New Job Negotiation Questions

[fisher_man_matt]

Sorry this is so long winded.

Last week I found out the engineering firm I’ve worked for the past eleven years will be closing. The closing of the company puts me in a place I’ve never been in before and I wanted to get some opinions from others who have been in a similar situation.

My first job out of school was working as an entry level technician at a mechanical engineering firm which designed equipment used in steel mills. I didn’t have prior work experience relevant to the job and was hired because I was able to complete the test on the CAD software the company used. I didn’t have much room to negotiate salary or benefits due to my lack of experience.

My second (and current) job is/was working as a technician for a civil engineering firm. At the time I was hired they were looking for a second CAD technician (their first tech had worked with me at my first job). They had discussed hiring but had not yet advertised the position. I got an interview because of the recommendation from the other tech. They hired me knowing that I didn’t have any civil engineering experience and would have to learn their CAD software. Even with these negatives against me, I was hired and increased my base pay by 44% over what I was making a week earlier at job #1. There really wasn’t any negotiating on my part because of the great pay and benefits.

Fast forward eleven years and I’m in the hunt for a new job. In the past eleven years I’ve done any and everything the company has asked of me. In an office that was split into different groups specializing in different branches of civil engineering (roadway design, traffic analysis, and planning), I have been the person who bounced around between departments filling in wherever the demand was (sort of a jack of all trades / master of none situation). I now have quite a bit of experience in different branches of work and know the standard software used in the industry.

I extremely lucky to already have an interview lined up for next week with another civil engineering firm. Just like when I got my current job, a former coworker recommended that a firm bring me in for an interview even though they are not currently advertising any job openings. I sent in my resume and received an invitation for an interview within an hour.

I’ve never been in a situation where I needed to negotiate pay and benefits and would appreciate input from anyone who has participated either as an employee or an employer.

• Should knowing that lots of people are looking for jobs lower my expectations for pay/benefits?
• At every job I’ve had, the amount of paid time off has always been in direct relation to the your time with the company. Going into a new job should I get any credit my previous eleven years of work?
• Any other tips/suggestions?

Thanks,
Matt

 

[1969cj5]

At your level you should be able to negotiate at least one level above the minimum vacation time. Example is that if you currently have 3 weeks after 11 years you should be able to get two weeks if their current employees get two weeks at 7 years. Also, know what the going rate for your job is, for what your experience is. You should not be entry level pay, but they will also not hire you for more than you currently make... unless they need you, probably Ask your former co worker what the need is. In this economy, if you dont at least negotiate a little, you could end up looking for a job again in a year, if the salary does not meet your needs, experience. You may need to be prepared to do that as this could be transitional. Try to get more responsibility in this new job and "promote yourself" to the next level. Hate to say it, but it all depends on your desperation level...

 

[rockcity]

Make them make you the offer. Never be the first to say a $$$
Never take the first offer
unless you are a top level executive, its hard to negotiate anything other than their standard vacation, 401k, bonuses, insurance premiums, etc.

Yes, with the unemployment rate so high, companies are hiring good help for low pay. If you are the good help, expect that you may need to accept lower pay.

Don't expect to get any vacation "credit" for your past 11 years of work. That usually comes with top executives that are recruited away from a good secure position at another company. Coming from a company that is closing, they more than likely won't offer that option.

In my job hunt, I've seen construction project management positions drop from $60k down to low $40 and the competition is tough for those positions. I'd expect somewhat of the same result in something like civil engineering, but I may be wrong.

 

[Ron]

Never discuss pay benefits on interview 1, unless they specifically bring it up.
Most companies try to hire someone at a slight increase from their last job.. it is a great psychological ploy to build loyalty early. So it is never a bad idea to give yourself a slight bump on your application, imho.

Finally you can never make up the money you leave on the table in the hiring process. For example my company gives a max raise to technicians of 5% annually but starting salary can vary over 20%, those are hourly positions (yours may be salary?) but if one guy comes in at $15/hr and another comes in at $20 (and this happens regularly) no amount of outperformance by the $15 guy at 5% annually vs 3% for the underperforming $20 guy will ever balance the tables.

