How do I negotiate my starting salary if their offer is already higher than my range?

Question

I always read in career publications that you must ALWAYS negotiate your salary, even if you are happy with their number, because hiring managers expect it and lowball you on purpose. I also know you're never supposed to give an exact number, but I was pressured on the interview and gave them a range.

Can I still negotiate if they offer me more than I asked for? Can I play the "I have a higher offer card" or is that a dangerous game to play?

Answer 1

Accept their offer.
Maybe you are underestimating your abilities.
I recall many years ago I didn't really want to go to work just yet so I thought I'd price myself off the market for a few weeks.
After they told me I had the job I said I didn't think I could work for less than "x" amount.
They said their starting wage was 25% over my asking amount.
I would've camped on their doorstep until morning at that price.

Answer 2

It depends on what happened during the interview, in particular what you said when this topic was raised, and how badly you want the job.. if you gave no indication of your disappointment when you heard what they were offering and said yes then you still have options but they are high risk you can call the interviewer and say there are a few things you want to discuss - something positive about the job, taken from their web site. - then one more thing, ' you've been doing the sums about cost of living and thinking about their financial offer, and were wondering when and if the salary was negotiable at all and whether you could come back to this topic after the trial period?' The danger is that they say ' are you still interested' to which you have to know your answer. you can say 'yes of course - its just what with the cost of living etc you hoped they don't mind you asking, because money is important. after all' or 'well it does make a difference- and given that its a job you want for along time its important to understand their process' which means that you send a signal you might withdraw The risk is that they hired you because you were "cheap" and that means that you have a black mark. will you stick around, are you worth training etc there are jobs these days where the pay is going down like journalism and call centres key rule - if you are making a mistake, stop, reconsider the choices, pick the best one, and then do it. don't take the job if you are worth more...take it the relief if you are desparate and keep searching good luck

Answer 3

Just take the offer and don't worry about precisely how much it is. It's good that you gave them a range, but if they offer you a starting salary ABOVE that? You're only going to look greedy to them, which you already do to me.

If you're going to play the "I have a higher offer" card, then you'd better actually have a higher offer, including contact information. But that all depends on how badly you need this job and what you'll do if they call your bluff.

I would advise you to take what you can get, and be happy that you've found a job at all.

Answer 4

Don't be a fool! Take it!

My current employer did not low ball me. They offered me far more than I was worth. They still haven't realized their mistake and I'm not telling them.

There are people they could get to do my job for easily 20% less money.

As soon as I heard their offer I snagged it!

If you feel you must negotiate, hem and haw a little bit about some of the benefits that are not quite perfect.

Answer 5

I dont care what the career publication says, do NOT negotiate a great offer.

Answer 6

Well, you don't want to negotiate down.

So you could ask for a little more than they are offering, if you are certain that they will not simply withdraw their offer.

But if they are offering you more than you expected or thought you could get, there is a lot to be said for graciously accepting their offer.

Trust me, no one is later going to think, gee, she (or he) did not negotiate, I think we should not consider her (or him) for (fill in the blank with anything you hope to have in time--raise, promotion, nicer cubicle, window office....)

Congratulations--most of us get the other kind of surprise when we interview.... :-)

Answer 7

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Answer 8

why would you negotiate if you are offered more than you asked for? accept it with a thank you..