Where ambitious young professionals connect and grow

Welcome to Brazen Careerist!

There are networks on Brazen Careerist to discuss all the career issues you are thinking about right now. Join now to start moving your career in the right direction.

money.jpg
+ Join Group
Salary - Negotiating & More

What are your key tips for negotiating your salary? How is different when you're starting a job vs during a performance review? Does your job have transparent salaries? Do you wish they did? Discuss all things careeer and money here.

Photo credit: jypsygen

Network Leader: Emily Ma
 
Scott Shrum BusinessWeek just posted a study (http://ow.ly/1PKrW ) showing that the more prestigious one's business school is, the more that person will make over his or her career. (We wrote more about it on our blog: http://ow.ly/1PH0v .) The headline takeaways may seem obvious, but it seems like this study leaves a lot of things uncovered or unsaid. The real question may be how much those grads would have made in their careers *without* their business schools. What do you think?

104 weeks ago from Veritas Prep, Salary - Negotiating & More, Personal Finance and Graduate Students2 more

Barbara Saunders: http://www.personalmba.com - You've got to take into ...Morehttp://www.personalmba.com - You've got to take into account the cost of any loans - the risk that after getting the MBA, you want some other kind of job and are enslaved to the debt
104 weeks ago
Scott Shrum: @TroyW: The Statistical Abstracts approach you propose would almost certainly prove (or disprove) correlation, but what about causation? The same ...More@TroyW: The Statistical Abstracts approach you propose would almost certainly prove (or disprove) correlation, but what about causation? The same could be said about what my company does, and in fact potential clients ask us this almost every day: "Yes, your success rates are impressive, but are they getting in because of your help? Or are they getting in because they're Type-A overachievers, and those same people are the ones who tend to hire you, even though they'd get in, anyway?" In the case of using Statistical Abstracts data, one might identify a strong correlation between holding an advanced degree and making significantly more money, but does the former cause the latter. Or, are they both in fact caused by something else?

It's an interesting question. I'm not trying to cause trouble, but I don't believe that anyone has ever really been able to answer this question. How many Fortune 500 CEOs would have gotten to that same point (or an equally lucrative point), anyway? I'm not saying those CEOs threw away their money (again, I have to put food on my own table!), but I still wish someone could answer this more definitively.

104 weeks ago
 
Rebecca Thorman Do you make more money than your parents? I still remember the awe my mother had when I surpassed her salary just out of college. I hope someday I can help take care of her. The trend is that women are making more (unless they're not educated), and men are not (unless they're highly educated). http://bit.ly/d0vhwV

98 weeks ago from Salary - Negotiating & More

Becky Benishek: That's an interesting trend about women making more unless they're not educated. My mom is officially retired but still working 2 days a week for ...MoreThat's an interesting trend about women making more unless they're not educated. My mom is officially retired but still working 2 days a week for pocket change. It's a good thing in more than one way that she's retirement age, because while she has loads of experience, she only has a high school diploma because that's all you used to need. And as we know, higher degrees tend to be favored over loads of experience (and the age that comes with it) these days.
95 weeks ago
Susan: @Becky - It depends on the company and position. Employers do not necessarily need or desire an advanced degree from a candidate. And it would be ...More@Becky - It depends on the company and position. Employers do not necessarily need or desire an advanced degree from a candidate. And it would be unwise and downright illegal to rule out a candidate due to their age (or race or sex or religion). While the younger generations favor a youth oriented environment, the older professionals may indeed desire colleagues with more experience, and those who fit into the culture of the company.
51 weeks ago
 
locationvoitureagadir what do you thing of working with seo company ? and what salary can it cost?

66 weeks ago from Salary - Negotiating & More

Byron Gordon: If you're good at SEO and want to work as an analytics person, you can make a reasonably good salary, from 75K on up, depending on the size of the ...MoreIf you're good at SEO and want to work as an analytics person, you can make a reasonably good salary, from 75K on up, depending on the size of the company and the city you're living in. Same thing applies if want to work as the head of PR or marketing for an SEO company.
66 weeks ago
 
Kelly Seiler I'm "visiting" a company next Wednesday. It is scheduled for 4 hours and they asked me to put together a short presentation so people will get to know me a little better. I'm assuming this is an unofficial interview of sorts, but it's not advertised as an interview and they don't actually have a position for me (however they might make one). So, what do I wear??