 

[RatLabGuy]

Never discuss pay benefits on interview 1, unless they specifically bring it up.

Sicne there isn't even a job posted, I def wouldn't even plan to bring this up.
this is a multi-step process.
1 - Interview, wow them with your experience, intelect, knowledge, and whatever shiny objects you have under your belt.
2 - they make you an offer.
3 - You THEN retort with what you want.

Don't blow their first impression of you during teh interview by bringing up $$.

 

[fisher_man_matt]

I really appreciate everyone's input. I'm not the best at selling myself and everything that's been written will help me and anyone else in a similar situation.

My interview isn't until the middle of next week. Please keep the comments coming.

 

[VortecJeep]

Within 24 hours of interview, send an email thanking them for their time and letting them know you are interested and look forward to talking to them again.

 

[Ron]

Within 24 hours of interview, send an email thanking them for their time and letting them know you are interested and look forward to talking to them again.

THIS!

 

[Airdoc]

Good comments by all.

I hate seeing the increase in unemployment...it sux, so here's my novel...

I've been on both sides of the fence - needing to find job..as well interviewing many folks to work for me...doesn't make me an expert, but I've seen some very creative things candidates have done that impressed me - could maybe help you.

Quite possibly you are already doing these things, but basis you just getting back into the "mode" of interviewing thought i'd throw some stuff out there.

1 - Make sure you describe the closing of the firm you work for in a fashion such that you maintain your Alpha/Contributor status - you don't want your prospective employer to feel they can low ball you - you are an asset that a company should be excited to try and get...even create a position for.

2 - Create an "elevator speech", meaning quick way, to explain the strength of your career experiences and value you have brought to the companies you have worked with/for. Possibly have some projects to reference (maybe they would know of).

3 - Research the company via their website etc..etc...reviewing the "about them" stuff.....maybe they even have an Annual Report showing/detailing their present/future initiatives etc - using this stuff during the interview is invaluable. (have a printout of some of the pertinent stuff in your pad folio during the interview - that way if you mention something and it becomes a discussion - you can pull something out and ask a question about things specifically.)

4 - Rehearse, Relax....let them know a bit of you/your hobbies, family etc...they can't ask some of those personal/familial questions by law - people want to hire/work with people they like....it's not 100% about the skill - but you must have the skills as a pre-requisite.

5 - If you can, try to find out how many people you will meet during your interview - this is sometimes difficult..but shows an interest to the details for your preparation

6 - Print copies of your resume' on Bonded/Watermark paper - yeah...they have copies, but a nice one that doesn't come out of a plain white sheet printer is nice.

7 - Ask questions about the structure of the firm - this could and most probably differs from what you are used to...and more importantly will give a feel for the environment - It is always a bad thing when you think you have one boss...and then have 3 or other scenarios of you being the ONLY person doing a very critical job without a back-up etc...etc...

8 - In a nice way..let them know you are researching the right "fit" for a career position as you are "long term" oriented and don't want to just take a job because you need a job etc...

New School Follow-up: As others say, be quick about responding using e-mail - I'd say do it separately. A separate thank you e-mail to each person you meet...that way they have some questions to each other "hey...did you get a thank you e-mail from ....etc.."...

Old School Follow-up: It doesn't hurt to put a small letter (same stuff as in e-mail) and put it in the U.S. postal snail mail....sometimes e-mails will get filtered in SPAM..or accidentally deleted...plus it's another added way to differentiate yourself.

Most all above is positioning/selling yourself so you get the 2nd, or even 3rd (if necessary) interview for position.

As others say...Money/Benefits are not a 1st interview discussion, but some stuff if asked.

Money - Tell them what you are wanting if asked (same level or higher than you were making)...don't tell them what you will "settle" for.....that's for later.

Health - Tell them this is quite important for you/your family (if this is the case) they have to know this is another critical factor beyond salary.

Vacation - Tell them what you had, and the importance to be the same, or more etc..

Depending on the company - much of this will be given to them in your application thru HR or other method.

Good Luck!!