Market Value

Q: How do you broach the topic of finances with a potential employer when you feel you are worth more than their initial offer?

Speak to the person who offered you the job and explain (unemotionally) why you feel that the salary is not appropriate for the skills you bring to the job. If you have any facts gathered from friends or headhunters about salaries for similar positions, use them in the conversation. If your potential employer won't budge, you have two choices.

1.  Decide that what you'll get out of this job is beyond money and take the job. But, keep interviewing.
2.  Go see if you can get another offer.  Then use that as leverage.  For better or worse, in my years in the business I've never asked for a raise without having another job offer on the table. You'd be amazed at how your value goes up overnight. Even when you have a job, you should book several interviews a year. Isn't there a place you'd love to work? Call them and try to get someone there to look at your book. Call again in six months. Interviewing helps you stay on top of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as your market value.

Managing your career money-wise is not easy.  Never move for money alone. You have to love the work you're doing and the people you work with. On the other hand, this is your career. Eventually you'll need to be making enough money to live and save. So, don't be afraid to push. Companies pay as little as they can get away with. My second job was at a small boutique agency in the southwest. I loved the job and the people, but could barely get by on the salary. I found another job for more money and demanded that my current agency match it. My agency agreed to match it, but warned me that it would mean no one else in the company would get a raise that year. I took the raise at my current agency. But, the attempt at manipulating me left a bad taste in my mouth. I found a better job within six months. Don't let companies manipulate you. Manage your own career.

- Joyce King Thomas

Comments

[Nicole Michels]

Ladies -

Awesome website.
And terribly long overdue.

Keep up the great work.

Nicole Michels, Senior Copywriter
Formerly of Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners
Formerly of Kirshenbaum & Bond
Formerly of Cole & Weber
Currently of Team Mom of Young Jack with occasional pinch hitting on Team Freelance