77 weeks ago from Salary - Negotiating & More and Dress Code Personal Style

Lucas Starbuck: You never know who you might happen to be introduced to, even though its informational-only.. the President might happen to be in the office.. and ...MoreYou never know who you might happen to be introduced to, even though its informational-only.. the President might happen to be in the office.. and you're in jeans = that sucks.
77 weeks ago
voleine: Yes, always look professional. I hire people as part of my job and I absolutely hate it when people under dress. It just shows a lack of ...MoreYes, always look professional. I hire people as part of my job and I absolutely hate it when people under dress. It just shows a lack of professionalism. Even if it's not an "interview" it is an interview.
77 weeks ago
 
Rebecca Thorman What do you all think about the pay equity bill being voted down? I am still, surprisingly, undecided. Is this a no-brainer or do you think equal pay for women is more nuanced?

79 weeks ago from Ask Penelope Trunk!, I am Gen Y, Washington D.C., Young Professional Women (YPW) and Salary - Negotiating & More3 more

Morana Medved: I think equal wage is more of an issue for low-income hourly jobs than for professional salaries. There are so many components to salary ...MoreI think equal wage is more of an issue for low-income hourly jobs than for professional salaries. There are so many components to salary compensation, and the variety of hours, types of tasks as well as variety of types of compensation (benefits, perks, PTO, etc). And if you are a high performer and learn to negotiate you can increase your compensation. But most women who are barely surviving working jobs with strictly defined tasks and hours and no ability for perks or negotiations start earning less than men the moment they clear minimum wage. That is the part that really bothers me.
78 weeks ago
Kelly Seiler: I think the bill is worthwhile. Only a small percentage of women would likely be interested in using it. It offers a recourse for women who feel ...MoreI think the bill is worthwhile. Only a small percentage of women would likely be interested in using it. It offers a recourse for women who feel they have been shorted systematically.

If you think this will create fair pay, you are in dreamland! There are a lot of reasons that women earn less than men. They don't negotiate as often, they are faced with more resistance when they negotiate, first impressions are harder b/c women are judged on so many facets of their personal appearance, and the mommy commitment issue to name a few. This bill would only be a tiny piece of the fair pay puzzle. The core issue is that work done by women is valued less than work done by men.

78 weeks ago
 
Rebecca Thorman The NY Times reports that most Americans are "Completely Satisfied" with their pay (http://nyti.ms/bbDKE3). At first, I was surprised by this, but then in thinking about my position, I am happy with my salary at the level of my current responsibilities. However, I would love to have MORE responsibilities and MORE money. What about you? Are you happy with your salary?

92 weeks ago from Salary - Negotiating & More, Personal Finance, I am Gen Y, Employee Benefits and JobSTART 1013 more

Jamie Nacht Farrell: @Ben - people can be happy w/ the money they make and complain about paying taxes b/c the 2 are the opposing forces / theories behind capitalism ...More@Ben - people can be happy w/ the money they make and complain about paying taxes b/c the 2 are the opposing forces / theories behind capitalism and socialism. People MAKING money for their jobs (output) is capitalistic. People paying taxes (taking care of other people with their money) is socialistic.

87 weeks ago
Kimberly Palmer: I agree- more money and more responsibility would be ideal - but I already feel like I am operating at full speed- but more money doesn't seem to ...MoreI agree- more money and more responsibility would be ideal - but I already feel like I am operating at full speed- but more money doesn't seem to be an option in this recession.
84 weeks ago
 
Rebecca Thorman Do you find it annoying that job posts don't ever reveal the salary? And related, what are your biggest annoyances or frustrations in the job search?

