Background: company that up until recently has paid us for operational support is now working on establishing the sama capability. They’ve been relying on us for this for roughly five years, but the agreement expired this summer.

The situation:

  • My current job isn’t fun anymore
  • I enjoy working with the systems that the poachers are using
  • I’m objectively good at it
  • I’d love to move over

So I was asked what my salary expectations/demands are to move over, where I’d be doing pretty much the same thing I do now. How much % raise should I aim for compared to what I have now?

UPDATE: I asked for my current salary + 10%, in addition to a few perks. Without the perks they’ll have to go higher than 10%.

  • jet@hackertalks.comEnglish
    28·
    1 year ago

    Ideally check for comparable numbers from people in your field. Don’t give them a number have them make you an offer. And then bounce the offer off the comparable number. You’re much more able to negotiate if you have a second offer in your pocket so keep interviewing.

    During a employment negotiation you’re only leverage is the ability and willingness to walk away. So make sure you know what you’re cut offs are negotiate to them and then make it clear you’re going to walk away if you’re not met.

      • essell@beehaw.org
        2·
        1 year ago

        The previous reply was saying it’s really powerful to be in a position where you can walk away from the new job offer, for you to have a clear line of what you’re willing to accept and what you’re not. Part of the reason you’re asking this here I guess is to help you decide on that line.

        Having more options and some of idea of what they’re likely to pay you is going to be more helpful in empowering you to choose a pay level with your new employers than our opinion as we’re working with very little information.

        Do you know what the company was paying your current employer for the support they were getting? Can you find out?

        Assuming your current employer was making a good markup on your work you can afford to ask for a good sized pay increase and the new employers will be happy as it’s still less than they have been paying.

          • jet@hackertalks.comEnglish
            3·
            1 year ago

            If you just want super duper old school advice. Factor in the Goodwill of your current position in your ability to produce, so call that like a 30% overhead cut going to a new position. It’s going to take you a long time to develop the Goodwill in the relationships and the rapport to be effective in the new role. And there needs to be a compensatory penalty for that.

            So like the old school advice was just ask for 45% more than your current role is making and settle for 30%.

            But you’re much better off reaching out to people on LinkedIn, finding out what they’re making. And using that in your negotiation. It’s not about how much the job is worth to you, it’s how much it’s worth your new employer. If they think you hate your old job and you will do anything to leave, they’re going to lowball you. In their best interest to do so.

            So the best line is yeah your technology is interesting, and seems like a great organization, but I really like where I’m currently am, I’m very comfortable. But I’m always willing to listen to your offer.

            (If you must make the opening offer) But if you need a number just for your books I would do it for x. (Where X is some suitably high number, and then you settle for whatever you’re comfortable for).

            Just remember the first number is the anchor of the negotiation. Whatever you say to start with is going to set the tone for the rest of the negotiation. It can never go higher than whatever you open with.