This has been a bad day

[Wiglaf]

Aren't you going to miss your co workers? You haven't mentioned them. If I had to move somewhere I'd feel bad about leaving the interns behind, and many of them are borderline schizophrenics.

[-Jrabbit]

Best of luck on the Wednesday interview, Asher. I'm confident you'll nail it.

[Wiglaf]

Why would you ever tell them your asking price?

[FrostyBoy]

at the gym today and talked to him for a good 30 mins or so.

ewww.... socializing at the gym..

[-Jrabbit]

Conventional wisdom is to get agreement on the fit first, saying "I'm sure if I'm the right person for the job, we can agree on compensation." It's a big part of the game, but getting them to make the first mention of salary, while difficult, is the smarter way to go.

If that ship has sailed and they're still talking to you, however, it's a good sign.

[Sirotnikov]

Jrabbit, that's a good first reply, but what if they keep pushing?

[Wiglaf]

Tell them you don't know your asking price. Or tell them to **** off. You're worth what they're willing to pay, not what you feel like asking for arbitrarily.

[-Jrabbit]

Jrabbit, that's a good first reply, but what if they keep pushing?

You have to be strong. It's really difficult. Most people don't have the stones or creativity to do it.

The tough nuts are the HR people, who want to slot you into their salary structure before they will let you speak to the hiring manager. It's part of their job. To them you say, "Well, what's the range for this position?" When they (per policy) decline to tell you, just smile and ask if they pay market value. When they inevitably say 'yes of course,' you can smile and reply, "Great, then there shouldn't be any problem."

Once you're in with the hiring manager, it gets easier. Because you're focusing on the job and the fit. Once that's established, the manager will tell HR he wants you, and it becomes HR's job to get you to accept.

It's a power game. Once you've established your price, you're either out of the game for shooting too high, or you've eliminated all your leverage.

There's no pure right or wrong, but this is the right starting point and mindset. Every situation is different and it's really all about using your judgment and thinking on your feet.

I'm no expert, but I've been through the process -- and the training -- on both sides of the fence: job seeking and hiring. Of course, YMMV.

[Sirotnikov]

Is it better to name a price and stick to it, knowing they'll break, or intentionally blow the price up, and lower it in negotiations?

[notyoueither]

I think many will eliminate you from consideration if you state a target too high, or they'll pay you the peanuts you named.

That was the jist of jrabbits advice.

Avoid giving a number. Period. When you are actually offered a position, take it or leave it.

I have a POV from the other side, but not as high dollars. I ask what people expect to earn. Any squirming or turning the question back at me is a negative. I want an honest answer. I need to know if I am talking to someone who could work for a good period happily, or I am talking to someone who will be gone after three weeks when they get a better offer.

[Nikolai]

Sorry to hear you lost your job Asher, that sucks. Good luck with finding a new one. I don't think you will have much problems with that actually. Oh, and be careful with the scotch, especially the day before an interview.

[snoopy369]

Congrats!

[rah]

Yeah, good luck. I do hope that's what it means. (it sounds right) and not "we liked you but making sure the guy we're interviewing today isn't better"

[Naked Gents Rut]

Congrats, Asher. I'm always happy to see a fellow believer in capitalism land on their feet.

[-Jrabbit]

Sweet! Is this in Toronto?