89 weeks ago from JobSTART 101, Salary - Negotiating & More, Career Changers, Human Resources and Ask Penelope Trunk!3 more

Scott Asai: All the requirements, which pretty much eliminate all candidates
86 weeks ago
Dr. Pepper: I tend to not apply for any jobs that don't reveal a salary. "Salary commensurate with experience" means to me that they either don't know what ...MoreI tend to not apply for any jobs that don't reveal a salary. "Salary commensurate with experience" means to me that they either don't know what the heck they are doing (therefore they understand what the position/work should be) or they will never pay market value for the job. No sense in crafting a carefully crafted cover letter for the position if you think that they won't pay you as much as you (think that) are worth.
86 weeks ago
 
Ty Unglebower I got weary of my inbox being clogged by all the childish name calling over on Rebecca's thread about salary disclosure. So I thought I would post this here for the people who actually have something intelligent to say. Here is a link to a discussion led by an HR executive who also agrees the burden lies with the company to disclose at least a salary range to applicants. http://bit.ly/9w0Asf

87 weeks ago from Salary - Negotiating & More

 
Megan Stewart In interviews, what do you say when they ask the Salary Question? How do you handle it?

88 weeks ago from Salary - Negotiating & More

Elizabeth Marling: Base it on your previous salary, combined with average salaries for the position in your area, and they can't argue with that. There is no reason ...MoreBase it on your previous salary, combined with average salaries for the position in your area, and they can't argue with that. There is no reason to be afraid to site your previous salary as the 'this is as low as I will go' number, as long as there isn't some circumstance that would make comparing the two positions a liability (like a major career change).
88 weeks ago
Ben Donahower: basing counteroffers on the value that the job provides and the value that you provide as a candidate for the position is a sound strategy.
87 weeks ago
 
Deb When a recruiter calls you, what'd be the best response to a question asking for your current salary details? Would it be "I'd like to leave this for a latter discussions, after we've mutually agreed on my suitability for the role" (some recruiters are persistent still)? Or something like "I could share the info. with you, but I don't want it to become the benchmark" (but it eventually does!!)?

88 weeks ago from Salary - Negotiating & More

Rebecca Thorman: I like Robin M's answer to this from a previous posting: "I don't address the salary question until I receive a job offer. I usually state to the ...MoreI like Robin M's answer to this from a previous posting: "I don't address the salary question until I receive a job offer. I usually state to the interviewer, "I am sure that your company will make me a ...MoreI don't address the salary question until I receive a job offer. I usually state to the interviewer, "I am sure that your company will make me a fair and reasonable offer based on your needs and my experience." The interviewer usually agrees and the interview continues, or the interviewer will state the range at this point. I also take at least 24 hours to ponder the salary before I either accept or give a counter-offer. "
88 weeks ago
Bryon Ownby: I like @Byron's thought. Focus on your value on the market and make that the target within your justifiable reason. I've worked with several and ...MoreI like @Byron's thought. Focus on your value on the market and make that the target within your justifiable reason. I've worked with several and I have been pretty blunt with the recruiter that it's going to require $x amount of salary for me to make this move with such and such experience or education level that I have. Ask them, what is the client willing to pay before you disclose your requirements is anohter way to respond to the question.
88 weeks ago
 
Ryan Paugh Wow! Last night's video chat with Ramit was my favorite one that we ever had. What about you guys? If you missed the chat a recording will be available soon, so sit tight. In the meantime, I want to hear from those who did attend. What was the most beneficial thing that you learned from Ramit? Leave a comment ...

89 weeks ago from Personal Finance, Economics and Finance and Salary - Negotiating & More1 more

Courtney Burns: The most beneficial thing I learned from Ramit was to be as specific as possible when it came to targeting your client base. General marketing ...MoreThe most beneficial thing I learned from Ramit was to be as specific as possible when it came to targeting your client base. General marketing doesn't work, you have to be specific, specific, specific!
89 weeks ago
Stanley Lee: And be able to microtest your assumptions about your marketing/target right away.
89 weeks ago
 
Leena Chugh I recruit for a small IT consulting company and am hoping to get a better commission plan. What have you seen in this area? Individual or team-based commissions? If team-based what should be the basis and split? Is it different for contract vs. direct placements?

91 weeks ago from Salary - Negotiating & More

 
Rebecca Thorman Is any job better than no job? (http://nyti.ms/9QAh0k) If you were or are unemployed, would you ever consider taking a job that was seemingly beneath you? I believe that every job has a lot of learning potential, so there are few instances when you shouldn't take a position. On the flip side, I've never had to look for work (knock on wood that continues), and I can see how maybe taking a job - any job - could be bad. What do you think?

