were hoping to make for a position such as this one. If they need you badly, or you are a great prospect, which fast offers such as this often indicate, I'd expect them to meet your demands or meet you halfway.

 
I think it's become more and more common for applicants to negotiate salary and vacation. I would definitely push for whatever you can. You could try to negotiate a hiring bonus or something like that as well if you're moving and their relo package isn't up to snuff

 
QMany said:
Did the initial application have a "Requested Salary" or anything like that?

Salaries are almost always negotiable. If they were that quick to make you an offer, it seems you would have some leverage. No business could expect you to make a decision such as this without more information. Don't be afraid to request more information regarded compensation, whether that includes salary, benefits, retirement, etc. Depending on this compensation package, you may find the "salary" portion is actually reasonable because of the other benefits.

If you are still not happy with the dollar figure, I would surely try to negotiate. This is their "initial offer." Let them know what you were hoping to make for a position such as this one. If they need you badly, or you are a great prospect, which fast offers such as this often indicate, I'd expect them to meet your demands or meet you halfway.
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There wasn't anything I found that asked for a suggested/requested salary. Only mention was "Starting salary based on experience" which I don't necessarily have a lot of (I wasn't EHS in the military though I dealt/managed EHS related programs for our shop).

What's the best way then to respond then? The last email I got from the hiring manager basically said "The starting salary for this position is around $XXXXX.00. Please let me know if you are still interested." Hell I'm not even sure that's an actual job offer

 
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beanman said:
I think it's become more and more common for applicants to negotiate salary and vacation. I would definitely push for whatever you can. You could try to negotiate a hiring bonus or something like that as well if you're moving and their relo package isn't up to snuff
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No relo required on my part so that's out. It's here in the OKC area. My biggest concern/worry is becoming to pushy to the point they shut the door on any chance there was.

This crap was so much easier in the military. "This is what you're getting paid. Deal with it and shut up." lol

 
Definitely ask for more information about the job. Potentially, you could have this job for a long time, so knowing what your getting yourself into is extremely important.

More importantly, absolutely talk about negotiable salary. You just tell them you're looking for a job with a bit more money because you're already making X amount of dollars at your current job. Do they have wiggle room?

Something else to consider. Tell them you're entertaining other job offers, or potentially have a job offer already. I did this with one job and not only did they hire me the day I told them this but they also gave me a pay increase. I was actually looking at other jobs at the time, but I had no other official offers.

 
Some places will also offer you an increase in salary if you decline some benefits - which it sounds like you aren't interested in. Might be worth asking about that as well.

 
I guess before I get too excited, this is the email they sent me (in case it got lost in my post above)

The hiring manager basically said "The starting salary for this position is around $XXXXX.00. Please let me know if you are still interested."

Would that be considered an actual job offer or more for informative purposes?

 
I wouldn't call that a bona fide offer. But keep asking them questions. Their willingness to respond to you and the info they give you will help you guage their interest even if they aren't making offers yet. Either way, try to negotiate and be willing to walk away.

 
Ulty said:
I wouldn't call that a bona fide offer. But keep asking them questions. Their willingness to respond to you and the info they give you will help you guage their interest even if they aren't making offers yet. Either way, try to negotiate and be willing to walk away.
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Yeah it didn't quite sound like one to me as well but this is a first for me so I wasn't sure how this all works.

I did email the guy back asking for more information on the position itself.

 
Reply by thanking him, telling him that you are indeed still interested in the position, and asking whether the salary is negotiable. There are two time in which you have some leverage when negotiating salary - when you are applying and then after you do exceptional work over a period of time and make yourself as close to indispensable as you can (some would argue that a third time is when you get a better offer and go to your manager and let him or her know, but the reality is that if they haven't bumped your salary by that point, odds are they won't match the offer).

 
Thanks for the advice so far. The issue I'm facing now isn't so much the salary (though it would be nice if it were higher) as much as it is the level of responsibility (high) compared the level of experience I can bring (low). When I initially submitted my resume, I assumed it was a position in an established department with a solid program in place and I would be hired on more as an entry level type employee which I'm perfectly happy with. After talking with the HR manager a little more via email, there is no established department and it would be a one deep position (EHS Coordinator). My level of experience is limited so the struggle I'm facing now is whether or not I should pursue it further or say thanks but no thanks with an explanation why. The level of responsibility isn't the concern for me. I dealt with that in my 24 years in the military. It's the level of experience (or lack thereof on my part) that is my limfac right now. I haven't given it up yet. Talking with my wife, I'll probably contact them via phone and talk with them some more to see what it is they're looking for in their new employee to see if it's something that would be beneficial for everyone. The HR manager is coming across as a douche in his email so a phone call, I think, is in order

 
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