Submitted by mmcconkie on
in
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BLUF: If I have multiple job offers, are the other offers evidence enough to ask for a higher salary?
Background:
I have been interviewing with 3 different companies for the last couple of weeks. Thanks to the interview series I've received very positive feedback from these companies. I'm optimistic that I will receive multiple offers all within the same offer consideration period. I at least want to be prepared if I do receive those multiple offers. Company X pays 15k less than Company Y. I would rather work for Company X. Would it be unwise for me to say something along the lines of, "I have received an offer from Company Y which pays 15k more per year than this position. I would rather work for you, Company X. Do you have the budget to increase the starting salary by 5-10k so that I can narrow the gap in my offers?"
Of course I recognize that all of this depends on if I receive multiple offers within the offer consideration period. If I don't have multiple offers, then I would gladly accept any of the 3 individual offers.
Thank you for your recommendations! As a side note, the interview series is incredible! I highly recommend it to everyone if you expect to make a change either now or in the future!
Doing so has risks
You can try that approach, and many do. What you are doing is spending your good will capital by asking for something extra without giving anything in return.
Plus, you run the risk of wanting X, asking for more $ and they say no, they can't stretch any further. Then what do you do. Accept X at the lower rate and look mercanary and having spent your good will for no return, or you take Y which is not your preferred role and you are less satisfied by the result.
If you really think you would be happy at Y, you can try doing this, but beware the consequences.
regards kev
Agreed...
I'm fairly certain MT/CT tools specifically said in a cast not to play offers off of each other for the reasons Kevin mentioned and more. Remember, it's all about people. You can always make more money...
As they said!
The offer should be based on what the company is willing / able to pay / based on what they believe the role to be worth. Company X may be offering less $ because they have super-slick automation or a nifty division of resources so you'd be doing 20% less work than at Company Y for more money. (It could also be that Company Y just has more money to throw around, doesn't have a good Compensation Team awareness of the market/job.)
Responding to offers should be based on what you bring to the table. Invoking a third party isn't really applicable, in general. Saying "Based on my research / according to the latest BLS report, similar roles in this area are being compensated at the higher rate ... (in addition to other stuff, below)" you might be okay in invoking a nebulous third party. Invoking Company Y doesn't do anything for Company X and it shows them that you're job shopping (as well you should on a personal level but blatantly saying "I could take this other thing for more money" - you just never know where that will play itself out. Two years from now when it's time to tighten the company belt, "Well, mmcconkie almost took that job at Company Y for more money so let's lay him off instead of this other performer who has an unemployed spouse and newborn triplets." Or it could be "Well, two of my team want the promotion but there's only budget for one and mmcconkie got a bunch more money at the time of hire when he involed Company Y so I'll consider him 'good' for a while longer because Sally could use the money."
I'm not saying those things are right - but we know that not every manager on the planet belongs to MT nor do they follow the general business rules all the time. Sometimes people get emotional when they shouldn't and mentioning Company Y at this point might hurt you with Company X down the road.
Focus on what YOU bring to the table: "Given that I have my masters degree, I've worked on similar projects before, I have the track record, widgets are my passion and my results show that in past positions, (plus research shows that this job in this area earns $x more) would you be able to amend the offer to $$$?" That would keep it focused on you, what you can do for them and how the extra money would be well-spent without any mention of a competitor.
Good luck with the offers & let us know how things turn out!
Didn't Do Anything Stupid
Thank you all for helping me not do anything stupid. I was given multiple offers and accepted the lower paying offer. It was the position that I will enjoy more, and won't be as strenuous on my family as well. Thank you for helping me realize that I shouldn't try to ask for a higher salary. I'm grateful that I can start with this new company and not have lost social capital by asking for more money.
Thanks!