102 weeks ago from Career Changers, JobSTART 101, Slash Jobs, Creating a Life You Love and Salary - Negotiating & More3 more

Megan Stewart: this is where I am right now. No job is the right job, but I can't afford not to take what I am offered. Yes the work may be beneath me but I ...Morethis is where I am right now. No job is the right job, but I can't afford not to take what I am offered. Yes the work may be beneath me but I would rather do something than nothing.
92 weeks ago
Felicia S.: @Megan
Keeping busy is the best way to network, get the juices flowing both mentally and physically. I tried being unemployed for two weeks and I ...More
@Megan
Keeping busy is the best way to network, get the juices flowing both mentally and physically. I tried being unemployed for two weeks and I was climbing the walls. I took the first job that interested me (a non-profit gig, even though I loathe working in offices). The contacts that I made there were priceless and it led me to work another stint overseas. See, you never know where any "job" is going to take you. Like Rupaul says: " You betta' WORK!"

92 weeks ago
 
Danielle Bullen Normally, I'm pretty social, but I want to a networking event last week and I just wasn't feeling it. What do you do when you want to break out of your shell? What conversation starters help you break the ice and make meaningful connections?

95 weeks ago from Career Rocketeer, Job Resources and Career Coaching, Salary - Negotiating & More, u30pro and Young Professional Women (YPW)3 more

Michael Diliberto: @Kimberly, I met a woman at SXSW last year that did the exact same thing, and just as you've experienced, she had amazing results.
95 weeks ago
Shayna: I find networking events so... tension-inducing. Depending on the event's purpose/agenda/etc., I try to strike up conversation on a current ...MoreI find networking events so... tension-inducing. Depending on the event's purpose/agenda/etc., I try to strike up conversation on a current event... For example if it's a tax event I'll ask if they're working on FIN 48 or what they think bout any major developments... definitely not my forte though!
95 weeks ago
 
Becky Benishek I always feel awkward when it comes to the salary question in an interview, even though I know it's going to come up sooner or later. I read this post by Melissa Cooley [http://bit.ly/atcodn] and agree that discussing salary can feel like negotiating for a car! What I'm not sure about is this: Is the company who hired you at a lower salary really concerned that you'll jump ship the minute a job with your market value or higher comes along?

95 weeks ago from myFootpath and Salary - Negotiating & More

Sean Masters: I should add that there's no reason this can't be done more tactfully than simply asking, too. For example you may want to ask for salary range ...MoreI should add that there's no reason this can't be done more tactfully than simply asking, too. For example you may want to ask for salary range information because you "want to make sure we don't spend one another's time unwisely", etc. For some reason a number of people, particularly those in hiring positions, don't like talking salary because they want to "sell you" on the position and they'll "worry about money later".

That's certainly one way of looking at things, but again I feel that if you want at least X and they want to pay X minus Y then no amount of effort on their part is going to bridge that gap. This works to your benefit too because if they come back with X plus Y you know to shift your minimum higher when you do finally enter negotiations.

95 weeks ago
Becky Benishek: Time is definitely at a premium, so that's a very valid reason for inquiring about the salary range. I can see why companies leave it off job ...MoreTime is definitely at a premium, so that's a very valid reason for inquiring about the salary range. I can see why companies leave it off job postings, and indeed ideally I'm more interested in seeing if the job's a good fit from the outset, before even looking at things like salary and hours. It follows pretty closely, though.

One thing I like about working with recruiters is you can ask them all sorts of salary, company culture and expectations questions up front. You'll be asked your expectations in return, of course, but it's all part of making sure you'll be a good fit for the client just as much as it is the other way around.

95 weeks ago
 
Becky Benishek I always feel awkward when it comes to the salary question in an interview, even though I know it's going to come up sooner or later. I read this post by Melissa Cooley [http://bit.ly/atcodn] and agree that discussing salary can feel like negotiating for a car! What I'm not sure about is this: Is the company who hired you at a lower salary really concerned that you'll jump ship the minute a job with your market value or higher comes along?

