Job offer question

[Rondo2287]

Hey all, I just got a job offer so I am pretty excited.  Background on it is that I am currently working a temp job that expires in at the end of september, so i was really anxious to find a new job. 

I got an offer and originally they had said the payrate was x-y.  I am currently making more than Y, but again it is temporary.  When they offered me the job they said well we cant offer you the top of the payscale but we can offer you something you will be comfortable with.  I plan on going in tomorrow and really want the job because of permanent status as well as insurance. 

My question is, what bargaining power do I have, I dont need to get full Y, but I would like to be on the better side of half way between. 

Any thoughts will be greeted with TP's, thanks in advance

[CelticPride18]

Is this an entry level job? How many years of job experience do you have.  Not trying to get personal, but would help with leverage.  Also, is this your only job offer and do you have others pending.

[Rondo2287]

I may have a job at the place that I am currently temping but not a sure thing.  It is pretty entry level, however they have made it clear that they are really looking to fill this position right away because the hiring manager is going to be out the next two weeks.  I start tomorrow so thats when i will get the firm offer sheet with terms and everything.  So i think i have some leverage there

[CelticPride18]

Also, with the economy the way it is and everyone fighting for jobs I would say you have little to no leverage to work with. Not being rude, there is just more of a demand for the position. Like if you don't want it I'm sure there are others behind you who would, especially with an entry level job that requires 0-1 years experience.

[Rondo2287]

Right, I think i will turn it down though if it is under half way between though. 

[CelticPride18]

I guess you do have leverage cause of the time the job needs to be filled, but that seems like you might be playing with fire, I would not risk it if I was you.  I was in the same position as you last year.  I was working a ton of temp jobs, finally got a full time offer, at that point I didn't care what the payrate was.  Insurance is big... real big.  Just view it as get your experience like 2 years worth or so, then move on and get that money, experience is everything.  I def say take the full time gig instead of the temp job, its way too risky with the economy the way it is.

[CelticPride18]

Yeah you def don't want to be working for free, but if it is entry level like, I look at it as paying your dues.

[jambr380]

Right, I think i will turn it down though if it is under half way between though. 

If you have options and you are confident going in with what you are asking for, then you really have nothing to lose. What does it hurt to ask? If they lowball you and you are not comfortable with the amount they are offering, then you should walk. If they accept what you ask for, great. If they give you something in between, you should probably go for it (based on what CelticPride18 said)...

[CelticPride18]

But hey if your in a position where you don't have many bills and you can hold out for a better job you should do that.  Don't take a job for the sake of it.  You want to be with a company that fits your personality and goals, work enviornment is big.  Working for a company where you enjoy the people you work with makes a huge difference.  I'm not getting paid as much as a probably should, but I love the company and people I work with.

[CelticPride18]

Just to add, I went to the hospital last year in the emergency room, got a $7,000 bill, there is no way I could pay something like that without being insured.  However, if you still fall under a parent's insurance policy maybe it isn't as important to you.

[the_Bird]

It's so hard to say without knowing any of the details.  If it's a good company that offers you future opportunities to really make yourself a career, then it might be worthwhile taking the position to get in the door even if the salary isn't all that great.  If it's just a *job* and you don't plan on being there more than a year or two, it may be a different story.  

[Rondo2287]

I think the company sounds pretty good, and she made it seem like there was room for advancement, although I feel like they all say that.  I run out of my parents insurance at the end of september when my temp job expires so that is kinda like a double whammy deadline.  So we will see, I guess I was wondering like if she comes at me with a certain figure do you think its legit to say, "Im taking a pay cut off my current job, I need at least___" and see what they say.

[Chris]

I think the company sounds pretty good, and she made it seem like there was room for advancement, although I feel like they all say that.  I run out of my parents insurance at the end of september when my temp job expires so that is kinda like a double whammy deadline.  So we will see, I guess I was wondering like if she comes at me with a certain figure do you think its legit to say, "Im taking a pay cut off my current job, I need at least___" and see what they say.

Oh yeah, it is absolutely legit to do that.  If they can't offer you more than they do, they will tell you, but I would always recommend trying to negotiate.  Although I would recommend doing the negotiating with HR rather than the actual hiring manager if you can. 

[Rondo2287]

Ya, I dunno, i figure whoever gives me the offer sheet is the right person to talk to.  I figure they wont just kick me out if I ask for more, I mean what is the worst that can happen?(i doubt they would take the offer off the table because they need to fill the position.

[the_Bird]

Remember, too, that just because you take this job doesn't mean you can't keep checking monster.com (just don't do that at work).  You'll be taking a paycut, but for what, four weeks?  Given how tough the labor markets are, there's no assurance you'd even get another interview in the next four weeks, much less a better offer.  So, even if the pay's a little on the light side, it's still going to be better than the alternative and there's no reason not to keep the resume updated.