How much should I ask for at work?

Question

I've been at my job (a real estate developer firm) for almost 3 months now, but was hired through a temp agency. My time with the agency is almost up, and the company I work for has expressed to me that they want to offer me a position at the end of the 3 months. They are currently paying the agency $21.00 an hour for me (I'm an administrative assistant)) , and I'm getting $13 an hour from the agency. My question is, when I finally sit down with them, how much should I ask for? I was thinking of meeting them halfway and asking for about $16 an hour, but don't want to seem greedy. I have 4-5 years experince as an adm. asst., but not in the real estate field, so there is alot im still learning about the business.

Thanks for any advice!

Answer 1

First off congratulations. I would wait for the offer first. Hear what they have to say. Ask about the benefit package, do they offer a 401K company match, paid vacation, etc. Compare that to what you were being paid. If the offer seems a little low tell them you need a day to think it over, and then counter them with what you think is reasonable. Most likely they'll have room to pay a little more. Most employers offer at the lower end of the range of what they're willing to pay. One other thing to keep in mind the company may have to pay your agency a placement fee which could be a good chunk of change. If that's the case then you should let the agency negotiate your price because they may be willing to take less of a cut to make the deal go through. Good luck.

Answer 2

The best thing to do is not ask for a specific amount. Don't bring up salary at all. Instead, allow them to broach the subject of salary and extend an offer. If they ask you how much you want, find a way to throw the ball back in their court and ask them for a salary range, or what they think is reasonable for the job. Then you can negotiate from there.

Remember, you can't compare your $13/hr to the $21/hr that the agency received. A company is willing to pay that price for temps because they don't have to pay your benefits.

Also, take into consideration what you get from your prospective employer besides a salary. What are the benefits? Do they have tuition/educational assistance? What is the growth potential?

Good luck!

Answer 3

First of all, you can't compare what they will offer you with what they paid the temp agency. A company has to pay for fringe benefits and though you don't see that in your salary, a good chunck of that $21 was going to the agency for fringe and overhead. Regular employees often see less pay than temps when you account for benefits. The second thing is that you won't tell them what you want, they'll tell the agency what they are willing to hire you at. Then you'll have to decide if you want to haggle. If the position will be salaried, you can't compare that to hourly earnings. Try to research what similar positions are paying and figure out what you need to make, and remember if you are getting benefits, that counts for something too.

Answer 4

Since they have shown an interest, I would ask what pay range do they pay permanent admin assts . Realize, that by hiring temp they do not have to provide you any benefits. As a benefit employee they may pay considerably less. By knowing the range, your experience, and work performed for them thus far, you can then ASK at the higher end of that scale. What did you earn in your last permanent position? - That should be your gage.

Answer 5

I would imagine they have already decided how much to pay you. If they do actually ask you, give them a range - tell them that you feel that with the 3 months experience you have on the job together with more than 4 years office experience, a wage of 15 to 18 dollars per hour would be appropriate.

Answer 6

You want more as a permanent? You aren't going to get it.

$21 to agency. They pay your taxes. That's a deal for the company.

You push this and they'll just get another temp for $21 an hour and not have to listen to someone that thinks they're worth $16/hr as an admin. Frankly, I think you aren't a very good admin if you don't know what the money is being used for.

Sorry, that's just reality.

Answer 7

Why not $21 an hour they were already paying the agency that much for you an hour.

Answer 8

I think meeting them half way is perfectly acceptable. $15 or $16 would be fine. They obviously like your work enough to pay $21 an hour for it. I'm assuming you'll get benefits too....congratulations.

Answer 9

I don't think that's unreasonable...if they are paying the temp agency more...I think they'll have no problem with it. Never hurts to ask...only thing they can do is turn you down. So, go for it!

Answer 10

Make an offer and suggest it as it's less than what your paying now and more than im making now. sounds like a win win to me. do research at salary.com to fine out what others are making in your area.