95 weeks ago from Salary - Negotiating & More

 
Becky Benishek I always feel awkward when it comes to the salary question in an interview, even though I know it's going to come up sooner or later. I read this post by Melissa Cooley [http://bit.ly/atcodn] and agree that discussing salary can feel like negotiating for a car! What I'm not sure about is this: Is the company who hired you at a lower salary really concerned that you'll jump ship the minute a job with your market value or higher comes along?

95 weeks ago from myFootpath and Salary - Negotiating & More

Rebecca Thorman: I would be! It's such a pain and drain of resources, time and energy to find someone new and train them for the job. I don't know why candidates ...MoreI would be! It's such a pain and drain of resources, time and energy to find someone new and train them for the job. I don't know why candidates aren't stronger in their negotiations for this reason.
95 weeks ago
Becky Benishek: I wonder if it would be better if the company posted their salary range for the job up front? After all, at some point we're going to ask them ...MoreI wonder if it would be better if the company posted their salary range for the job up front? After all, at some point we're going to ask them what THEIR range is.
95 weeks ago
 
Becky Benishek I always feel awkward when it comes to the salary question in an interview, even though I know it's going to come up sooner or later. I read this post by Melissa Cooley [http://bit.ly/atcodn] and agree that discussing salary can feel like negotiating for a car! What I'm not sure about is this: Is the company who hired you at a lower salary really concerned that you'll jump ship the minute a job with your market value or higher comes along?

95 weeks ago from Salary - Negotiating & More

 
Becky Benishek Today at 12 PM CT we're running a #careerchat on Twitter, and our topic just so happens to be All About Negotiating. There's been so much great insight & advice here already, I thought I'd mention our chat in case anyone is on Twitter at that time and feels like dropping in. I'll be there on behalf of MyPath.com (MyPath_MP) and we've roped in -- er, asked -- one of our HR experts from Manpower as well. It's only for an hour and has been a lot of fun so far!

95 weeks ago from Salary - Negotiating & More

 
Becky Benishek So how DO you answer that dreaded "Overqualified" question? Being unemployed is tough enough, but now you have to convince the person on the other side of the desk that you're a great fit for a job that, quite frankly, they're worried you think is beneath you. Our Career Doctor starts off with two possible answers that might work better than others. Do these work for you, or do you have something better? http://bit.ly/da6qra

95 weeks ago from Career Changers, JobSTART 101 and Salary - Negotiating & More1 more

 
Becky Benishek So how DO you answer that dreaded "Overqualified" question? Being unemployed is tough enough, but now you have to convince the person on the other side of the desk that you're a great fit for a job that, quite frankly, they're worried you think is beneath you. Our Career Doctor starts off with two possible answers that might work better than others. Do these work for you, or do you have something better? http://bit.ly/da6qra

95 weeks ago from Career Changers, JobSTART 101 and Salary - Negotiating & More1 more

 
Ashley Cheeks I'm entering the business world from the field of healthcare, and I know what I'm worth…I think. Especially in this economy, how do I know if I'm asking for too much, and how do I negotiate to get what I need?

98 weeks ago from Salary - Negotiating & More

Rebecca Thorman: You can check out places like Salary.com and Glassdoor.com, but take those as a guideline. If you think you're worth more, go for it. It's a great ...MoreYou can check out places like Salary.com and Glassdoor.com, but take those as a guideline. If you think you're worth more, go for it. It's a great thing that you're already going in knowing that you are going to negotiate. I would make sure that you understand that the first offer on both sides isn't the only one. If you ask for say, 70K and they offer you 64K, there's no reason you can't go back and ask for 66K. Or whatever fits your expectations. It's all about staying positive ("I think this seems like a great fit and I would love to work here") and giving good reasons why you deserve/need the increase ("xyz experience, other offers, need to buy a car for this job, etc.") Good luck and let us know how it goes!
98 weeks ago
 
Rebecca Thorman How much do you think it costs to move cross-country for a new position? $5K? What should people budget for? How difficult is it to find housing and start a new life? Is it worth it if your salary is similar? What if you just want to live in a new city?

