Submitted by lefonquey1 on
in
Forums
I had a great interview last Friday with 3 people that lasted almost 3 hours. I got a little cocky when it came time to talk about money, so I told the hiring manager an amount that is higher than the going rate for the position by about 25%. Should I mention this in my regular follow up later in the week or let it play out and see what happens?
I'm currently a Manager for a software company that specializes in the management of a hospital's AR. Basically, I'm a PM with a programming background. Since I've become quite knowledgeable in managing the Receivables of a Healthcare provider, I am trying to expand my experience by working at a Hospital in an operations role (non-IT).
This hospital is expanding rapidly and they've let go of almost all previous management and are the beginning of a rebuilding process. The position is a new one that is considered to be high profile.
While this isn't exactly my dream job, I believe it is a logical stepping stone to get there. We really clicked during the interview and he told me that he could see me succeeding in this job.
Although nice, a big raise is not all that important to me and I would take the job at 10-15% less than where I am at today. However, when he asked me about the money, I told him about 15% more than where I'm at.
He hymed and hawed a bit and told me that he'd have to "bring me in at a high level" and that "he'll do his best to make it happen."
I've sent my hand-written thank you note and will follow up by phone on Friday. Should I mention that I sensed his apprehension about the money and offer to change my tune? or should I just let the cards fall where they may?
Thanks in advance.
Great interview, but I may have goofed on the salary
Don't compound one mistake with another; let them decide if they want to make you an offer.
If they want you, they'll make an offer. If they can't pay your requested rate, they'll offer below it. Then you can decide whether you'll accept their offer.
If they don't offer you, it might have been the money. It might have been your poor judgement in not knowing the market, or trying to get in too far above it.
You can, in either instance, tell them that, upon reflection, you're really excited about the opportunity and would be willing to accept a lower salary than you originally thought made sense.
The key is this: if you change your mind, you must be prepared to indicate what changed your mind. New fact, new understanding, something.
But don't call them out of the blue and say, "I'll take a lower number!"
John
Great interview, but I may have goofed on the salary
So you want to look humble AND cocky??? :wink:
Look - you might have blown it. But you can't erase it, and you'll look anxious (maybe worse) if you unilaterally call back your own number.
On the other hand, maybe THEY were caught up in your confidence too!
Just wait and see. The next move is theirs to make.
-Hugh
Great interview, but I may have goofed on the salary
[quote="HMac"]
Just wait and see. The next move is theirs to make.
-Hugh[/quote]
I know... I just hate to play the game of wait and see!!!
Why can't they just make me an offer??!!!!!! :-)
Just kidding
Great interview, but I may have goofed on the salary
Follow up - pile on how eagar you are to work for the company. This will give them some comfort if they are considering offering you a package that is less than your pie in the sky.
Don't forget you are dealing with grown-ups, they are perfectly capable of dealing with a rejection and should not balk at making an offer at what they feel comfortable with.
Good luck.