I just got an offer of 105k base.
When I started the interview process the recruiter told me 115-120k base (I have it written in my notes).
The hiring mgr (a friend) told me the team was “floored” by my performance in the interviews so I am inclined to think this is some kind of discrepancy, rather than a lowball. Especially since 105 isn’t even in the range she initially told me.
Anyone have tips on how to negotiate with the recruiter tomorrow…?

likehelpfulsmart
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As a past recruiter it’s an everyday occurrence, and the balls in your court with such feedback from an interview. It may feel awkward asking for more but remember the recruiter is a middle man to make this easier. I’d start just by saying thank you for the offer and I’m truly excited by the opportunity, then say but I may have misunderstood and believed there was a range of 115-120. I’d just say as you can see from my experience and review I have the ability to really add value, however would really be looking to secure a base of $…. . Worst comes to worse they say no, but you can always try negotiate other things instead, sign ons, days off, working hours or even to write it a pay review after just 3 months.

No harm in asking!

likesmart

@LM1 yes you definitely have to stay on top of them for anything “promised” down the line!

Keep it to the facts. Basically, you are excited about this offer. Your initial salary call you mentioned the salary was $115-$120 base. After meeting with the team and how you you feel you can add value, you would like $120 base.

Then let them respond.

likehelpfulsmart

Exactly

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You can say,
“Thank you for offering me the position of [ ] at [ ] I’m genuinely excited about the opportunity and believe I am the perfect fit for your company. When I first discussed the salary range, I was told it was between 115 and 120k, and your offer is significantly lower than my desired salary. I would feel more comfortable accepting an offer that is closer to 125k, as I am currently being considered for roles in the range of 120-130k. I’m willing to be more flexible on my salary as my number one priority is finding the right fit, and I am confident that I will contribute immediately to [ ] and the team.”

likesmart

I wish that I could like this 10x over haha

HELLO EVERYONE.
I talked to the recruiter on Monday; the initially quoted 115-120 range was a “mistake”. I was calm and polite and told her that candidly I would not have continued this long in the process had I known the range was 95–105. She apologized for any “misunderstanding” and I asked her about bridging the gap since I could not seriously consider signing with an offer below 120.
She said she could not get me up to 120 but she would go back to her partners to see what she could do.
She called me this morning — got me to 115!! 🎉 Obv 120 would have been better but she said she advocated for me re my interview performance, relevant skills, etc. It was almost a blessing in disguise because had there not been this discrepancy I don’t think my negotiation would have held that much weight.
Anyway, yay! Thanks everyone for your help and I feel comfortable and confident accepting at 115. Things have a funny way of working themselves out sometimes.

likeuplifting

Thank you !

I’d just tell them you were originally quoted $115-120k as the base range, and you want to negotiate to $120k of that range.

like

I would explain that you want 120k and go for it

Also please don’t say the hiring manager was lying I’ve known him for 5 years and he’s a good friend so that is not the case.

likefunny

SBA1 yes this was the case. If you go to the main thread, I posted an update

I'm terrible at negotiating - regardless of it being a job offer or a vehicle. I just don't have the people skills or the people *patience* to do it.

Instead, I just tell them to give me the *BEST* that they can do, and I make it clear that I will either accept it and we can close the deal, or I'll simply decline and walk away. That's it - one chance.

If/when I decline and they come back again with something else ("Hey, I just found another $7500," or "I just talked with HR and we can start you with 4 weeks of vacation") , then I know that I was dealing with someone (or some company) that was being dishonest with me, despite my being honest with them. That makes them unworthy of my trust and thus I am not comfortable doing business with them or working for them.

I know that approach seems a bit odd, or presumptuous... maybe even idiotic. And yes, I have absolutely had people refuse to do it and shut the proverbial door in my face, but I find it saves time and it works for me. YMMV.

likeuplifting

Thanks for your input!

like

The hiring manager is your friend. Ask them where they got the 115-120K.
Your mental health is more important than making people happy. That 105K will cause you mental discomfort for the next 12 months

like

Ya I may ask for hiring bonus!

like

What does the rest of the offer look like? Bonus? RSU’s? Sometimes they may try to pad the bonus and RSU’s and claim that the entire offer is more valuable.

Unfortunately, this is a game. Stick to your guns. “While I enjoyed interviewing with everything and am excited about the position, this compensation package isn’t one that is competitive. Please see if you can get the base above $120k for me to seriously consider this offer.”

like

Thank you!!

Post-Interview questionnaire has a question for interviewers - how many years do you think the candidate could be promoted to the next level. If they answer 2/3 years then they hire you for level 1 or 2 of that position. Level 1 or 2 each has its own base salary range. 115-120k might perhaps be for the level 3/4. Some companies even have upto 8/12 levels within senior. So there you go. But you can stand firm in your base and say you will not accept that range. Typically they try to up the joining bonus to compensate for the base salary you ask for.

likesmart

Hmm ok thank you!

In this specific case - I’d just directly ask your friend who is the literal hiring manager on what’s going on

like

Okay thank you !

First never accept the first offer. Reply back that you’re super excited about the offer but that 105k is below the range discussed. Let them come back with a new number. Then if it’s not the higher end counter again.

You’ve made it to the end of the process. They will not want to lose you especially over 10k and more over that you know you “floored” the interviewers.

like

Yeah. I always negotiate so as I mentioned I will def be doing that it just seems like a strange scenario how the numbers are so off. Totally with you in that they clearly don’t want to lose me so I hope we can get to 120 base!! 🤞🏾

Dude same happened to me! Was told the range was $110-130K. Did my interviews, absolutely crushed them and got an offer for $108K… I told them what they told me the range was and they bumped it up to $110… so strange

like

Woah!! Is this a thing…?

hi EVERYONE talked to the recruiter yesterday; the higher number that she initially quoted was a MISTAKE 🙄🙄🙄

like

Sounds like false advertisement, how convenient of a mistake for them

Easy , just tell them the number you want , eventually it’s their decision whether to hire you or not

smart

They will expect you to negotiate so go for it! Herfirst100k has a free download I think for a negotiation script. Good luck! Never take the first offer.

like

I love HFK I’ll take a look! Thank you so much

If it’s a large publicly traded company your hiring manager has zero insight into or control of the compensation package. This exact thing happened at my current company and my manager, who was also a personal connection outside of work, had no idea what I asked for or what they offered me.

I asked for $125k and they offered $100k. I told them that was way too low and they came back with $115k and a signing bonus of $5k. My manager said “The VP told me you get that negotiation ability once a year are you sure you want to use it on this person?”

like

Exactly. The company would never tell a candidate that directly. I was informed via non-work communications channels. 😬

In my previous company I was lowballed at 105 when I was told I could get 120 base from my recruiter, and the only way I got them to 125 was to prove them that their insurance plan would cost me 20k more in medical costs if I came on board.

Fight for your money, cause companies will try to get you at the lowest cost possible.

like

Interesting, smart approach! Glad you were able to get to that 125k mark

If they said 115-120k then tell them thats what you were expecting as an offer. What is your current base? Did they ask you that?

VP1 base is what people pay their bills with. I dunno. But seems to me that they low balled OP, i would ask for 120 off top!

Do you have this documented somewhere? If you know the HM, why aren't you discussing it with him directly?

I have it in my notes from the first phone screen but nothing in writing from the recruiter. I may discuss with the HM just not sure if it’s bad taste

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