99 weeks ago from Career Changers, Salary - Negotiating & More, Creating a Life You Love and Personal Finance2 more

Fleire Castro: I was able to move in a highly urbanized city with just the bare minimum. As long as you know it can pay the rent for at least a month and keep ...MoreI was able to move in a highly urbanized city with just the bare minimum. As long as you know it can pay the rent for at least a month and keep you alive while waiting for the first paycheck, it will be enough.
99 weeks ago
: wow, you guys do it on the cheap! When I budget for a relocation for someone at my company, I include anything up to $20,000! That's taking in all ...Morewow, you guys do it on the cheap! When I budget for a relocation for someone at my company, I include anything up to $20,000! That's taking in all possible worst case scenarios, though. Usually we get most of that back as unused funds. But yes, moving does throw up some strange, unexpected and expensive events - particularly interim accommodation like serviced apartments.

then you have to think about the cost of leaving the community you've built around you in the town you're in behind, and how long it's going to take to build that up in the new location. from people I know who've relocated, that is the biggest cost, and one that they'd only take in in retrospect if the opportunity were a definite, large upgrade in position.

still, i'm tempted by the idea of leaving everything behind and starting afresh in a new location, and being sought after for my expertise in a particular field, so much so that people want me to be closer to them to get the most out of my knowledge!

great topic ladies.

99 weeks ago
 
Rebecca Thorman Just read an article about a woman who told a little white lie in salary negotiation. When she was offered a new job, she said she made $5,000 more at her old job than she actually did. The offered to match her salary, but she said, "I'd like to be making more," and so they came back and said they'd give her $5,000 more, so her new job is $10K more than her old one. $10K is an avg salary jump, but I love this tactic. Do you think it's okay though to say such a lie?

101 weeks ago from Salary - Negotiating & More, Human Resources, ERE on Brazen, I am Gen Y and Ask Penelope Trunk!3 more

Joseph Tolentino: I've just read this article: MoreI've just read this article: http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/reveal-salary-history-negotiat...

I guess there are varied opinions regarding this matter but in order not to get in trouble this article advised to simply say that you are not comfortable discussing your financial history. That is why you are "negotiating", you want what is financially sound to what you are taking in especially if it is something different from your current job.

100 weeks ago
Ty Unglebower: Okay, BJP, I understand what you meant now. Thank you.
100 weeks ago
 
Rebecca Thorman Would you want to know other people's net worth? From NY Times: "We tend to have an intense curiosity about our neighbors and friends, especially those who seem to earn about what we do but spend a lot more. Do they skimp on retirement or college funds? Are they not burdened by student loans? Do they have a trust fund? Have they simply maxed out every credit card? There’s no way to answer these questions without seeing a breakdown of net worth." http://nyti.ms/bg0HN1

104 weeks ago from Salary - Negotiating & More, Personal Finance and Economics and Finance1 more

Tariq West: Both the voyeur and social critic in me would be curious about people's net worth. I'm keenly aware of how conspicuous consumption (nice car, ...MoreBoth the voyeur and social critic in me would be curious about people's net worth. I'm keenly aware of how conspicuous consumption (nice car, house, furniture, clothes etc...) is often not representative of actual wealth. In addition to helping tell the story of the disjoint between lifestyle and wealth in a credit culture, wealth transparency could shed light on other dynamics that powerfully impact life outcomes and their mis-measure.

For instance, seeing where/when people get money to buy their first homes or survive a year of unemployment or pay for college would reveal some interesting dynamics in a country where over 50% (I think, need to track down this figure) of all wealth is passed on from generation to generation, but where we look largely at current household income when assessing class or whether someone's "made it".

104 weeks ago
Ty Unglebower: But I think the opposite could result in such transparency, in that otherwise competent, admirable people would start to be judged by the nature ...MoreBut I think the opposite could result in such transparency, in that otherwise competent, admirable people would start to be judged by the nature of the micro-economic tendencies, should they be unorthodox. An otherwise talented person with rent paid by family members, or those who borrow cars instead of owning them.
104 weeks ago
 

Join This Network Today

Join Brazen Careerist right now and you'll automatically be added to this network.

or

By clicking "Sign Up", you are indicating that you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy