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HungryHobo comments on Munchkining for Fun and Profit, Ideas, Experience, Successes, Failures - Less Wrong Discussion

8 Post author: Username 19 December 2014 05:39AM

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Comment author: HungryHobo 19 December 2014 02:39:48PM 13 points [-]

for a really simple one?

negotiate your salary. personally I find it hard/nerve racking to do but it's worth it and very very low risk.

it sounds simple but often people are afraid that the offer will be dropped entirely. On average those who negotiate get a few percent more but that compounds fast.

If you're really special or they really really want you then, sure, negotiate hard but even if you're just a normal person in a normal job a polite little note like this in reply to the first salary offer can make a notable difference:

"I am delighted to have been offered the position. I would appreciate if you could consider offering the position at a slightly higher [whatever the term for the local pay scale is], on the basis that this role represents considerably more responsibility than my current role and the qualifications I possess relevant to this position, which I feel are a particularly optimal fit."

They're very very unlikely to discard your application at this point since they already decided they want you. they might say no but very likely they'll offer you slightly more.

Comment author: [deleted] 19 December 2014 04:31:06PM 4 points [-]

Large companies have pretty standardized salaries (it's one way to fight biases that could result in lawsuits). They also tend to view employees as more fungible, so you'll be less likely to point at skills that make you uniquely qualified for a particular position. Even so, pushing back could give you a 5% salary increase.

Comment author: HungryHobo 19 December 2014 04:45:50PM *  2 points [-]

absolutely but even in a government or semi-state where the salaries are very very standardised you are still allowed to ask and often it will work.

Some people seem to assume that they're not allowed to ask just because there's a structure.