Offer - Counteroffer advice

**Bromontana** · 11-11-2014, 04:55 PM

I've been on the other side for half a dozen or so hires and, not that I agree with it, but my employer usually rescinds offers if more money is requested. If you're a rare talent in development or a targeted hire you can haggle a little, but the tolerance for dicking around with negotiations is quite low. Know the firm before you risk the role.

**Lindahl** · 11-11-2014, 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by butterscotch

Perhaps this is too obvious to say, but be as confident as possible when asking for more. If you go in all, "well, uh, i kinda...you see..." then you lose. Practice what you're going to say and how you're going to say it. As a twist on what Lindahl said, point out how much value you'll be bringing to the company and how much having you on the team will benefit them. Of course, if you already told them your current salary, then you've got a tough road ahead of you.

As an aside, I've negotiated another $10,000 upwards after telling them my current salary by justifying it with additional responsibilities and other bull that I wasn't doing in my current position. This works better if they don't really understand what you do (ie engineers). So all is not lost even if they know what you're currently making. Spend some time thinking about how to work them and go in with a plan. Think of it like a public speech or writing an essay.

I usually negotiate starting bonuses or relocation packages as well. Not sure if those are common in your career though.

**AdironRider** · 11-11-2014, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by Bromontana

I've been on the other side for half a dozen or so hires and, not that I agree with it, but my employer usually rescinds offers if more money is requested. If you're a rare talent in development or a targeted hire you can haggle a little, but the tolerance for dicking around with negotiations is quite low. Know the firm before you risk the role.

So don't work for Bromontana's company then. Good to know.

That's seriously shitty. I think I would rescind an offer if my potential employee didn't at least try and negotiate.

**stuckathuntermtn** · 11-11-2014, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by systemoverblow'd

We have 4 different health plans and 2 dental. Your employer doesn't give you any options? Is it just PPO or fuck you?

No, I've probably just never worked for a very good company.

**glademaster** · 11-11-2014, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by AdironRider

So don't work for Bromontana's company then. Good to know.

That's seriously shitty. I think I would rescind an offer if my potential employee didn't at least try and negotiate.

Seems like sound advice all around. How is presenting a potential employer with a counter offer "dicking around with negotiations." If that's how they roll, they should make it abundantly clear that their number is final from the get-go.

Or, there's the other strategy of not telling someone you've offered a job anything about the salary, and asking them "what they think they should make for the work."

**Grape_Ape** · 11-12-2014, 10:34 AM

It took some resolve to push send on the email yesterday, but I asked for mo' money. I'll keep you posted...even if it blows up in my face.

I think I phrased it like, "I need to do more skiing, up my salary please".

**shroom** · 11-12-2014, 10:37 AM

nice. we found someone to fund digitaldeath's PNW vacation this year.

**NoPostholio** · 11-12-2014, 12:11 PM

Home depot dropped Tony Stewart and signed digitaldummy

**mnflyfish** · 11-12-2014, 11:10 PM

If your happy with the salary ask for a additional week of vacation. That's more important than money come a powder day.

**Deebased** · 11-12-2014, 11:22 PM

Originally Posted by mnflyfish

If your happy with the salary ask for a additional week of vacation. That's more important than money come a powder day.

Nnflyfish has it right. Unless you need a COLA get the fucking week of vacation...

**creaky fossil** · 11-13-2014, 12:31 PM

until the planned vacation day/powder day = crunch time and you don't get to use it, sorry we really need ya here, you can use it in the spring when it's slowed down

**Grape_Ape** · 11-13-2014, 02:45 PM

Update - just spoke on the phone with the VP. He met me in the middle with salary, couldn't up the signing bonus (and explained why - seemed legit), and yes on 2 other minor recommendations.

So, I feel pretty good about it. He said that he (and others in the company) were happy that I countered. I guess they think I am a fighter now...or whatever.

That is a huge weight off of my shoulders.

**stfu&gbtw** · 11-13-2014, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by Grape_Ape

Update - just spoke on the phone with the VP. He met me in the middle with salary, couldn't up the signing bonus (and explained why - seemed legit), and yes on 2 other minor recommendations.

So, I feel pretty good about it. He said that he (and others in the company) were happy that I countered. I guess they think I am a fighter now...or whatever.

That is a huge weight off of my shoulders.

Great call! Enjoy the new gig.

**glademaster** · 11-13-2014, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by Grape_Ape

Update - just spoke on the phone with the VP. He met me in the middle with salary, couldn't up the signing bonus (and explained why - seemed legit), and yes on 2 other minor recommendations.

So, I feel pretty good about it. He said that he (and others in the company) were happy that I countered. I guess they think I am a fighter now...or whatever.

That is a huge weight off of my shoulders.

You don't want to work for any company that won't at least listen to and consider a counter-offer. Congrats, may your new job bring you enough money to not have to work that much longer.

**Bromontana** · 11-13-2014, 03:16 PM

Congrats meng

**Tippster** · 11-13-2014, 03:19 PM

Congrats, Dood!

**liv2ski** · 11-13-2014, 04:13 PM

Well done. I am happy that worked out for you.

**mall walker** · 11-13-2014, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by glademaster

You don't want to work for any company that won't at least listen to and consider a counter-offer.

This is an often overlooked point. How a company conducts the entire interview/negotiation process is a reflection on, often, your future manager. If they aren't reasonable to deal with before you work with them, odds are they'll be even less reasonable once you're an employee.

That said, sounds like Grape_Ape scored a sweet job, congrats

**Grape_Ape** · 11-13-2014, 04:42 PM

Thanks guys. I was a bit surprised when I sat down with my current employer to tell them about this other offer I had received. I was on conference with the owner and the VP of my office. The owner was a dick. He inferred that my offer was make-believe and then said that he's not going to "play the game" of a counter-offer and what happens in a year when I get another offer? "I just paid off the headhunter that brought you here!" I was automatically put on the defense and said that I wasn't looking for a job, but a former colleague contacted me to see if I was interested. Hence the interview and offer. I told them that and the fact that my resume attests to the fact that I have never "jumped around" in my career. He was still a dick.

I just can't pass up a 30% raise. He can go fuck himself. So no counteroffer from him, which really surprised me. Then he said that in March we'll talk about an increase and how "great" it is to work for him and that "bonuses" (of which I have seen NONE) should start flowing. Yeah right. I've been lied to too many times before. I am taking what I can get NOW.

Anyway, I find this whole "dance" interesting (and stressful).

**DJSapp** · 11-13-2014, 05:32 PM

Never take the counter-offer from your current employer. You've already checked out, and they won't ever trust you again even if you haven't.

**Dhelihiker** · 11-14-2014, 05:03 PM

Glad to hear it worked. Im a negotiator by trade and I always put up a big fight, I figure they respect it. I go in swinging for raise every year. Fuck it

**stuckathuntermtn** · 11-14-2014, 09:28 PM

Ata boy. Sounds like you're life is shooting higher and higher.

**IVplay** · 11-14-2014, 11:28 PM

Best advice would be to strap bombs to your chest, and then demand 2x pay or you'll blow him up.

**Grape_Ape** · 11-17-2014, 09:12 AM

Originally Posted by IVplay

Best advice would be to strap bombs to your chest, and then demand 2x pay or you'll blow him up.

The ol' Grape would seriously consider this...trying to live life with more finesse nowadays.

My ex colleague told me that one of the guys that I used to work with put in his 4 weeks notice to go to a competing firm and proceeded to spend 2 of the 4 weeks on the phone with the EPA and MD DNR throwing his current firm under the bus and talking up his future firm. He was escorted out of the building after those 2 weeks when the EPA called the firm and essential said WTF?!??!. That was a stupid move. Our industry is not very big...everyone knows everyone...everyone sees everyone at the same conferences every year. This guy will inevitably get a career beat-down eventually...his hubris will backfire. This guy is very cocky...he'll get his.

**glademaster** · 11-17-2014, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by Grape_Ape

The ol' Grape would seriously consider this...trying to live life with more finesse nowadays.

My ex colleague told me that one of the guys that I used to work with put in his 4 weeks notice to go to a competing firm and proceeded to spend 2 of the 4 weeks on the phone with the EPA and MD DNR throwing his current firm under the bus and talking up his future firm. He was escorted out of the building after those 2 weeks when the EPA called the firm and essential said WTF?!??!. That was a stupid move. Our industry is not very big...everyone knows everyone...everyone sees everyone at the same conferences every year. This guy will inevitably get a career beat-down eventually...his hubris will backfire. This guy is very cocky...he'll get his.

Yeah, "environmental services" work comes with some risks.