Career Advisor

Want to negotiate for more money?

By Career Advisor

Question:

Hi,
I am currently working for a company that is probably going to go out of business. It is a well known company and this is public news that other companies in the industry are well aware of.

I interviewed with a company I used to work for before I worked for my current company. The position is the same one I had when I was there. The HR manager asked me what I made now, and I told him my salary of $56K. He also asked me what I made when I was in the position 2 yrs ago. I told him my old salary of $47K. He came back with an offer of my current salary of $56K. I told him I would let him know the following day. I know he knows my company is not doing well. I want to try and get at least $60K. Does it seem reasonable to try and negotiate for more money? I also interviewed at another company but have not heard back yet. Should I say I have another offer at $60K but tell them I really want to go back to that company given my previous history? Need some advice!

Answer: I don’t think you have much ground to negotiate more salary. You are taking the same position that you had two years ago and they’re offering you $9,000/year more then they paid you then. That’s almost a 20% pay increase in 2 years. It’s a very generous offer.

I think that the problem is not that they’re offering you not enough money but that you applied for a position that is at best a lateral move. Usually, you need to take on more responsibility to justify a pay increase from an employer’s perspective. Did you receive more education or professional certifications since you worked there last? Employers also look at that in salary determination.

In short, to negotiate for a higher salary you have to give a reason to the employer for why you are worth the salary increase. It does not appear from you initial paragraph that you have reason other then just wanting more.