Ryan is an engineer in the Sacramento Area with a focus in Python, Ruby, and Rust. Bash/Python Exercism mentor. Coding, physics, calculus, music, woodworking. Looking for work!
Hm. I don’t think I agree with the nonverbal cues thing, but I’m also a pretty straightforward communicator. I usually don’t like to give “hints” about how I’m feeling. I’ll just say it (albeit politely). You may be different and that’s fine.
In a salary situation, having them say a number that’s far less than expected is a good time to double check your expectations and do some research. Make extra sure your expectations are reasonable. You don’t have to respond right there. Since this salary talk should hopefully be happening at the end of the interview, it’s ok to ask for a day to think about it and email them the next day.
Once you’re sure your number is reasonable, it’s not rude to counter with a suggestion of your own. How assertive you can be with it is directly related to how close your number is to theirs. If you’re pretty close, a simple “how about X” might be ok. If you’re much farther away, maybe “I was really hoping for something around X. What can we do to get closer to that?” If you like them, keep in mind that at this point, you are collaborating with them to find a solution. You can also try to fill the gap in other ways: “ok, but if that’s the case, I’d like to be able to work remote/get some extra benefits/extra vacation/etc.
I’ve heard that it is reasonable to counter once. Maaaaaaaybe twice if you have a good relationship with them. But they will probably come back and counter your counter. At that point, decide if you can live with it or tell them no thank you.
I’m definitely not the end-all expert, though, so read a lot of other people’s ideas. John Sonmez has good advice. There has been a Syntax FM podcast episode or 2 on negotiating.
I’d also recommend interviewing at several companies that you don’t care if you get the job or not, just for the experience. It’s good to get the jitters out and see what works for you personally.
Above all, keep in mind that your reputation is the most important thing, always treat them with the respect you’d like to get and like everyone in the industry is watching. Does that help?
Ryan is an engineer in the Sacramento Area with a focus in Python, Ruby, and Rust. Bash/Python Exercism mentor. Coding, physics, calculus, music, woodworking. Looking for work!
Also, culture affects things, so depending on which country you interview in, and the cultural background of your interviewer, what is “accepted” and “rude” may vary.
Thank you for such detailed answers! It definitely helped!
I’m looking forward to my first interview and when it will happen I want to make sure that I’m prepared.
Because of shyness or lack of confidence I might not counter their offer. But you (and other people here as well) gave some really good advice. This kind of increases my confidence.
Ryan is an engineer in the Sacramento Area with a focus in Python, Ruby, and Rust. Bash/Python Exercism mentor. Coding, physics, calculus, music, woodworking. Looking for work!
Good! You’ll do great! And if it doesn’t go great the first time, you’ll learn from it and do better the next time. Have someone you know, or, a friend of someone you know, give you a practice interview and then pointers on how you did!
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Hm. I don’t think I agree with the nonverbal cues thing, but I’m also a pretty straightforward communicator. I usually don’t like to give “hints” about how I’m feeling. I’ll just say it (albeit politely). You may be different and that’s fine.
In a salary situation, having them say a number that’s far less than expected is a good time to double check your expectations and do some research. Make extra sure your expectations are reasonable. You don’t have to respond right there. Since this salary talk should hopefully be happening at the end of the interview, it’s ok to ask for a day to think about it and email them the next day.
Once you’re sure your number is reasonable, it’s not rude to counter with a suggestion of your own. How assertive you can be with it is directly related to how close your number is to theirs. If you’re pretty close, a simple “how about X” might be ok. If you’re much farther away, maybe “I was really hoping for something around X. What can we do to get closer to that?” If you like them, keep in mind that at this point, you are collaborating with them to find a solution. You can also try to fill the gap in other ways: “ok, but if that’s the case, I’d like to be able to work remote/get some extra benefits/extra vacation/etc.
I’ve heard that it is reasonable to counter once. Maaaaaaaybe twice if you have a good relationship with them. But they will probably come back and counter your counter. At that point, decide if you can live with it or tell them no thank you.
I’m definitely not the end-all expert, though, so read a lot of other people’s ideas. John Sonmez has good advice. There has been a Syntax FM podcast episode or 2 on negotiating.
I’d also recommend interviewing at several companies that you don’t care if you get the job or not, just for the experience. It’s good to get the jitters out and see what works for you personally.
Above all, keep in mind that your reputation is the most important thing, always treat them with the respect you’d like to get and like everyone in the industry is watching. Does that help?
Also, culture affects things, so depending on which country you interview in, and the cultural background of your interviewer, what is “accepted” and “rude” may vary.
Thank you for such detailed answers! It definitely helped!
I’m looking forward to my first interview and when it will happen I want to make sure that I’m prepared.
Because of shyness or lack of confidence I might not counter their offer. But you (and other people here as well) gave some really good advice. This kind of increases my confidence.
Thank you!
Good! You’ll do great! And if it doesn’t go great the first time, you’ll learn from it and do better the next time. Have someone you know, or, a friend of someone you know, give you a practice interview and then pointers on how you did!