Have you ever negotiated a salary?

Question

Have you ever had to negotiate a salary? How did it turn out? Or do you usually simply take what is offered?

AviatorTom · Accepted Answer

Yes I have, successfully.

Several years ago, I was laid off due to downsizing and went to work for a competitor. I was originally offered less than my previous job, which I politely declined. I got my employer to agree to my salary being the same as in my previous company, plus a monthly allowance to handle the fact that I had to temporarily relocate from my home.

A few years later, I returned to my original company, and they offered me the going rate which was less than what I earned at the time I was laid off. If they wanted me to return, which they did, the minimum salary I would accept is my old salary, and they agreed.

When negotiating a salary, I've found it best to let them offer a salary first. When they ask you what salary you want (almost always a standard question), answer with "What are you offering?" Based on their answer, you can then accept the offer, or point out a higher salary (typically, a bit more than what you really want). Fairness is important, which includes understanding what the company already pays its employees in positions similar to yours, with your experience. If you want a higher salary, be prepared to explain why you are worth it to the company. They will agree with you if it's to their advantage.

WindAtMyBack · Accepted Answer

Of course. Dozens of times. I once negotiated for two full days. Got an extra $18 per hour plus 10 hours a week guaranteed overtime out of it.

They'll likely low ball you if you don't negotiate. But on rare occasions they will offer more than I would have asked for. So I try to get them to make the first offer.

FreyaRed · Accepted Answer

Depends. One strategy is to convince your boss you need more money for living, another is to threat that you will leave if you don't get more. Of course second strategy works only if you're difficult to replace.

7Phoenix7 · Accepted Answer

Honestly I’ve never had to negotiate. The raises offered with my promotions were always generous enough that I didn’t feel the need to push further.

Phoenix98 · Answer

I don't know if I'd call it a negotiation my job screwed me a few years ago pay wise I won't go into details but I basically confronted my boss, turned our entire workforce against him and then told him I was quitting the moment I secured a new job if this wasn't made right.

Make a short story shorter the CEO and owner of our entire company got involved and my boss and him agreed they did in fact screw me over and it was made right and I was given an appropriate raise.

I was told to please not do this again and I told them so long as they didn't screw me over again I wouldn't.

Hagar88 · Answer

Yes. A few times. Always better if you have another paying salary fof them to beat because if you dont it hurts all the more if you demand more than they are willing to pay and they walk or you have to suck it up and take their low offer because you got no choice.

OneViewpoint · Answer

Sure, I always assume that salary, incentive bonus, equity compensation, and vacation are all negotiable at the executive level. Entry level office jobs, warehouse, retail, and fast food jobs, not so much.

exitseven · Answer

Yes, several times. I usually got some kind of counter offer. Once I had a job offer and they would not budge an inch so I walked away.

MrChinaski · Answer

Yes, gently. The jobs I have had generally had very rigid salary bands, so placement in the band is important, but it's not worth losing too much skin in the process... promotion to the next job is how income increases in that sort of system.

Tarifa · Answer

I did. I got two offers for a job at the same time. One paid more, but wasn't exactly to my liking. So I asked the second interviewer to match what the previous one offered.

Simslover92 · Answer

Yes I have and unfortunately didn't get what I asked for. Stuck at $15 an hour.

RandomGirl42 · Answer

I tried but I work for my parents so that didn't really work out very good. 😳

Bricealan · Answer

@BCRanger10 Never negotiated a salary, in that I never held an 'in demand credential, or skill, that allowed me to do that, although that would have been nice to be able to do.

msmissydc · Answer

Yesnt. Not salary but my freelancer contract, I am not officially employed. I do write a column for a newspaper weekly.

Purpleronnie · Answer

I state my salary expectations at every interview , always have. Typically they are market rate plus 10%

DarKnight36 · Answer

Of course I did. It all turned into a world where people's efforts weren't appreciated.If they determined to pay less, there's no point in stopping.Of course I did. It all turned into a world where people's efforts weren't appreciated.

Billlewis · Answer

Yes — I told the owners that if they cut my pay, I’d walk.

uzumymw · Answer

Yea I have and succeeded Asked more than my goal, they offered my goal and I agreed

NathanDavis · Answer

I took what they offered... and negotiated promotions

Agape93 · Answer

Yeap and will be negotiating a raise next month.

tfan1 · Answer

No it’s always and this is how much it pays.

Anonymous · Answer

I did, the company i am working for now initially intended to pay me 36k annually. I negotiated them up to 50k and a 10k signing bonus. this was 12 years ago. im now well into 6 figures.

LiamJHayden · Answer

Not a salary, but I negotiate charges to clients.

queenofcardio · Answer

No, I never had to

Dennisjf12 · Answer

No I have not ever needed to.

Massageman · Answer

Never had to for various reasons.

ponderingpaul · Answer

Many times at my insistence

fish5505_87 · Answer

Yes!, Not the norm, but yes.

DishLady · Answer

Yup.

sage2021 · Answer

Yes, and I won! 😊

beenherebefore · Answer

Never had to.

Anonymous · Answer

I wish

fenella · Answer

Absolutely 1000%

Have you ever negotiated a salary?

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