Thursday of last week I had an interview with a company I've been trying to get into for quite some time (almost 4 years to be exact). I won't know anything until week after next, the hiring manager went on vacation.
That being said and not being biased I believe the interviews (yes interviews, it lasted almost 3 hours and was with 6 different people) went very well. There no real set schedules at the company, it appears that if you excel well in your position promotion/lateral opportunities are limitless, the culture is great, and the individuals I met were phenomenal people. However, the particular position I interviewed for they are requesting a set schedule and a time commitment to the position.
The recruiter gave me the hourly range of the position and I am okay with the upper end of that range. Not out of greed, for the simple fact the upper end of that range is my very bottom line. I have verbally agreed to being okay with the hourly range, set schedule, and time commitment to the position. I was assured that I wouldn't have to sign anything pertaining to the time commitment (they want a minimum of two years in the position). My ideal range is 3 dollars an hour more than the very top of the range I was made privy to.
Do you think I could leverage the fact that this position, out of almost all the other positions, is being requested to be filled for a certain amount of time with a set schedule to negotiate more money? Again, not to do so out of greed, but to get closer to my ideal range vice my absolute bottom line?
Or should I stick with what I [verbally] agreed to, do my time, and then seek a lateral position? If push comes to shove and I believe it will blow my chances of a final offer I will accept their latest and best offer. After so long of trying to get into this company I don't blow any chance I might have...I guess in my mind it just seems reasonable to request compensation for something outside the norm of the company. The hiring manager himself even stated in my phone interview that no one has a set schedule and most people come to the company for growth opportunities, except this one position due to the request of their internal customer.
Am I out of line in my thought process of trying to leverage this? What would you do?
Thank you for your time any information/thoughts/ideas you're willing to provide.
Answers
Shane -
This is something all too common, and I am inclined to agree with the other comments here. However - there is something more to ask for.
I've worked at least a few jobs and considered many more where the pay was quite a bit below what I wanted/should have made. However - you already know two benefits you're getting out of what seems like a compromise right now - a company you're excited to join - and a team/culture you want to be a part of. Never underestimate the importance of being excited when you wake up each morning to get to your job.
Another thing to ask would be - do they offer other perks such as the possibility of attending professional conferences etc? Last year, I worked my hiney off on my job, even got stressed out a LOT (enough to drink up to a 15 lb weight gain). AND then - for purely personal reasons, I left well before the bonus period. Why was I ok to do this? Because they paid for me to do all of the following last year:
1. I took a week out of my paid vacation to attend a conference in Chicago - it was part vacay and part professional experience.
2. I got paid all expenses - hotel, train, fees - to attend a second conference in DC tied to a vendor product we were extensively using. Immeasurable experience there (contacts, ideas implement are just the tip of the iceberg)
3. Due to my professional involvement in the veterans org at work, I got to attend a full day of a networking event brainstorming about how to get more vets into the workforce at a Fortune-100 event
4. I got nominated for a 6-8 week training session for mission/vision development - applied both to my life at work and personally.
5. I got to go to Vegas to attend AWS Re:Invent and get countless, immeasurably valuable contacts all over the industry
6. Last but not least, I got awarded for my work in the veterans org and got a 1-1 coaching program for 4 weeks, plus a professional evaluation of skills
I hate to say it, but even with my company (Financial) and my efforts, I don't believe any bonus could have come close to that investment in me. When I thanked my superiors for it, their response was a very inspiring "Well, you asked to go ... "
So - I agree that you shouldn't commit to a number that's not financially viable for you. But if that is not a consideration/concern, this would be an equally beneficial - and potentially longer-term perk to inquire about ....
You should have said you were OK with the upper end of the range. Sounds like you didn’t. If you try to renegotiate now you’re screwing any future with that company - they won’t trust you. Learn and move on.
Hello Shane,
Having had a couple of corporate careers, my immediate reaction is to stick with what you committed to -- and especially since you've spent a long term trying to get with this company. While it might be OK to ask if they can do better based on how they're structuring tenure, etc., I believe it's more important to state you're willing to follow through with your early commitment to them.
Just one person's opinion . . .
Good luck!
Best, JS
Hi Shane,
Thanks so much for your question! I found this article from Monster.com (https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/salary-negotiation-guide) that helps offer some additional insight on how and when it is appropriate to negotiate your salary which I hope you find helpful. I would also recommend checking out our community section and inboxing some advisors from the industry you are interviewing in as they will be able to offer some first-hand insight.
Best of luck!
Lindsey
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