Ask HN: How much money do I ask for? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: How much money do I ask for?

#11

Post by brudgers » Wed, Dec 31, 2014, 7:01 PM UTC

salarynegging wrote: post #10

zorrb wrote: post #2

patio11 is correct. You should always try to come from the frame of you being excited about the opportunity and first want to make sure it's a good fit. The onus isn't on you to give a number, and in fact it's pretty ridiculous for them to demand it. If you've reached the final stages you should be getting an offer letter with a salary amount and then you can negotiate from there. That not happening sounds strange. W…

It is a large company that opened a new office in a different city, but there are no salaries online from positions in this new office. I can get an idea of how much a software engineer at the same company in, say, San Francisco makes, but of course I'll be making less here because of the difference in the cost of living. My default number would be the median salary for a software engineer in my area, but to be hones…

There's no reason to assume that you will make less simply because of location. Indeed, if there are fewer qualified candidates locally than might be found in San Francisco, then perhaps you're in a position to negotiate for more money. People aren't interchangeable, if someone in SF could do the work, they wouldn't be looking for someone where you live.

The company's quick alternative is to move someone from another location. Not only is such a person unlikely to take a pay cut based on location, they may ask for more. And certainly will ask for relocation expenses.

Relocation expenses, recruiter fees, etc are all part of the company's budget, not just salary. Don't sell yourself short.

Good luck.

Re: Ask HN: How much money do I ask for?

#12

Post by chrisbennet » Wed, Dec 31, 2014, 8:27 PM UTC

Company: "What salary are you looking for?"

You: "As much as possible. How much have you got?" :-)

In my experience, places will pre-qualify candidates through the recruiter (the recruiter won't send them someone they can't afford) or HR will ask you for a range before you start interviewing (so they don't waste everyone's time).

The last time I was asked by a hiring manager what sort of range I was looking for, it went like this:

Company: "What sort of salary range are you looking for."

Me: "125-135K"

Company" "Our salary for a Senior Dev tops out at 122K"

Me: "That's not my problem." :-)

Company: (Smiling) "You're right."

Re: Ask HN: How much money do I ask for?

#13

Post by gumby » Thu, Jan 01, 2015, 3:08 AM UTC

Did they use an outside recruiter? In that case the recruiter should know the size, and if they are (as is typical) on commission, are incentivized to suggest to you a number at the high end of the range since their commission will be higher. They are also incentivized to not suggest a number too high for you but sadly most are not that clued in.

Since this is your first full time gig, you can always say so (since they know already from your resume) and simply say "I don't know what's a reasonable wage in this city; I'm excited to work for you and expect to be treated fairly". You can find from glassdoor what other companies in that city are paying -- if they are in the neighborhood of those prices, go for it.

After all if you later find out they are screwing you you can use your experience to go find a better, better paying job. In the mean time you can learn stuff and do good work for them -- once you leave (for whatever reason) you can do so with your head high.

Re: Ask HN: How much money do I ask for?

#14

Post by kamphey » Thu, Jan 01, 2015, 4:39 AM UTC

If a number is what they are looking for, give them a number. It's been found that those who say "1 million dollars!" in negotiations like you're talking about end up getting more.

Re: Ask HN: How much money do I ask for?

#15

Post by zorrb » Thu, Jan 01, 2015, 11:26 AM UTC

debacle wrote: post #4

Have you ever had a development job? You can give them a number without putting yourself in a position of having given them a number, e.g. "Previously I was making $x" or "I know the salary range for developers in my area is $y to $z."

"I know the salary range for developers in my area is $y to $z."

This is a great suggestion. Shows you're savvy, doesn't give anything away and gets the ball rolling.