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Re: Salary, Negotiation, and Salary Requirement/Total Compensation
Subject:Re: Salary, Negotiation, and Salary Requirement/Total Compensation From:"Bill Swallow" <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com> To:techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com Date:Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:15:23 -0500
> Six months ago I was hired as a 1099 contractor on a contract-to-perm
> basis. During my initial interview, I was asked "how much are you
> looking for?" I gave them my salary requirements, and they said it was
> in line with their thinking.
>
> Today I got the offer letter. Instead of the salary I'd quoted, there
> was a much, much lower figure as the annual compensation. I said,
> "This is not what we agreed on." The company's principal is currently
> claiming that he was asking for a total compensation figure, not just
> a salary figure. He had a conference call coming up in 10 minutes, so
> we were not able to discuss this. I suspect we won't be able to until
> tomorrow at the earliest.
In all my interviewing/employment history I have never, ever, heard of
anyone asking you what you want your "total compensation" to be.
Sounds like this person is being a bit underhanded.
> Before I left him, he asked if I'd be willing to stay on as a
> contractor, because otherwise they'd be adding $20,000/year in expense
> to their bottom line. This is a small, private company. I know for a
> fact that their gross was extremely good this past year, but the
> company has also doubled in size and intends to hire more programmers
> in the coming year to support current contract requirements and
> development of new products.
Those factors have nothing to do with your offer, unless they are
low-balling all the new hires including the programmers. If not,
perhaps you should ask why you're getting "special" treatment.
> * When you are interviewing for a job, and someone asks you how much
> you are looking for, do you give them a salary requirement or a total
> compensation?
Salary. Total compensation comes up in the offer, but never in all my
employment history have I been asked what I'd like my total
compensation to be. It's simply not done, from my fairly robust
expperience.
> * When you are interviewing a candidate FOR a job, and you ask them
> how much they are looking for, are you expecting a salary requirement
> or a total compensation?
Salary. Total compensation is an internal calculation.
> * If $20,000 extra per year is going to be that major a concern,
> should I just start running now?
Wrong question. ;) If they are going to treat you this way NOW, do you
want to put up with it (and perhaps more) later?
> * Do you have any suggestions for handling this? I have a list of
> points I want to make written down, and I've found a salary report on
> SimplyHired that shows the average salary in this area. It is a bit
> lower than my stated requirements, but not by that much. I am also
> considerably better than "average" as a technical writer.
1. If you have the original agreement in writing, get it out, make
copies, and bring them to your next meeting.
2. I would never take a big cut to go from contract to permanent.
3. Tell them you're worth what you're asking, and mean it.
4. Whatever you decide, be prepared for the consequences should the
results not be favorable.
Avid homebrewer and proud beer snob.
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