Pro tip: I finally got a job offer after 8 months of looking, but the salary was $15,000 less than my last role.

Last week in Seattle, I had to turn it down because I couldn't make the math work for my family, so how do you actually negotiate when you're desperate to get back in the game?

3 comments

3 Comments

elliot60727d ago

That's a brutal spot to be in. Companies often lowball when they sense desperation, which traps people in a cycle of bad offers. You have to draw a hard line on your minimum number, even when it's scary.

clairem8127d ago

But what if you're wrong about why they lowball? It's not always about sensing desperation. Sometimes they just have a strict budget and the first offer is their only real move. I've seen companies lose good people because HR wouldn't go a penny over a set rate, even when the manager was begging. The trap isn't always a mind game, sometimes it's just bad, rigid company policy.

john4309d ago

Man, turning down an offer after that long a search is gut-wrenching. You did the right thing for your family, even though it hurts. The math just has to work, and a 15k drop is a huge hit. Really hoping something better comes your way soon.