Are employers impressed or annoyed if you try to negotiate your starting salary?

Question

I think if I was an employer I would think more highly of someone who had good negotiation skills and goes after what they want and at least took a chance. What do you think? I will be interviewing for a job in which negotiating advertising rates and packages is my main task (this is what my expected experience is in), if I dont try to negotiate my own pay could that actually make me look less qualified?

Answer 1

I think employers are impressed with intelligent applicants. If they are offering something that's better than what you think is fair, then it's entirely okay to just take it, with no negotiation. If they're offering something that's lower than what you think is fair, you have an obligation to yourself to negotiate, and even to decline an offer if you can't get the pay up to what you need.

I don't believe that it will make you look bad if you don't negotiate...Being smart enough to know when you're getting a good offer is part of the negotiation process.

Answer 2

Good question. I would say most hiring managers know that the salary is a negotiation and that's part of the hiring process. Some get annoyed if you argue for more money. So long as you don't play hardball, there's room to negotiate. Just don't push it.

The hiring manager doesn't have much say in the salary. The company sets the salary range and he/she has to work within it. If he/she hires someone in at a higher salary then currents employees at the same level and experience, there will necessarily be an uproar. People have ways of finding out what everyone else is making.

What I do is this. Instead of giving them a number, I ask them what the salary range is for the position. If the high end is within my expectations, then I say that is fine. If it's a bit low, I still say yes. If it's seriously low then I just politely decline. There's no point in arguing for a salary that would place you more than 10% higher than others at the same level and experience. So, if it's too low for your liking, then you simply walk. Now, if the manager comes back with a much sweeter offer, either he was lying in the first place and isn't very bright because it's going to cause an uproar with his current staff. So, I just walk either way because I don't work for those types.

Best,
-- Andy

Answer 3

You can suggest the pay that you want and that is alway appreciated but ultimately if you come off sounding demanding or conceeded they definately are not going to hire you. It's not going to make you look less qualified for the job if you don't negotiate you're own pay. Go into the interview with confidence and instead of trying negotiating with your pay play up past expierences where you have been a good negotiater. It's more than likely the employer will take it more as an insult than a way to represent you're negotiating skills.

Answer 4

As an employer, I respect people who try to negotiate their pay. I have a set dollar amount that I can offer and that's all they'll get, but I do respect the fact that they try.

Not negotiating will not make you look less qualified. But be prepared for your potential employer to call your bluff.

Answer 5

I think if you took a good inventory of your skills and worth in the market and looked up the average salaries in your field, in your area of the country then yes, they would be impressed as long as you don't push it too far. Knowing what you are worth is attractive to an employer without flaunting it all of the time.

Negotiating too hard your pay could be bad if your skills are outdated, you have "challenges" with your former employers or you are looking at information that does not reflect the area that you live. Comparing your salary with lets say a programmer with five years expierence who lives in Southern California and you like in Lubbock Cross, North Dakota and only have 2 years expierence.

Answer 6

You should ALWAYS discuss salary.
Employers usually look favorably at applicants who show tact and skill when it comes to negotiating salary.
It demonstrates that the prospective employee knows his or her worth in relation to the job.
But negotiation of salary is best left to those who are experienced in their particular field.Entry level applicants should,as a rule of thumb,accept a reasonable offer if it just means getting a foot in the door.The opportunity to get on-the-job training often makes up for lower pay.Many successful people have settled for a low paying first job in their career field.

Answer 7

I would say if it's a position that is remotely sales related, an employer would specificity looking to see if you have the ability to negotiate. Otherwise I'd look for someone who could.

Answer 8

Don't make an A_ _ out of yourself by demanding something ridiculous but do stand firm and know what you need to take the job. Once they see you can negotiate with solid reasoning and confidence I think it will bode well for your chances at the job.

Answer 9

Depends on the business. I work for a non-profit and we have absolutely no wiggle room on salaries, what you are offered is the best we can do with our budget so we are annoyed, but not at you. A for-profit business generally has a lot more wiggle room on salaries and most expect you to ask for more than they offer you initially. Good luck! I would ask for 10% more than they offer you and that way you will settle somewhere in between.

-HR Girl

Answer 10

Yes, it shows back bone.
You will get respect from men and you will gain trust from a woman. You just have to sell yourself with confidence.
Three thing's. 1. Investigate the company
2. Try to build a relationship with the interviewer
(find a Common ground)
3. Be relaxed, act like your interviewing the interviewer.